Thursday, 19 April 2012 07:46  By Robert Souza CASTRO VALLEY FORUM

Pete’s Ace Hardware will receive the Historic Business Award from the Hayward Area Historical Society this Friday for its outstanding contribution to the preservation of the community’s history during its 86 years of business.

Pete’s Hardware store in 1932.

Pete’s Ace Hardware will receive the Historic Business Award from the Hayward Area Historical Society this Friday for its outstanding contribution to the preservation of the community’s history during its 86 years of business.

Pete’s opened in 1926 by Hungarian immigrants Pete Selmeczki and his wife Mary. In its early years, the store supplied the hardware for one of the largest chicken production areas in the world in an era that popularized the Castro Valley slogan, “Crowin’ Because We’re Growin’.”

Selmeczki’s granddaughter, Linda Roark, now operates the business with her husband Jeff and their son Jason, making it a four-generation business.

“It was a very pleasant surprise and we are honored that the community thought so much of us and what we do,” Roark said of the upcoming award.

The Roarks have expanded and modernized the landmark store at 2569 Castro Valley Boulevard, but pride themselves on retaining the same old-fashioned service and helpful advice that has made Pete’s an icon in the hardware world.

In addition to being one of our town’s first entrepreneurs, Pete Selmeczki helped assemble the pioneer Castro Valley fire department and was a key player in bringing water service and sewer lines to the town. He died in 1952 at the age of 62.

The awards ceremony, which includes a buffet dinner with live music, will begin at 5:30 p.m. this Friday, April 20, at the Stonebrae Country Club, 27900 Fairview Ave. in Hayward.

All who wish to support the 2012 award winners are welcome to attend. To purchase tickets or request an invitation, call Alison Wenz at 510-581-0223. Tickets are $65 for society members and $75 for non- members.

For more information about the award winners and the Historical Society, visit www.haywardareahistory.org.