July 9, 2026
Plotner Hardware has officially closed its doors and handed the keys off to Ace Hardware after 16 years of business in Richwood. Pictured above from left to right, Vallarie and Brad Plotner gave some insight into their history and the decision to step away from hardware. (Gazette photo by Sarah Vollrath)
Passing the hardware torch
Plotner Hardware handing the keys to Ace
By Sarah Vollrath, Marysville J-T reporter
Richwood residents Brad and Vallarie Plotner started Plotner Hardware with nothing but a dream: to bring their community a place where they can purchase construction items with a family-oriented feel. “We realized there was no hardware in town,” said Vallarie. “So no matter when we worked, we had to go to Marion, Delaware, Marysville, Bellefontaine, wherever.”
After 16 years of operation as a locally-owned business in the village, Plotner Hardware has officially closed their doors and given the keys to Ace Hardware.
“We didn’t have an end game…we didn’t have a succession plan…we…
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