Dusty and Kim Price announced Friday that they have sold their store, Billy Price Ace Hardware. The sale was finalized Friday.
The buyer is Chisholm Family Legacy Investments, LLC. The principal of the company is Chris Chisholm of Amarillo, who owns an Ace Hardware store in that city. The new owner has named a manager, Branch Jones of Lubbock. Jones said he is excited about the new opportunity and looks forward to meeting the store’s many loyal customers.
The store has served the local community for 63 years and was established by Dusty’s parents, the late Billy and Nancy Price. “We thank all of our wonderful customers who have been loyal to our family and our store for over six decades,” said the Prices. “We could not have grown and prospered through the years without their loyalty, friendship and support. We wish the new owner nothing but success.”
The husband and wife team have no plans for the immediate future.
They have also decided to liquidate and close the Billy Price Furniture Store in downtown Levelland.
“It is just time to catch up in life,” said Kim Price.
Dusty Price said they are looking forward to taking a little time to relax.
The store has been open six days a week and on most holidays for the past several years.
The couple complimented their employees and thanked them for their continued support for the new owner.
Tommy Perez has been associated with the store for 28 years while Amanda Perez has been with the establishment for 10 years. Christina Salinas has worked in the store for over a year.
Billy Price Ace Hardware has the distinction of being one of the oldest, family-owned and operated businesses in Levelland.
The business has an illustrious history.
In 1949, Billy Price, a World War II veteran who served on the aircraft carrier USS Natoma Bay, moved to Brownfield to work for his brother, Charlie Price, in his Western Auto Store.
Ten years later, he and his wife, Nancy, moved to Levelland to open their own Western Auto Store at 806 Austin St, on the South side of the square.
In 1963, they moved their business to a larger, 50' x 100' building on the East side of the square. In 1968, they purchased the building next door, expanding their store to 22,000 sq. ft. and operating auto service bays in the back.
From 1964-1968, they also had a Honda motorcycle dealership, which was just the second on the South Plains.
The business continued to grow and expand and eventually filled five adjacent buildings.
In 1976, the Ace Hardware franchise was added to the growing business. Dusty grew up in the business and Kim joined the firm in 1987 as a 16-year-old, learning from her mentor, Nancy, in the business office. In May, 1988, Billy and Nancy purchased the former Winn McRee Do-It Center building on Clubview Drive. The building is 34,000 sq. ft. and is being acquired by the new owner.
In 1989, Dusty and Kim married and gradually took on more of the management and operation of the business, which was initially open seven days a week in the Clubview location.
The company’s furniture inventory was expanded at that time in the downtown location.
Nancy Price was killed in a two-vehicle accident in 1994 at the age of 63 while in route to a trade show in Houston. Her husband, Billy, was also injured in the mishap which occurred on Interstate 45. With her death, even more of the management and operations decisions were assumed by Dusty and Kim. In 2001, Western Auto Supply Company closed its doors as a corporation. The local store was a Western Auto franchisee for 41 years. With the closure of that supplier, the Billy Price name evolved to Ace Hardware. It has been associated with Ace Hardware for 46 years. In 2005, a full horse tack department was added to the store, supplying the equine and roping needs of not only area cowboys and ranchers, but South Plains College students. Billy Price died in 2013 and the couple say that they still miss his humor and support. The couple will continue to make their home in the community but look forward to having time to pursue new interests. They are also looking forward to being able to spend more time with their daughter, Devin, who lives in Lubbock.