About Us

Kortendick Hardware's Mission

Kortendick Ace Hardware strives to be the leading hardware store in our community. Our goal is to enthusiastically meet our customers' needs by providing:

• Quality merchandise
• Solutions to your hardware needs
• Fast, friendly, and legendary customer service
• Consistent customer satisfaction

At Kortendick Ace Hardware, we place you, the customer, first at all times.

History of Kortendick Hardware

Kortendick Hardware was founded by Russell Kortendick Sr. in 1951. His first store was 2,400 square ft and located at 1518 State Street in Racine.

In 1959, Mr. Kortendick moved his growing business to a new 10,000 square ft retail building at 3301 Douglas Avenue. Mr. Kortendick and his family lived in an apartment above the store. The new larger building allowed the business to expand into toys, housewares, hobby models, and lawn and garden equipment.

Mr. Kortendick purchased the current store's property at 3806 Douglas Avenue and in 1969 built a 24,000 square ft facility.

A second Racine store opened in 1978 at 1222 North Green Bay Road. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kortendick opened the third and forth stores in Gurnee, Illinois and Zion, Illinois. Upon Mr. Kortendick's retirement in 1984, Russ Kortendick Jr. purchased the business from his father. The Illinois locations were sold and the Racine stores were converted from True Value to the ACE Hardware Label.

The Green Bay Road location was closed in 1998 at the end of its lease. Douglas Avenue location was expanded to 30,000 square feet allowing for major expansions into lumber and propane business. Also an Underground Sprinkler and Pet Fence division was formed and is now run by a third generation, Brian Kortendick.

Kortendick remains Racine's premier full service hardware center. Stop in and visit our friendly and helpful staff at 3806 Douglas Avenue.