Farmers & Builders Ace Hardware and Possum Eddy Ace Hardware are members of the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry. Ace Hardware began as a small chain of stores in 1924, and has grown to include more than 4,700 stores in all 50 states and more than 70 countries worldwide. As part of a dealer cooperative, Ace Hardware stores are the best hardware stores because they are locally, independently owned. All of our locations are owned and operated by the Cochran Family.