Brooklyn Park’s Cherokee Ace Hardware is Going Out of Business

For 41 years Ace really has been the place in Brooklyn Park.  The Cherokee Ace Hardware Store has been a go-to destination for residents in the area.

“I think about everything I’ve ever bought has been from here,” said Dave Whitney of New Hope. “They will be sorely missed.”

However, that will change in a few months. The store is going out of business once they liquidate all of their items.

“We know everybody in this neighborhood and they all know us,” said Brian Rademacher, who runs the store. “They’ve all been coming here forever.”

Since 1977 Cherokee Ace’s hallmark has been a personal touch.

“We’ve always been a hands-on, Ma and Pa business,” says Rademacher, who admits it’s been sad to spread the news. “We’ve had a few people that are actually angry that we are leaving.  ‘Where are we going to go, what’s going to happen to us?’ “

Customers could find ‘just about anything’ at

Dave Whitney has been coming to Cherokee Ace for decades and knew he could find exactly what he wanted when he walked in the door.

“If you buy nuts and bolts and stuff you can buy just one,” Whitney said. “Any of the big box stuff, there’s always a dozen in it or whatever it is and you never use ’em again.”

The”big foot” of the “big box” stores has made it tough for Cherokee Ace to compete. Ma and pa businesses often get squeezed by their size and scope.

“I don’t have anything against the big box but you know these people,” Whitney said. “You trust ’em.”

When the bolts, batteries, and tools finally disappear from the shelves, Cherokee Ace will eventually disappear from the neighborhood.

“I can’t tell you how many times we’ve had people come in and bring cakes and pies and stuff,” Rademacher said. “Just to say thank you for something we helped them do.