Family-owned Rocky’s Ace Hardware is celebrating 100 years in business and while its grown and changed, the brand has managed to keep that friendly, helpful neighborhood feel, the owners said.
Founded in 1926 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Rocky’s has grown from a single local hardware store into a family-owned chain of 52 locations across New England, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida.
The three in Connecticut are located in Vernon, Stamford and in a few weeks, Manchester.
“For 100 years, Rocky’s has been built on trust, hard work and the relationships we’ve formed in every community we serve,” said Rocco Falcone, president of Rocky’s Ace Hardware. “We’re proud of our history, grateful to our customers and excited to celebrate this milestone together throughout 2026. When it comes to serving our neighbors, Rocky’s has truly nailed it.”
Falcone is a third generation owner of the business his grandfather, Rocco “Rocky” Falcone, founded long before the Home Depot’s and Lowe’s of the world existed.
They’ve endured dips in the economy, the rise of big box stores and thrived with niche products, personalized service and a focus on quality paint, tools, grills and outdoor cooking products, right down to rubs for meat, lawn and garden supplies, and more.
At some point they stopped focusing on new construction and put the energy into repair and home improvement.
Customers can still walk into Rocky’s and have an expert walk them through an entire home repair project.
In celebration of a century in history, they’re planning big gives to charity — a path they’ve always followed — and lots of customer specials in their stores.
Rocco Falcone’s son, Johnny Falcone, is the company’s director of growth and acquisitions, helping in the store since he was about 8 years old.
“The thing I like most are the people,” Johnny Falcone said. “So many people are able to meet our mission of helping others. We’re able to be there for our community when they need us.”
This year Rocky’s Ace Hardware customers who participated in the annual Round Up for Kids campaign across stores raised $113,930 to support Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
Johnny Falcone, who has an MBA like his dad, said one of their goals is to double the size in the next 10 years.
He said they’re going to continue to invest in their healthy stores and acquire existing hardware stores with “no succession plan.”
The elder Falcone said they offer “convenience” and “advice,” beyond products. He said some “big boxes,” Don’t have people greeting customers with, “What’s your project today?” and following through with advice.
“One of the satisfactions of our job is we’re helping people to maintain their homes,” the elder Falcone said. “We’re there to help people get through the difficult times.”
He said they also give to local causes.
The father and son said their stores go far beyond hardware and in many ways are like convenience stores with different niches in different locations. For instance some stores are heavier on fishing equipment or recreational vehicle-related products. The stores carry baseball cards, Pokemon cards, Christmas lights and decorations.
Johnny Falcone said there are some areas they specialize in, including a full-service indoor/outdoor paint department, high quality tools, outdoor cooking.
The Manchester store, set to open next month, will have a full-scale garden center.
