By OLIVER GOOD

Staff writer

Marion Ace Hardware owner Kent Carmichael and Ulysses store manager Larry Altis spoke to and answered questions from Marion Chamber of Commerce members Friday about merchandise they plan to offer once the store opens.

“We plan to open the middle of May,” Altis said. “If not then, then at least by Memorial Day weekend. We are not afraid to work.”

Before they open, they still need to get a store number, install shelving, and hire about nine employees, all of whom will be hired locally, including the store manager, Carmichael said.

They plan to be open every day of the year from about 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and approximately 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays except for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

They said that out of all the stores they own, the Marion location is the biggest. Its size and location will allow them to offer customers more than just a large variety of hand and power tools.

“We will offer boating and RV supplies as well as farming and ranch supplies,” Carmichael told chamber members. “We will also take special orders if we don’t have what you want on-site. There will be a truck delivering stock to us once a week.”

They will also sell dog, cat, chicken, and lamb food, as well as sturdy outdoor clothing, gloves, rain gear, and several types of boots both work and waterproof.

Their lawn and garden section will feature several brands of lawnmowers, fertilizer, mulch, gardening tools, as well as seeds and tomato plants that will be in bloom.

Currently they do not plan to provide rental equipment but if they can find the right person to service and maintain the equipment, they might consider adding that option. However, they do plan to give do-it-yourself demonstrations, one of which is a “ladies only” event in November.

“We also plan to have about 20 feet of candy shelf space,” Carmichael said. “We do a lot of candy business.”