Everyday Icons: Christy at Ace Hardware
"When people walk in, I want them to feel like family."
Meet Christy — General Manager at Great Lakes Ace Hardware Corporation , beloved "work mom" to much of her team, and friend to every stranger.
It’s not unusual to find Christy chatting with customers, remembering their projects, and even giving life advice when they need it. Her philosophy? “What you go through in life gives you the opportunity to be there for others when they go through it.”
“I get that love of people from my Dad. He was a custodian for 30 years and always said he ‘never met a stranger.’ I’m the same way.”
In the store, Christy is known for her small gestures that make a big difference — brewing her team’s favorite coffee, personalizing their lockers, and always being ready to jump in with whatever needs fixing.
"You walk beside your team, not ahead of them." From fixing floor tiles an hour before closing to learning sign language to be able to better serve and connect with her customers, Christy finds joy in going the extra mile to keep her workplace thriving.
“I have the ability to treat them well, and I don't have to ask permission. Ace encourages me to do the things that I love to do for my team — recognizing our employees of the month or putting up boards with thank-you notes galore.”
Even when she’s off the clock, Christy gets stopped by customers and former team members while out running errands. “My family teases me because I know everybody in town’s story. Whether employees or customers, they’re all family to me.”
Thank you, Christy, for making every customer feel seen, valued, and welcome. ❤️ #EverydayIcons