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The new Ace Hardware of Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca., officially opened its doors for business on Oct. 3.
Located at 31541 Santa Margarita Parkway (in the Mercado del Lago shopping center), the 18,000-sq. ft. store is fully stocked with trusted brands and offers a wide range of services to support local homeowners, DIYers, and contractors.
Cesar Velasco, a retail veteran with more than 25 years of management experience, serves as the store’s general manager. Velasco is known for his commitment to customer service and hands-on leadership.
“We’re honored to join the Rancho Santa Margarita community,” said Velasco. “Our team is excited to welcome customers into the store and demonstrate what the Ace Helpful Promise is all about — legendary service, expert advice, and a convenient, memorable shopping experience.”
Ace Hardware of Rancho Santa Margarita features a variety of specialty departments, store-within-a-store concepts, and services, including:
Nursery — Offering live plants, flowers, succulents, shrubs, pottery, outdoor living supplies, and top gardening supplies from brands such as Scotts and Miracle-Gro. The Nursery will open later in fall 2025.
Backyard BBQ — As fresh, inviting, and uniquely Ace in-store experience featuring premium outdoor cooking brands like Blackstone, Weber, Traeger, and Big Green Egg.
Power Tools and Outdoor Power — The first concept of its kind in the retail hardware space, the department showcases leading power tool brands such as Craftsman, DeWalt, and Milwaukee alongside popular outdoor power equipment brands EGO and STIHL.
The Paint Studio — Featuring Benjamin Moore and Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines paints and paint color matching services.
The Kitchen Connection showcases a curated selection of gourmet foods (with frequent samplings and seasonal tastings), and cookware, kitchen utensils, and linens from such leading brands as Joseph Joseph, Lodge, Now Designs, OXO, USA bakeware, and Soda Stream.
In addition to selling fasteners, hand tools, Yeti coolers and accessories, and plumbing and electrical supplies, the store also offers key cutting, automotive key fob replacement, STIHL outdoor power equipment repair, carpet cleaning machine rental, and propane tank exchange.
Ace of Rancho Santa Margarita is owned and operated by Westlake Ace Hardware, marking their 22nd location in California. The store is the hardware retailer’s second location in Orange County (a store in Placentia opened in July 2024). Westlake Ace currently has additional stores in development in Mission Hills, Sacramento (Land Park), and San Leandro.
For 120 years, Westlake Ace Hardware has been the helpful neighborhood hardware store countless generations have relied upon for power and hand tools, fasteners, paint, plumbing, lawn care, pet products, electrical supplies, and BBQ grills and accessories. Westlake lives the Ace Helpful Promise every day by delivering reliable service, helpful advice, and products so its customers and neighbors get their projects done right every time.
Westlake Ace has been part of the Ace Hardware Cooperative since 1959. From its headquarters in the Kansas City area, the company currently owns and operates more than 175 stores in 13 states. Westlake Ace is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ace Retail Holdings. A division of Ace Hardware Corporation, Ace Retail Holdings currently owns and operates more than 260 Ace Hardware stores nationwide under the Breed & Co., Buikema’s Ace, Dennis Company Ace, Great Lakes Ace, Westlake Ace, and Outer Banks Ace brands.
