Best Ace Hardware is proud to be your locally owned and operated source for all your home and hardware needs. Since 1932 we have proudly been serving Delaware. Thomas Best originally started the company that has transformed and grown into the Best Ace Hardware you know and trust today. The year was 1932 and Thomas Best and Sons, Inc first opened its doors as a true general store, carrying groceries, hardware, clothes, feed and everything in between.  Located just outside the growing towns of Lewes and Nassau sales steadily grew.

In 1968 it was time to grow and expand so the store was relocated.  The new location offered an even wider selection of goods and services.  Things were going well and sales were continually growing. By this time, the original Thomas Best had turned over operations to his son, also Thomas. Over the years, Thomas’s three children, Randy, Carolyn and Barbara all came into the business. In 1982, the company underwent its first name change as control was transferred from Thomas to his son Randy. Thomas Best and Sons now was known as Bests’ Store, Inc.  

Fast forward another decade and Randy and his wife Susan along with his two sisters were ready to grow the company even more. In 1992, the first Best Ace Hardware was opened in Milford, DE. At the time, this was one of the largest hardware stores in the state.  It was fast apparent that this new store was going to thrive and do well. Following in its success and with the help of an ever changing market place, the decision was made to convert the original Bests Store into a full line Ace Hardware modeled after the new Best Ace Hardware. The long and tiring conversion was completed by the end of 1993 ending with it the era of being a true general store.

Over the next several years, Randy and his family and siblings were busy running and growing the existing two locations. Randy and Susan’s two children Jenny and Andrew were growing up and becoming more interested and more involved in the family’s company. Once it was apparent that both children were interested in continuing on the with the family’s long business heritage, the decision to grow again was reached. In 2001, the third Best Ace Hardware was opened in the town of Harrington. Meanwhile, the original store in Milford was growing and bursting at its seams! It was relocated and expanded to its current location in 2002. This new space provided more than double the square footage making it possible to have corporate offices attached to the store. Sales continually grew over the next few years.

In 2006 the fourth Best Ace Hardware was opened in Milton, DE. By this point in time, Randy and Susan’s two children, in addition to their neice, are active members of the company’s management team. 2010 saw the addition of our fifth store in Long Neck, DE. Today, Best Ace is proud to be a growing and vibrant fourth generation family business.

Bests' Ace Hardware
32437 Lewes Georgetown Hwy
Lewes, DE 19958
p. 302-645-6658
f. 302-645-5331
Best Ace Hardware
610 Mulberry Street
Milton, DE 19968
p. 302-684-2007
f. 302-684-2009
Best Ace Hardware
633 North DuPont Hwy
Milford, DE 19963
p. 302-424-5414
f. 302-424-5415
Best Ace Hardware
3000 Midway Drive, Suite2
Harrington, DE 19952
p. 302-398-6447
f. 302-398-6448
Best Ace Hardware
32362 Long Neck Road
Millsboro, DE 19966
p. 302-945-4017
f. 888-595-9512