Best lumbar store in the city - Forget about Big box stores. You will not regret the personal service and expertise you find at Blifferts

Five stars to JohnP for making the extra effort for finding me what I needed! Y'all rock! read more

I visited Bliffert's Eastside location in March to request quotes for four custom doors. Because these doors required customization, I needed to provide the door style(s) and exact dimensions in person. The associate at the Lumber Desk took the details and my contact information and told me I would receive estimates within seven days. After three weeks with no response, I called and was told they had no record of my request. I returned to the store, provided the same door specifications and contact information again, and was told I'd hear back by the end of the week. When I called the following week, I was informed they had lost my door and contact information again and asked me to come in a third time to re-provide everything. I requested a manager, who offered to take the information over the phone; however, that wasn't feasible for a custom order that required detailed, physical specs. Bottom line: the repeated loss of basic order details and lack of follow-through made this process a waste of time. I'm no longer comfortable relying on the Lumber Desk here for custom ordering--fortunately, this wasn't for any of my carpentry clients. read more

Bliffert salespeople are knowledgeable and friendly. As a designer, I have needed door, millwork and window color samples for multiple brands. Bliffert always has what I need (I recommend calling ahead for this sort of thing), and they're fast with pricing and shipping information. They don't talk down to me because I am female, and I always feel successful walking out of there. read more

Every time I go into Bliffert's, the staff goes out of its way to answer my many questions with thorough, careful answers. So glad they are in my neighborhood! read more

Just yesterday, I had a replacement "nut" issue for an older outside porch light that store employee, Willow, stepped up to help me with. I couldn't have been luckier than to have Willow as my man to assist in my search! Knowledgeable and conversantly pleasant, Willow led me to the enormous-varietied nuts and bolts aisle and after I described my need verbally and in phone-pics, he jumped right to the task and in just minutes found exactly the correct-sized nut--the result turned out even better than I imagined as the nut he found turned out to be of a more decorative nature which closely imitated the original! Willow's to be praised in his kind manner and focused customer-service! Bravo, Bliffert Hardware Riverwest's Willow! :-) read more

NO QUALITY & NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. I brought over 4 windows to this hardware store1 window with cracked glass and all 4 in need of weather damage to the wood along the bottom. I was told no problem "we will take care of it" after 4 weeks and several calls inquiring if the windows were ready, it was excuse after excuse about why they hadn't started on them. Finally 4 weeks later I was told I can pick them up for $80 dollars. When I saw the windows I could not believe my eyes. They had barely touched the windows. He put a solution on one of them to fill in the damaged bottom, a screw in another and more solution on the third over a crack..The fourth window nothing! all four needed wood filler and that wasn't done. I spoke with the manager about the windows he was a complete disappointment and unprofessional... He said if they worked on the windows again they would need to charge me $50 an hour "again". I explained that the windows had not been completed and showed him where they look exactly like they did when he ( Andrew) brought them in. I reminded him that he was there when he helped removed them out of my truck and looked at them. I asked him if he remembered, he said yes , but he didn't care...therefore he push the repair guy Cassidy over to help me and a young girl while he stayed in the back hiding. This was the worst hardware store I have ever experience. "truly". I will not recommend this place, they will rip you off and not care about quality work. Andrew is one of the worst employees he totally avoided the issue. Then when the employee told him the problem he ran in the other direction so he didn't have to address the problem. If "CUSTOMER SERVICE " and your "MONEY" is important to you. Don't go there!!!!!! As a customer it is important to share bad service and quality. I wish I had known ahead of time. Thanks read more

reliable and reasonable pricing just down the street. I wish more folks supported this local gem. lumbaryard staff were very kind and helpful. read more

I asked to have a key cut (the insert key that comes with a key fob for my car). They wouldn't cut the key because I didn't buy the key at there store. I asked if I could buy a similar key and have it cut but they said they didn't have such a key. It had to be purchased from a dealer or online in a package that includes the key and a key programmer. So I asked why I had to have them order another key when I already had the key and would pay for the cost of the key plus the cost of cutting the key. They said it was just their policy to only cut keys that are purchased from their store. RIDICULOUS! I am a long time loyal customer and would expect some consideration of the special circumstance and perhaps they could have made an exception to their "rule" read more

Sadly, our experience with Bliffert was worse than terrible. They provided the windows for our home's exterior makeover, and material for both porch/decks. The windows were a 2 year fiasco being from openings being measured wrong, then incorrectly reordering replacements due to faulty manufacturing of the windows. Only a handful of our windows did not have to keep getting done over. The manufacture's rep came a couple of times from Illinois to see what was going on, and repaired some mistakes the Bliffert installers caused, including scratching the frames, and poor installation causing a stress crack. It was as if nobody was in charge and making sure things were done right. We have triple pane windows...but they ordered some as double panes and installed them...I noticed the difference, then inspected every window, discovering most were done wrong. Phil the rep blew me off...didn't respond to emails or texts. I called the location he is out of and encountered a rude man that answered the phone, and got nowhere, then I finally called the lady who did the scheduling to try to get answers. She helped with getting the cracked window remade, which the manufacture's rep replaced, and the rep said it cracked because the installer didn't put some small pieces of rubber where they should have been. There was a time that Bliffert had a great reputation, but those days are gone. read more

We are very grateful for the support that Bliffert staffers (especially Frank the mechanic) have provided for the past few years! They helped make sure that our Toro snowblower was working properly, which is a must-have in Wisconsin winters. read more

Ken there was very, very helpful in getting some keys cut. At first I tried a hardware store out of town, but the keys did not work. All the employees there are helpful, plus they have a huge selection of nuts and bolts - much better quality than the big box stores. read more

Go here. 90% of the staff are fantastic. I was so surprised to read that someone felt they were ignored or dismissed for being a woman, because I've had the opposite experience. As a fairly petite woman, I'm no stranger to the weird nonsense one can endure when entering a traditionally male-dominated space like a hardware store or bike shop. I've had unsolicited "help" to carry a 20 lb bag of potting soil to my car. I've given a detailed description of what I'm looking for to a guy whose eyes glazed over and proceeded to guide me to something that wasn't remotely like what I needed. I've gone into stores with male partners who literally said "this is her project" and they still kept talking to him This is not the case with Bliffert. They're actually the only hardware store I've ever been to that had a woman on staff who wasn't exclusively a cashier. I was recently in with my husband, and they quickly assessed that I was the DIYer of the household and he was mostly there to sign off on paint colors. I've walked in with requests ranging from the mundane, like "I'm looking for drywall screws" to "I want to build a prop chainsaw for Halloween that is realistic enough to look cool but not so realistic that they won't let me into the bar." I've been met with enthusiastic help for all requests. And if I say "I'm just comparing options," they let me browse in peace. They cut keys like it's an art. They offer me a beer while I'm considering paint colors. They allow dogs. I can admit that some newer employees are not quite as great as the older staff. I walked in one day looking for something and the younger man at the counter had no clue where it might be or even really what I was looking for. I will say that he was interested in where I eventually found it, so at least he was trying. I've seen many of the employees since I my first visit to Bliffert in like 2013, so it's not fair to compare the new guy to the veterans who have an encyclopedic knowledge of thousands of items after years of experience. read more

This was my first time visiting an urban tree farm and surprised at how easy it was too select and take home a tree. The guy there was helpful in picking out a tree and then was able to assist with getting it in my vehicle to take home. Fair price and better than trekking through snow and then needing to lay down in it all, saw it or, drag it to the car, etc... Be sure to check them out! read more

Locally owned + family owned and operated, Bliffert's fantastically helpful staff and great selection of hardware-y, lumber-y, handyman-y type things makes them the proverbial jam. Rope? Tarps? Wood? Nails? Paint? Weird stuff? Check. Why in sam hell would you patronize a big box hardware store when Bliffert's right next to Alterra Humboldt? I frickin' love the smell of hardware stores. I don't know. Anywhoo: Go to here and buy stuff because Bliffert's way more awesome than pretty much any other hardware store. Bob Pearson would buy stuff from here, I bet. Sorry. Yelp inside joke. Don't hate me. read more

Ok, first I'll admit it, I live within walking distance of Bliffert. No matter, as long as I lived in the Milwaukee area, this would still be the spot. They key to this place is convenience. They carry just about everything and if you need it and they don't have it, they will get it. It's much easier than driving out to the "big box" store plus its a local business. A local business that takes the time to cater to us, the customer. As a handyman and homeowner I would be so upset Bliffert wasn't around. My needs are met immediately and conveniently for those weekend warrior projects! read more

Handy-girl? Handy-lady? Handy-female? Somehow those sound a little wrong to me but (lbvs) this is an oh so right hardware/home improvement store in riverwest not far from uwm and the rest of the east side. Its bigger than you might expect inside, and staff comes out right away to help you with whatever you need. I am in no way that handy-crafty however you want to say it but staff has taken the time to give me advice and help me with my purchases. They also have a greenhouse now open for the season, bike racks out front (they give a small discount with a bike benefits sticker), and also carry miscellaneous goods like pet and cleaning products. Its a great asset to Riverwest! read more

They have a lot of high-quality affordable tools. I have been able to furnish my house, vehicle and school projects with the supplies I needed without going broke. Definitely glad they are there read more

I can see why people have so much love for Blifferts. It's big enough to have everything you need (including a surprisingly big lumberyard) but not so big that you'll get lost looking for a furnace filter. As pretty much everyone who's reviewed this place notes the staff here is really friendly and helpful - they know exactly where that weird fitting you need is. Like any good quality hardware store, Blifferts is a study in people buying random shit. The Mister needed some electrical fittings, a furnace filter, a propane refill and some other hardware-y thing. They had it all, we found it easily and it was fairly priced. They sharpen ice skates too, should you need that service. I saw the sign on the door when we came in and thought "wow, that's kind of a random thing" but as we were checking out a guy brought in a pair of hockey skates for sharpening. Also, any place that is animal friendly wins an extra star from me. There were signs encouraging customer to submit pet photos for an upcoming contest, there's a nice fish tank to check out and I hear that sometimes there's a dog or two hanging in the store. read more

Bliffert is still as good as it gets! They have way more things than you think they will (that's the magic of hardware stores) and if they don't have it, they can probably order it. The customer care here just can't be beat. Everyone is so friendly and always asks if you need help. They now have a rewards card so you can start earning those points. read more

Great experience, I like this place. The Christmas tree selection here is really nice and reasonably priced. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The tree worker was awesome. He happily carried the tree I chose a good distance and loaded it into my vehicle. He also wrapped the tree and made a fresh cut so it will last longer. So helpful! read more

YOU WOKE UP IN AN ABANDONED CAR NEXT TO THE OLD TOWER AUTOMOTIVE PLANT. A skinny dog barked at a brick wall, about 30 feet up the sidewalk. For no reason. There was nothing particular about the wall. The dog simply stood in place, barking rhythmically, around 4 seconds between each salvo. You decided the dog was very likely, and with the flavor of your cruel, long-dead grandmother, a victim of dementia. Freezing, freezing. Your confusion and fear hid from you temporarily how very cold it was. Yet you were drenched in sweat... Heavy, hanging clothes that you did not recognize or fill out as your own. (BARK) Had you previously weighed much more? Just before your (BARK) mysterious slumber? And who was it, exactly, that brought you here? Perhaps a shady liposuction provider... maybe a free-wheeling distributor of rohypnol... What was your name? Now true horror.... You remembered well enough to go east as you stumbled and reeled down the street. Groups of thugs parted as you played at Moses, your stink of desperation and insanity pushing them to the side while you crossed a dry sea of hovering doom. But you were quite sure God had long ago thrown you to the winds, and you lead no exodus but for the trailing shadows of your fear. After a seemingly endless march through the broken urban landscape, a small beacon of hope appeared. You recalled that you were in need of a ball peen hammer and some drywall screws. Your identity still escaped you, but it was glaringly obvious in your heart of hearts that only fairly priced plumbing components and the sole lumber supply in the central city were the end game in your terrible Odyssey. You had made it to Blifferts. The clouds parted and the heavy cloak of torture lifted from your defeated body. Further exploration revealed a competent, friendly staff. Shining, virgin keys were made from your originals. As you paid for your purchases it all made sense. Everything fell into place... you were home, you were safe. You smiled to yourself as you imagined sending the receipt to your landlord, with a reduced rent check reflecting the cost of the repairs you made on your shitty apartment by the Falcon Bowl. read more

Alright this is the way a hardware store or any other retail business should be. What really strikes me with this place is that it has everything with a the small town feel.Think about it this way... You walk into a store with a project at hand and you're most likely eager to get started. Now you could go a Home Depot or Menards and spend 75% of your time endlessly walking around never finding an employee to help locate your 99 cent doohickey. However at Bliffert's you are instantly greeted by someone in a blue jacket who knows where to go and wants to help you. Now if your stuck at whatever point in your project, I assure you that they have the knowledge base to help solve the problem. While the store might seem small, it is jam packed with anything you might need and at a reasonable price. I can definitely say that I am making Bliffert's my goto hardware store. read more

This place is simply incredible. They have just about everything you could possibly need in stock, and what they don't have they will order for you. They were extremely helpful. I think the first time I went in I had four different people at least ask if I needed help, and one of them even took my list and walked around with me to find everything I needed. Extra kudos go to Ken for helping me put together my mash tun, and by helping me I pretty much mean doing it nearly entirely while I watched. read more

Bliffert Lumber & Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

I wouldn't call myself a "handy-lady." Don't get me wrong, I've been known to sling a glue gun, and I can (sort of) sew. When it comes to building, using tools, touching anything electrical... I should be left a spectator. However, when I needed to build shelves in my kitchen that (desperately) lacked counter space.. I had to do it myself. Thanks to the lovely staff at Bliffert, I went in with measurements and left with a new lease on life. The guys in the lumber yard were super helpful, and pretty much walked me through the entire process. From finding a stud to staining the wood. Crazy helpful. They even asked me during my next visit how my shelves turned out. I love this hardware store. If you want to shop at a place where the staff cares about their customer base, is locally owned and has everything you need, go to Bliffert. read more

Local. Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable service you won't find at the competition. Sure the prices are $1 or $2 higher - but I'd say it's worth it to support the little guy. It also has this really charming feel to it.. I can't exactly describe it - but I just want to go back, and will! read more

The moment you step into this place, someone invariably starts blasting you with inordinate amounts of excellent customer service. They will not let up, and they will keep doing this to you no matter how many times you come back. Do not be put off by this. It may be unexpected and even a little surprising at first, but with time you will come to appreciate it. And on top of that, it turns out they're also a really good place to buy hardware. read more

I've been here a few times and have always received the best service. There are always multiple employees who are ready to answer your questions and point you in the right direction. The last time I went, I felt like I had a personal shopper, because the employee looked at my shopping list and then took me around the store to gather all the items. It never seems too busy in the store, so I hope they are doing well enough to stay in business. If you live in the Riverwest neighborhood, do yourself a favor and shop here. The prices are very low and the service is great. Support your local businesses! read more

Everything you want in a hardware store and more. Not cluttered, extremely helpful staff, friendly down home vibe. Knowledgeable people too they helped me with a science project for my class. Skip the big stores and do all your hardware shopping here. read more

This hardware/general store really represents the area that it is in really nicely. It is perfect for Riverwest and love that it is family owned and operated. Having lived a few blocks away I stopped in here a few times to get plants for the house, hardware for misc jobs, shovels, etc. Each time I have been there the staff is friendly and wants to talk to you about the project you are working on and how they can help you get it done and get it done right. This isn't going to have the selection of a big box store yet you aren't going to get the attention to detail anywhere else. Support a local business and a family business and get weird in Riverwest with Bliffert. read more

Who knew we had such an amazing hardware store right up the street. They have everything you could need plus a friendly staff. They were even open on the 2011 blizzard read more

Women probably shouldn't shop here. The manager will ignore you when you say you don't like something and keep talking to your boyfriend/husband like you're not there. Friendly tip: some women do spend the money and own houses and if you weren't sexist, I wouldn't be headed to Home Depot right now. A literal quote that I just got "you'll give up sanding after 15 minutes just like my wife did." I'll spend my $1000 elsewhere! read more

This probably is my favorite store in Riverwest. It seems I find myself going to Bliffert more than any other store since it opened a few years ago. The staff is incredibly friendly, and if they don't have something you are looking for, they're more than happy to order it for you. They'll sharpen your skates, or knives, and gladly give you advice when you're preparing for your next home project. They're also dog friendly, and if you're gonna be in and out, they let you bring your bike in there. One time they even gave us a beer as they were closing just because "we've all made it through Monday." Good luck getting THAT at the Home Depot!!! read more

Folks, Bliffert isn't an ordinary hardware store -- this place has heart...and a ton of merch (in the store and in the lumberyard). On my last visit, I bought a set of halogen bulbs, some chain (which they cut for me), a dish pan, Mrs. Meyers hand soap, suet, Zip-loc bags and a rake. The staff is always happy to offer advice and asks plenty of questions about your project to make sure they're suggesting the right supplies. And here's what sets them apart from the big guys: The next time you come in, they ask how your project went. Now that's service. read more

I was introduced to this place when the Amazing Milwaukee Race had a stop here on 04/25/15. My husband and I returned here to purchase so items (from the greenhouse) and drain cleaner. The plants I bought were reasonably priced and to be honest, cheaper than the big box stores that sell plants. The staff were very helpful and answered all our questions. We will be back! read more

Amazing service with a smile. Prompt and professional hardware store with a variety of products including gardening. Thanks for making key copies quickly and correctly. read more

Kudos to the young lady who helped me today. It was mostly concerning 2 smalls screws but the service was excellent and I will continue to support this business. She assisted me with finding the correct screw and bolt, according to my picture. She was attentive and alert and actively listening to my concerns. A major difference from the lack of customer service I received at another local hardware store 5 miles south, at which I was informed that I couldn't be assisted because my picture did not list American measurements. read more

After over 2 months working with Bliffert on a simple 5 door order, I am convinced that you should never go to them! I ordered 5 doors from Bliffert - 3 panel doors painted white (one with glass in the top panel). The glass door had a longer lead time (1 month) given custom order - understandable. Proactive communication never occurred during my dealings with them. I only received information by me personally hand holding them and calling or emailing. On multiple occasions I was told my doors were coming - once in person where I arrived and they couldn't find them only to find out they actually weren't there and most of the order never showed up (but shipped to the wrong store). 2 deliveries were attempted (each only being 2 of the 5 doors) and all with the doors delivered being damaged. I sent pictures, and got confirmation from the team that the vendor was messing it up. I got final confirmation that my order would arrive today (last friday) and did not hear anything until I reached out Tuesday to see where the order was at. I was told that they weren't sure where it was or if it was coming. Fed up, I called the owner of the company Eli. He emailed me back saying that he could not meet my expectations (of not getting damaged doors delivered to me) and that I should go elsewhere. I attempted to ask the owner if he even looked at the doors, and he just said no, but that he would not attempt a third try and fixing the problem. I emailed him the pictures (attached) and he just responded again by saying he was done, not trying again. If you are looking for someone to communicate, value you as a customer, and deliver you a product they will stand behind, RUN RUN RUN I have never run across a more unprofessional company who doesn't value their customer in my life read more

dogs roam the aisles small emergencies vanish a house becomes home read more

THIS PLACE. It's unreal. As a ladylike lady, I never expected to want to hang at the hardware store, but they have: helped me fix a flat tire in the parking lot, attached a safety flag and reflectors to my bike trailer, entertained my antsy toddler with hammers and nails, taught me how to snake a drain, answered countless gardening and home repair questions AND made friendly, funny conversation every single time I've stopped in. Best hardware store ever. Incredibly helpful and knowledgeable staff. I can't imagine ever going to another hardware store again. read more