A former drugstore space in El Dorado Hills is getting a new future, with the upcoming arrival of a retail tenant that will include an Ace Hardware store.

A store-within-a-store concept is planned at the site of a former CVS Pharmacy in Market Place at Town Center, filling a space of more than 23,000 square feet, which has been vacant for several years after CVS relocated.

Emigh Ace Hardware will occupy about 12,000 square feet, while Emigh’s Outdoor Living will fill approximately 6,500 square feet, said Brian Lawrence, president of both businesses. His father, Richard Lawrence, is the CEO.

Brian Lawrence said he’s still determining a name for the El Dorado Hills business, which he hopes to open in early-to-mid spring. He expects the project will cost at least $1 million.

“We’ve been eyeing that space for a couple of years, actually,” said Lawrence, whose family has a long retail history in Sacramento.

Brothers James and Clay Emigh opened their first hardware store in Downtown Sacramento in 1908. James Emigh is Brian Lawrence‘s great-grandfather. That store relocated several times. Known as Emigh Ace Hardware, it now operates at 3555 El Camino Ave. in Arden-Arcade, where it has been since 1973.

El Dorado Hills will be a second location for Emigh Ace Hardware, which is part of Ace Hardware, a retailer-owned hardware cooperative based in Oak Brook, Illinois. In August, the retailer said it had more than 5,500 stores in 50 states and 70 countries. There are several other Ace Hardware stores in the Sacramento area, with at least one other new site planned.

The hardware store component of the El Dorado Hills business will sell an assortment of home improvement supplies, and offer services such as key cutting and lock servicing, Lawrence said.

In Arden-Arcade, Emigh’s Outdoor Living operates in a space next to Emigh Ace Hardware. El Dorado Hills will also be an additional location for Emigh’s Outdoor Living. The outdoor living component of the business will focus on items including patio furniture and grills, Lawrence said.

He said he saw a retail void for hardware supplies in El Dorado Hills. “There really wasn’t anything in that market,” he said, describing the business opportunity for a hardware store operator.

Citing its recent growth, Lawrence said he thinks the El Dorado Hills area could support additional locations in the future. He’s considering expansion for both Emigh Ace Hardware and Emigh’s Outdoor Living.

Lawrence said 2020 was his best year yet for sales at Emigh Ace Hardware. He attributed that largely to people pursuing home improvement projects while sheltering in place during the pandemic. The momentum continued in 2021. As of August, Ace Hardware had opened 110 new stores this year. But even as business remains strong, Lawrence said he’s been affected by the supply chain issues that have disrupted multiple industries.

The planned El Dorado Hills location will employ at least 20 to 30 people, Lawrence said.

The space is 23,435 square feet, according to online leasing materials from Gallelli Real Estate. Lawrence said his concept will fill the entire space. It’s in an area that also includes businesses such as Nugget Market and Chipotle Mexican Grill.

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