I try and shop local whenever I can for Christmas … and sometimes that means a local chain.
My favorite? Ace Hardware. It truly is the “helpful hardware place,” with customer service that you simply can’t get at the big-box home improvement stores, Walmart, etc. And it’s convenient.
I’ve never believed that shopping has to be an “either-or” argument when it comes to chain and local retailers. It’s “both-and.”
Our local Ace is the best of both worlds.
- Address: 1009 Marquette Ave. (Sunrise Plaza)
- Website: http://www.acehardware.com/home/index.jsp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acehardware?ref=br_tf
South Milwaukee Blog 
Even though Ace is a “chain” I believe this one is family owned.