During the 1920’s a young man immigrated to the United States from Hungary. He traveled in steerage aboard the Carpathia Steam Ship. He came to chase his dream of building a business in his new country, that young man was Harry Palmer. While, pursuing his dream, Harry boxed locally for prize money.

In1929 , Harry established a small paint store next to his small home in River Edge, NJ.  During this time Harry ran the store by day and worked as a painting contractor by night. The Store would start selling hardware, fishing tackle, repair lawn mowers, and at one time was even a gun shop. During the next 50 years, Harry would build the foundation for a multi-faceted business that would withstand the Depression, a World War and countless competitors.   The keys to Harry’s success were innovation, integrity and a keen understanding of his customers and their needs. Harry had a vision of providing a total home center for the collective needs of his customers.

During the 1930’s as his business grew, Harry established a monthly store magazine and newsletter.  Aside from the ubiquitous Sears and Roebuck catalog, this was a service practically unheard of at the time.   Along with store products, the magazine offered tips for household chores and even recipes such as baked cinnamon apples.  Harry’s innovative marketing tool not only helped grow his customer base, it also fostered a sense of community between the store and its customers. People came to the store for solutions to their home and building problems.

In 1954, Harry designed and implemented the first open merchandise display, allowing customers to serve themselves.  A revolutionary service, the move was even featured in an article in the Bergen Evening Record entitled, “First Self-Service Hardware Store—Allowing Customers To Shop Quickly Or Leisurely.”   The article reads, “…we are not sure if this trend in self-service or allowing customers to open shop will continue for any period of time…the fad may end when customers go wanting.”  The “fad” caught on and Harry Palmer proved to be a true innovator in the retail field.  

In 1979, Harry was honored by the PAS Hardware Association for his dedicated 50-year membership, and contribution as past President and Member of the PAS’ Board of Directors. 

From day one, Harry’s motto and vision was to simply “Give customers what they need, not what we want to sell.”  He instilled in his employees a sense of respect for the store’s loyal following and made sure his employees could offer expert solutions to his customers’ needs.   Today, the success of Harry’s vision is witnessed as many customers are 2^nd and 3^rd generation Palmer shoppers.   

The little corner paint store is still there.  It is now housed within a multi-level, self-serve retail outlet featuring an Ace Retail Hardware store and Benjamin Moore Paint Store and over 70,000 products and accessories. Customers can shop locally at a full service retail outlet and get consistent helpful advice. The Store stands as a reminder of how far the Palmer family business has come and where it all began. 

Today, Harry’s son Bruce and his grandsons, Bruce Jr. and David, run the Palmer Brothers Group.  The business has expanded to include an Palmer Bros Ace Retail Store, Palmer-Ace Commercial and Industrial Supply Company, and PCM Solutions Company.   However, the cornerstone of the Palmer business is still based upon those same tenets that Harry Palmer established  75 years ago—Innovation, integrity, and providing the best customer service possible.