SACRAMENTO'S HARDWARE STORE

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1908

The first Emigh Hardware store was opened in 1908 by brothers James and Clay Emigh, who set up shop at 1208 J Street after moving from Suisan City.

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Four years later, the company merged with Winchell and Cline and moved to a larger location at 310 J Street. Another move in 1918 took the business to Seventh and J Street, where it remained for 14 years under the leadership of the brothers.

 

With the retirement of the senior Emigh brothers in the early 1930s, the next generation took the helm. James’ sons Albert, James Jr. and Colby moved the business farther uptown to the 13th and J Street, the current location of the Sacramento Community Convention Center. During these years of the Depression and World War II, even steel garbage cans on sale – much to the consternation of competitors who wanted to keep prices high.

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By 1952, Colby was ready for another move. Attracted by the postwar building boom in the suburbs, he took a risk and relocated the business to “the country,” the newly developed Country Club Centre at El Camino and Watt whose only neighbor was a goat farm.

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In 1971, Colby’s son-in-law, Rich Lawrence, became general manager, and in 1973 moved the business across the street to its present 35,000-square-foot location on El Camino Avenue. Rich’s son, Brian Lawrence, joined the company, becoming the fourth generation to contribute to the family legacy and oversee operations of Emigh’s Outdoor Living, a 15,000-square-foot patio furniture showroom
that opened in April 2000 next door to the hardware store.

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In 2020, Brian Lawrence officially became President, carrying on the tradition of family leadership while guiding Emigh Ace Hardware into the future. Two years later, in 2022, Emigh expanded with a second location in El Dorado Hills Town Center, combining both hardware and outdoor living under one convenient roof.

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In 2025, the company mourned the passing of longtime leader Richard (Rich) Lawrence, whose vision and dedication helped shape Emigh Ace Hardware into the community cornerstone it is today. His legacy of service and family values continues to guide the business under Brian’s leadership.

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