Great for hobbyist looking to source Tamiya paint, zap a gap, and many other hard to find model shop items. This is only place in the bay area I can find a lot of the paint and glues I need in my everyday. I do 3d printing high end model finishing, modeling/casting, make stop motion puppets, and resin toys. They stock the largest selection of Tamiya and testers spray paints, a huge selection of small enamel and acrylic paints for model kits, and table top minis (my husband sources a lot of things for warhammer.) They also will order anything you need if they don't have it, they have ordered me cases of Tamiya spray paint, and jarred acrylics, and are ordering zap a gap with brushes attached. I prefer them to online 1. It's competitively priced, 2. Special orders arrive faster than if I used amazon prime. 3. The staff is extremely knowledgeable. I can't recommend Berkeley ace enough!! Pros- large hobbyist selection. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff. Cons- their location always adds driving time due to college town traffic. Pro tip- they have their own parking lot in a hard to park area. Saves a ton of time. read more

I use Paganos Hardware (Alameda) and Dale Hardware (Fremont) as benchmarks for hardware stores. What sets these two apart is the knowledge of the sales clerks. Whether a schedule 40 or 80 PVC pipe, wood or sheet metal screws these guys know their stuff. Of course when I go to a hardware store I test their hardware knowledge. I thought the employees were somewhat knowledgable but I was not looking for any tricky hardware or a special power tool. Typical prices with sale items, nothing that really stood out. So onward to this Ace Hardware which has been around for quite some time. Lots of crowded shelves of hand tools, hardware, plumbling, all of the above. I was looking for portable heaters and they were having a big sale, the catch was when you buy one, you cannot return them. What exists downstairs is a hobby store that is second to none. They have slot cars, model cars and planes, paints, plus die-cast cars. OK this is not a kids toy store. It is a grown adult hobby store. If they had their own hobby store it would be definetly be five stars. Of course if you need a flashlight or batteries you can purchase them here too. read more

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS LOCATION. Not sure how this place even received a 3.5 star rating when it should be ZERO. The owner Brandy, provides horrible customer service. In a world where Amazon is a threat to small businesses, I try my best to support the businesses in my community. However, if you don't take care of your patrons, I'll spend my efforts and $$$ elsewhere. read more

Others have pointed out the lack of customer service and I have to agree, it's not very good, but what I think sucks the most are the prices. Everything in the shop is much pricier than anywhere else, and they should stay open later. But the worker who greeted me at the door was wearing a gold grill, so extra points for that. read more

Stopped by here to get some last minute black lights for a party tonight. I went back to electrical, dug around in the lightbulb section and grab a black CFL party bulb. An employee comes along, offers to test the bulb because they're frequently defective, and helpfully points out that the bulb I selected is a regular CFL, colored black. Wat. He helps me find the black lights, tests it, and I'm on my merry way. read more

There's a hobby store downstairs, very cool. My second favorite hobby place in the Bay Area. Parking sucks around here though. Sign up for that Ace Rewards Card or whatever its called. They will sent you once in a while a 5 bucks off coupon. And they will occasionally have unadvertised sales. read more

There is something to be said for good customer service, which is so hard to find these days. The people who work here are specialists, and they have never steered me wrong. I am completely clueless when it comes to hardware and it's comforting that I can go somewhere where people will explain how to fix things and give me the confidence to go home with my new hardware and actually fix things that were broken. So, even though their bag checking policy is completely irritating and useless (if someone really wanted to steal some .10 nails/screws/sinkers, they would just pocket them), take comfort in knowing the guy taking your bag looks like he has worked there for 40 years and would teach you how to fix anything in your apartment if you just asked. read more

Worst customer service ever. There are nice happy faces on the floor, but I had an issue with something I bought there years ago and met the management upstairs. I remember telling myself that I would never step foot in there again. I've been true to my word, minus going in there yesterday for some badly needed sand paper, sigh. I declare from this day forward, I will not spend money in there again. Best hardware store I've found is the Ace on San Pablo in El Cerrito, those people know what's up. read more

After moving into my new apartment, I came to this place probably three times a week. It is a wonderful generalist store where you can get custom paint mixed, buy household items, hobby stuff, get keys copied, just about anything (as long as you're not a professional contractor looking for an obscure item). The sales people are everywhere so it is easy to get help, however I've found that a few of the employees who work there don't really seem enthusiastic or attentive. Oh they'll get it done, but they aren't going out of their way to make friends. For example: I went to get two yards of wire and asked if the price was by foot or yard. The lady said yard, then proceeded to cut two FEET of wire. I stopped her and she assured me that 24 inches was, in fact, two yards. Honestly at this point I was aghast. Finally some other employee saw the conflict and took over. I don't know, maybe its just me, but I think basic measurement knowledge should be a prerequisite for the job. Oh yeah, and as it turned out, the price was actually per foot, not per yard. Another reason for a not-perfect rating: I got Ace to make a set of keys for a new roommate, but when I gave him the keys, they didn't even fit in the lock! It was really a pain in the ass to go back the same day and get them redone. But hey, it was an honest mistake and they didn't charge me, so whatever. They did give me a free cardboard box once for a project, so that was nice. Nonetheless, I don't know of any other currently open hardware supply stores within walking distance of campus. Four stars for being convenient, having lots of stuff, and staffing lots of people to help, even if they appear to be bored out of their minds. read more

Super convenient location! And they have everything, this is the first place I go when I need something random: airplane travel kit... check, clean supplies... check, Atlas Train Set??... check. The staff is super friendly and always willing to help me find something, which is helpful because the layout of the store reminds me of my closet... tons of stuff everywhere. read more

Although Berkeley Ace Hardware is part of a chain, it definitely feels like an independent store. The employees are friendly and helpful. The products are cheap. Downstairs is a hobby and craft store with mostly model airplanes and things of that nature. Great store for any basic home improvment item. read more

Oi, Ferrets, Cumquats, Boogie Down Bronxes, Frost Nixons, and all my Johnny Blazes, and Power-U holders out there, totes dope, DIY fly, Mr. Rock Solid 100 Organic Plutonium is back again to tell ya'll about ACE Hardware. This place cool. They offer you free coffee. I ain't never had the coffee because a baller like me can't drink coffee without a side of some outlandish expensive shit like Northern Icelandic Crab pastries. The dudes here are illmatic. One had a Jesus piece that reminded me of Nas's first album. He took my backpack and gave me a key on some "street dreams are made of these" type head nod. Well, I got all I wanted and painted the Fallopian tubes out of my bike and am extremely unhappy with the results. I will never DIY again because I got no talent in doing anything myself. In fact I loved this store and the whole experience because it reminded me that people who got Disney Dumbo Wads of cash, like me, should ALWAYS pay to get shit done. HaaaaaaAaaah players! #poopsquirt Check this place out and better luck to you in your Pinterest inspired endeavors! read more

Closes a little early but always friendly service and reasonable prices. Thankfully they have plenty of parking behind building, which is rare in Berkeley! read more

I am a fan...now. This place used to bum me out, because it was walking distance from my home, but whenever I went here to get hardware, they didn't have much of a selection and generally didn't have what I needed. (I had gone for plumbing, spackle, fasteners and couldn't find them) I don't know whether in the new location they have more stock, or my needs now just happen to be what they carry, but I now seem to be reliably able to go get hardware at this store and be confident they have it. (can't speak to the hobby side of the business) So if they are stocking more hardware, that is great and I will frequent this place now. read more

A real old time hardware store which has an amazing selection - you can even buy a single bolt, but and washer Go downstairs and check out the nice selections of model trains for sale. GO visit - They're planning a new building for the corner, and I'm not sure how much longer you'll be able to visit this incarnation of the hardware store read more

Very courteous and welcoming staff when I had to pick up porch and floor paint for work. The downstairs hobby area is golden! Now I'm considering a model train set in my room. read more

Absolutely had to pick up a gallon of Benjamin Moore paint on a Sunday evening. Coming from Oakland, I hit a ton of traffic on Shattuck and wasn't going to make it to Ace before closing at 5pm. I called at 4:55 to let them know what I needed. Anna, who answered the phone quickly put me through to Jamie in the Paint department. Jamie kindly agreed to mix and prepare the paint I needed so that it was ready when I arrived. When I zipped in at 5:03, the guard at the door knew I was coming and allowed me to come in. The paint was ready for me and they quickly checked me out with a smile. They could have easily said, "come back tomorrow" but instead they made an effort to help a sister out. Thank you, Berkeley Ace! You're the aces. heehee. read more

This 5-star rating is for the help that I got from Quentin, downstairs in the plumbing department. After dismal unhelpfulness and a loooong wait at Pastime in El Cerrito, it was amazing service where Quentin walked me through sink drain replacement step-by-step, including showing me a youtube video. His help enabled to replace the part myself !! I can't say much about the other departments or staff, but I plan to try them out for my next hardware needs. read more

Ace Hardware is the best! Anytime I need home repair related items they always have what I'm looking for but best of all the people that work there are amazingly helpful. I went in with a part of a broken chair (that I really love) not knowing where to even start fixing and was quickly introduced to Quentin who showed me exactly what I needed to put it back together and help me pull out some screws that were stuck. This is just one an example of Ace has saved the day for me over the years. read more

Super quick service and helpful staff! I had a couple keys copied and in less than 10 min.

There is a parking lot in the back of the store - a rarity in Berkeley! How has nobody else mentioned this? Also, Ace is across the street from Brazil Cafe, so you can pick up a yummy tri-tip sandwich on your way home. Besides the parking and lunch options, this is also a great hardware store. Small, but they have everything you could need. Hardware, kitchenwares, garden, hobby. They custom cut plexiglass which is great since Amsterdam Art closed and I would never dream of trying to have that done at Home Depot. One weird thing - I called to see if they had an item in stock in the hobby shop, and I was put on hold, then given another number to dial - they couldn't transfer me! I'm willing to overlook this quirk though. read more

I have been meaning to write this review for a long time. Every time I walk out of the Berkeley Ace Hardware with a smile on my face and a little more faith in humanity, I think "Damn, I really need to write a raving review on Yelp!" and then my thoughts immediately drift off to some other less sublime, more quotidian activity. Well, here it finally is: The customer service here is excellent. They somehow know how not to bombard you the minute you walk in with "Can I help you?????" but at the same time, some smiling, friendly employee always seems to magically appear the minute I start looking around trying to find a cookie baking sheet, or a carabiner, or an energy-efficient lightbulb, or an "A" flat head size 4 screw, or a dish drying rack, or a . . . well, you get the picture. Not only are the employees super-helpful, this store stocks EVERYthing. Forget Target, forget Walgreens, forget Home Depot, this store is a one-stop shop. Did I mention that there's free coffee on the left as you walk in for anyone who stops in? And that there's a model train that runs around the perimeter of the store about 10 feet up? It's the special touches like these, the friendliness of the employees, the cheap prices, and the amazing amount of merchandise that makes me feel like I've stepped back into some precious memory of going shopping from my childhood, when I walk into Berkeley Ace Hardware. This is, hands-down, my favorite store in Berkeley. read more

Overview: +Locally-owned store (not a chain, but part of a national cooperative) +Good selection of merchandise (as a previous reviewer mentioned, Pastime does have a larger selection but do you really want to trek to El Cerrito?) +Free parking (Autos in the back, bike rack in the front) +Great model train/planes/automobiles section in the basement. -This store does need longer hours (Helpful Hardware Man, can you stay open until at least 7 pm on weeknights & Saturday?) -You have to check your backpack in at the front. It's a bit of a pain if you are biking to the store, but I have never had any problems. ~Coffee - I understand it's free, but the urn appears to be older than me And now the main review... What can I say about this hardware store? I've been a patron of Ace Hardware since I was in elementary school. Yes, the clerks are a throwback to an old school era but I find they are very helpful (much more so than the big-box hardware stores) and I have never had a problem getting help or finding an item Also, some of the ACE-brand items in bulk (like garbage bags) are sold at a great price point - almost as low cost as COSTCO. Also, ACE Hardware is not a chain in the traditional sense (yes, some of you fellow reviewers have gotten this wrong). ACE is a Retail-Based cooperative (and the largest retail cooperative in the U.S.) which means each store is individually owned and operated (with the exception of some multi-store companies like the amazing Cole Hardware in SF) while the stores share ACE-branded products and advertising. What does this mean for you the customer? An ACE sale at one store is honored at all stores, but if you buy a product at a certain ACE store in El Cerrito you will not be able to return it at Berkeley ACE. So, when you shop at Berkeley ACE Hardware, you support a locally-owned, 125 year old shopping institution. Oh, and did I say they have a killer model train and train memorabilia collection in the basement? I bought some of my first model trains and books on the east bay streetcar system years ago. Now, where did I leave them in my childhood home? Overall, I give Berkeley ACE 4 out of 5 stars. if the operating hours were a little longer and if the store selection was a bit larger, then I could give that elusive 5th star. read more

I like small, local hardware stores in general, but especially Berkeley Ace, because I will always find fantastic customer service there. The local hardware store industry definitely has customer service figured out, and the restaurant and retail industry could really learn a thing or two from them. Let me explain just how great Berkeley Ace is, illustrated by a recent experience there. I walked into the front door and was immediately greeted by a nice man asking how he could help me today. Now, this is in sharp contrast to big box hardware stores where you are likely to be left to wander through like 500 aisles of power tools to find a tape measure. I asked the nice man where I could find some CFLs (fluorescent bulbs). He pointed me to the CFL aisle and I made my way over there to peruse the selection (there were a lot to choose from). Lucky for my indecisive self, another nice Ace worker approached me and offered tons of advice on which CFLs will fit in my lamps. How helpful! So, in a matter of five minutes, I had found what I was looking for and had one of the best customer service experiences of my life (rivaled only by my other customer service experiences at Ace). read more

I like this store. The shelves are packed with stuff, and the prices are low. For example, I was looking for a meat thermometer, and it was only $6.99. The same one in Target was over $10. So much for the big box stores. There is a wide selection of things here - the usual tools, cleaning products, paints, cooking supplies, etc. The service is good - there are always helpful people there. read more

Awful! As a resident of Berkeley for 35 years, I try to purchase at local shops but this place is just terrible to deal with and I will never shop there again. The employees are rude, unhelpful and uninformed about ordinary hardware items. Try getting help upstairs where the lightbulbs are kept and you feel as welcome as a child molester in kindergarten. But the thing that pissed me off most came about because I carry a knapsack with IV medicine (TPN) inside and several feet of tubing very obviously running from the bag into my arm - so I'm not the typical student-knapsack-carrier-who-may-be-a-shoplifter, plus, I'm in my 60s for chrissakes. Anyway, the last two times I entered the store, the rent-a-cop and a couple of employees awoke from their reverie to yell at me from across the store that I needed to leave my bag upfront. The first time this happened I stood in place while an anxious employee gingerly approached, and, when he saw the knapsack's tubing, apologized and went about ignoring me. A couple of days later, the same scene played out, only this time they made an even greater production out of embarrassing me. From now on it's going to be Pastime Hardware where at least you get a straight answer, you're not looked at suspiciously and you feel welcome. read more

After numerous trips here over the years, and receiving mostly great service, today's experience made me take the time to post a 5* review. Because they earned it! I was looking for a rather unusual extension cord to replace the detachable cord on my 45-year old Champion Juicer. 2 other hardware stores couldn't (or wouldn't) help. The fellows at Berkeley Ace shaved off the excess rubber on a cord in order to make it fit, and then we tested it out (it purred!!!). Oh, did I mention that they did the cord shaving BEFORE I bought the cord? That's good, old-fashioned service! And then, with my 30-pound juicer cradled in one arm, (I might exaggerate a tad...but only a tad) and shaved cord tucked away in my purse, the greeter at the door poured me a cup of coffee to enjoy on my way out.. It was a good day. read more

Let me start by saying that I hate hardware stores. You can never find anything on your own, and half the time the staff doesn't know where things are as well. Not here. There's always a friendly employee by the door that asks if you need help, and in the three times I've been in he's been able to tell me exactly where to go. read more

Oh man, Ace Hardware just got major bonus points from me. I took in a broken Kitchen Aid mixer, needed help with a screw that had been broken off inside the hole. Quentin helped us redrill the hole, find a new screw, and even found a fancy washer to make it look natural. After a few more home repairs, it works good as new, and I took him some cookies to thank him. This guy was the bomb; he loved a challenge and took time out of his day to make sure we were happy with the results, in spite of a broken drill bit. Thanks guys! read more

Yes! Super helpful kind people with a decent selection. It has a neighborhood vibe and is clean and organized. I really appreciate that the staff has gone out of there way to help me find what I'm look for and made me laugh. read more

If you're an artsy craft person, this is one of the best Hardware Stores you'll find hands down. I have gone to nearly every hardware store in the east bay and San Francisco and have found no better one yet for my needs (though I do love Cole Hardware in SOMA). I do a lot of stop-motion construction work, and they carry the real Propoxy 20 (not just the inferior Ace brand of plumbers epoxy), Amazing Goop Quick Hold (and other adhesives you never see at other Hardware stores), threaded rod sizes that are nearly impossible to find at other stores, plus they have a whole hobby/crafts section downstairs. No wonder this is the favorited hardware store of local Berkeley stop-motion and special effects master, Phil Tippett (Star Wars and Robocop anyone?). This place is great for almost all of your needs and they even have a knife sharpening service roll through every few weeks. It's far easier and quicker to get your supplies here than Home Depot or Lowes, plus the staff is great. There are very few things I ever need that I can't get here and the prices are generally very fair. Their selection of screws and various fasteners is about the same as any other Ace I've been too and covers 97% of my needs. The prices here are pretty fair and they often have some useful discount items out in front. of the store. Every hardware store has their specialties and some things can only be found at others, but this store with it's friendly staff should cover almost all of your needs. It does for me. Other notes: Utrecht and (a rather large) Blick art stores are all on University, make for an efficient supplies run. If you're looking for lumber, go to Ashby Lumber or Truitt & White down the street (No Ace Hardware is particularly great for lumber). read more

I love this ACE so much. The people are kind and generous with their time and they seem to stock just about everything! I always end up buying more than I came in for because of the terrific choice and ease of finding things. And best of all is Quentin the manager, who has helped me install batteries in my car key, drill holes in my plant pot and figure out which soil to buy for my plants. Thank you Quentin! read more

You'll find plenty of staff to help you find those little things you need. Since moving to their new location on Milvia Street, things are even better organized. Their lighting section, for example, is well stocked, and the employees always know where to look for things. Hours could be longer, but other than that, it's a great hardware store. read more

Its pretty compact like most bay area hardware stores and can get very busy on weekday lunch hours, but I REALLY needed that carbide drill bit to do some mass destruction tonight and Paganos closes at 6 pm on the Island. The aisles are very small you have to claim a free one and find something to buy in that aisle. You know you need that 500 pack of foam earplugs! read more

The staff here is awesome. Everyone was extremely helpful and patient! I didn't know what exactly I was looking for to fix my clogged sink, but they definitely helped me out. They also have other neat things in the shop like hot wheels and puzzles! I think I might just come back to peruse this shop for a couple hours. Keep in mind that they make you check your bag before you go downstairs. read more

Friendly service is overrated. Helpful service - that I can use. So maybe it takes some effort to find someone, but once you find that person, you'll get what you need. Also, their $1 aisle is pretty awesome. read more

I hear that they're going to demolish the building. I hope they have plans to keep Berkeley Ace Hardware in the building. It's a great store. It's perfect for downtown. It's a hardware store that has all that anyone who owns an apartment would ever want. Without having to own a car you can get the hardware you need. Otherwise you'd have to go out to the big box stores. The hobby shop is incredible. You can find everything there. read more

Pretty okay selection of items. It has a typical hardware store feel. There are hobby items they sell on the lower floor like model airplanes and stuff. And there is also staff everywhere waiting to help you. read more

You may not be served by the "Helpful Hardware Man" but you will probably find the part or doo-hickey you were looking for (pardon the dangle). Typical Ace Hardware store ... tons of stuff, mostly organized, including many items you can't find in the Big Box stores. The location hard by the UC Berkeley campus is an extra star for those that live in the neighborhood. The basement is primarily a hobby store with scores of model kits - includes some of the rare balsa wood model airplanes that my generation was raised on (another dangle). Like this place. read more

I've always been a big box hardware store kind of guy. I can spend hours inside a Lowe's or Home Depot. However it is more and more difficult to fork money over to heartless corporations these days. Ace seems really well established in the bay area. This particular store is in a great location near UC and the downtown Bart. The smallish presence on the street is misleading--this store is three stories tall. They do have everything (everything, well, except for lumber and other building materials). I usually end up here once a month or so for fasteners, gardening tools, canning jars, light bulbs, or other small goods. It's rare that I leave empty handed. My only quibbles are with the prices and the semi-paranoid security detail. Often times when I'm shopping I get the feeling I'm being watched, turn my head, BAM, one of the employees is watching. Maybe they do have a shoplifting problem, but that might be solved with other tactics besides watching shoppers. read more