Reinventing a Big Lake Landmark — Three Sons True Value Hardware Wins Beacon Award for Best New Store
When Dave and Lori Ables set out to open a new hardware store, they weren’t just looking to start another business—they wanted to create something meaningful for their community. Drawing on years of experience from their first Three Sons Hardware store in Ohio, they saw a chance to bring that same energy to Big Lake, Minnesota.
Their opportunity came in early 2022, when a longtime local hardware store went up for sale after serving Big Lake for 50 years.
“We could buy both the building and the store, which was key for us,” Dave says.
Set along Highway 10—a high-traffic corridor that swells with weekend lake-goers—the location offered prime visibility and easy access for potential customers. By January 2022, the Ableses had purchased the property and set their sights on transforming it into the newest Three Sons Hardware.
Starting Fresh
The store they bought had good bones but lacked investment—and vision. “It was a clean, nice store, but there was hardly any inventory,” Dave explains. Adds Lori: “It was clear they hadn’t put much into it recently, so it was a blank canvas for us.”
Lori took the lead on a top-to-bottom remodel, juggling construction projects while overhauling the outdated point-of-sale system: “I was starting from scratch with no historical data, so I had to build it up from the ground.”
The improvements were extensive. The Ableses upgraded everything from the roof and parking lot to shelving, LED lighting and signage. They reconfigured aisles for better flow and added 1,000 square feet of retail space by reducing the warehouse footprint. “We kept some fixtures, but pretty much everything else is brand new,” Dave says.
Inventory also received a major upgrade. The couple added new departments including outdoor power equipment, grills and a significantly expanded
STIHL lineup. A car enthusiast, Dave takes pride in the store’s extensive nuts-and-bolts selection, now one of the largest in central Minnesota. “We’ve got every type of bolt you could need, American and metric,” he says.
Bold New Look
The remodeled store reopened in September 2022 with a fresh layout designed to surprise returning customers. “We took our time to get it right,” Dave says. “We wanted people to really notice the difference.”
They certainly did. “People would walk in and say, ‘Wow, it’s completely different!’ ” Lori recalls. The reopening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, grill demonstrations and a paint sale, signaling a new era for hardware in Big Lake. That kind of dedication and community engagement is a big reason Three Sons earned the 2025 Beacon Award for Best New Store.
Stocked for Lake Country
Located in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country, Three Sons Hardware caters to its customers’ lifestyles. Fishing is a cornerstone category, and Lori has more than doubled that department’s size, creating a destination stocked with rods, reels, tackle and locally sourced live bait. Ice fishing gear—augers, shelters, jigs—rounds out the selection, ensuring anglers are covered year-round.
The store also serves RVers, campers and boaters whether they’re looking for lake-themed décor or Yeti coolers. “We’re stocked for everything lake life,” Dave says.
The Ableses tailor their offerings to meet local demand, having learned early that success meant adjusting to residents’ preferences. “What worked in Ohio doesn’t always work here, so we focus on what the community needs,” Dave explains. After bringing in high-end grills that didn’t sell, for example, Three Sons shifted to midrange models better suited to their customers. “We learned fast, and it’s paying off.”
