Corrected: ACE hardware to open in 2025

Kris Camp grew up behind the counter at her parents’ hardware store in Graham, and now she and her husband, Rand, and his brother, Jeff, are bringing their own Ace Hardware store to Olney.

Mr. and Mrs. Camp recently closed on the commercial property at 1105 W. Main St. with Mr. Camp’s brother, Jeff Camp and his wife, Holly, as partners. The two couples plan to open the new store early next year, if all goes well, Mrs. Camp said.

The Camps recently bought a home in Olney - a return home for Rand Camp, who was born here and grew up in Graham.

They also began attending City Council meetings to learn how the City operates, and to meet residents, Mrs. Camp said.

The Camps said their store will sell mainly consumer hardware as well as lumber and other building materials. It also will also carry grills and other outdoor and “fun” items.

While Olney Hardware and the new Ace Hardware may sell some similar items, the Camps believe Olney is growing and will easily support both businesses.

Mrs. Camp shared that Ace has been eyeing Olney as a location for a new store for awhile. “Our Ace contact who helps with new stores recently said, ‘My boss just went through Olney and said, ‘Why don’t we have an Ace Hardware here?’” she said.

She said the Ace Hardware chain was attracted to Olney because of the “signs that Olney is trying to grow.”

They are excited to be in Olney and she said that they “truly believe the Lord led them here to be a help to this wonderful community they are now blessed to call home.”

They have created a Facebook page that will post progress updates but there “will definitely be announcements in the Olney Enterprise, too.”