If traveling through Lawrence, visiting for a period of time, or if you live here full-time, you may someday find yourself needing a screwdriver, some WD-40, or God knows what. If so, there is a fair chance that you will find it at Cottins. I much prefer supporting small, local businesses rather than the large impersonal chain stores. Much closer to our home in Old East Lawrence than Home Depot and Menards, although much smaller, Cottins has a good selection of hardware items at reasonable prices. The thing I like best about Cottins is the friendly, personal attention you receive almost as soon as you walk in the door. If you have ever been to Home Depot, Lowes, and Menards, you know that trying to find an employee to answer a question or help you find something is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The employees at Cottins are not only friendly and helpful, they are very knowledgeable in a variety of DIY topics. A small space by hardware standards, they have an amazing selection of choices in almost every category. Every time I go there, I am greeted warmly and escorted directly to the specific item I need. Employees have spent 15 minutes with me helping me to find less than a dollar's worth of screws, now that's customer service! Customer service is such a rare comodity these days in the retail sector, but Cottins is the rare exception. Well done! CombatCritic Gives Cottins Hardware and Rental 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better! read more

The first time I entered Cottin's, I did so with reluctance. I was concerned that as per usual, some older gent would look over my head to speak to my boyfriend about what he might be looking for today, making me feel invisible and like such a *girl.* Kind of like what happened to me when I used to go into certain chain electronics stores that have since gone out of business (yay!) in NYC. Not only did this not happen, I actually enjoyed my time in there the several times I've gone in. I kid you not! Now, I fully admit that I usually would only go into Cottin's because the K would be super enthusiastic about shopping in there and I can't say I share the same enthusiasm, but oh, OK, they have a lot of awesome garden stuff and hello, are those pink flamingoes?!?! There's a lot to love about Cottin's. They rent cotton candy (COTTIN Candy?!) and icee machines. They sell all kinds of tape. They sell a lot of different colored and sized novelty light bulbs. They sell old school Radio Flyer wagons. It feels like it could be 1950 in there, but with a 2010 sensibility. The staff, all young and friendly, rule the school. As Lydia A mentions below, they are part of what makes Cottin's such an enjoyable place to be. A "place to be"?! Yes! It's an experience! Even getting keys made is kinda fun (OK, well, that's an exaggeration. It is quick and painless, however!) OTOH, you'd have to drag me kicking and screaming into one of my most hated stores ever...HOME DEPOT. Blargh! Here's to the true mom & pop sensibility of Cottin's (check out their cute retro bumper stickers while you're there and slap one on your toolbox) with their fair prices, excellent customer service and the way they make you feel like anything is possible so I'm going to start building that garden shed I've always wanted...I JEST. read more

Cottin's Hardware & Rental - Hardware Stores Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

Fantastic customer service. A business to support. They have some hard to find hardware. And they do loads for the local community.

I've had a terrible time with my claw foot bathtub over the years. Every year or so I've had a leak on the back end or the front end of the faucet. After today, I decided I will only go to Cotton's hardware store because they truly understand the unique, complicated dynamics of owning an old home in East Lawrence. Today is my first Yelp review because Sam and Tyler at Cotton's hardware store helped me figure out what the problem is and fix it for a total cost of under $4. I love this store and the people who work there. read more

This may be my favorite business in the entire city of Lawrence. It all boils down to really outstanding service. I can walk in that big chain hardware store in town (has three letters) and can't track someone down to save my life--which is why I stopped going there years ago. At Cottin's, you walk in the door and they'll ask you if you need help finding something. I usually do, so I'm grateful for the attention. They're very helpful and really know their business. Need something? This isn't a huge store, but they're happy to order it for you, and then they'll call you as soon as it's in. I'll do that for everything vs. going to *that chain which shall remain unnamed.* Since it's a family run business, they treat their customers like their neighbors (like good neighbors, make that). This is as good as a locally run business gets. They have and will continue to get all of my business. Now if we could just find someone in this town that could run a restaurant this well... read more

Great staff and very helpful. Helped me pick out the right light bulb and let me Venmo them as i didn't have my wallet saving me time. Overall great hardware store. read more

If you usually leave Home Depot in a rage, check out our neighborhood hardware store. The staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They'll help you find exactly what you need whether it's a 25 cent piece of hardware or an equipment rental. Need a little work done around your house? Ask them for a recommendation. In a world of big box stores, it's a rare find. read more

Love this place! Staff is always helpful and I'm comfortable finding materials for my various projects. Matter of fact, there's a picture of me on their bulletin board, with a hobby horse I painted for my cousin, years ago. Linda asked me to bring it in for a pic when I finished it...they enjoy seeing finished projects there. Cotton's has a "small-town" feel to it. Always. Ok..."compliment sandwich" time...some stuff is much higher priced than their competition, which tends to be frustrating, but only when I happen to notice it. That's my only downside. I usually use Cotton's when I only have to get a few items anyway, the space is smaller which makes it less daunting and easier to find stuff. Starting a farmer's market on Thursdays was a great idea and it's now something I look forward to regularly (it's smaller and indoors in the winter) but I love strolling and sampling and having a beer at the Free State tent. All local vendors and I always run in to somebody interesting to talk to. Runs 4-6:30 and I highly recommend some heirloom apples or pears this fall. Enjoy! read more

This is the closest hardware store to my house and I avoid it at all costs. My first experience was after we moved into our house and I needed shelf liners. I went and bought 8 rolls of shelf paper and after I checked out, I was just handed my receipt. No bag. Am I supposed to juggle these outside?! Second trip was later that spring, and I went to stock up on lawn supplies: fertilizer, gloves, a rake, a weed eater and extra line and an extension cord. I had some questions about the line the weed eater used, and the response I got was, "I don't know." No offer to go find someone who knew, or elaborate on it. This time when I checked out, I asked for a bag (what is it with this place not wanting to give you a bag?!) and I kid you not, the response was, "We don't have a bag for the weed eater." Um, no kidding, but I did buy gloves, weed eater line and an extension cord that would fit in a bag! I go to Westlake Ace Hardware now and they're awesome! read more

Oh, Cottins. This place is everything one could want in a neighborhood hardware store. Friendly service, super cheap rentals, that great hardware store smell. I especially love the hammers that are used on their doors as handles. They have a good selection for their size, and a better location than the big box store in town. Also, the employees here actually know what they are talking about or can refer you to someone who does, and are willing to help you, not like some stores where they seem to think that all women are incompetent in home improvement. A great place to start for small projects or everyday repairs. read more

Best customer service ever! Family owned and easy to navigate, so much better than the overwhelming big box stores and right in the middle of town too. I give it my highest recommendation! Great hard working people there that really care about the community. Check them out! read more

This is the hardware store of your dreams. You will find the most helpful staff, energetic attitude, and wonderful service here, above all others. If they don't have it, they will find it for you, and the obscure DIY questions you come up with will all be easily answered by Tom, Linda, or one of their incredible staff. I can't say enough. They run a Farmers' Market in the lot behind all season, and support the community in many ways- this is a priceless Lawrence resource, and I will support them with my business always. read more

After an experience at my usual chain hardware store that left a bad taste in my mouth, I decided to try Cottin's. I was greeted at the door by an employee who asked if I needed help finding anything. He knew exactly where what I needed was. After selecting my purchase, I went to the register, where another customer was already checking out. Another employee walked by and noticed that I was waiting, and he immediately offered to help me check out at another register. The entire experience was fast and friendly. The building is easily accessible no matter how you choose to get there--with plenty of parking in the back and a bolted bike rack in the front. Even if you take the bus, it's easy to get to--hop on the 7. I drive, bike, and ride the bus, so all those options are important to me (I hope not just me)! Even if other hardware stores are closer to where I live, the accessibility and the awesome customer service makes a trip to Cottin's worth my while. I will be returning! read more

Cottin's Hardware is, by far, the most helpful place I've been to in Lawrence. The employee that I talked to was very nice. I think his name was Roscoe. He was so helpful. And, let's be honest, what a strapping young lad he was. Cottin's Hardware-five stars. read more

Despite living a block away from a bigger, chain hardware store, I will drive across town to go to Cottin's. Their employees are friendly and knowledgeable and their selection is great. You get competitive prices with quality employees - a rare find these days. read more