Bucyrus True Value to become Ace Hardware

BUCYRUS - When their new toilet wouldn't connect to the water line properly Friday, Wayne and Deb Mitchell knew exactly where to go: Bucyrus True Value.

"They always have everything we need," Deb said. "They have the hard-to-find stuff."

The couple searched up and down the plumbing aisle for the part they needed to make their new commode flush.

"I have to go from a seven-eighths to a half an inch," Wayne said.

The words were barely out of his mouth when he saw the part he needed — another successful trip to the hardware store.

The friendly service and reliable selection at the store will stay the same even after it becomes Ace Hardware in six weeks. store officials say. The store will close Dec. 30 as True Value, then open Jan. 2 under its new name.

The store was purchased by the E&H Hardware Group, owned by the Buehler family of Wooster. The family owns 22 other stores across the northeast portion of the state, the closest of which is in Mansfield.

"All of the new Ace Hardware brands will be brought in," said Darcie Darrah, who has worked at the store for 25 years.

Darrah was hired at the hardware store when it was still owned by Gene Bianchi, nearly two years before it was sold to the Campbell family. According to a press release, the Campbells have tripled both the size of the store and the number of employees. Rose Campbell will maintain ownership of the store until the last day of the year.

"We want to thank all our past and present employees, as well as our faithful customers that have supported us through the years," Campbell said. "It's been a fun journey, but we are excited for the next chapter as the Buehler family takes ownership and continues to improve the business for years to come."

The Campbell family — including Rose's four children and two grandchildren — have been a pleasure to work with, Darrah said.

"They've been very good to us," Darrah said. "We will miss them, but we're also looking forward to moving forward."

The new business affiliation will allow the store to sell Clark+Kensington and Valspar paints, Craftsman tools and an expanded assortment of lawn and garden products.

The employees suspect the transition will be easy, and already have been given the full support of the new management team.

"We did a meet and greet with them — they're nice people," Darrah said. "All of the employees who are here will still have their jobs."

The store will continue to support the community as much as it can, according to Scott Buehler, president and chief operating officer of E&H Hardware Group.

"Rosie and her team have served the customers of Bucyrus for many years," Buehler said. "We look forward to joining the local Bucyrus community as we strive to maintain the tradition of a family owned hardware in the heart of town."

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