About Us

Los Gatos Hardware History| Los Gatos, California

For more than 43 years, Los Gatos Ace® Hardware has been dedicated to bringing the best in customer service. Established in 1978 by Bob Allen and Gary Kankel, our company is remembered by many customers as the old Coast to Coast store in the Kings Court Shopping Center. Los Gatos Hardware grew quickly and Bob and Gary took the opportunity to move the store to its current, more spacious location in 1980. Gary remembers wondering how they would ever be able to fill the store with merchandise to sell.
In 1989 Bob and Gary made the decision to join Ace Hardware, which offered greater support to its retailers, which, in turn, allowed them to provide more to their customers. After many years in the business, Bob and Gary decided to retire in 2001 and pass on the business to Bryan Matsumoto and Dené Kankel.
Bryan was a long time employee before becoming part-owner. He started working at the store at the age of 22 and quickly moved up to become a manager. While working, he obtained a degree in Economics at San Jose State University. Dené attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and obtained a degree in Landscape Architecture. While there she met and later married Gary's son. After five years in landscape architecture and feeling a little burnt out, she decided to take a brief hiatus and asked if she could come work at the store. She enjoyed her temporary job so much she decided to stay.
Bryan and Dené feel very privileged to have the opportunity to pick up where Bob and Gary had left off. While the store is no longer spacious and at times seems to be bursting at the seams, they are dedicated to continue to grow the business the best way they know how, by striving to bring the best in customer service and satisfaction.
Contact us in Los Gatos, California, and find the right tool for your job at our hardware store.
Share by: