Big name in hardware stores (3)
I believe the answer is:
ace
'big name in hardware stores' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ace that I've seen before include "single > club > champion" , "Unreturnable serve" , "reason for point of no return" , "Dab hand" , "Possibly a diamond" .)