Rocky's Ace Groundbreaking in Palmer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2006
CONTACT: Bob Dashevsky
(413) 785-1981
Rocky's Ace Hardware Groundbreaking in Palmer
Rocky's Ace Hardware, one of the dominant hardware retailers in the Northeast region, has broken ground for a 16,800 square foot store at Palmer's recently renovated Depot Plaza shopping center, located at 1581 North Main Street.
With 27 locations in three New England states, the chain's newest store in Palmer will open in the spring of 2007, according to Andrew M. Cohen of Century Investment Company in Springfield, an owner of Depot Plaza. The store will also include a 3,000 square foot garden center.
"Rocky's will fill a void in Palmer," Cohen said. "This is a homerun for the town, for efforts to strengthen the downtown area, for the businesses already located at Depot Plaza, and certainly for Palmer residents."
Founded by Rocco (Rocky) J. Falcone in 1926 in the South End of Springfield, the original mom & pop operation was expanded to seven stores by the 1980s under the leadership of James Falcone, Rocco's son. Today, Rocky's is affiliated with the ACE Cooperative, which provides the buying power, advertising clout and state-of-the-art accounting and inventory procedures of a national chain.
The new Palmer Rocky's will offer a full line of paint, tools, electrical and plumbing fixtures and supplies, cleaning materials, housewares, automotive and pet supplies, Christmas decorations and general hardware. In addition, the garden center will be fully stocked with annual and perennial flowers, trees and shrubs, statuary and other garden decorations.
Rocky's curently operates stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, and has plans to expand in all three states. In addition, the chain is considering retail sites in Connecticut and Florida.
Other tenants at Depot Plaza include Susan's Apparel, Movie Gallery, Apollo Restaurant, Diane & Company salon, GMAC Realty, H&R Block and Tang's Restaurant. Retail and office space from 2,100 square feet is available.