The owner of a hardware store in Dahlonega is expanding to Dawson County after officials last week approved a request to rezone nearly three acres at Hwy. 53 East and Stephens Road.

Wyman Walden said he is currently in talks with True Value and Ace, both leaders in the industry and both interested in having a store in Dawson County.

"They both really like the site," he said.

The 12,000 square feet store will sit on the now vacant site east of Dawsonville Gun and Pawn.

"The land closes on the 31st. We'll probably break ground in early March, but I'm an optimist. I'd like to say we'll start by the middle of February," he said.

He hopes to have the store open within six months.

Walden also owns an Ace Hardware in Lumpkin County and in the past had stores in Dawson and Marble Hill.

"We were doing well in Dawson, but after Home Depot opened, we closed the store and put a Badcock Furniture in," he said.

Now that the economy seems to be picking up, Walden said the time is right to be back in Dawsonville.

"We feel it's a good time for the store," he said. "We're extremely excited and so is Ace Hardware and True Value."

Walden is also excited that his daughter Brittany Mundy is following in his footsteps and taking on a role in the family business.

"Brittany lives here in Dawsonville. She'll be the owner/operator, a partner, in the store," he said.