Ziegler's Ace Hardware closing West Dundee shop

One of the most established businesses in West Dundee will be forced to leave the village by the end of the year due to financial difficulties, management confirmed Friday.

Ziegler's Dundee Ace Hardware, 118 S. 1st., will begin a liquidation sale on Friday, Sept. 4.

Though an exact date of the 36-year-old store's closure is not known, vice president David Ziegler said in an e-mail that the sale will continue as long as stock is available.

"Over the last few years, Ziegler's Ace Dundee has seen a decline in sales volumes," reads a flier for customers. "Like many other businesses, our attempts to remain profitable during the economic downturn have not worked. As a result, we have made the difficult decision to close this store location before the end of the year."

The store opened in 1973.

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said its departure will mark the end of an era.

"This is a huge loss for West Dundee and the downtown business community in terms of a draw," Cavallaro said. "This will be an emotional loss. They have been such a fixture and long standing business."

For more than 30 years, the hardware store provided local residents expert and friendly service and advice, said Village President Larry Keller.

"It is a shame that they will no longer be right there," Keller said. "It has been very handy to many residents. It's my kind of store."

The company owns nine other hardware stores in the Fox Valley area including Carpentersville, Elgin, Huntley, Lake in the Hills and South Elgin.

Cavallaro said there are no immediate plans for the storefront and denied suggestions that the village is interested in purchasing the property.