I recall an Ace Hardware that was really struggling once Lowe's came to town. They tried really hard to pull on the heartstrings of people basically begging them to help small businesses survive. What I don't think most people consider was the fact that Ace Hardware was a chain, a chain that in their past also put other mom and pop stores out of business. Ace simply got outmoded and Lowes and Home Depot took a huge risk by making a Wal Mart of DIY. Before that I don't think most people ever thought about making hardware a part of their lives. Now it is pretty mainstream.