My favourite hardware store. Friendly, helpful and happy staff and management. I found my plumber…read morethrough shopping at this store.

Once again I ask myself why I shop there. I just read other reviews (from within the last month)…read moreand the sentiments are the same. People are rude, arrogant and generally unhelpful. This time the woman at the cash register was badmouthing (loudly) about the last customer because she had asked about her bad cough. The employee said that the woman should mind her own ****ing business. Then the new young man, Chris, was rude to me as he helped me carry things out. It never changes. None of the employees ever seem happy working there, never act like they want to help or care. I try to shop local; this doesn't work with Pastime.

Looking for an Estwing rock pidk. They had one on the wall, and reasonably priced, so I bought it…read more Called ahead, and they said they had two different ones. Sure enough. They come through with reasonably affordable tools with no mysterious bosses hovering near the checkout lines as in Pastime.

Really helpful employees here, as opposed to Pastime on San Pablo…read more You get the feeling that they enjoy working there, whereas at pastime, everyone seems pretty miserable. Even though I live really close to that store, I go out of my way to go up to Kensington. The store is smaller and they may have less stuff, but I've always found what I needed. Worth the trip.

Ace is the helpful place! A hardware store that's actually fun to go to. Downtown Berkeley lost the…read moredollar store but has Target but not many craft stores. It was nice to grab odds and ends for an art project, volunteer activity and church, etc. The kitchen supplies are plentiful and they always carry decent cleaning supplies. I've bought everything from batteries, card games, handkerchiefs, and toy. The hot sauce shaped like a grenade was delicious. I tried the original spicy flavor. Nice treats and candy at the checkout. Grab some!

Large store and friendly staff. They have large collection of everyday household items in the…read moredowntown area.

Kai is the sweetest, nicest, most reliable, and truly professional person to work with! She told me…read moreshe'd contact me when they received a new shipment of NeeDohs, and she followed through exactly as promised -- reaching out the very day it arrived. Her communication was clear, timely, thoughtful, and consistently professional. Thank you, Kai -- you're the best!

Love this location. They of course have everything you need for household items (I'm not sure why I…read moredidn't think to get things like dish soap and sponges here instead of Target until more recently). They also have great gifts and other odds and ends that are fun to look at. Very helpful staff and of course fantastic location. Support your local hardware store, this is a great one!

I arrived in the Bay Area a little early for my 1 PM dental appointment. That meant that I had…read moretime for an order of scones and light bake pizza at Arizmendi (Emeryville), filling up the Forester with gas (for the trip home), and another visit to Hida tool. All of this (including the dentist) was possible via a relative straight shot down San Pablo Avenue. There was even a parking space available in front of Hida Tool with time left on the meter! As I've mentioned before, among the high quality and specialty gardening, woodworking, and other tools, I have little idea what I might be buying. It's all well displayed, attractive, and begging me to figure out how I might be able to use them. The shop is basically 2 small aisles, which found me going round and round as I noticed something new each time. This time around, I purchased this and that including a fruit knife for Gayle, a small blade for me, a cute (and small) decorative metal bell, a cool pair of scissors (which you can never have enough of around the house), and a 2024 Hida Tools wall calendar, that I really didn't need. I've been coming to this family business for maybe 30 years, and there's always something interesting and useful that will catch my eye. I'm already looking forward to the next time.

A friendly and well stocked source of high quality tools, mostly from Japan with many other items…read morethat are useful. They stock many hard-to-find items and also provide ideas and inspiration for projects based on what is on their shelves. I no longer live in Berkeley, but it's a must-visit spot every time I'm in town! Not inexpensive, but well worth the cost for a well curated selection of quality items.

We had such a great experience today at Orinda hardware. Manuel was a true superstar and helped us…read morefind everything we needed and even let my son help with mixing the paint cans. It is wonderful to shop local and Orinda hardware makes it special and meaningful.

Sadly my recent experience trying to return something I bought just two days prior with a receipt…read morewas such an unpleasant one that I will not be returning. The manager insinuated that I was lying about what an employee had told me about the return policy, and made a point to tell me that he would accept my return "this one time, but never again." This was a matter of two items amounting to $20. This is a way to lose customers.

The best hardware store in the East Bay. Very knowledgeable staff. Very competitive price compared…read moreto online suppliers. Always well stocked.

They usually have everything we need. Today's quest was a door stopper, the kick stand kind. We…read morefound it by going up and down a couple of isles. Usually we see an employee soon as we arrive and are able to as them for directions, but sadly not this time. That is something I appreciate coming here is there is usually someone to greet you and point you in the right place. There was one gentleman that made a comment on my taking pictures, but he didn't have a vest on or asked if he could help me find something. They have added new signage in their parking lots telling you to move all the way forward so can pass you as the parking lot is tight. Parking is an issue at times as it's a small lot. We've had to park on the street before near their garden center. Overall this is a solid hardware store with usually easy to spot employees, that are happy to help you.

I was in Berkeley with some time to kill and also have been searching for a particular gas fitting…read moreso I hoofed it down there to take a look. I have seen the store front multiple times driving down Ashby. The main entrance is around back. Upon entering it reminds me of Orchard Supply Hardware. Back in the day when I was farming and owned rentals I think I almost lived at OSH. The other one. It was nice to cruze around a well laid out hardware store with just about anything you'll need. I was looking for a brass gas fitting and there was drawer for it but sold out. Popular item I guess. Even with that it's a great hardware store. Wide aisles and plenty of items. There are times I could just drive the extra few miles to go here instead of Home Outhouse.

Checkout offered 50% off my logs. They're expensive so I was so glad he volunteered. Places is…read morenever crowded and Parking is always available especially in the early hours. You can always find someone knowledgeable to help.

Very helpful and will get you to where you need to be whenever you ask. Key copying is cheap and…read morefast. Wide array of stuff for a small place.

Great store. Crowded but in a good way, for a hardware store. They have everything you can think…read moreof. And the women who run it (owners??) know exactly where and what everything is. It's a long standing neighborhood gem.

Whale Point--part chandlery, part hardware store--remains a rare gem. Their selection of boat gear,…read morehousewares, and hardware is incredibly broad, and the staff consistently know their stuff. With so few truly great independent hardware stores left, this one stands out for both its expertise and its character. Highly recommend stopping by, even if you don't think you need anything yet.

This is a wonderful hardware store with service that is absolutely exceptional! Chances are,…read morethey'll have what you want, and they'll take the time to really talk over any problems you are having (so unusual!) My latest dealings have been with Steve, who is a "jewel" to find and work with (that term is used by other businesses around here - for the Whale Piont ACE generally, the owner, and all employees. I really recommend it as a wonderful alternative to the other ACE nearby, not to mention Home Depot and others.