Bowers Ace Hardware opening in Elgin/Pontiac
May 26, 2026
Bowers Ace Hardware is opening in the booming Elgin-Pontiac area. A Grand Opening of the new store at 118 Spears Creek Church Road in the Food Lion-anchored Pontiac Towne Center will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. A soft-opening is expected in early June.
This is the fifth location for Bowers Ace Hardware, formerly South East Ace. A sixth store opening is anticipated later this year on Broad River Road in Irmo, mirroring the Pontiac location.
The new freestanding Pontiac location is a 12,000-square-foot store with a 4,000-square-foot garden center.
“Our goal has always been simple — take care of the customer better than anyone else,” said Claude Bowers, president of Bowers Ace Hardware.
“From knowledgeable associates on the floor to dependable product availability and delivery, everything we do is centered around service. We’re excited to bring that approach to the Elgin community.”
During the grand opening, “We will be running specials, to include grill giveaways, and room makeover allowances, along with several other small giveaways,” Bowers said. “We also will have several vendor reps on site to showcase different brands and will have a cookout event.” Along with traditional hardware supplies and the garden center, the new Elgin location will also have an extensive grilling selection.
In addition, the new store, “will be joining our other stores as one of the only full-line Benjamin Moore Premium/Pro paint providers in the Midlands. We are uniquely positioned to service both homeowners and contractors with both inside and outside sales reps, and delivery,” Bowers said. “This unique partnership is not available to all Ace hardware stores and is complimented by Benjamin Moore’s expert reps, “ he added.
Boyer Construction of Columbia was the contractor for the new building, and Gray Engineering was the site engineer. Larry Woodrum of Heyward and Woodrum was the architect.
With the addition of the Elgin and Irmo stores Bowers Ace Hardware will have six locations, including:
• 815 State St., Cayce
• 2085 N. Beltline Blvd, Columbia
• 2028 Augusta Highway, Lexington
• 3714 Kerrison Parkway, Johns Island
Bowers Ace Hardware was begun in 2016 as South East Ace Hardware when Bowers acquired the Cayce and Beltline stores. In 2019 he acquired the Johns Island store and in 2026 the Lexington store. In 2026, the company and the stores were all rebranded Bowers Ace Hardware. Signage at all the locations is currently being updated.
Headquartered in Cayce, Bowers Ace Hardware continues to grow with a focus on serving local communities, building long-term customer relationships, and delivering a level of service that stands apart in the hardware industry.
About Bowers Ace Hardware
Bowers Ace Hardware is a South Carolina-based developer and operator of retail hardware stores built on a commitment to exceptional customer service, knowledgeable staff, and community-focused operations. As part of the Ace Hardware cooperative, Bowers combines national buying power with a highly personalized, service-driven retail experience.
