This is a lovely urban hardware store. The people are friendly and genuinely interested in helping you out. I needed a paint sample but didn't have too much time on my hands. I called and asked if they could get it started while I walked over from my place (about 5 minutes away) and they were willing. read more

Great service from Jon--way above and beyond the call, essentially doing some quick custom woodworking for me. A quick eye for sizing up the situation and finding the best, low cost solution. Everyone there is friendly and helpful. read more

Great customer service from Damion in lighting. Super helpful over the phone and in the store. Everyone always so helpful in here

The customer service here is unparalleled. Jennifer helped me most recently saw that I was completely taken care of. Over the top professional. This location raises the bar on hardware. Thank you. read more

It's sad i'm giving this rating because the other staff members (Jan was amazing!) were very helpful. I am new to the area and a device I had wasn't working. Not knowing where to go and couldn't find the right place on Google, I went here, downstairs. The guy Frank working there didn't say anything, until a few minutes in waiting. I could see he wasn't amused and when I asked if he would know a place or perhaps even might know what was going on, he was incredibly rude and only spoke two sentences. "No." Would you know a place nearby that potentially could help? - "Google." Flabbergasted I went upstairs, when my husband and I walked out, Jan stopped us to ask how we were doing. Even though it wasn't the right store for our problem, she was able to communicate in a great way. Some people should just not work in any kind of customer service. read more

Stopped in a few weeks ago for a cord for my phone. My old one had broken and my phone was close to dead. At the counter there was an issue with the chip on my card and the cashier (I believe her name was Kia) couldn't get my card to work. She said she knew a way to make it work and mentioned something about her account. I honestly didn't really catch what she was doing. Only after reviewing my bank statement days later I realized she had put the cord ON her store account. She bought it for me! She had reached out to a stranger in need for no reason, she could have easily (and rightfully) turned me away. I'm going to tell everyone to shop here! read more

Needed help with a last minute project and JON made it all happen! I needed a piece of plywood cut to fit a picture frame. He measured, cut, and even found the nails I needed for the project! Thanks JON!! read more

The people working at the Rockridge Cole Hardware location are AMAZING. While standing in a long line to buy air masks, the staff were more than helpful, courteous, accommodating, and unnecessarily apologetic about the wait. They even went above and beyond when a woman momentarily lost her 6 year old child. Thank you to the staff for being so calm and helpful. read more

Cole usually has great staff but I want to give a special shout out to Andrew and Juan, excellent customer service!! Love this place!

I'm *so happy* they exist. The staff are always helpful and product selection is great. They also have special services like tools rental and service referrals! Oh, and they also let you recycle batteries there!! read more

Xander and Lucie were both very helpful and friendly, even with a question as basic as finding the right method to hang a ceiling planter. They both take pride in their craft and are a perfect representation for the store in general. Highly recommend going to Cole Hardware Rockridge! read more

Uh, can I please move in? The place is beautiful. I am pretty sure I will now become a hardware store junkie. #whoknew

After visiting about 7 ace in the bay, i finally found what I was looking for there. But Jan talked me out of it and yes she has tackled my issue greatly. Went back to get more product, and she was there... You are my ace from now on. Thanks for being so nice (all if you btw) and knowledgeable. read more

I've always liked this hardware store and today was no different. My 7 year old son and I went in to get house keys made and we were helped by a very nice manager named Kia. I've worked retail for over 10 years and try to let management or in this case Yelp know when someone went above and beyond. Kia was informative and showed me the difference in key metal quality and how lower quality keys can bend and break off in the lock. She engaged us in a very pleasant and authentic way which gave my day a little lift. I think its very important to recognize when we are given excellent, personable service. More than not, its only the complaints that people hear about. My son and I had a refreshing, pleasant experience at Cole today. Thanks Kia! read more

Good service, good selection. I've recently moved into a new apartment and have several small projects, so I've stopped by a few times to pick up supplies. Sometimes it take a little while to get help, because they will talk you through everything you need to solve a problem, but it's worth the wait to get that service. They're open late and open on Sundays, which is a big plus. read more

This store is a gem. Special thanks to Jan in the paint department, whose professional advice and personal encouragement (and patience) turned "Can I do this??" into "I can do this!!!" read more

Kelly is the nicest, most helpful person. Mary is extremely helpful as well. Never had an experience there where anyone was less than happy and helpful. read more

Great local hardware store with exceptional customer service.

This place blows my mind. Not only do they have 99.99% of what I am looking for, but the team is as good as it gets. Take Sunday, for example, when I went in with a home improvement project I wasn't really sure how to do. Sam ended up problem solving the solution, guiding me to grab all the parts, and finding me an expert to help with the parts I couldn't. Then a few days later, I come in with a completely different challenge, and Ryan sorts me out with expert advice (and the appropriate tool!) in less than 5 mins and less than $10. These guys are pros. We are lucky to have Cole in the neighborhood. read more

I recently bought 3 bags of Soil amendments and Jan, who is always helpful, professional and very pleasant to deal with, walked them to my home( near the store) in a cart. I chose to buy from this store because I couldn't have gotten them to my house as easily as this. read more

Shopping at Cole's reminds me of every small town hardware store from Santa Rosa to Mill Valley but with the most up to date items. You can pop in for just about anything. I love that Rockridge has a neighborhood store that sells essentials and they are so friendly and nice. read more

I just got back from the pre-Grand Opening Reception. It was great--lots of food and drink, the staff was friendly as always, and the store is clean, well-stocked, and well-organized. It's great to have a Cole in the neighborhood. I have good memories of the Cole Fox in SF on Fourth Street. The Rockridge Cole is bigger, and looks like it will continue the fine Cole tradition. Rockridge is lucky it's here. read more

Cole Hardware is the best store, great products and great customer service. A special thank you to Patricia for solving a perplexing hardware problem with creativity and patience! read more

Good place to go if you are local to it. Can be hard to find even a pay parking spot on College Ave. Decent hardware selection for small store although almost no lumber. More expensive of course than major hardware depots. Staff is friendly and helpful. read more

I had been procrastinating about a few projects and shopping for sundries. But one visit to Cole and with the kind help of Patricia with my closet lighting and...my problems are solved! Bravo! The upstairs staff kept all my various purchases organized and one staff, who wasn't even on duty! helped me get everything neatly packed into my bike bag. Not an easy thing. I'm still thinking such good thoughts days later about all the nice staff at Cole! I just had to write a review and I hope I will need something else so I can come back soon. read more

Patricia was awesome today. We walked in with a crazy contraption and even crazier request to extract the rusted screws and nuts from the metal legs. Tricia didn't blink an eye to the dirty hunk of junk, disappeared into the back and re-appeared with nothing short of a miracle. All the screws were out, and the metal legs were unharmed. With some shiny new screws, nuts, and tools from Cole Hardware, we are on our way to reclaiming the beauty of an old backyard table. Thank-you Patricia, we definitely couldn't have done it without you! read more

warning: if you don't look like you live in rockridge, or at least dress like you do, expect to be followed and watched throughout your time inside this store. you'll not only be very obviously followed, you'll get dozens of fake-friendly "can i help you?" questions while they further determine how much stuff you're trying to steal. i even had someone, after telling them i didn't need help, sarcastically ask me a couple minutes later "still don't need any help huh?" the experience is completely humiliating and infuriating. read more

Always had a great experience when I have gone in here. Really friendly staff and always accommodating to the whole family. However, I came in with a problem of a shower head today and experienced a really rude guy, Frank. He didn't present a solution, and immediately told me if he didn't like what he was saying, I should go speak to MGMT. Unfortunately now have to shlep down to Home Depot, which sucks. read more

Ryan had helped me out big time setting up my big green egg! I'd recommend anyone buying their's here. All the staff are friendly. A great place. 5* read more

this place is great. A little tough to park but I always find what I need and they are really attentive to customers. I used to go to the shop in SF and I'm so excited they are here now. read more

Great staff, especially behind the registers, and also a really impressive selection considering the modest store front. Prices are solid too--I picked up an led light bulb on sale for 3 bucks. Beat that amazon. read more

Top service. We have been to the store to purchase a BBQ grill and several electrical and other accessories. Staff is very knowledgable and available to assist you. When they delivered the grill (Big Green Egg) they were late but were very apologetic and offered two complimentary bottles of wine. Happy to support a local business. Also look for discounts in their fliers. read more

Two floors of porn for the hardware store addict...I drove by and remembered I needed some household items, so parked and meandered in for a remarkably enjoyable half hour. Great inventory, helpful staff, no pressure, fun options for things I had no idea I needed. At least three different people said, "Let me carry that up to the register for you," for three different items that I was impulse-buying. One staffer helped me look through over-the-door hangers, all of which I rejected as not being quite what I had in mind; then 5 minutes later, she found me a few aisles away and said, "I forgot to show you this one--it's the only one left." And it was perfect...It's amazing what they pack into this little space, with a small but very well considered selection of items so there's always at least one other choice you can compare to, for everything from push brooms to baby gates to tool storage to organic cleaning supplies (now you know my impulse buys for that day...) Can't wait to invent a reason to go back next weekend. read more

The staff at Cole Hardware in Rockridge provided great service during my recent visit to purchase a Big Green Egg. The sales associate was very knowledgable about the Egg and even helped with selecting my initial accessories. The assembly and delivery service made it a hassle free purchase! read more

Love this place. Searched on line for an authentic Big Green Egg for hubby for Father's Day (there are a lot of knock-offs out there!!). I called that morning and spoke to Jan, who was just delightful and extremely helpful. She walked me through all of the options and really encouraged me to examine the various sizes in person as the small version was smaller than most people thought and might not meet our grilling needs. I drove to the store and as luck would have it, the first salesperson I encountered was Jan; she was as helpful in person as she was on the phone. She showed me the Big Green Egg and she was right; the size I thought I wanted would have been too small. I got the larger one, as well as all of the accessories! She arranged to have the entire thing assembled and delivered everyting to our home the next day. It arrived with balloons and and a bouquet of flowers attached :-). They have a huge enventory/wide variety of products. You can also help yourself to a bag of popcorn for a quarter while shopping. Good old fashioned, helpful service. read more

Kevin helped me pick out all the hardware for my bike and even spent time helping me install it! Cole has everything you need + the high level of service that has pretty much been forgotten elsewhere in the retail world. read more

Very happy with Cole Hardware! I've lived in Rockridge more than 30 years and we've never had a hardware store until Cole arrived. When the store opened in Jan. 2015 the entire neighborhood was jubilant. This was long overdue! I love the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, love the wooden floors, love the fact that you can find just about anything there, love the warm and friendly way my dog gets treated, love the diversity of the staff (all colors, all ages, all sexual identities). My only criticism would be that some cashiers tend to be slow. I think this might be part of the grand design -- giving customers the extra personal touch -- but if you're impatient by nature as I am it can be slightly exasperating. read more

Sometimes you have to experience yourself and not let the previous reviews influence you. Last month, I came in to look for a simple shelf. The clerk tried to shoo me away by saying that they don't have the shelf I'm looking for in stock. I asked if I can order, then the clerk told me to hold on. After waiting nearly 10 minutes, I find that same clerk helping someone else out. He tried to pass me to another clerk, whom I had to re-explain what I was trying to accomplish. With an attitude, Patricia the clerk just said I didn't want her help and started walking away. I thought that this hardware store was in business to make money and sell products not discriminate and shoo potential customers away. Above this, I went back to the original clerk and try to order the shelves. He re-assured that I was going to get a call back once it arrived. It's been a month with no phone call...The Home Depot got my business instead with no attitude and prejudice. read more

I'm a hardware store junkie. This place is about as good as it gets for a consumer/retail store of moderate size. It has a more than ample inventory. The staff is great. read more

fantastic ! you find find almost anything. my mom got her vegetable seeds on sale.