Committed to Exceptional Hometown Service

Bob and Flo Swanson opened a Gambles Hardware store on Main Street in Webster, WI, in 1967. In the mid-1980s, the store became an Ace Hardware franchise. In the early 1990s, Bob and Flo sold to Bruce and Lois Rypkema, who ran the store successfully for nine years.

We (Stefan and Deb Benson) purchased the business in 2002, returning to our hometown from the Twin Cities to raise our family. And with an eye toward customer-focused expansion and growth through more inventory and high-quality national brands.

An opportunity to provide the Frederic community with the same quality and service came in 2015 with our purchase of the sport goods building south of downtown. Our son, Zac, was involved in every aspect of opening the new Benson Ace, and as general manager, promoted the addition of the Stihl outdoor power equipment and Cub Cadet mowers and lawn tractors.

In 2022, Zac led further expansion of the recreational motorsports and outdoor power equipment business by establishing Benson POWER. Located next to Benson Ace Hardware in Frederic, the dealership features Kawasaki UTVs and ATVs, electric motorbikes, Makita cordless outdoor equipment and power tools, STIHL outdoor equipment, and zero-turn mowers from Bad Boy and Cub Cadet. Plus snow removal attachments for UTVs and ATVs. 

During 2025, we enthusiastically sold the Webster Benson Ace business to longtime employee Matt Stanley and his family. We just as enthusiastically retain the Benson Ace Hardware store and Benson POWER dealership in Frederic.

The Benson family and our exceptional employees value our identity as a hometown business. We are proud to participate in and support a wide range of community-based services, non-profit organizations, and local celebrations.