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ACE HARDWARE 2013 ANNUAL REPORT
/
21
A WELCOME
COMMUNITY
SPACE
Annie’s Ace Hardware, Washington, D.C.
Annie’s Ace Hardware opened in February
2012 in the Petworth area of Washington,
D.C., which has gone from a little known
neighborhood to what the Washington Post calls
“a burgeoning D.C. hotspot,” home to an eclectic
and changing mix of residents.
Owner Annie Stom is passionate about Petworth—
one of the reasons she decided to open an Ace
store was the desire to create jobs for the people
of her community. She and her staff have a clear
mission statement: “to create a welcoming
community space and a focal point of activity
within the neighborhood.”
Annie’s team lives that mission by hosting
numerous events, including a Children’s Miracle
Network Hospital fundraiser. The store supports
The Bike House, a nonprofit group that provides
a free bicycle repair and maintenance clinic at
Annie’s every Saturday. One day each month,
the store also hosts the Washington Humane
Society’s kitten adoption, which has earned
Annie’s the highest adoption rate of any of the
Society’s adoption sites. From car washes in the
parking lot to cookie sales in the store, Annie’s Ace
Hardware helps local schools, boys and girls
clubs, and local Girl Scout troops. Our troops
aren’t forgotten, either—Annie’s will be the primary
sponsor for Washington, D.C.’s Armed Forces
Retirement Home’s 2014 Spring Fling.
In September, her staff became Helpful 101
Certified with a certification score of 96.52%.
Annie says, “As a new store, understanding and
committing to the Ace 20/20 Vision has helped us
to focus our efforts on the metrics that differentiate
us from the big box store. Amazing customer
service, improved inventory control, enrolling
customers in Ace Rewards, and recognizing
the opportunities of B2B (The Supply Place)
have helped us to achieve Pinnacle status.
That focus has been critical to our success
and provides a great model not just for a new
store such as Annie’s but also for established
stores who want to keep growing and improving.”
There’s one member of Annie’s team who is
especially loved by staff and customers, old
and young alike: a small dog named Ursula, who
serves as the head of security and functions as the
store’s official “greeter.” She mysteriously arrived
on Annie’s doorstep in May 2012, just months after
the store opened. She was skinny as a rail, with
a matted coat and no collar. Today, Ursula has a
job, room and board, and health benefits.
Whether they’ve been
here for weeks or for
generations, Petworth’s
residents love its tight-
knit spirit and local
businesses—like
Annie’s Ace Hardware.