Audubon ACE Hardware’s History
Audubon ACE Hardware was established in 1990 as Audubon Hardware, Inc. Since then, it has been a family-owned business in Audubon, IA. The owners and employees of the store have a personal stake in the community and in helping the community thrive. Many of the employees have grown up in Audubon and gone to school in Audubon.
In 1938, Ed Wellendorf started Coast-to-Coast in Audubon and relocated to the current store location in 1966. Mark Speidel purchased the store and officially started the company as Audubon Hardware, Inc. in 1990. By 1994, Robert and Carol Hauptmann and two of their children, Kairee and Cassee, moved to Audubon. They purchased the Coast-to-Coast from Mark Speidel. Over the next few years, the Hauptmann family added cell phones and framing to the services provided by the store.
In 1996, with the bankruptcy of Coast-to-Coast, Robert and Carol joined the ACE Hardware family. From that moment, the Hauptmanns made many changes and improvements to the store, knowing they wanted its structure sound for years to come. They also enhanced the appearance of the hardware store so it would become an attractive asset on the main street.
Many changes were made over the years—going from US cellular cell phones to Verizon and from DirecTV satellite to Dish Network satellite. A RadioShack franchise was in the store for 6 years, making TV and computer sales.
Over the years, we have made many changes in order to provide the best possible service to the community. Audubon ACE Hardware still provides a wide selection of home improvement items that you would expect from a hardware store, along with custom framing, small electronics, and key cutting. Paint is one of the main products and services of which our store has always been proud. The store offers a wide selection of colors and can match any color with the most current equipment in paint matching and electronic dispensing equipment.
On January 1st, 2017, Kairee purchased the store from her parents with the goal of continuing the tradition of providing superior services to our neighbors in Audubon.
Meet Our Team
Kairee Witt
Owner Kairee Witt started working in the store in 1993. After going to college and getting married, she moved back to Audubon in 2003. In 2017, Kairee became the owner of the store.
David Witt
David has worked in the store since 2003 as a manager. In 2017, along with his wife, he purchased the store. David's knowledge stretches across all of the products and services the store offers.
Diane Rattenborg
Diane has been a part of the team since 1993. She is the store's horticulturist and does the custom framing. She also helps with our store's other products
Steve Orndorff, Jr.
In 2018, Steve joined the team. Since that time, he has greatly expanded on his knowledge of the store's product offering and services.
Jacob Lebeck
Jacob joined us in 2019 as a freshman. He is eager to assist customers and is well on his way to becoming a strong asset to our team.