Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 23, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 7 202 Brigham St., Northborough, MA • 508-393-2444 For Tee Times: www.juniperhillgc.com Juniper Hill Golf Course Celebrating 90 Years of Golf • Friendly Atmosphere • Two well groomed, established courses • No membership fee • Excellent meeting facilities • 36 Challenging Holes • Top 10 Public Golf Course in Massachusetts • Golf Teaching Center Call us at 508-351-9500 Give the gift of golf Gift certificates for golf, lunch, lessons and equipment are available in the Pro Shop 508-393-2444 Outings & Functions 3 to 300 guests in a variety of settings new ways to customize store layouts and product offerings, Aubuchon said. "ere was no way to customize the product assortment, store by store, which is actually a really important thing to do with neighborhood hard- ware stores," he said. Aubuchon's offerings at a particular store are influenced by the local land- scape, with some locations selling appli- ances while others tap into a location's agricultural roots by selling products like animal feed. A key factor in Aubuchon's expan- sion was its 2023 decision to join ACE Hardware Corp. cooperative, founded in 1924 by a small group of Chicago hardware store owners who banded together to pool buying power. e partnership with ACE has offered a major boost to revenues and a stable source of supply. It helps connect Aubuchon to mom-and-pop operations looking to sell. A total of 24 of the 25 stores pur- chased since September 2023 have been ACE-branded, Gates said. He meets with ACE every two weeks to discuss the next prospect. "e word is out," Gates said. "We recently had someone's capital advisor reach out and ask if we were interested in acquiring stores. We said yes, set up a call, and the next thing we're flying on a plane to go visit." In addition to Aubuchon Director of Business Development Jean-Marc Aubuchon's outreach, the company utilizes third-party cold callers to scout for family-owned stores lacking a suc- cession plan, Gates said. Already a common sight in New En- gland, Aubuchon is eyeing the Mid-At- lantic market and eventually into the Central Time zone. Rite Aids & empty retail opportunities Aubuchon is on the hunt for new locations, to relocate existing stores or to set up shop in new communities. e company has been presented with a unique opportunity with the 2025 demise of Rite Aid, leading to at least 1,250 vacant retail spaces across the country. Gates said former Rite Aids are generally near good intersections and are around 10,000-12,000 square feet, perfect for the footprint of a typical Aubuchon store. Downsizing by Walgreens and the bankruptcy of Party City are presenting new storefront possibilities, too, he said. "As retailers, it's creating opportuni- ties in the hardware channel for some great sites," he said. Aubuchon's expansions aim to have a so touch, retaining existing employees and treating their years of service with their respective companies as if they had happened at Aubuchon when it comes to benefits, Will Aubuchon said. e company oen retains existing business names, operating stores under a variety of brands. Aubuchon's rapid growth plans are a bet, but he is confident it will pay off in the long run. "Nothing's guaranteed in life, but every acquisition helps the brand, that store, and that team of people," he said. Aubuchon's growth efforts came full circle with the remodeling of store #1 in Fitchburg, completed in July. "ey built out this network through acquisition of local hardware stores and are competing very well, providing a needed service to the community," Nascimento said. "ey are just a great company. We're really proud of them." Notable Aubuchon expansions The Westminster-based hardware store chain W.E. Aubuchon Co. now operates across New England and has begun expanding into the Mid-Atlantic. Store Acquisition date Details J.B. Hostetter & Sons, Pennsylvania Q4 2023 Aubuchon enters Pennsylvania with the purchase of this 96-year-old store in Lancaster County. Bibens Ace Hardware, Vermont Q2 2024 The acquisition of seven Bibens stores was its largest singular transaction since 2023, expanding its Vermont presence to 24 stores. Anco Ace Hardware, New Jersey Q4 2024 Aubuchon expands into New Jersey by purchasing this Villas-based store, preserving its name in the process. Depault's Ace Hardware, Rhode Island Q1 2025 Aubuchon entered its 11th state with the purchase of this Cumberland-based store. Source: W.E. Aubuchon Co. W

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