First visit, he forgot to give me the paint after I paid. I asked if he could shake it, he went downstairs, came back 2 minutes later and said it was shaken. When the painter opened it, cleared it had never been shaken. Second visit to buy more paint, we paid, then he came back and said he was sold out of the paint, then had to give us a refund. read more

Very helpful! Got the lightbulbs I was looking for from the friendly staff. Thank you!

Super nice, helpful staff here. This is a shining example of the superiority of good mom-and-pop stores! They sell cut-to-order wood, they'll try to help you with pretty much any job you have, and their prices are good. They also give a lot back to the community, which is great! I just wish they had later hours so I could make it here after work. read more

They are convenient, they tend to have the random things you need, and you pay a high "convenience" charge to shop there. I always leave feeling gouged. They know they are gouging you and you know it too. We don't have many hardware store options on the UWS anymore, and I only shop here for emergency items or when I'm under time pressure. It is unfortunate since I usually like to support neighborhood, "family" businesses when I can, and I don't mind paying slightly more, but when prices are nearly double what you would pay elsewhere, it is hard to justify going there unless it's an emergency. I always leave feeling ripped off, swearing that I will do better to plan ahead in the future. It's unfortunate since it's a resource that we certainly need up here but the rip off factor is HUGE. read more

I love this place! There is always a warm face to greet you at the door. I just moved to the neighborhood and was in there multiple times the first few weeks. The men who work there are so patient and helpful. Despite appearing small, they have everything you could ever need. I love doing home projects on my own, and the men there have taught me many tips and tricks, including rewiring a lamp. I also made multiple special paint purchases over the phone with ease and they were ready hours later. Can't recommend this place enough. read more

Knowledgeable staff. Store has everything you might need. Open Sundays.

Terrible service. The team was very unhelpful and prices are extortionate. Don't go...

There aren't a lot of places that specialize in just paint in the city. Going here was convenient because it allowed me to skip a trip to ginormous Home Depot. read more

I'm an Upper West Sider since the 80's. It's a small town to anyone who's been here more than a year. The small shops make this NOT the Upper East Side. I get the best knowledge from the staff at Beacon. Some of those guys have been working there over 40 years. They know what they are talking about. The kids at Home Depot can not compete. Plus they are crazy for charities, running Bruce's walk for 15 years and donating paint to non profits and taking care of the upper west side grammar schools. This is my hardware store. Super dog friendly too. Family owned and the store has been there as the hardware store for over 100 years. That's not a joke. That's a real number. read more

Feels much like a small town hardware store: friendly, excellent service; knowledgeable staff; and a genuine interest in problem-solving and helping with your project. Reasonable prices and difficult I find odd as and ends. read more

Paid $50 for the $100 groupon. 2 cans of paint came to $124. So with the $24 I spent a total of $74. Works for me

Knowledgeable staff and friendly. Needed a can of Benjamin Moore paint stat , looked them up took advantage of the yelp deal (pay 50 get $75) in credit. Got my can of paint and a free paint brush! All was good. Recommend read more

This store is conveniently located (although the hours are terrible). If it's an emergency (during the day or on the weekend), they might have what you need, and it might even work. Everything is overpriced, about half the things I have purchased from them haven't worked (e.g. keys, shower heads, light bulbs), and when I have gone in to return or exchange the items, the store workers (including at least one manager) have given me grief about it. For prices that are triple what I'd pay for the same items online (yes, I checked), I expect much better service. read more

Helped me find exactly the parts I needed. Saved a bunch of money in the process. I was looking to build a part rather than buy. These guys helped me figure out what I was looking for. read more

Beacon and its knowledgable employees have been an instrumental part of my remodeling business for twenty years. They always have what you need in stock, and the friendly group of guys that work there provide a nice respite from what can sometimes be a stressful day at work. read more

Perhaps I've gone into the store on days when the staff or owners were in a foul mood, because I have not found the friendly fabulous service that others have written about. In fact, on occasion I have been treated downright rudely in this store and have chosen to use another hardware store in the neighborhood which does offer wonderful friendly customer service. Also, if you want to have a key made, DEFINITELY do NOT use Beacon. You can be sure that it will NOT fit your lock. A simple Medeco key was too much of a challenge for this store. A quick trip to a different hardware store and the key was made quickly and correctly. read more

Unbelievably over-priced, by about 300%. I bought common cleaning materials that he sold for $7.99 (Murphy's soap oi) and 6.99 (Tilex) that sell in the drugstores and Targets for $2.79. And the charge for common light bulbs...forget it!! Crazy! You can pay $90 for buying a few items that would could you $30 anywhere else. read more

This place is a true neighborhood hardware store for the Upper West Side. The Knowledgable & friendly staff make shopping a pleasure. They also rent equipment read more

I've lived in the neighborhood for 20 years and whenever I have a DIY project, I ask the folks at Beacon for recommendations on tools and materials. They are very helpful and I have found that they steer me to the best options and not the most expensive ones read more

This review is just for today. Usually when I go in there, the help is usually respectful, cordial and attentive, but today was a bit different. there was this bald dude with glasses who was a total grumpus and extremely icy to me for NO apparent reason. So I will just steer clear of the fat bald guy from now on. But he apparently loves dogs as his whole demeanor changed when he interacted with one. So you know... you can deal with him as long as your not part of his own species. I love dogs too. I totally get it, but you are in customer service - learn to deal with humans with half the respect and kindness you showed to that dog. I agree with other female posters that the solely- male staff assume women know nothing. The guy who ended up helping me after I escaped Grumpus was very polite and nice, but assumed I was a dim witted female when he pointed out that if i use a brush wider than the paint can, i will need to pour paint into a container. Thank you, Captain Obvious! "Gee sir, I had no idea! My little brain just can't work that stuff out for itself. I would have sat there for an hour trying to jam a wide paint brush into a small paint can! hyuk! Forget that I have an art major and a knack for common sense - I'm just a pea brained woman who needs your help. teethee!" *hair flip, jiggle* The only reason i needed help is because i don't know where everything is. It's an oddly organized space. I didn't need any additional info. So if possible it's best to make a beeline for whatever you need before someone offers to "help" you and insults your intelligence. But... at least that man was cordial and helpful. This review is mainly for Grumpus: Lover of dogs, hater of mankind? Or is it just women? read more

This is the go-to hardware store in my neighborhood. It's an old-fashioned place. They're helpful and knowledgable. I often have pieces of wood cut to size for various projects (bits of shelving, dowels, etc) so I can DIY without having to saw things. read more

Okay, I came in desperate to get some planks cut (that I didn't buy there), and Beacon not only cut them for me without a second thought, but they also didn't charge; the gentleman at the counter simply asked me to donate some cash to a charity for guide dogs. I was so touched not only by their generosity, but also knowledge and friendliness. It felt like how a neighborhood hardware store should be. read more

Simply amazing. They have everything and know everything about everything. I needed paint for a touch-up job to my apartment walls, and based merely on saying who my landlord is, they knew exactly the shade and finish of paint I needed. Throughout my years in this neighborhood, they have provided everything I've needed and walked me through every DIY project I've done and would never have been able to do without them telling me what I needed and how to do it. They never oversold me, and actually have steered me towards the least expensive solution needed. read more

Just moved here from 30 years in suburbia. They were knowledgable, helpful, friendly, and helped me save money too. Plus, they got my air conditioning units delivered the next day. They had me at "How can I help you?" read more

Fast, friendly, polite and helpful. They gave me all the answers I needed for my paint job and provided me with all the tools necessary and said if anything didn't work for me, all I had to do was bring it back. it was nice to avoid going to home depot. this place seemed to have just about every color under the sun and a variety of mediums and price points...as well as every accessory you could possibly need. they didn't try to get me to purchase extra stuff either. just the necessary. much appreciated, I will be back. read more

Well stocked, with very knowledgable, helpful, and friendly staff. Feels more like a family (in the wide sense) institution than a nyc store. Have been going there for decades and am always pleased to see familiar faces. Often feel there that sales are not the bottom line, helping you is. This is, of course getting more rare in NYC. Especially on the Upper West Side. read more

As a contractor, I can confirm that Beacon is easily the very best paint store in NYC. The business is owner-operated, the staff is knowledgeable and professional, and they offer none of the bullshit attitude you always get when shopping at the local chain stores. Great prices, great guys, active in the community, and they've been in business over 100 years. Shop elsewhere at your own peril! read more

This has been my neighborhood hardware store for over 20 years. I love these guys. Aside from almost always having what I need, they are incredibly knowledgable. And they know my name. Places like Beacon give the big city a small-town feeling. read more

Went to Beacon to look at paint samples after being dissed way too often at Janovic. Really helpful staff who didn't make me feel like I didn't know what I liked. Got paint samples within 10 mins and all with friendly smiles read more

I've lived on the Upper West Side for 40 plus years and am thrilled to finally have an opportunity to recommend BEACON PAINT AND HARDWARE a family owned business that was here when I moved in. Everyone in this store is helpful, and knowledgeable, and there is always someone who can help you with your problem. It's an old fashion hardware store so you can go there for electric, plumbing, and everyday solutions. And, they know paint, what kind to use where, when and how, and mix your paint quickly while you wait. I'm in the midst of redoing my apartment and am so happy to have them 2 blocks away and not have to hunt through a large, unfriendly, store for someone to help me and then discover I've been given bad information. Oh, and keys, they make them fast and I've never had to return for a cleaner cut. Thank you Beacon. read more