January 22, 2024, Westminster, MA — Keith and Lisa Gilbert have agreed to sell Brunswick Ace Hardware in Brunswick, MD to the Aubuchon Company, the oldest and largest group of family-owned hardware stores in America. The store will continue to operate as “Brunswick Ace Hardware.”
After closing in March, the Aubuchon Company will operate 114 stores in 9 states.
“Since 2016, Brunswick Ace Hardware has become a destination for customers in Brunswick Maryland,” said William E. Aubuchon, IV, President & CEO. “After extensive careers in other industries, Keith and Lisa pivoted and dove into hardware retailing with passion and dedication, building up a team to serve customers and make a difference in their local community. Their story is an entrepreneurial inspiration!”
“The Brunswick community welcomed us with open arms, and for that, we are extremely grateful,” said Keith. “We listened to their needs and expanded our inventory accordingly.”
“We always viewed our relationship with our customers as a partnership. Making a difference in the community is not only good for business, but it has filled our hearts,” said Lisa. “We could have never accomplished everything without our incredible team of dedicated employees. We all learned and grew together over the years and became a family that Keith and I will miss tremendously.”
With their children now grown and engaged in rewarding careers of their own, Keith and Lisa have decided to step back and do more than just work. “We loved that Aubuchon is a family-owned business with values perfectly aligned with ours. We’re confident that Aubuchon will pick up where we left off and more!”
“We’ll soon officially welcome the Brunswick team to the Aubuchon family. We work hard, we take care of each other, and we have fun,” said Aubuchon. “We couldn’t be more delighted to carry on the Brunswick Ace legacy.”
About Brunswick Ace Hardware
Keith & Lisa Gilbert’s journey to becoming successful hardware retailing entrepreneurs started after extensive careers in different industries. Keith was a professional Firefighter with Montgomery County for 25 years but had to go out on disability for a knee injury. Lisa was a salesperson in the beverage industry for 15 years before leaving to be a stay-at-home mom for their two boys. As the boys got older, the couple decided to go into business for themselves. They opened Brunswick Ace Hardware in March 2016 and built the business from the ground up. Beyond establishing a thriving business, Keith and Lisa have always dedicated themselves to making a difference and being part of a small-town community, a goal they have more than accomplished.
About the Aubuchon Company
Founded by William E. Aubuchon, Sr in 1908, the Aubuchon Company is the oldest and largest family-owned hardware store chain in America. Now in its fourth generation, the purpose of the Aubuchon Company is “to serve those who depend on us and build on our heritage with passion and humility.” Following the purchase of Brunswick Ace Hardware, the Aubuchon Company will operate 114 stores in 9 states, predominantly under the “Aubuchon Hardware” brand, but also including “Lyndonville Hardware & Lumber” in Lyndonville, VT, “Village Hardware” in Alexandria, VA, “True Value” in Bucks & Montgomery Counties, PA, “Cornell’s Hardware” in Eastchester, NY, “Martin’s Hardware & Building Supply” in Bristol, VT, “Campbell’s True Value” in Maine, “Zimmerman’s Hardware” in Burtonsville, MD, “J.B. Hostetter & Sons” in Mount Joy, PA, “Curry Ace Hardware” in Massachusetts, “Aubuchon Ace Hardware,” and now “Brunswick Ace Hardware” in Brunswick, MD. The company’s mission is to build up the strongest group of local hardware stores and brands nationwide. For more information about the Aubuchon Company, visit aubuchon.company. To shop online, visit hardwarestore.com.