ACE HARDWARE

ORLANDO, Fla. — As many in Central Florida make last-minute preparations ahead of Hurricane Ian, stores are starting to fill up with last-minute shoppers. As the hurricane approaches, the time to get ready is running out. Photos: Last-minute shoppers find some shelves empty as Central Florida prepares for Hurricane IanExpand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Last-minute shoppers find some shelves empty as Central Florida prepares for Hurricane IanChannel 9 crews visited Ace Hardware on South Orange Avenue Tuesday morning, and the store was packed. LIVE UPDATES: Hurricane Ian moves into Gulf as track shifts east into Central Florida“It’s been about three days now of just chaos. Watch: Ian threatens FL gas supply, but leaders say they’ve preparedAt local grocery stores, some of the shelves are low on certain items like paper towels and toilet paper.

The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday starts May 28 and goes through June 10.

If there is talk about a hurricane on the way to Florida and you still haven’t set up a preparedness kit, you may be forgetting key items to survive without power.

One of the perks that comes with living in Florida is that it’s almost always grilling or barbecue season. Doesn’t meat just taste better coming off a hot outdoor grill?

With the COVID-19 pandemic still underway, storm supply shopping might look a bit different this hurricane season.

The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. The experts from Ace Hardware in Titusville will show you some of their top-of-the-line grills and smokers -- which should help you make the best-quality food, for the game and beyond. You’ll likely find it’s worth it to choose a grill or smoker that aligns with your style. Watch the video, above, for more information.

Ace Hardware CEO John Venhuizen told CNBC on Friday that the ongoing U.S.-China trade war is more of a nuisance than an overwhelming issue. "From our lens, in the short term, they are pesky, they are frustrating, but they are manageable," Venhuizen said when speaking about tariffs on "Squawk on the Street." "Our primary aim remains to insulate our customers from these tariffs," Venhuizen said Friday. The Ace CEO's comments come as Wall Street turned optimistic Friday, after President Donald Trump said the world's two largest economies were nearing a trade deal. Earlier Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that while Beijing wants to make a deal, it isn't afraid to "fight back."

Sportfishing club hosts kids' clinicThe Flagler Sportfishing Club will host the club's 10th annual kids fishing clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, July 13, at Herschel King Park, 100 Grady Prather Jr. Cove, Palm Coast. Genealogy Society to meetThe Genealogy Society of Flagler County will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, at the Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway N.W. Blanketeers meeting scheduledThe Blanketeers, whose members knit and/or crochet, will meet at 9 a.m. Friday, July 19, at the Flagler County Public Library, 2500 Palm Coast Parkway N.W. Facing Grief Together to meetFacing Grief Together, formerly known as Compassionate Friends, will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24, at VITAS Healthcare, 4 Old Kings Road N., Palm Coast. Send information about upcoming public events of interest to Flagler County residents to Briefs, c/o The News-Tribune, 4984 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast, 32137 or by e-mail to news-tribune@news-jrnl.com.