Final road paving on Elm, Main and Broad streets is scheduled to begin on Monday.
Rocco Falcon, president of Rocky's Ace HardwareWESTFIELD — Rocky’s Ace Hardware, considered a major private partner in the city’s downtown revitalization effort, will host a gala re-opening of its Free Street store Saturday.
The new, expanded store replaces the original Rocky’s that operated at the same site since 1970.
“We are pleased to be an integral part of the revitalization of downtown Westfield,” Rocco Falcone, company president, said. “We have served this neighborhood for 42 years. Now, we proudly reveal a brand new store to serve the community needs,” he said.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, who will assist in the re-opening celebration, said “the Falcone family has made a substantial investment in our downtown with this new store as well as ongoing renovation of other property they own here.”
Ward 2 City Councilor James E. Brown Jr., who represents the neighborhood, said “This project represents a brand new piece of our downtown redevelopment. It will bring more eyes on our city, especially our downtown.”
Falcone said the re-opening is “a reflection on the vision of town planners to offer an invigorating and inviting experience to residents and visitors of Westfield.”
The $2 million store features 12,000 square feet with state-of-the-art energy-saving lighting and skylights, expanded paint and landscaping products and other services.
The store is one of 33 Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores operated in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Florida.
A board cutting ceremony, using a chainsaw, will replace the traditional ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m.
But Falcone said the celebration will begin at 8 a.m. with specials, demonstrations, refreshments and raffles.
The city’s $14 million reconstruction of Elm, Main and Broad streets, including renovation of Park Square, started two years ago, is also nearing completion. The project includes new utilities and sidewalks.
Final paving of the area, by Lynch Construction, is scheduled to begin Monday.
