Akard True Value Acquired by Great Lakes Ace

Beacon Award winner Akard True Value Hardware in Zionsville, Ind., has been acquired by Great Lakes Ace. The Hardware Connection recognized Owner Leigh Ann Akard and Akard True Value with the Beacon Award for Community Service in 2020.

Leigh Ann’s grandfather, JJ Akard, bought Zionsville Hardware in 1955, which was then located on the Brick Street, as Zionsville’s Main Street is affectionately called.

Her father, Steve, purchased the business in the late 1970s and then moved it one mile away to a 25,000-square-foot space in the Boone Village Shopping Center.

With the business ready to celebrate its 65th anniversary in 2020, a fortuitous event happened. The store’s original space on the Brick Street became available, so Leigh Ann opened up a pop-up shop as a salute to her family’s legacy just as the pandemic kicked in. The location recently closed.

The main store features a 25,000-square-foot sales floor that includes a standalone rental center.

Leigh Ann said, “We do more than hardware, we just happen to sell some of it. In our 68 years of business, we have done a lot more than just sell hardware. We created relationships and opportunities and those relationships are the ones that will continue for a lifetime. Our customers and our employees have become our chosen family. We’re thrilled to pass the hammer to the Great Lakes Ace group, as they take our dream to the next level. On behalf of my entire family, I want to say thank you. We’re excited about the expanded selections they will bring to the community of Zionsville, all while continuing to build the relationships that we hold so dearly.”

In a statement posted on Akard True Value’s Facebook page, Great Lakes Ace said: “We wanted to thank Leigh Ann, the Akard family and the entire team at Akard True Value for their years of dedication and overwhelming support for the community of Zionsville. They have been an integral piece of the neighborhood. On behalf of everyone at Great Lakes Ace Hardware we want to congratulate the Akard family and wish them all the best during this next stage of life and to enjoy retirement to the fullest. We would like to announce that Akard True Value is now transitioning to become Great Lakes Ace Hardware. We will continue to support the community of Zionsville through our Vision of Improving Lives & Communities. While you may see the addition of several sought-after brands (YETI and EGO Power+) in the coming months, you can expect to see the same familiar faces providing helpful service at your neighborhood hardware store.”

Long-time employee Joe Hollingsworth will continue serving as manager.