Nelson’s Ace Hardware
Whitefish, MT
Nelson's Ace Hardware has served the Whitefish community since 1948, when Ruth and Wilfred Nelson founded the business after purchasing a local Marshall Wells hardware store. What began as a small downtown shop on Central Avenue grew into a trusted hometown resource for hardware, home goods, and everyday essentials, built on a reputation for friendly, hands-on customer service and strong community relationships. Over the decades, the store remained family owned for generations, becoming a long-standing fixture in the Flathead Valley.
In 2019, Nelson’s Ace Hardware moved into a larger, modern facility on Highway 93 to better serve a growing community, expanding its product selection and departments while maintaining its local roots. Today, it continues as a locally owned Ace Hardware store, blending small-town service with the strength of the national Ace cooperative. Still deeply connected to Whitefish, Nelson’s remains focused on helpful service, community involvement, and providing a reliable, full-service hardware experience.
Foundation Package in Action – Nelson’s Ace Hardware
Nelson’s Ace Hardware utilizes Arrowhead Retail Innovations’ Foundation Package, along with select add-on services, to bring clarity, alignment, and actionable improvements across their business.
Designed to provide an outside perspective, the Foundation Package supports a deeper evaluation of store flow, inventory balance, and overall merchandising effectiveness—helping identify what may be holding the store back and where the greatest opportunities exist. This approach allows leadership to move beyond day-to-day operations and make more informed, strategic decisions.
As part of this partnership, support has extended into team development and hiring initiatives, including the recruitment process for a Store Manager.
This engagement reflects how the Foundation Package can evolve beyond assessment—creating alignment not only in the physical store, but within the team driving it forward.
Store Manager Hiring Support
Scope of Work
This project focused on supporting Nelson’s Ace Hardware through the hiring process for a Store Manager, with an emphasis on both candidate alignment and long-term cultural fit.
The scope included participation in the group interview process, providing objective evaluation and impartial feedback across a group of five candidates. A strong focus was placed on identifying individuals who not only met the operational requirements of the role but also aligned with the company’s culture and team dynamics.
To enhance the evaluation process, DiSC Cards were utilized during the group interview to conduct a quick, interactive behavioral assessment. This provided additional insight into each candidate’s communication style, tendencies, and how they may integrate within the existing team.
The result was a more well-rounded and informed hiring process, combining traditional interviewing with behavioral insights to support a confident and strategic hiring decision.
Level 3 Reset & Inventory Alignment
Scope of Work
This project focused on executing a Level 3 reset while supporting development of an inventory team member, requiring both hands-on merchandising and process training.
The reset followed established planograms as a foundation, with strategic adjustments made to accommodate sliding fixtures and ensure a functional, shopable layout. This approach maintained planogram integrity while adapting to the realities of the physical space.
A key component of the project included training the new inventory lead on both reset execution and essential back-end processes. This ensured not only a successful set on the floor, but also stronger ongoing inventory management and operational consistency.
As a result of the reset, a significant amount of obsolete product was identified. A clear and actionable exit strategy was developed and implemented, allowing the team to move through aged inventory efficiently while maintaining a clean and organized presentation.
The result is a well-executed reset supported by improved internal processes, stronger team capability, and a successful reduction in excess inventory.
The images shown reflect the completed set following the reset and inventory alignment.
Plumbing Adjustment & Fixture Removal
Scope of Work
Nelson’s Ace Hardware engaged Arrowhead Retail Innovations for a small project within a Level 3 reset scope, focused on making targeted adjustments within the Plumbing department.
The primary scope included the removal of a sliding display used for black and galvanized pipe and fittings. While the original fixture condensed the category into an 8’ footprint, its removal required the assortment to be expanded and remerchandised across 12’. This transition involved thoughtful reallocation of space and minor adjustments within the surrounding department to maintain flow and shopability.
Additional support included refining adjacent categories, with touch-ups made to both the faucet display and showerhead set to improve overall presentation and consistency.
While the project was completed successfully, I unfortunately did not capture photos of the finished result.
This type of project reflects a focused, in-store adjustment—leveraging Level 3 reset principles on a smaller scale to improve functionality, optimize space, and enhance the customer experience.