HISTORY OF ELEVATION ACE HARDWARE
ELEVATION ACE HARDWARE STORY
Founded in 2007, brothers Kirby and Nick Kuklenski, through a parent company, own and operate 8 separate Ace Hardware stores across Colorado and New Mexico. 5 locations along the Front Range of Colorado, 1 store in Gunnison, 1 store in Durango and 1 additional store in Farmington, New Mexico.
Ace Hardware Uintah Gardens was the first store in the eight-store chain owned by the Kuklenski brothers. The Uintah Gardens Ace team has been serving west Colorado Springs out of this 12,000 square-foot space that has neighborhood feel written all over it. It is conveniently located in the King Soopers Shopping Center on the corner of 19th and Uintah.
Mile High Ace Hardware and Garden is a 20,000 square foot retail hardware store, built and designed by the Kuklenski brothers in Federal Heights, CO and the second store owned by brothers. As their flagship store on the front range, it is more than just a local neighborhood hardware store, carrying over 40,000 different items on its shelves. Mile High Ace is located on 104th and Federal Avenue and sits just behind the McDonalds.
Established in 2011, South Academy Ace Hardware became the third Ace Hardware store that the Kuklenski brothers would open in 5 years. Although smallest in stature, this 8,000 square foot retail hardware store packs quite the punch! It boasts a full paint department, propane filling station, outdoor garden center, USPS Post Office and a service counter that are all sure to get the job done! South Academy Ace is conveniently located in the King Soopers Shopping Center at the intersection of South Academy Boulevard & Hancock Expressway.
After changing hands in 2015, Ace Hardware at Austin Bluffs officially became the 3rd Colorado Springs retail location and fourth store for the Kuklenski brothers. The largest in stature at 20,000 square feet of retail hardware space, it boasts a full housewares department, propane filling station, Stihl department, outdoor garden center and a full patio & grilling selection. Ace Hardware at Austin Bluffs is conveniently located in the King Soopers Shopping Center at the intersection of North Academy Boulevard & Austin Bluffs Parkway.
Cherry Creek Ace Hardware is the fifth store owned by the Kuklenski brothers. With a passion for serving local residents and independent businesses in the central Denver area, Cherry Creek Ace provides a wide array of hardware, tools, electrical and plumbing essentials, patio furniture and paint as well as an expansive lawn and garden center. Cherry Creek Ace is located in the Virginia Village shopping center at 1417 S. Holly Street.
After a change of hands in the spring of 2019, Fullmer’s Ace Hardware became the first store from Colorado’s Western Slope to the Kuklenski organization. Fullmer’s Ace is a long-standing and well-established staple of Gunnison, Colorado, and has actively served the Gunnison community for over 40 years under the direction of J.R. Fullmer & family. “We are committed to upholding the integrity of Fullmer’s Ace Hardware by offering convenience, local relevance, top-notch customer service & quality products to the residents of Gunnison Valley. This place is an institution and we’re honored to be a part of it. J.R. and his team have done a fantastic job with this store.” -Gunnison Country Times quoting Nick Kuklenski.
Most recently in 2021, 2 existing Ace Hardware stores were purchased by the Kuklenski brothers. Ace Hardware of Farmington in Farmington, NM, as well as Kroegers Ace Hardware in Durango, CO. Kroegers Ace Hardware most recently celebrated their 100-year anniversary in June of 2021 and was awarded Business of the Year by the local Chamber of Commerce.
The Kuklenski brothers and their wonderful team are committed to be the helpful hardware folks in these incredible communities, and promise, “helping you is the most important thing we have to do today.”