Luckily, Ace has John Madden up its sleeve. Despite the growth of warehouse-style competitors, Ace Hardware has remained a household name, thanks to ads featuring Madden, a former Oakland Raiders football coach and retired TV commentator. By sales the company is the #1 hardware cooperative in the US, ahead of Do It Best. Ace dealer-owners operate about 4,500 Ace Hardware stores, home centers, and lumber and building materials locations in all 50 US states and more than 60 other countries. From about 15 warehouses Ace distributes such products as electrical and plumbing supplies, garden equipment, hand tools, housewares, and power tools. Its paint division is also a major paint manufacturer in the US.

The drugstore chain was founded by A. J. Hartig and today is owned and operated by his grandson, CEO Richard "Dick" Hartig. Getting up there in years counts for something. In business since 1904, Hartig Drug is the second-oldest continuously operated family drugstore chain in the US. It fills prescriptions and sells household items through its chain of about 15 drugstores and long-term care pharmacy in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. In addition to pharmacies, the company manages Finley-Hartig Home Care (medical equipment and supplies retailer) and Unique Boutique Flower and Gift Shop (floral arrangement designer).

Balkamp was formed in 1936 by the NAPA board of directors. Its moniker blends the surnames of the company's first managers, John Baldwin and Bob Leercamp. A majority-owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts, Balkamp distributes parts and accessories for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and farm equipment to repair shops and retail members of the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA). The company also provides diagnostics equipment, cleaning supplies, chemicals, and other service-related items. Balkamp offers some 45,000 items from about 600 domestic and foreign suppliers. It operates distribution centers in Indianapolis and Plainfield, Indiana and West Jordan, Utah.

Founded in 1945, Diamond Hill Plywood is owned by the Ramsey family, including executives John Ramsey and Jim Ramsey. The building Elvis left may have been constructed of material from Diamond Hill Plywood. The company wholesales building materials through about 10 sales and distribution offices spanning Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Its products include adhesives, hardware, insulation, lumber, millwork, siding, structural panels (such as strand boards and sanded plywood), roofing, and wall paneling. Among the company's customers are building-material dealers, furniture and fixture makers, and manufactured-housing companies.

Emco is in good with construction workers. Emco Corporation company is one of Canada's leading makers and distributors of building products serving the residential, renovation, and new construction markets, as well as the commercial and industrial construction industries. Emco specializes in plumbing, waterworks, industrial, oilfield supply, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) products. The firm also provides geosynthetic products and services. Founded in 1906, Emco operates a network of more than 180 branches throughout Canada. Emco Corporation was acquired in 2003 by Ontario, Inc., an investment vehicle formed by Blackfriars Corp., an Illinois-based holding company.

Co-op is Britain's largest funeral service provider. Established in 1863, Co-operative Group boasts 5.5 million members.Co-operative Group cares for its customers from the cradle to the grave. The hodgepodge of businesses run by the world's largest cooperative society includes farming, food and drug stores, travel agencies, banking, insurance, financial and legal services, and funerals. It's the UK's largest commercial farming operation and its fifth-largest grocery retailer with some 3,000 food stores. Overall, it operates about 4,800 outlets on high streets throughout the UK. Financial services include insurance, investment and retirement planning, as well as traditional and online banking.

T J Morris offers its customers top brands-- of nearly everything-- at bottom-basement prices to value-seeking shoppers in England and Wales. The company operates more than 140 Home Bargains and "halfpriceorless.com" outlets that sell discounted personal care and household products, such as health and beauty items, toys, and designer products. The chain has announced aggressive expansion plans to grow to and manage some 500 stores within the next five years. Managing Director Tom Morris founded the company more than three decades ago.

Since its founding in 1889, the firm has developed the boysenberry along with varieties of peaches, oranges, roses, and the patented Hotbiscus Hibiscus and Wadda Tomato. In addition to its 100-acre nursery, the company has about 30 retail garden centers that operate under the Armstrong banner in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as about 15 Pike Nurseries locations in Atlanta and North Carolina. Its stores carry shrubs, flowering plants, fruit trees, and vegetables, as well as an assortment of dirt, planters, and garden tools. Company employees own 100% of Armstrong Garden Centers. It's strange to think that any company "invented" a fruit, but Armstrong Garden Centers does just that.

Chico’s FAS, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items. The company offers its products under the Chico’s, White House|Black Market (WH|BM), and Soma Intimates brand names. The Chico’s brand sells primarily private branded clothing focusing on women 35 and over. It offers accessories, such as handbags, belts, scarves, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. The WH|BM brand sells fashionable clothing and accessory items, primarily in black and white and related shades focusing on women who are 25 years old and over. It offers accessories, such as handbags, shoes, belts, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. The Soma Intimates brand offers private branded intimate apparel, including bras, panties, and shape wear; active wear; sleepwear; robes; and loungewear. As of January 30, 2010, the company operated 1,080 retail stores in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. It also sells its products through catalogs, and via the Internet at chicos.com, whitehouseblackmarket.com, and soma.com. Chico’s FAS, Inc. was founded in 1983 and is based in Fort Myers, Florida.

Sears, Roebuck and Co. hasn't outgrown the mall scene, but it's spending more time in other places. Beyond its 850 US mall-based stores, Sears has more than 1,300 other locations nationwide. The company operates more than 900 independently owned Sears Hometown Stores (formerly known as dealer stores) in small towns and about 105 Sears hardware stores and some 85 Orchard Supply Hardware shops. Sears' stores sell apparel, tools, and appliances, and provide home services (remodeling, appliance repairs) under the Sears Parts & Repair Services and A&E Factory brands. It also sells appliances and tools online. Sears was acquired by Kmart Holding Corp. in 2005. The deal formed Sears Holdings, which owns both chains.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.