Earlier today, Food City officials broke ground on the new Curt’s Ace Hardware store on Asheville Highway in Knoxville, TN. 

“Much like our Food City stores, we are excited to continue to grow and expand our Curt’s Ace Hardware family of stores,” says Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer. “Sadly, locally owned hardware stores are becoming a thing of the past. Having served in the grocery industry for 40+ years, I have seen firsthand how important a local well-run supermarket is to the community, and I think the same holds true for local hardware stores.”

The project is part of a larger two-phase initiative. Phase 1, which is scheduled to be completed later this fall includes the construction of a 20,000 sq. ft. Curt’s Ace Hardware store, along with 3,200 sq. ft. of retail outlet parcels. The Food City Gas ‘n Go will also be relocated in front of the new development. Phase 2, which is slated to wrap up early fall 2026 includes a significant expansion and remodel to the existing Food City supermarket, adding over 8,000 sq. ft. of retail space, making way for a number of exciting new services and conveniences.

The company currently operates Curt’s Ace Hardware locations in Prestonsburg, KY; Morristown, Pigeon Forge, Newport, Erwin, Elizabethton, Gray, Ocoee, and Piney Flats, TN; and Bristol, Abingdon, Marion, and Lebanon, VA, with additional locations soon to follow. 

“We greatly appreciate the support of our loyal customers, and we want to leverage our Curt’s Ace Hardware brand to better serve the communities where we already do business,” says Smith. “Food City is the name you trust for your grocery needs, now we can help with your home and garden needs as well. Given our vast merchandising and marketing experience, our team has done an excellent job managing and operating these locations.” 

Ace Hardware is known for their wide variety of top-quality products, including Benjamin Moore paints, Big Green Egg, Trager, and Weber barbeque and accessories, as well as power tools, including both gas-powered and battery Stihl, EGO, and Milwaukee power equipment, YETI products, hardware, lawn and garden, and other home improvement supplies.

Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores (Food City’s parent company) operates 158 retail outlets throughout southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, east Tennessee, north Georgia, and Alabama.