Ace Plaza Business Owners Wonder About Their Future in Margate

by David Volz May 9, 2025

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Ace Hardware in Margate. {David Volz}

Margate’s leaders have big dreams for the City Center. They want to create a mixed-use development on 50 acres that will attract people from the region to live, work, and play.

So, what does that mean for the long-time businesses in or near the area to be developed?

Some of the businesses in the Ace Plaza have served Margate residents for many years, and they want to stay. During the May 7 meeting, Nina Culver addressed the commission during public comments and asked that more effort be made to preserve the buildings and businesses in Ace Plaza. She and other residents are concerned that a significant part of Margate’s history will be lost to the new development.

Commissioner Tommy Ruzzano agreed and said that he supports efforts to preserve Ace Plaza and wants to protect the existing businesses there and the livelihoods of their owners.

Noor Vallyana, the owner of Ace Hardware at 5843 Margate Boulevard, would love to stay in his current location. Still, he believes the building he occupies will soon be demolished for the new development. He knows Ruzzano wants the plaza to remain, but also understands that most of the city’s leadership wants new development there.

“This plaza is coming down, and there is not much I can do about it,” he said. “The building is old, and the developer wants to build new buildings here.”

Vallyana would like the city to grant him a 99-year lease in the business section of the new development. He believes a lease would create economic security for him and his family.

Noor Vallyana wants Margate to offer him a 99 year lease if he is forced to move his Ace Hardware store. {David Volz}

Another long-time business is Pete’s Barbershop, located at 5833 Margate Boulevard. It has been in the plaza since 1956. “I want to stay here. We are planning a 70th anniversary celebration,” said the owner, Elijah Zamora.

A man who identified himself as Anthony said he has been coming to the plaza since childhood. “I love this plaza and want it to stay the way it is,” he said.5

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.