Growing hardware company plans stores No. 5 and 6

Bowers Ace Hardware is opening a new location in the growing Elgin-Pontiac area

The new store marks the fifth location for Bowers Ace Hardware, formerly known as South East Ace. A sixth store is expected to open later this year on Broad River Road in Irmo and will mirror the Pontiac location.

The freestanding Pontiac store includes 12,000 square feet of retail space and a 4,000-square-foot garden center.

“Our goal has always been simple — take care of the customer better than anyone else,” Claude Bowers, president of Bowers Ace Hardware, said in a news release. “From knowledgeable associates on the floor to dependable product availability and delivery, everything we do is centered around service. We’re excited to bring that approach to the Elgin community.”

Bowers said a grand opening on June 13 will feature specials, grill giveaways, room makeover allowances and other promotions. Vendor representatives also will be on-site to showcase products, and the event will include a cookout. In addition to traditional hardware supplies and the garden center, the store will feature an extensive grilling selection.

The Elgin location also will join the company’s other stores as one of the only full-line Benjamin Moore Premium/Pro paint providers in the Midlands.

“We are uniquely positioned to service both homeowners and contractors with both inside and outside sales reps, and delivery,” Bowers said in the release. “This unique partnership is not available to all Ace Hardware stores and is complemented by Benjamin Moore’s expert reps.”

Boyer Construction of Columbia served as the contractor for the project. Gray Engineering was the site engineer, and Larry Woodrum of Heyward and Woodrum was the architect.

With the additions of the Elgin and planned Irmo locations, Bowers Ace Hardware will operate six stores, including:

• 815 State St., Cayce
• 2085 N. Beltline Blvd., Columbia
• 2028 Augusta Highway, Lexington
• 3714 Betsy Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island
• 118 Spears Creek Church Road, Elgin
• Broad River Road, Irmo (planned)

Bowers Ace Hardware was founded in 2016 as South East Ace Hardware when Bowers acquired the Cayce and Beltline Boulevard stores, according to the release. The company acquired the Johns Island store in 2019 and the Lexington store in 2026. Earlier this year, the company rebranded all locations under the Bowers Ace Hardware name, and signage is being updated across the portfolio.

The company is headquartered in Cayce. It is part of the Ace Hardware cooperative.

The grand opening for the store at 118 Spears Creek Church Road in the Food Lion-anchored Pontiac Towne Center is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 13.