The 'Biggest Little Hardware Store In Minneapolis' Got Ransacked

The 'Biggest Little Hardware Store In Minneapolis' got ransacked early on Friday morning. The thieves smashed a hole in the front door and made off with thousands of dollars in power tools and equipment. The store is now unsure if it will continue to carry power tools in part because of the theft.

Ace Hardware on Nicollet in Minneapolis has dubbed itself the 'Biggest Little Hardware Store in Minneapolis' for a reason. It has just about anything you might need for home repair, working outside on the lawn, or simply enjoying what the outdoors has to offer. On Friday morning, the store was robbed after-hours by individuals who broke the glass on the main door and took off with power tools and other equipment according to a post from the store on social media. The post was made in part to identify the thieves, as the store's owners wrote they don't like to share negative things online.

It pains me to write this as we don't like to post about negative things. We have been very quiet about the huge increase in shoplifting and property theft here over the last few months. But early Friday morning was our breaking point. At around 12:45am, a couple of people broke out the glass in our doors and proceeded to steal power tools, outdoor equipment, socket sets, cash, and other minor things. It was basically a snatch and grab for the neighborhood. Six different people came in a took whatever they wanted. Some even helped themselves to a red Ace wheelbarrow to help get all the power tools in the vehicle. So please excuse the boarded-up door while we get it fixed. Be patient with us as our power tool shelves are empty. Our future in power tools is unknown. With the supply chain issues, it is hard enough to get them in stock, much less keep them from being stolen. If you recognize any of these people please inform the police.

Edit: yes, we have an alarm system and yes the police came but most important

The cats are all good.

To me what's sad, other than the crime itself, is that the business owner's Elena Nelson and Sam Rosch have to ask customers to be patient as their shelves are empty. The community should rally around this business, stop in and buy what's left, place online orders through Ace Hardware's website and pick it up in-store, do whatever they have to to keep this store's doors open, and let the owner know that they shouldn't have to apologize for something they couldn't control, like empty shelves due to theft.

It appears that the community is doing just that based on reaction to the post.

Image Credit: Paul Shea/TSM

Kindness is what should be expected in this type of situation.