DOWNEY - After months of searching for an ideal location, the three senior executives who once managed All-American Home Center will soon open their own home improvement store in Downey near the corner of Paramount Boulevard and Florence Avenue.Greg Fuller, Ray Brown and Rob Morck, who helped run All-American before its closure last month, announced Tuesday afternoon plans to launch Hometown Hardware and Garden inside the former Vons Market, which has been vacant since October 2010. Earlier this month, Community Development Director Brian Saeki said the group was actively searching for a smaller site to open a home store in Downey similar to All-American. The 28,000-square-foot Vons location had been acquired by Vernon-based grocery store chain Payless Foods, but the company seemingly abandoned the building after several construction and financial setbacks. In a statement, Councilman Mario Guerra praised the new store owners, welcoming the forthcoming home store. "Congrats to owners," said Guerra. "[I'm] glad that you believe in and are investing in Downey." Hometown Hardware and Garden is expected to open this May.

********** Published: February 2, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 42