The Ace Home Center at 1713 Main St. in Tarboro has been named a "Vision 21 Platinum" retailer by Ace Hardware Corporation, an honor given to only the company's top-performing stores.

Only 271 of approximately 5,000 Ace's in the U.S. received the award in 2009.

"It's something that we are very proud of," said CEO Joe Pitt. "We have worked really hard for it."

Pitt said that the store sent Store Manager Hurshell Baggett to accept the award last week in Las Vegas.

Pitt said that the Vision 21 achievement program provides initiatives, guidelines and goals designed to help Ace stores improve sales and overall store performance. Of the three levels of Vision 21 achievement a store can achieve, the platinum level is the highest.

"It puts us in the top 6 percent of all the stores in the country," said Pitt.

Pitt said that stores at Ace's platinum-achieving level tackle a number of initiatives aimed at improving the store environment and the staff, all in an effort to improve the customer experience in-store. Some of these initiatives include:

• Ensuring each full time staff member completes at least 30 hours of training each year.

• Continually working to offer a product selection that is closely tailored to the needs of the community.

• Fully supporting Ace Rewards, the company's national customer appreciation program.

• Drastically reducing out-of-stock items, as well as the time it takes to replenish stock.

• Participating in a "mystery shopper" program at least 12 times a year that is designed to assess the store's performance on these and other Vision 21 initiatives.

"We really push ourselves to go the distance, and then some, to provide our customers with world-class service," said Pitt. "While the ultimate test is the satisfaction of our customers, being recognized by Ace is proof that our team's efforts really paid off."

Founded in 1913 by his grandfather, W.C. Pitt Sr., Pitt said that for almost 100 years, the success of his family’s business has always been the employees.

The store employs 18 full and part-time people and as many as 24 during the summer months.

“I give them all the credit,” said Pitt. “This was true even in my grandfather’s time. He had people that worked for him for more than 30 years.

“We have been fortunate to have good and loyal employees that are experienced in so many areas. They are what keeps the customers coming back.”

In addition to the recent achievement award, Pitt said that the store is almost through with the store's reset, which began the first week in January to change the setup of the store.

"We have gained a considerable amount of shelf space," Pitt said. "and we have been able to display approximately $30,000 more worth of merchandise on the floor."

Pitt said that his employees would be working on stripping and redoing the floors of the store this week.

Pitt added that the store is planning to have a grand re-opening soon after the work is complete.

“We definitely want people to come out and see the changes we have made,” said Pitt.

Also, Pitt said the store will be hosting a 100th anniversary celebration in 2013.

“I haven’t decided what we will be doing yet,” said Pitt. “But I promise it will be big.”