| Ace 
            Hardware set to reopen with new owners at a new location in Lincoln 
            [JULY 
            1, 2003]  
            Bishop Hardware & 
            Supply Inc. will be opening an Ace Hardware store in Lincoln in the 
            fall of 2003. The local store, the eighth for Bishop Hardware, will 
            be located at 521 N. Kickapoo, currently the Moose Lodge building. | 
        
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            Bishop Hardware is a 
            family-owned-and-operated business with its headquarters in 
            Springfield. The new Lincoln store will employ approximately 20 
            people and will feature convenient and knowledgeable customer 
            service. The store's slogan will be "The Helpful Place." The 
            merchandise selection will focus on paint, tools, electrical 
            plumbing, fasteners, housewares, and lawn and garden products. 
            Bishop Hardware's current store 
            locations are in Carlinville, Havana, Jacksonville, Normal, 
            Taylorville and two sites in Springfield. Plans are for the new store in Lincoln 
             
            to be open in late October and to open several more stores next year in the central Illinois area. 
            Ace Hardware Corporation is a 
            cooperative of 5,000 retailers, each individually owned. Ace is the 
            largest hardware cooperative in the United States, and Bishop 
            Hardware is one of the top 20 Ace store operators. Quotes 
              
            "We are excited and happy to be 
            coming to Lincoln, Ill. As soon as we found out this territory was 
            available, we started looking for a location here." -- George W. 
            Preckwinkle, president. 
            [to top of second column in 
            this article] 
      
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            "Everyone we have met here is 
            friendly. It's working with the local people that adds to our 
            excitement. To take care of the needs of Lincoln, we're completely 
            remodeling the building as well as adding a garden center and 
            storage area." -- Lucy Bagot, executive vice president.
            
            "This announcement today is one 
            of the highlights of my time as the new director of economic 
            development. The EDC, the chamber and I have 
            all worked with Lucy and Ace Hardware since my first few days on the 
            job. We are certainly excited to welcome the Preckwinkle family to 
            our community.  We are indeed hopeful that this will be the 
            first business of many to locate in Logan County this year." -- 
            Jeff Mayfield, economic development director 
            People interested in 
            more information can contact Lucy Bagot, Executive Vice President, 
            Bishop Hardware & Supply, Inc., 214 N. Walnut St. Springfield IL 
            62702; phone (217) 529-5673. 
            [Press release] |