Ziegler’s Ace has a long and lively history. It is one of the longest continuing businesses in the State of Illinois. The business started in 1856 as Meehan’s Hardware in Elgin, Illinois. Lyle A. Ziegler purchased Meehan’s in 1930, and joined Ace Hardware Corporation in 1934. Ace Hardware was just 10 years old at the time, and was formed by five Chicago hardware retailers to improve their stores by forming a co-operative.
Ziegler’s Ace was led and managed during the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s by Lyle and Zell Ziegler’s sons, Gregg and James. Sales volume grew dramatically during this period and, at one point in the 1960’s, Ziegler’s Ace was the number one purchaser of product from Ace. The number of Ziegler’s hardware stores increased to four during this period.
