The former Crank Daddy’s Bicycle Works space on Milwaukee’s East Side will become an Ace Hardware store this spring.
Jim Meinecke, whose family operates three Milwaukee-area Ace Hardware stores, is leasing the 7,000-square-foot space at 2170 N Prospect Ave. to open Village Ace Hardware May 23.
Meinecke is leasing the building from Down Dog LLC.
“That much space is hard to come by in that area of town,” Meinecke said. “We like the demographics on the East Side – it’s a vibrant and progressive group and there is a lot going on there.”
Meinecke said his store will be a hybrid paint and hardware store and that he’s hoping will fill the void left since Brady Street True Value and National Ace Hardware on North Fourth Street closed last year.
“From what I’ve heard from people in the neighborhood, there are a ton of restaurants, bars, coffee and clothing but people have to trek quite a ways for a store like ours,” Meinecke said. “Hopefully, we’ll fit right in.”
The Meinecke family also operates Village Ace Hardware and Village Outdoor Living in Glendale and Meinecke Ace Hardware, 5020 W. Fond du Lac Ave.
