Our Story

Nelson Agri-Center Ace Hardware has been a staple in the Viroqua community since 1954. The store was originally opened as Nelson Mill & Agri-Center by Fred Nelson, and it quickly became a well-known business in the Viroqua community. Roy Kanis purchased the store from Nelson in 1989, and it has been a family business ever since.

Nelson Ace Hardware in Prairie du Chien was operated as True Value Hardware from 1970 to 2022. Modern True Value in Prairie du Chien was opened in 1970 by Stuart and Beth Asch, Roy and Jerry George, and Ken Woodward. At that time, the store was in the Commerce Court Mall. In 1998, Roy Kanis purchased Modern True Value and renamed it Nelson True Value. Shortly thereafter, he added 5,000 sq. ft. of space, expanding the Lawn and Garden department. In 2014, the store was built at it’s current location to be closer to downtown Prairie du Chien, and in 2022, it became Nelson Ace Hardware.

Dan Kanis purchased both stores from his father in 2002, along with his business partner Mark Brueggen. Mark retired in 2020 and Dan’s sons, Jacob and Garriet, are now a part of the ownership group. 

In 2022, both stores transitioned our primary supplier from True Value Hardware to Ace Hardware to better serve our customers with a wider range of products and access. 

Nelson Agri-Center and Nelson Ace Hardware have everything you need from lumber, building supplies and rental equipment to paint, lawn and garden supplies, farm supplies, lawn mowers, small engine repair and much more. As a business, we take pride in giving our customers the best possible products and service. Our #1 goal is to provide excellent quality service to our customers, while still providing competitive pricing. You can count on our professional trained service technicians to assist you in all of your needs. We have a family of more than 80 employees, so you can come to expect a personal experience. Between our two locations in Viroqua and Prairie du Chien, you’re sure to find what you need for your next project. We also enjoy being able to support and contribute to our local communities on a regular basis. We hope to see you soon!