A lot (but not everything) has changed in 65 years

When my grandfather Don Wynn founded Sunshine Ace Hardware in 1958, there was just a single location in Naples. Today, we are one of Florida’s largest family-owned home improvement retailers, with 12 stores under the Sunshine Ace umbrella.

Back then, there was no online ordering or curbside pickup. You went inside the store to grab what you needed, and you didn’t have to fight traffic to get there.

Much has changed in 65 years, but for Sunshine Ace Hardware, much has stayed the same. The core values that have defined the company since Day One – Care for your Neighbor, Deliver Sunshine, Build Honest Relationships and more – are still the driving forces that guide associate and customer interactions.

The customer experience is still the key differentiator at Sunshine Ace. When our neighbors visit a store, they are immediately greeted with a smile. All associates must earn “Helpful Certification” as part of their retail training curriculum.

Community engagement remains a priority for the Wynn family. Sunshine Ace Hardware has raised nearly $300,000 for Children’s Miracle Network since declaring the nonprofit as its primary charitable partner three years ago. That’s in addition to supporting Captains for Clean Water, United Way, NCH’s Heart Institute, Rotary, first responders and other causes.

Through the years and as the company grew, my grandfather was adamant that our business put people before profit. He believed if we put our team members first, they in turn would provide exceptional service to our customers and the business would thrive. Today, a friendly associate is always near and ready to provide helpful advice. We continue to stock a wide variety of premier brands requested by both contractors and DIYers. New stores continue to open to better serve our customers with convenient locations.

Since we opened in 1958, Sunshine Ace Hardware has been known as the place with the helpful hardware folks. Some things will never change.

About the Author

Michael Wynn is president of Sunshine Ace Hardware, a family-owned home improvement retailer that serves DIYers and contractors across Southwest Florida. For more information, please visit SunshineAce.com.