Time was in Chesterton, a chap in need of a good suit, a pair of Oxfords, and a snappy fedora could spend a Saturday afternoon at Leslie Pratt’s or Falvey’s and come home a new man.
Smith’s, Bergren’s, and Betty Prange Casuals offered women the latest in spring and fall fashions, while Ray’s Tots to Teens kept the kiddies looking fresh.
Planning to propose and needing a ring your gal will love? Charles Straleskey and Diness both had you covered.
A set of wheels? Smith Pontiac-Buick, Foss Auto, E.P. Hubbard, and Village Ford were among the half dozen or so auto dealerships operating in the Downtown at any one time.
A dozen eggs or a gallon of milk? No need to drive (unless it’s the weekly shop). Smedman’s, Big T Plaza, and Bob’s Butcher Block were all conveniently located right in your neighborhood.
A fridge or a dryer? See what’s on discount at the Motormat or Smith’s TV & Appliances.
A sofa or easy chair or dining room set? Chesterton Furniture’s two floors were stuffed with home furnishings (a few sticks—gently used after half a century in grandma’s front room—may once again be on the same display floor, that of Yesterday’s Treasures, which now occupies the building).
Once upon a time Chesterton—with a population of only 4,335 in 1960 and 6,177 in 1970—was as self-sufficient and self-contained as a Mars colony.
Now, however—as a certain kind of Facebooker is only too happy to soapbox about—we can’t even buy socks or underwear anymore without making a pilgrimage to Valpo. There’s virtually no staple, no household item, no white good, no everyday or occasional necessity on sale in Downtown Chesterton.
Unless, that is, you need a Sawzall or a sump pump or 100 feet of copper electrical wire.
Then you just pop into Hopkins’ Ace Hardware, 325 S. Calumet Road, in the heart of Downtown Chesterton.
Twenty years ago today, on June 22, 2005, Mark and Michele Hopkins finalized their purchase of Hopkins’ Ace Hardware from Mark’s parents, Hugh and Eva, and have been running it (brilliantly) ever since. In 2007 they went all in and bought the old Smedman’s, then transformed what had been a cavernous supermarket into an airy, well-lit, well-stocked emporium of everything hardware and other cool stuff.
When we make a quick dash to Hopkins’ Ace for lightbulbs or batteries (or when we make two or three quick dashes because we stupidly measured once and had to cut twice), we’re reenacting a ritual the old timers recall fondly, when the world seemed smaller, slower, friendlier, and more comprehensible. For a shot of pure nostalgia, spend 20 minutes strolling the aisles of Hopkins’ Ace aimlessly and you’re almost bound to run into the ghosts of contractors and DIYers long gone.
One thing has changed, of course. Let’s no longer speak of the Helpful Hardware Man. Hopkins’ Ace is staffed by women as well as men, some of whom have worked for Mark and Michele for years, all of them unfailingly cheerful, patient, and as comprehensively knowledgeable about hardware as they are about where exactly in the store to find this gadget or that widget. You don’t have to go far or wait long for assistance either. Walk through the doors and you’ll be instantly greeted by the cashier with a smile and a “Can I help you?”
Mark and Michele are more than entrepreneurs, though. Mark is one of the most civically minded businesspeople in Chesterton, with a special fondness for its parks and a commitment to the reimagining of Coffee Creek Park. He’s donated materials, equipment, and his time for all manner of community projects and often runs month-long roundup campaigns to benefit local organizations. And they’re both accomplished artists. Mark has been known to exhibit his intricate and whimsical welded sculptures in the store while Michele opened the Moth Wing Studio in 2019.
But let their kids and now co-managers of Hopkins’ Ace, Emily and Ryan, tell the story.
“My parents bought Hopkins’ Ace Hardware when I was 8 but I’d been around the store even before that,” Emily recalls. “When my parents bought the business, I remember being there after the store was closed and playing hide-and-seek with my brother while my folks figured out how to run a business.”
“Looking back now I can understand the huge risk they took buying a business and then less than two years later buying a building and moving the store,” Emily notes. “I’ve always admired them so much for all the hard work they’ve put into the their business over the years and for always striving to make it better.”
Ryan agrees. “When my parents bought a different building to move the store into, I was too young to understand how big of a risk they were taking,” he says. “I remember all the late nights we would be at the new building, preparing for the move, and how much work my parents put into making Ace the business it is today.”
Like their parents, Emily and Ryan clearly have the hardware gene in their DNA. “Working at the hardware store means a lot to me,” Ryan adds. “It feels like much more than just a job. I love having the opportunity to help our customers and knowing that I’m contributing to their projects, homes, and even livelihoods. I also love chatting with our regulars and learning about what they’re working on.”
“I have officially worked for my parents for 14 years now and it has also been so much more than just a job,” Emily says. “I am so grateful to have a job that allows me to work alongside them and my brother every day. I also love being part of this community and having the chance to know and help the people who live here. Thank you to everyone who has supported my family’s business over the years! And congratulations on 20 years of owning Hopkins’ Ace Hardware, Mom and Dad! I’m so proud of you guys!”
Just as clearly, Emily and Ryan were raised to respect and honor the Hopkins ethic. “I’m thankful to my Mom for raising me to be kind, empathetic, and always having my back,” Ryan says. “I’m thankful I grew up with a Dad who always told me to ‘Figure it out’ when I asked him how to fix something but always helped me if I couldn’t. Without his guidance, I don’t know whether I’d have had the confidence to do all the personal projects I’ve done over the years. I’ve learned so much from both of my parents and plan to keep the tradition going of service and trust that Hopkins Ace Hardware has built in our community. Congratulations on 20 years, Mom and Dad! Love you guys!”
