Stuart Visits New Business, Encourages Shopping Local

GRANITE CITY, Ill. – Affirming her support for small businesses and local retailers, state Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, recently visited the new Granite City location for Cotton’s Ace, a locally owned franchise of Ace Hardware stores.

 “It was a great opportunity to tour the new Cotton’s Ace Hardware in Granite City, a business that is hiring within the community and investing in our area,” said Stuart. “After many businesses moved out of the area, Cotton’s Ace Hardware is planting roots here and already going above and beyond to meet home improvement shoppers’ needs.”

Stuart regularly visits local businesses to learn more about their goals and operations, and to get input on legislation affecting the business community.  The Cotton’s Ace in Granite City is the largest and newest location of a 12-store franchise in the Southern Illinois and St. Louis metro region.  Stuart visited the location along with state Rep. Monica Bristow to understand the challenges of opening a new business or store in Granite City.

“Thank you to the employees and owner of Cotton’s Ace Hardware for a great tour and for investing in Granite City,” continued Stuart. “As the holiday season approaches, I encourage everyone to visit new local and small businesses to do their holiday preparation and gift buying.”