Strosniders Hardware’s Silver Spring store has been sold to A Few Cool Hardware Stores, according to an announcement circulated to customers by the company.

AFCHS is another locally based member of the Ace Hardware cooperative that operates a dozen other hardware stores in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area, including the Old Takoma Ace Hardware at 7001 Carroll Ave.

Strosniders will continue the operation of its three other Maryland locations—Bethesda, Kensington and Potomac, the announcement said.

The Silver Spring location, along with Whole Foods, is one of the original stores that opened in the Downtown Silver Spring development 20 years ago. All mention of that location has been removed from the Strosniders website.

“After detailed review, it was decided that the best course of action was to sell our Silver Spring location,” said Stan Smith, co-owner of Strosniders, in the announcement. “It was important that this transition included the hiring of all present employees, and this sale is an important step in reaching our goal of sustaining a stronger business. We want to thank our customers for all their support over the years.”

Owners Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman started AFCHS with their first store, Logan Hardware, in 2003 in the District. They expanded to Baltimore in 2007 with a store on Federal Hill, and into Virginia with the takeover of Old Town Ace Hardware in 2015.

Ace Hardware Corporation was started in Chicago in 1924. The company is a cooperative that supports a network of more than 4,800 independent hardware retailers around the world.

The Source has contacted both companies to seek additional information and will update this story as warranted.

Photo by David Lay