Crossroads Ace Hardware

Crossroads Ace Finds the Perfect Partner in Paladin Data Corporation

Crossroads owners Joe Rush, right, Drew Atchison, far left, former store owner Tim Gibson, and Ace President and CEO John Venhuizen in Chicago for Ace’s 100th anniversary to present Crossroads assistant manager John Rice with a Golden Hammer Award from Estwing Manufacturing.

In today’s fast-paced retail environment, simplicity, smart inventory management, and reliable support are essential for success. Joe Rush, co-owner of three Crossroads Ace Hardware stores in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area, found all that and more in Paladin Point of Sale.

“The main reason we moved to Paladin is the UI (user interface). It’s very easy to train people on, very easy to use, because at the end of the day it’s all about being able to check people out quickly and take care of business,” explains Joe who, along with Drew Atchison and Christina Beall, purchased the business from Drew’s father Billy and his partner, Tim Gibson.

Joe, along with partners Drew Atchison and Christina Beall, took over the business from Drew’s father, Billy, and his partner, Tim Gibson. Since its founding in 2003 in Lithia, Florida, Crossroads Ace has expanded to include locations in Riverview and Wimauma. Each store, ranging from 12,000 to 13,000 square feet, serves a diverse clientele—from DIY homeowners to contractors building the area’s rapidly growing neighborhoods.

Joe joined the company in 2010 after graduating from Northern Illinois University and gaining experience at Menard’s. That same year, Crossroads Ace adopted Paladin to streamline operations and support its growth.

“Tim was definitely a numbers guy. He loves looking at numbers and doing anything he can to improve the financial aspect of the business,” explains Joe, who by then had moved into the general manager’s role with the company. “With Paladin, we can do that – easily look into the workings of the company.”

Paladin’s seamless integration with Ace programs has been a game-changer, especially in an era of fluctuating prices and supply chain challenges. With 300 to 400 price changes per store per ordering cycle, Joe relies on Paladin’s robust inventory tools and its integration with Margin Master to maintain healthy margins.

Joe also uses Paladin Pilot to help him oversee the three stores spread across the southeast side of the Tampa area.

“It’s probably the best choice I ever made,” he said of choosing Paladin’s remote access tool. “I typically use it a half dozen times a week. A lot of stuff I have to do at month end, so I can do that from home.”

Crossroads Ace stores also benefit from Paladin Managed Services, which keeps them running efficiently, reliably and safely by protecting them against cyber intrusion and catastrophic failure. It’s a service on which Crossroads Ace had to rely during one of Florida’s famous hurricane seasons.

That level of dedication is what keeps Joe loyal to Paladin.

“They go above and beyond my expectations. Because that support is there, I don’t think I’ll ever change,” he says.