Sunshine Ace debuts 'Hurricane Hub' displays

Sunshine Ace Hardware rolled out “Hurricane Hub” displays across its Southwest Florida stores on June 1, the first day of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, according to the company. The displays group storm-preparation products into one area and include free hurricane guides for shoppers, Sunshine Ace said. The retailer said the hubs are intended to give customers quicker access to supplies tied to safety, power, comfort and cleanup. Through the end of July, the company is also tying the launch to in-store giveaways. ### What exactly is in the new display? The June 1 announcement said the displays are stocked with hurricane supplies ranging from first aid kits, battery-powered radios and fire extinguishers to generators, batteries, extension cords and portable charging banks. Sunshine Ace also listed comfort items such as battery-operated fans, coolers, lanterns and cooking sources, along with cleanup products including tarps and battery-powered drills. (aboveboardchamber.com) Free hurricane guides are part of the display, according to the company. Sunshine Ace said the guides and checklists include information on evacuation zones, shelters, emergency contacts and recommended supplies. ### Why did Sunshine Ace launch it on June 1? June 1 marked the official start of the 2026 hurricane season, and Sunshine Ace tied the display launch directly to that date in its release. (aboveboardchamber.com) Michael Wynn, the company’s president, said many people delay preparations until a storm is named. “Many people wait until the National Hurricane Center names a storm before they start preparing, but now is the best time to assess your hurricane supplies,” Wynn said. Wynn said shoppers should already have the basics before a storm appears in the forecast cone. “Once we’re in the forecast cone, you should be making your final preparations – not checking to see if you have enough batteries and flashlights,” he said. ### What is the giveaway tied to the launch? Through the end of July, Sunshine Ace said customers can register for giveaways tied to the Hurricane Hub rollout. (aboveboardchamber.com) The prizes include a Generac GP Series 6500-Watt Portable Gas Generator and hurricane prep kits packed in premium coolers, the company said. The company did not give odds of winning in the release, but it framed the promotion as part of its broader storm-readiness push in Southwest Florida. (aboveboardchamber.com) ### Where are these hubs showing up? Sunshine Ace said the displays are in its stores across Southwest Florida. The company says it operates 16 hardware stores, two paint stores and two gift stores in the region, and its locations page lists stores including Naples, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Port Charlotte, Largo, Bradenton and Ave Maria. (aboveboardchamber.com) The Naples-based retailer was founded in 1958 by Don Wynn and is now led by his grandson, Michael Wynn, according to the company. Sunshine Ace describes itself as one of Ace Hardware’s larger franchisees in the United States. ### What changed on hurricane-supply taxes in Florida? Florida permanently exempted many hurricane supplies from state sales tax in 2025, Sunshine Ace said in the release. (aboveboardchamber.com) The company said that change removed the need for a separate Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. For shoppers, that means eligible storm-preparation items may already be tax-exempt under the state’s standing policy, rather than only during a limited holiday window, according to Sunshine Ace’s description. (aboveboardchamber.com) That is the framework the retailer used as it promoted the new displays on June 1. ### What happens next for customers? (aboveboardchamber.com) Sunshine Ace said customers can use its locations page to find store hours and nearby stores carrying the Hurricane Hub displays. The giveaway registration runs through the end of July, and the company said the stores will continue offering free hurricane guides and checklists during the season. (aboveboardchamber.com)