Back to Ace

Friday, while waiting for Liz while she was at the hairdressers in Round Lake, I drove over to the Ace Hardware on Il-134 (Railroad Avenue as it runs alongside the old Milwaukee Line, now Metra).

I don't know how long it has been there, but it was already at site when we moved into Round Lake Beach in 1975.  At one time the place was billed as the World's Largest Ace Hardware. It may still be as it is the same size.   And in the 70s and 80s it was quite the bustling place.  Just about everybody went  there, even to pay utilities.

And, then, it really got crowded come spring when the plants would arrive.  I spent a lot of time and money there (even though a flat of annuals cost $4.99-$5.99).

Of course, with the coming of Wal-Mart and especially Home Depot and Menard's (down Il-134 at US-12), customers have fallen off tremendously.  Even me.  I rarely go unless waiting for Liz at the hairdresser.

I looked at the flowers outside and walked through the well-stocked store before breaking down and buying a flat of annuals for $12.99 and geranium for 99 cents.

It Was Like Going Back to Old Times.  --RoadDog


YOGI-ISMS:  "It's  deja vu over again."