Researching what happened to Ole's and Builders Square led me to this site:
https://truthrambler.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/defunct-home-centers-lumber-yards/
I've been lamenting the fact that my only current choices in hardware stores are Lowe's and Home Depot, both of which I consider to be overpriced and thin on selection. Menard's is a far superior store if you have one, but they aren't a national chain. I haven't been able to find anything independent and local to me. (Well, there is ACE, but it's a crapshoot if they actually carry the thing you need.)