Dick Madigan, co-owner of Madigan’s Ace Hardware, accepts the 2020 Business of the Year Award from Kathy Reynolds, CEO of the Alger County Chamber of Commerce/Greater Munising Bay Partnership.

MUNISING — Michigan Works! and the Alger County Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to present a video dedicated to Madigan’s Ace Hardware of Munising.

The local hardware store and family-owned business celebrated its centenary last year and was also named the 2020 Business of the Year, an achievement that is usually awarded at the chamber’s annual dinner, according to a press release.

Typically held as an in-person event in the spring, the annual event was cancelled last year and is again for 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The release explains the annual gathering typically draws at least 100 attendees and with past and present safety concerns and regulations to consider, organizers wanted to celebrate Madigan’s Ace Hardware in a special way and careful way.

Michigan Works! interviewed and recorded two members of the Madigan family, several locals, and others to share their experiences and memories of the century-old store in the three-story building at 202 Elm Ave., Munising.

The release offers a special thank you and congratulations to the Madigan family and staff of Madigan’s Ace Hardware for their dedication and contributions to the Munising area for 100 years — saying the store and staff are a staple to the community and are cherished. To the Munising School Public Library, most of the old newspaper articles and photos in this video were found by browsing your marvelous digital archives.

The virtual commemoration of Madigan’s Ace Hardware: the 2020 Business of the Year, made possible by the partnership of the Alger Co. Chamber and Michigan Works!, can be viewed at https://youtu.be/sSFQwj9fojY