You’ve probably driven past it a thousand times if you’re heading down Mormon Coulee Road. The red sign is a staple. But honestly, Ace of La Crosse—or Walsh’s Ace Hardware, if you’re being technical—isn't just a place to grab a box of nails when your deck starts sagging. It’s one of those weirdly specific local hubs where you can buy a high-end grill, get a chainsaw fixed, and talk to someone who actually knows why your lawn is turning that depressing shade of yellow.
It's local. Pete Walsh runs the show now, keeping a family legacy alive that stretches back to an Irish immigrant named Joseph Francis Walsh who started with a $500 general store in 1913. That’s not a typo. $500.
The Walsh Family Legacy and the Mormon Coulee Vibe
The history here is kinda wild. We’re talking over a century of "hardware blood." While the La Crosse location at 4242 Mormon Coulee Rd is the one most of us know, it’s part of a trio of stores including Muscoda and Richland Center. This isn't some corporate-owned box store where the manager is rotated out every six months from a regional office in Chicago.
Pete Walsh, the grandson of Ned Walsh, is the guy at the helm.
Most people don't realize that Walsh’s Ace is a "retailer-owned cooperative." This means they get the massive buying power of the national Ace brand—allowing them to stock those fancy Traeger grills and Benjamin Moore paints—but the profits and decisions stay right here in the Coulee Region. If the store feels different than a big-box warehouse, that’s why. It’s the difference between a handshake and a self-checkout kiosk.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Inventory
If you think they just sell hammers, you're missing out on the best parts. Seriously. Ace of La Crosse has leaned hard into some "niche" categories that make it feel more like a general store from 1950 but with 2026 tech.
- Beekeeping Supplies: Yeah, you read that right. If you want to start a hive in your backyard, they’re basically the local authority.
- Maple Syrup Tapping: When the weather starts that "freeze at night, thaw during the day" dance in late winter, this place becomes the unofficial headquarters for local tappers. They stock the spiles, the buckets, and the hydrometers.
- Small Engine Repair: This is a big one. Most places just want to sell you a new mower. These guys actually have a service department. They fix what they sell, which is a rarity these days.
- The "Man Cave" Section: Their grilling department is massive. We’re talking Big Green Egg, Weber, and Traeger. They also have a ridiculous selection of rubs and sauces you won't find at the grocery store.
Why "Helpful" Actually Means Something Here
We’ve all been to those giant home improvement stores where you wander through the plumbing aisle for 20 minutes feeling like a ghost because nobody will look you in the eye.
It’s different here.
The staff at Ace of La Crosse usually consists of people who have been there forever. They know that if you’re coming in for a specific PVC fitting at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday, you’re probably in the middle of a minor life crisis involving a flooded basement. They don't just point to Aisle 4; they usually walk you there and ask if you remembered the primer.
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It's that "Helpful Hub" mentality. They also do the stuff that’s a pain to do elsewhere: screen repair, glass cutting, and key duplicating (including those annoying chipped car keys that the dealership wants $200 for).
A Focus on the Community (Beyond the Paint)
The store doesn't just take; it gives back. You’ve likely seen the "Round Up" prompts at the register. That money isn't disappearing into a corporate void. It’s part of a massive effort for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In 2024 alone, Ace customers nationwide raised over $7 million just by rounding up their change. Locally, that money stays in the region to support pediatric healthcare.
They also partner with the American Red Cross for disaster relief. It’s a neighbor-helping-neighbor business model that sounds cliché until you actually see it in action during a local flood or a rough winter.
Dealing With the "Small Store" Misconception
The biggest gripe people usually have with smaller hardware stores is the price or the selection.
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Let's be real: they might not have 400 different types of ceiling fans on the floor. But they have access to the Ace warehouse, which has about 800,000 products. You can order something online and have it shipped to the Mormon Coulee store for free.
Price-wise? They’re surprisingly competitive, especially on the "big ticket" items like Stihl power equipment or Milwaukee tools. Plus, you have to factor in the "time tax." Is it worth driving across town to save $2 on a bag of salt? Probably not.
Actionable Tips for Shopping at Ace of La Crosse
If you want to get the most out of your visit, don't just walk in blindly.
- Join Ace Rewards: It sounds like another annoying loyalty card, but it actually sends you "Ace Bucks" (real money) based on your purchases. It also tracks your paint colors so when you need a touch-up three years later, they can look up exactly what you bought.
- Check the Rental Department: Before you buy a power washer or a carpet cleaner that you’ll use once and then let rot in your garage, see what they have for rent. It’s cheaper and saves space.
- Go Early for Repairs: If your snowblower is acting up, don't wait for the first blizzard. The repair shop gets backed up fast. Drop it off in October.
- Use the App: You can check local stock on your phone before you leave the house. No more wasted trips.
Basically, Ace of La Crosse is a reminder that local business still works when it’s done right. It’s about the Walsh family legacy, the smell of wood shavings and fertilizer, and the fact that someone there actually knows your name—or at least knows exactly which bolt you’re looking for.