(La Porte County, IN) - A local hardware store chain, which has been locally owned for over a century, is being sold.
Houchens Food Group has agreed to purchase Kabelin Ace Hardware. The Bowling Green, Kentucky based company is a subsidiary of Houchens Industries, Inc., one of the largest, most diversified 100 percent employee-owned firms in the nation.
Kabelin Ace Hardware has eight stores in South Bend, Walkerton, New Carlisle, Granger and two retail locations apiece in La Porte and Michigan City. Mackenzie Kabelin Watkins said her family is proud of the business they built but it just became increasingly difficult nowadays to operate as a small independent retailer.
The stores, known for their customer service, will continue to function under the Kabelin Ace Hardware name, leadership and local management. All 150 employees will be retained during the transition.
“We knew we wanted to continue the Kabelin legacy, but we wanted to do it from a position of strength while also giving back to our employees,” Mackenzie Kabelin Watkins said.
Watkins said she also believes the partnership formed under the acquisition will secure “the future of our company while also ensuring the longevity of our stores and serving the people that matter most, our employees and our communities.”
Houchens Food Group operates more than 40 Ace Hardware stores across the country and more than 400 grocery, convenience and quick service restaurant locations. It was announced that Watkins will continue her leadership role as Director of Operations for the Kabelin Ace division of Houchens Food Group.
Joe Wardman, a longtime hardware retailer following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather with the Kabelin family, will become Regional Operational Specialist within the company to help drive interactions with customers on a day to day basis. Kabelin Ace Hardware will also keep the same community minded focus at all eight of its locations and have an opportunity to open new stores in adjacent markets.
“Kabelin has built an outstanding reputation for quality service and hometown care which are values that align perfectly with our mission. As an employee-owned company, we believe in empowering local teams to continue that legacy while providing the resources and support to help our business grow and thrive,” said Houchens Food Group President Greg Rush.
