ORANGE PARK — After a year of closure, Hagan ACE Hardware is emerging from the rubble and picking up the pieces one step at a time.

And new life is beginning to seep through the surface at 1022 Blanding Blvd. 

That's because the store officially broke ground on the start of rebuilding its legacy on Thursday, Sept. 17. Members of the community and the Hagan ACE family were there to help celebrate.

"This community's been so good to us. We just can't wait to be back there for them again," said Bill Hagan, president of Hagan ACE Hardware.

Construction on the headquarters for Hagan's group of 11 stores comes after the building endured a devastating fire last May. The blaze swept through the store and ravaged the outside storage behind it. While the structure ultimately collapsed, fire crews worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire 16 hours after it was first reported.

For many, the building wasn't just a store. It was a 45-year staple, filled with memories and joy. That's why its reconstruction has meant so much, Hagan said.

"We can't wait to get the new store open and come back to being the helpful hardware folks to our friends, our neighbors [and] our community," he said.

Construction is expected to be complete by June 2027. In the meantime, Hagan ACE also has stores at 1305 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs and 1480 Park Ave. in Orange Park.