
Our History
In 1918, Joe Boling and C. G. Bettis started a small country store, Boling & Bettis General Store, in Cumming, GA less than a half-mile north of the current store we call ‘Ace Hardware Midway.’ The business operated in a small, one-bedroom house before moving to a 1,800 sqft building in 1951, where they added gas pumps and a mill to make flour and cornmeal. In 1960, an additional 4,000 sqft was added to the store to make it the first "buggy pushing" supermarket in Forsyth County. It was a thriving country store for several years where residents could purchase groceries, hardware, building supplies, farm supplies, clothing, toys, and gas.
In 1979, the building supply portion of the business was sold off and became ‘Midway Building Supply.’ It was then that Ace Hardware Midway was born, ushering in the Ace Hardware era. Ace Hardware Midway moved on October 5th, 1984 to a new building at 4947 Hwy 9, a small engine shop was added in 1986, and other additions were made in succeeding years. In 1996 the Ace chain purchased Sibley-Roper Hardware at 2000 Canton Hwy. And then, in 1999 the company built a 24,000 sqft building at 4715 Hammond Industrial Drive to open a third store.
These three stores were the first of many purchased by the current owner, Darin Workman, and his partners in 2014. Just eight months later they purchased Ace Hardware Woodmont, an 18,000 sqft store in Canton, GA to add to their Georgia store portfolio. In 2016, Workman and his partners expanded their territory into the South Carolina market with the purchase of Ace Hardware Three Fountains in West Columbia, SC, a 12,000 sqft store with a large greenhouse. In 2018, they ventured out to Tennessee with the purchase of three stores near Nashville: Ace Hardware Donelson, Ace Hardware Springfield, and Ace Hardware White House.
With eight stores under its belt, the Ace Hardware chain was thriving and fast-growing, which led to the sale of the company in the Summer of 2019, and The Helpful Hardware Company, LLC was born. In July of 2020, The Helpful Hardware Co. continued its pursuit of store acquisitions and purchased Ace Hardware Duncan in Goose Creek, SC. This 12,000 sqft store was the first of many store purchases of the new company. Not even a year following the purchase of Duncan, Indian Trail Hardware was purchased and converted to Ace Hardware Indian Trail in May 2021. Brookstone Ace Hardware and Southern Home & Garden were acquired toward the end of 2021 and Ace Hardware Cordova joined the chain of stores in April 2022, totaling 14 stores in the Southeastern chain.
Darin Workman, CEO is partnered with investment firm JPB Partners out of Baltimore, MD. JPB Partners provides The Helpful Hardware Co. funding for growth and oversight with a Board of Directors. With their support, The Helpful Hardware Co. continues to seek opportunities for growth and expansion in the Southeast.
At The Helpful Hardware Co., we are extremely proud to be part of a tradition that dates back nearly 100 years. Today, we are stronger than ever. Our roots in the community are deep and our commitment to customer satisfaction is strong.
Meet The Helpful Hardware Team
Darin Workman
CEO
Workman became the President and Partner of The Helpful Hardware Company in August 2014 after working for the Ace Hardware Corporation for 17 years serving in Operations, Project Management, IT, and Business Development. He is a 12-year veteran of the US Navy where he held many leadership positions. Workman has degrees in workforce training, education, and development from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in addition to a degree in technical management from the University of Phoenix and a degree in executive finance from Lake Forest University. He is also a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM).
Perry Garrett
New Business Manager
Garrett joined the Helpful Hardware team in August 2017 and served as the District Manager overseeing the Tennessee stores up until he was promoted to New Business Manager. Prior to that, beginning in 1973, he worked with multiple Ace Hardware retail organizations in a variety of roles. He is married to his wife Betty of 37 years.
Joe Edmondson
District Manager - Tennessee
Before joining the Helpful Hardware team in March of 2019, Edmondson, born and raised in Mt Juliet, TN, has worked in various customer service, application/platform support, and management roles for a global advisory, broking, and solutions firm headquartered in Nashville, TN. While growing up, Edmondson helped family and neighbors with home repairs, additions, remodels, and new home construction. ACE was his “go-to” store for everything he needed to get the job done. Edmondson and his wife of 9 years, Tracie, have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. They enjoy riding on their motorcycle and remodeling and updating their home.
Tim Upton
District Manager - North Carolina & South Carolina
Upton, born and raised in New Jersey, joined the Helpful Hardware team in June of 2021. With a BS in Marketing from Florida State University, Upton has served as a Department Manager at Lowe's Home Improvement and a District Manager for both Panera Bread and Great Clips. While working at Lowe’s, he gained experience in all departments. Upton and his wife, Jennifer, a graduate of the University of South Carolina, are foster parents together.
Jeff Olvin
District Manager - North Georgia
Olvin, born in Lansing, MI, joined the Helpful Hardware team in November of 2020 as a Sales Associate and quickly advanced to District Manager for Georgia. After graduating from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science, Olvin has worked in several roles for GNC, Valspar Paints, Publix, and Isotec Polyurethanes. Olvin enjoys fixing things, breaking things, and making them work again! He has owned multiple fixer-uppers and is well versed in drywall, painting, plumbing, roofing, electrical, and landscaping.
Gina Workman (SHRM)
Employee Relations Manager
SHRM-CP certified in Human Resources Management, Workman manages all employee training and development, benefits administration, and oversight of outsourced HR functions. In addition to her employee responsibilities, she leads the company OSHA program. Workman served in the US Navy for 8 years in multiple leadership roles including Company Commander, Mid-Level Manager, and Oversight of Command Preventative Maintenance. She has an AA in Business from Excelsior College and is the former owner of Loving Hands Daycare. She is a mother to 4 children.
Jan King
Sr. Controller
King joined The Helpful Hardware Company in 2016 and serves as our Sr. Controller. As a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in accounting, King received her CPA in 1997. She has worked in business management and non-profit management and owned her own business for several years prior to joining our team. A proud mother of two successful young adults, King is an active member of her community and church.
Robin McAllister
AR Manager
Born and raised in Forsyth County, McAllister has served as the AR Manager for The Helpful Hardware Company since August 2014 after working at Ace Hardware Woodmont for 3 years as the HR Manager and Administrative Assistant. She achieved an associate degree in business from Lanier Technical College. McAllister has been married to her husband, Jeff, for 34 years and they have 2 children together.
Donna Clark
AP Manager
Born and raised in Hawaii, Clark has worked for The Helpful Hardware Company since August of 2014, beginning at Ace Hardware Woodmont as the Controller and Assistant Manager for 6 years. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a bachelor's degree in business association and accounting. Clark has been married to her husband, Alvin, for 45 years with whom she raised her 2 children.
Kelsey Becker
Purchasing and Brand Manager
Raised in Milton, GA, Becker joined the Helpful Hardware team in May of 2021. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Marketing where she was a collegiate athlete and a member of the Women's Varsity Equestrian Team. Since graduating college, Becker brings 10 years of marketing, advertising, and branding knowledge to the company. She is married to Matt Becker and their daughter, Norah June, was born in October of 2021. Becker has a French Bulldog, Frankie, and a rescued Chihuahua, Gizmo, and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Hanna Wingo
Business Development Systems Project Manager
Being from Matthews, NC, Wingo has been involved in the hardware retail industry since she was 5 years old! Growing up, she spent most of her afternoons at her family’s hardware store after school and worked at the store throughout high school. After graduating from Western Carolina University with a degree in Computer Information Systems, Wingo landed a job, but she didn’t feel like it was right for her at the time. She went back to work alongside her mom at Indian Trail Hardware, as her dad had just retired. In May 2021, The Helpful Hardware Company acquired her family’s hardware store and converted it into an Ace; that’s when she met Darin and was given the opportunity to join the team in October 2021! Wingo has a lab mix fur baby named Tilley. In her spare time, she enjoys anything outdoors including camping, hiking, and snowboarding. She’s always on the lookout for a good craft beer, especially sours.
Your help is more than wanted.

Our Locations
Georgia Locations
Ace Hardware Hwy 20
Store #17485
2000 Canton Hwy
Cumming, GA 30040
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Ace Hardware Hammonds
Store #17498
4715 Hammond Ind. Dr.
Cumming, GA 30041
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Ace Hardware Midway
Store #17500
4947 Atlanta Hwy
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
The Shop at Midway
4947 Atlanta Hwy
Alpharetta, GA 30004
Monday-Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Ace Hardware Woodmont
Store #17487
8026 Cumming Hwy
Canton, GA 30115
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Ace Hardware Brookstone
Store #18069
1715 Dennis Kemp Ln NW
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Southern Home & Garden
Ace Hardware
Store #18148
1110 N Park St
Carrollton, GA 30117
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
The Garden Center at Southern Home & Garden Ace Hardware
1110 N Park St
Carrollton, GA 30117
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Southern Outdoor Power
1110 N Park St
Carrollton, GA 30117
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
North Carolina Locations
Ace Hardware Indian Trail
Store #17963
205 N. Indian Trail Rd.
Indian Trail, NC 28079
Monday-Saturday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
South Carolina Locations
Ace Hardware Three Fountains
Store #17496
2930 Emanuel Church Rd.
W Columbia, SC 29170
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:15am-7:00pm
Ace Hardware Duncan
Store #17646
925 Red Bank Rd.
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Monday-Friday: 8:00am-7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-7:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Tennessee Locations
Ace Hardware Springfield
Store #17494
400 Central Ave. E.
Springfield, TN 37172
Monday-Saturday: 7:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Ace Hardware Donelson
Store #17481
2730 Lebanon Pike
Nashville, TN 37214
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Ace Hardware White House
Store #17483
429 TN-76
White House, TN 37188
Monday-Saturday: 7:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
Walker Hardware
Store #17822
3573 Tom Austin Hwy
Springfield, TN 37172
Monday-Friday: 7:00am-5:00pm
Saturday: 7:00am-12:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Ace Hardware Cordova
Store #18277
1740 N Germantown Pkwy
Cordova, TN 38016
Monday-Friday: 7:30am-8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am-8:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am-7:00pm
