Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
The Ace Hardware 2026 Spring Convention welcomed retailers to a new space but offered the same opportunities for education, networking and product discovery. Hardware Retailing editor and director of content development Lindsey Thompson also explored the show floor, looking for new and exciting product picks. Here’s what she found:
Surprise Party | Legally Addictive
Combining the best worlds of sweet and salty, Legally Addictive are the perfect mix between a cookie and cracker. The Surprise Party! flavor includes rainbow sprinkles to make them pretty and sea salt to make it crazy-delicious! Salty, sweet, chocolately and crunchy, Surprise Party! is made with a crispy combination of a cracker, salted handmade toffee, ethically sourced chocolate and topped with sea salt, the combination results in one of the best tastes known to mankind.
“I am a sucker for salty and sweet treats, so these caught my eye right away. The colorful packaging would attract customers’ eyes in the store and just one taste would make them believers in the amazing combo of cookie and cracker.”
Kentuckyaki | Bourbon Barrel Foods
The Kentuckyaki sauce from Bourbon Barrel Foods is an all-natural teriyaki sauce made Kentucky-style with garlic, ginger, earthy and leathery flavor notes with sweetness from Kentucky sorghum. The sauce works great as a marinade or dipping sauce and adds complex flavors to anything it touches.
“I love bourbon, so anytime I see bourbon flavored anything, I am game to try it. We do a lot of stir-fry dishes in our house, so this sauce would be a fun twist on our normal sesame or teriyaki sauce.”
Denver Table Lamp | Amerelle Decorative Hardware
The Denver Table Lamp joins elements of modern and traditional design to create a stunning transitional accent for any room. Its clean, straight lines are softened with a more traditional shade style and white or black finish options. The circular light diffuser gracefully surrounds the lamp, casting a soft, warm glow ideal for reading or ambient lighting.
“I recently spent way too much time looking for a small lamp for a small side table and ended up spending too much money on something I don’t love. I wish I would have known about these adorable and reasonably-priced lamps. I also love that they rechargeable—no cords to deal with!”
The Chair Blanket
| City Bonfires
The Chair Blanket™ is one-of-a-kind cozy blanket and windproof, waterproof chair cover in one. It attaches easily to fit most chairs, staying secure with an adjustable, stretch-to-fit back so it won’t shift, fly away or fall like regular waterproof blankets. Use the waterproof side down for protection from damp, dirty seats and wind.
“This is one of those simple but brilliant product ideas that I wish I would have thought of. This would be perfect for those early season track meets and late season cross county meets, bonfires out in the driveway and more. I also love that the blanket comes in a variety of colors and patterns.”
Red Raspberry Sour Scouts
| Shameless Snacks
With low calories compared to an equal serving of candy-aisle gummies, Shameless Snacks have up to 92% less sugar than regular candy. The candies are vegan and gluten free, and are chewy and bouncy without any animal byproducts.
“I don’t love gummy candy or food, but was willing to try these because they looked really good. I’m glad I did; they were delicious! The flavor wasn’t fake fruit, and the sugary outside gives the candy a great texture. It doesn’t hurt they are low in sugar.”
