J&R’s Ace Hardware Recognized with Greater EMC Chamber Proud Property Award
The Greater EMC Chamber recognized J&R’s Ace Hardware with its Proud Property Award, celebrating the care, investment and attention the business has given its property and the example it sets within East Montgomery County.
Chamber members, diplomats, board members and staff joined community partners and community members at J&R’s for the presentation, creating a strong show of support for the business and the community pride the award is intended to celebrate.
The Proud Property Awards recognize businesses and commercial properties that demonstrate strong curb appeal, consistent maintenance and a positive first impression. For Greater EMC Chamber President and CEO Mark Linabury, that connection to first impressions is at the heart of the program.
“We established this award based around our premise of having a community you can be proud of, and that’s all based around first impressions and lasting impressions,” Linabury said during the presentation. “We really want to recognize businesses that are doing it right in terms of what a first impression can look like to those visiting and shopping here in our community.”
Linabury pointed to well-kept grounds, quality signage, maintained building exteriors and clearly marked parking areas as some of the details that help set the standard for what a quality commercial property can look like.
For J&R’s Ace Hardware, maintaining that standard reflects years of work and an ongoing commitment to the property.
Owner Jeff Petersen shared that the site began as raw land nearly a decade ago. He credited his parents with helping establish the vision and expectations for what the property and business would become and made it clear that maintaining and improving it continues to be a team effort.
“This is not just an award that I have earned. It takes an entire team,” Petersen said.
Today, the property encompasses 13 acres, and Petersen said the work of improving it continues.
“We really do try to improve things all the time,” he said.
One recent example is the addition of a digital sign and landscaping supported through the East Montgomery County Improvement District’s Façade Improvement Grant Program. J&R’s also helps maintain the adjacent right-of-way along FM 1314, extending that sense of care beyond its immediate property line.
The award presentation also included recognition from local and federal offices.
Kennedy Williams, representing Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner Matt Gray, presented a Certificate of Special Recognition thanking J&R’s for taking pride in its business, for the betterment of the community, and for “setting the standard as we work to foster a thriving local economy and beautiful East Montgomery County.”
Bennett Somera, representing Congressman Dan Crenshaw’s office, also presented a commendation and congratulated J&R’s on receiving the Proud Property Award.
The Proud Property Awards are the Greater EMC Chamber’s way of recognizing and thanking businesses and commercial property owners who take pride in maintaining their properties. The program also encourages others to consider the influence their own properties have on first impressions and community pride.
J&R’s provides a fitting example. What began as heavily wooded raw land has become a commercial property its owners and team continue to maintain, improve and invest in.
Those efforts matter beyond a single property. The way businesses care for their storefronts, grounds and commercial properties helps shape how residents, customers, visitors and prospective businesses experience East Montgomery County.
First impressions are lasting impressions, and J&R’s Ace Hardware is helping set an example of a community we can be proud of.
To nominate a business for the Greater EMC Chamber’s Proud Property Award, visit www.gemcchamber.com/emc-proud-property-awards.