The owner-operator of dozens of Ace Hardware outposts along the East Coast launched a flagship store in New Jersey May 8.

The 23,000-square-foot site opened last week at 235 Ridgedale Ave. in Cedar Knolls, according to RIPCO Real Estate‘s Elmwood Park office.

Vincent Costello founded Costello’s Ace Hardware in Deer Park, N.Y. in 1973. Since then, the family-owned and operated business has grown from one 2,000-square-foot store into a chain of 63 locations. Its footprint spans New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

The Cedar Knolls Plaza store is one of the largest and most advanced locations in Costello’s portfolio. It’s also the biggest of the operator’s 10 stores across New Jersey.

According to Ace Hardware, the site boasts a brand-new, “highly experiential, brand-driven” format featuring an extensive selection of hardware, home improvement products, dedicated barbecue department and power equipment offerings. It also has a curated selection of gifts, home accents and everyday essentials in “The Knolls Thoughtful Finds” area.

Beyond serving do-it-yourself customers, the store design aims “to deliver the product depth, service capabilities, and reliability that contractors and commercial customers depend on,” Ace Hardware said. The owner also noted the location offers “dedicated commercial account management, competitive B2B purchasing programs, product sourcing and jobsite delivery.”

Ace Hardware will potentially use the location as a regional fulfillment hub to support faster distribution to other New Jersey stores, too.

The company’s other local retail sites are in Bernardsville, Caldwell, Chatham, Chester, Lincoln Park, Long Branch, Mercerville, Princeton and Warren.

235 Ridgedale Ave., Cedar Knolls:

The launch comes as Costello’s seeks to grow its footprint to 100 stores by 2030. Upcoming openings include two sites in Pennsylvania and one in Virginia.

RIPCO Managing Director Patrick Brake commented, “The scale of this 23,000-square-foot lease and Costello’s decision to establish their largest New Jersey location here speaks volumes about the strength of the site. We’re excited to see this flagship concept come to life and drive continued traffic and momentum for the center.”

The firm represented the shopping center’s unnamed landlord; Legend Properties acted on behalf of the tenant.

Costello’s Ace Hardware is open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.