For the first time since June 2019, a local retailer is welcoming customers in the former Shopko building along Highway 141 in Perry.

Earlier this month Harland Ace Hardware officially transitioned their operations to the location next to the Hy-Vee at the intersection of Highway 141 and 1st Street. The hardware store is a three-generation family business originally located on the first floor of Hotel Pattee before moving to South First Avenue in 1986. Perry City Administrator Sven Peterson tells Raccoon Valley Radio this is another example of local businesses thriving and growing in Perry, “It was pretty sad news when we learned that Shopko, as a whole company, was going to seize operations left an empty shell there next to Hyvee. (We’re) very happy for the Harland family and Harland Hardware to be able to acquire that and expand their business here in Perry. I know they’ve done a great job of expanding their operations in Boone as well as in Jefferson. So we’re just very grateful that they were able to acquire that building, put some investment into that building, and provide even more services.”

There are plans for Dollar Tree to move across the street into where Ace Hardware was previously located. However, that move isn’t expected to occur until next year.