Longtime Saline resident prepares to open ACE Hardware in The Oaks in Saline
After leaving a career in manufacturing, Jim Junga is preparing to open his first store: An ACE Hardware in Saline, where he's made his home for many years.
Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com
The new ACE Hardware store opening in early October in Saline represents both a retail expansion in the city and a new career direction for its owner.
Jim Junga spent more than two decades in manufacturing before turning his attention to finding the right investment for a mid-career job change.
Now he’s just days away from launching the results of that search: His family owned ACE Hardware store in The Oaks.
“This is a complete switch,” Junga said of the new store.
But it also fits his family and his goals, he said.
Junga has lived in Saline since 1987, raising 5 children in the community with Diane, his wife, who teaches in Woodland Meadows Elementary School.
During his career at companies that included Johnson Controls, Junga oversaw manufacturing for as many as 30 different plants, with responsibility for 1,500 employees.
But he also watched the automotive downsizing in recent years and recognized that it gave him the opportunity to choose a new direction for his career. After considering multiple businesses, he chose to invest in an ACE Hardware store. There are 4,800 ACE stores, a number growing due to a recent expansion effort.
He also wanted to run the business in Saline, where he hopes one of his children may eventually want to take it over.
“This is a 15-20 year business venture for me,” Junga said. “… (And) it’s a potential legacy business.”
The store is operated like a coop instead of a franchise. Individual retailers own the business, buying inventory from ACE and using its support systems, such as marketing.
Junga spent most of the year setting up the store, from looking for the site and signing the lease in June to ramping up during the 8-week build out.
During the past month, he’s been stocking the store in anticipation of the “soft opening” on Oct. 6.
The store’s location fills 10,500 square feet in The Oaks, located on Michigan Avenue just east of downtown Saline. It will be an anchor in the shopping center, which was completed just as the economic downturn took hold in Washtenaw County.
Junga said he believes the store will benefit the center and complement other hardware offerings in the vicinity. There’s an ACO Hardware nearby and Walmart offers hardware products.
Both of those stores have specific product lines that appeal to mass consumers, and some of it will be different from the ACE inventory. Junga said he'll stock about 20,000 items that will mostly be traditional hardware store inventory.
Hiring has been completed after about 150 people applied for the eight initial openings. Junga hopes to add 4 people to the mix soon.
Junga invested just under $1 million in the venture. While hoping for personal success for the store, he also hopes that his experience will inspire others to take the risk on investing in new business.
“There’s not enough of this going on in Saline and in Michigan,” he said. “When you tell someone you’re opening a store, their first reaction is, ‘Are you crazy?’
“After that … they’re genuinely happy to see the investment.”
Paula Gardner is Business News Director of AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2586 or by email. Sign up for the weekly Business Review newsletter, distributed every Thursday, here.
Comments
jondhall
Thu, Sep 30, 2010 : 7:48 a.m.
As far a Walmart goes, thanks God we still have a free country shop there if you like. I as an American get sick when someone bashed Walmart they are an American Success story like it or not! What ever happened to the competitive American spirit? With all the handout the government gives these days, no wonder people shun competitiveness. "If it's going to be like Stadium or better yet Northside in Wayne that would be great." should This Ace be operated in this manner people will drive for thirty miles to get there. Then they will succeed no doubt, you have to fill a nitch. So the best to the Junga family and thanks for investing in Michigan and our community. Some would have taken their "million dollars" and retired, but here we have the "true " American spirit. I will shop their and urge all my friends to do the same, while at the same time wishing "Walmart" well, there is room for more than one. So grow up, if you got a "participation award", maybe, just maybe someone did the "wrong thing". Capitalism forever!
Henry Ruger
Mon, Sep 27, 2010 : 10:12 a.m.
Ace is to the big-box stores as a nice local restaurant is to eating at a disaster-relief center. Great choice, Jim. Best of luck!
Chris
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.
It's about time a good hardware came to saline. I'm sorry ACO but your store and it's selection has declined over the years. As for chelsea lumber, if I want to pay more for the product then I'll come your way. In all fairness Chelsea lumber does have a great portfolio of suppliers for special orders.
Kevin
Sun, Sep 26, 2010 : 8:03 a.m.
@ Scylding You can turn left out of the oaks by the stop light in front of Wendys.
Scylding
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 10:48 p.m.
Obviously, I wish Mr. Junga great success. I just hope he knows something I don't. The timing and location strike me as unpropitious. One major problem with Oaks: one can't turn left out of there to get back into town. Whoever thought that up was a genius... I will be shopping at the store, as I think the prices at Chelsea Lumber are ridiculous, just as they were when it was called Bridgewater Lumber. Junga will need to have better prices than Chelsea Lumb., though, or I will likely make the trek to Lowes or HD. Sorry, but these are tough times. I find the offerings at ACO a little un-hardware-storeish, but the prices are good. I go there when what I need is really mainstream; that is pretty much the only hardware they carry. I look forward to having a true hardware store in town, and will shop at ACE when I can and if it doesn't disappoint me.
Jim Pryce
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 7:51 p.m.
I'm glad to see an Ace in Saline. As a maintenance man I use the Ace stores in Ypsi & both in Ann Arbor due to their selection. I can't find what I need at ACO, & although Chelsea(Bridgewater)Lumber & Tractor Supply have things I need occasionally, I was finding I had to drive back to Ypsi or Ann Arbor to find my products.
Kevin
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 5:59 p.m.
I have worked for Ace for 2 years now...3 different locations. Ann Arbor on Washtenaw, Milan, and now a new one near Milan... We do everything we can for our customers and Most people I know say they would rather walk into an Ace than a Lowes or Home Depot for several reasons. Home Depot is veryyy busy, but they only staff enough people to help some customers. They also usually can't leave their department meaning they will just send you away to look for another worker. Good Luck to Mr. Junga! It should go great in Saline!
stunhsif
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
@ffej440, There has been an ACE in Milan for many years, was never a need for you to drive to Home Depot. Milan is only 6 miles from Saline. If I am just buying a small item or two, I will hit ACO or ACE but if I am buying 10 bags of rock salt for the softener I'll go to Wal Mart because I can save around 10 bucks. I don't care who owns the store, more money in my pocket is better than money in someone else's pocket.
debling
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 1:03 p.m.
I have shopped at both ACE (other locations) and ACO. ACO is ok, but I prefer ACE. A welcome addition. Both can probably survive in the short run. To me the interesting point is that the new Oaks mall is slowly filling up. That's good news. In addition, new business in Saline seems to be growing (ACE + three new restaurants - one downtown and two on the West side) while I know of only one that has failed recently (Flaming Shish).
tdw
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 11:54 a.m.
@KRC Ace is no longer sexist I think its helpful hardware "person" now
krc
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
ACE is the place with the helpful hardware man!
Jason
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
Way to go! there are not enough family owned businesses left! I wish you the best of luck in your new store!
Pat Ivey
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 10:04 a.m.
Best wishes to Jim Junga and his staff in this new retail venture. Citizens of Saline and Pittsfield Township are smart consumers. They appreciate having choices when they shop - and they want to shop locally. Chains and franchises contribute roughly 40% of a store's sales back into the community through wages and taxes. An independent locally-owned business returns about 80% of each dollar spent.
concernedinsaline
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 9:48 a.m.
After 25 years in the building material supply industry, I too opened a business in Saline. This is a great community that supports quality and service. ACE's dealer network allows for volume purchasing and extensive support. Best wishes to the Junga's. Regarding competition, this is what makes America great.
tdw
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 8:21 a.m.
@ERMG Wal-Mart is not a hardware store.I don't understand the comparison
ffej440
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.
I can't wait for this! Long overdue in Saline, I'm sick of driving to home depot. ACO trys to sell everything, making the hardware selection poor(They have more toys than meijer) and the lumber company has a limited selection of hardware also( More toward a builder than a do it yourself) I have missed ACE since they closed on the west side of town. Best of luck to the new owner and family.
tdw
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 7:51 a.m.
If it's going to be like Stadium or better yet Northside in Wayne that would be great.
RobertinSaline
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 7:23 a.m.
If Jim's store has offerings similar to the Ace on Stadium I'll be there - great quality & excellent service!
stunhsif
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
@flyingpatricio, I actually find ACO more appealing than ACE though ACO I would say carries a broader line of goods, including some consumer products like coffee and munchies. The ACO in Saline is top notch and the folks there are very friendly and helpful. Like others have said, I doubt Saline is big enough to support both (along with Wal Mart and Chelsea Lumber). They may both end up like strarving artists!
flyingpatricio
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 7:04 a.m.
It's nice to see a business open in these economic times. I hope much success to Junga and his ACE branch. I live in Dexter and frequent the ACE in downtown and I also lived in Ypsi for 20 years and frequented the Ace there as well. I really like how the service at ACE is...First Rate help! I do wonder if Saline is big enough to support the ACO and Chelsea Lumber, which carries some of the same stuff as a hardware would, as well. The one thing I do know is that the owner of the ACO might have to step up his efforts. I have always found ACE to better than ACO.
local
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
What about other hardware store near Michigan and Maple? Is this business going to force another to close? Not sure Saline needs 2 stores this similar. Something to watch I suppose.
SalineFan
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 6:50 a.m.
Congratulations! I know the Junga family will take good care of their customers. They are a great family that cares about Saline. I will shop there.
kdadnick
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 5:57 a.m.
Congratulations! We'll certainly give it a try...
GRANDPABOB
Sat, Sep 25, 2010 : 5:43 a.m.
Chelsea Lumber, Saline branch is also within a block away!