Luann Van Lanen
There is simply nothing not to love about Luann Van Lanen, the busy and generous owner of Ripon Ace Hardware. And at Town Square, we feel a special kinship with her. After all, her store is something of a community center in itself. It’s practically impossible to walk through the doors of Ace and not run into someone you know. And everyone is on a mission to improve something, somewhere, somehow.
Since Town Square’s very beginning in 2012, Luann’s Ripon Ace has been a huge supporter and great partner, helping us every step of the way...with paint, keys (about a million of them), and the hundreds of doodads it takes to keep a 120-year-old building running. And yes, Luann donates them or gives a discount whenever possible.
“I want to see Town Square succeed. The community has been good to us, and so we want to be good to the community.”
Luann gets it, alright. Just like Town Square is our community’s “family business,” Luann’s Ace is a family business in the truest sense. In 1948, Luann’s father, Bill Marquart, and Clarence Meilke started a 2,200-square-foot hardware store outlet at 113 Watson Street in Ripon. In 1973, they moved to a 14,400-square-foot-sales floor building at 1085 W. Fond du Lac Street (Highway 23), offering a greatly expanded merchandise selection.
By 1987, Luann Marquart-Van Lanen, who had been helping her father since childhood, took the leap. She purchased the interests in the company with a mission to keep the family business going strong. In 2004, Luann’s husband, William Van Lanen, joined the team as vice president, handling human resources, security monitoring systems, and computer systems. And in 2007, the couple opened a second Ace location in Wautoma.
Where would our community be without people like Luann? We don’t want to think about it! So thank you, Luann, for helping us keep our Town Square family going for the next generation. You’re an inspiration to us all!