I love this hardware store! I still go to HD for lumber and bigger items, but for anything that fits inside a car, this is my go-to store. The service here is fantastic. Everyone is friendly, and they make sure to ask if you need help while not being overly aggressive. Of course, if you need help, it's easy to find an available clerk (unlike the big stores). They are knowledgeable, and I feel confident that they will give me an honest opinion. No pressure ever to buy anything. Despite the small size of the store, I occasionally find items that I couldn't find in a big store (like an affordable power adapter outlet center with plugs spaced far apart). It's everything I would want and more in a neighborhood hardware store. read more

A hardware store AND a pharmacy. That's my kind of place. I always hit Encinal Hardward before I go any place else. Customer service, variety, price...all important in my world. And, this place really has it all. It's even clean...which is something you can't say about Home Depot where you get dirty just THINKING about going. Where they really shine is helping you find just the right nut, screw, washer, blade, or funny do-hinkus that makes the Home Depot staff go "Huh?" I'm always amazed when I bring in some bit of detritus from my 1939 bungalow that I need to replace and they take one look at it and say, "Well, that's an inverted multi-blah, blah, bladdy blah...and it's right over here". My heart swells. The only thing they don't really do is color-match paint. They will mix up paint to the pre-determined shades. But, if you want something computer matched you'll have to go to Pagano's on Lincoln. All in all, a great and fun place. It's only about 2000 square feet, but I get lost in thought every time I go. And, like Costco, I always leave with something I never knew I really needed! read more

This place gives you good reason to support your local hardware store rather than going to Home Depot to save a few cents. Pete went above and beyond helping me get my pocket knife put back together. Very helpful and nice; told me he would get it fixed and call me when done. He fixed it within a couple of hours and when I went back to get it, I was charged $1.50 for the service. Try and find that kind of help at Home Depot! read more

This place is my idea of what American communities should be. A great little mom & pop that has deep roots in the community. I have supported them and they in turn have supported me. There is always plenty of help. Mike and Phil always take the time to stop and chat for a bit and answer any questions or just talk about the weather or local happenings. I have been shopping here for 25 years and have never felt rushed or unappreciated. These guys are not only knowledgeable in everything hardware but are familiar with many of the products used to construct our Alameda homes. And if it's not in the store, they'll get it for you. Friendly, Reliable & Professional. They will always be my first choice in hardware. read more

Family owned. Great people. Knowledgeable. Attentive. Efficient. There you have it. I've been going here for a long time. I trust their advice and their thoughts on how to best repair various items at the house.Mike is one of the family owners, and is great. His brother is the Pharmacist there, but knows a lot about hardware items. read more

Is there such a thing as too much service? I gave 5 stars for excellent customer service, and took one away for excellent customer service. Whaaa?? Ok, I took it away for the simple fact that every single employee at this joint asked us if we needed help... twice. Great mom and pop store, the kind of place you want to support so it will never ever go away. Love, Sara read more

Great service from a friendly staff - what else can you say? Whether you need a 5 cent bolt to replace one you lost or BBQ grill - and anything in between, the staff at Encinal Hardware gives you attentive and caring service. I would gladly spend a little more for most items (and they're usually competitive on most things at the big box stores) and keep my sales tax on the island. It is a pleasure shopping here and they've literally got just about anything you need for any project - from plumbing to lumber to electrical! As a plus they will even give your dog a treat too :) If you like shopping at a place where you can tell the owners value your business this is the place for you. read more

I got tired of Home Depot and finding tons of things I didn't need. Encinal Hardware is a nice walk from my house, and I always try to support local businesses. The place has just about everything you need, and the staff is patient and very helpful. I really like this place and have gone here several times. Don't bother with Home Depot or Lowes - or at least stop by here first! read more

This a small but surprisingly well organized,stocked hardware store.In a day where these small mom and pop hardware stores are being forced out of business by the "big box" carry it all retailers it's good too see this place thriving which I not only attribute to their great selection but to the excellent service they provide each and every time i've been in there which is on a weekly basis.There's a small Pharmacy inside as well which is very convenient ! read more

Great little hardware store thats been around for over 50 years apparently. I went in here today for my first time to pick up some spray paint and painters tape. I was looking for a specific brand for my DIY headlight blacking out job and so I called ahead to find out whether they carry it or not. The lady on the phone was nice and said she had it in stock so I headed over there. I found what I was looking for and got things I needed and browsed around for a bit and the employees were all very helpful and asking if I needed help with anything. I thought that was nice of them and good customer service. One lady asked me the same question and I said "no, just looking" and she responded with "you are the one that called earlier right?" and I was surprised she knew just by my voice. I thought that was interesting and I'll be coming here now instead of Home Depot. read more

I live right around the corner ... and I can walk here, so I'm a bit biased but mom and pop hardware stores are one of my favorite things in life, and this is one of the best. This place is PACKED with stuff which makes it a bit difficult to find if you insist on looking yourself... but that's not really an issue because they are always so friendly and willing to help direct you and they have a little bit of everything. There's even a pharmacy up front! THANKS Millie and crew! Looks like you have been here a while and I hope you stay a while longer!! For those folks who think Home Depot is better I say ... to each his own. I'd rather go somewhere that has good service and a decent selection than a huge store that's noisy, hectic and the "help" treats you like your bothering them and then has no knowledge of the store or the applications of the things they sell. I only go to HD if I just have to have something right away that EH does not sell, and most of the time if I need something that special the "big box" stores don't stock it anyway and I have to get it from the internet. I can't even imagine Millie, or anyone I've ever encountered here treating someone rudely. If you get attitude when you go here, you took it in yourself and deserve to be treated rudely. I've worked in retail and some people think that because they are "the customer" they can act like horses asses. Show respect to others and you will be treated with respect yourself. read more

I needed to get Keys cut and as I wasn't close to where i usually go I decided to keep it local and go to Encinal Hardware. Out of Five keys, guess how many worked? Zero! and i'd give them zero stars if i could. I ended up going to Home Depot, all the keys worked and cheaper too. read more

I always use Encinal Hardware in Alameda whenever I can. The staff are always ready to help. They have answered many questions that I know I would never get answered at Home Depot, and it is a lot more convenient. read more

Feels like family. I've been shopping at Encinal Hardware for 17 years. Great customer service, always helpful, friendly and patient. Don't judge by its size, this neighborhood store has a lot more than it looks like. Family owned and operated for a couple of generations. Prices are good, and the free advice on projects is priceless. read more

Encinal HW is real find. They have truly friendly and helpful staff who know their inventory. I always start here when I need an HW item, and go to Home Depot or online last. Their prices on the items they stock are the best in the area. Support Local Family-Owned Businesses and Your Local Economy! read more

I like this hardware store over some of the larger chain stores because they always arrange their items in a way that makes it easy for customers to find items on their shelves and racks and because they don't charge an arm and a leg for them. I usually shop here for adhesives and sealants, and always seem to find exactly what I am looking for in an appropriate size and at cheaper price than Home Depot or Lowes. read more

See all

I've been coming to this neighborhood hardware store for years. When you walk in it feels like a store that would have been in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" The staff are so nice, helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. What is really special is that their employees have been there for years which is a testament to the excellent service that they provide to their customers year after year for over 50 years! They seem to always have exactly what you are looking for. Going to Home Depot is usually a nightmare trying to find what you need and hardly ever finding the special treatment that you get here. It also saves so much time from having to look so hard to find what you need. A homey town store for sure! read more

It's small but it has just about everything you would want. I figure going here saves me at least 15 minutes vs a trip to Home Depot. Staff is fantastic and the prices are the same or only slightly higher than the huge box stores. Shop here. read more

Best home town hardware store, ever. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and remembers who you are! A special call out to Cindy who treats the customers (and neighborhood dogs) so well. I love Encinal Hardware and so does my dog Max!! Thank you for everything that you do for Alameda. read more

You can always find what you need here. Mike, Philip and staff are most accommodating. Been patronizing them for years.

The store has decent selection of stuff. Problem... SERVICE. The two times I've been there I had to deal with the teenager who works their floor. He has a passing resemblance to one of the older staff -- so I'm assuming he's a relative of the owners. Smarmy. Sarcastic. Patronizing. On one level this is common for kids his age. But if I'm spending my $$$ at his family business, I expect him to put a lid on it. I'll take my business to the Oakland Home Depot thank you. They, a chain store run by adults, at least are professional. read more

Great hardware store! I always go here first for anything I need for home repair stuff. Everyone that works there is quite helpful and pleasant to work with. Good family run store. Small but they usually seem to have what I'm looking for. Which is great because if I can avoid going to Home Depot I will. The Jaber crew at Encinal are good people. They even have a pharmacy inside. How neighborhood is that? read more

Lovely li'l neighborhood hardware shop. MEGA helpful employees! They do not stock everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, but they've got 90% of my hardware needs covered. Would much rather put my dollar bills into this place than into any orange-themed big box shops: variety keeps life spicy, even when it comes to your hardware store! read more

This place is amazing. Every time I go there I am so happy I went there. Tim is the guy there that is always very helpful. As long as they have the time to do it they always go out of there way to make sure you get the right thingamabob you need. I will never go to Home Depot if I can find it here first. read more

Mike, Millie and Cindy are all part of this family owned and run Hardware store. A lot of good expert advise and customer service along with just about anything you might need in regards to hardware etc. This store is a true Island landmark that have chosen to stay small and focus on customer service and quality merchandise. I hope they stay in business forever. read more

What a sweet store! Everyone is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. A glance around made it look like Encinal Hardware has a little bit of everything. I came by to get several copies of several different keys, and they were made immediately to the tune of pleasant conversation. While I was waiting, a young man came in that everyone in the store knew, and he talked to everyone about his recent wedding. I left with a smile on my face and a full set of well cut keys in my pocket. I had no problem parking on the street around the corner. read more

Best hardware store in the world. It's owned and run by a long-time local family. They are courteous, friendly, and will help you find what you need, whether it's just the right-sized nut and bolt or a chainsaw -- big or small. If they don't have what you need, they'll order it for you. read more

Great local hardware store, they always try to help you solve what ever hardware problem you might have. Also have treats for my dog.

This is a mighty little store! The hell with the Home Depot, why go over there when everything you need is here, closer, cheaper, better service. I think of something i need and its always there!! So stay in Alameda and support home town folks!! read more

I've been doing business with them since I was a kid (There were dinosaurs back then), They usually have what you need and the knowledge to assist you in your task. This is definitely one of the best hardware stores you'll find anywhere... read more

Friendly staff, reasonable prices (for that are of Alameda) and enough of a selection to be a good place to grab some hardware you need for a handyman job without having to go to the place with the big orange roof. read more

I always go to Encinal HW for my fix it house needs. The whole staff are very helpful. For the tough problems, I go to Mike. He's very knowledgeable on just about everything. He will give advice and it will be spot on! I have saved $$$ by fixing stuff myself with their advice and I don't have that much experience fixing things. Thank You Encinal Hardware!!!!! read more

This is one of two great hardware shops in Alameda. It's a family owned business, and the staff knows there stuff. The service is great. You're going to pay a little more here than at one of the big box stores, but you're also going to find someone that can answer your questions. read more

The only problem with Encinal Hardware is that they're closed at 2 PM on Sunday afternoons. Gasp! Otherwise, they may be tiny, but they seem to have everything you need. read more

I love this place! Mike (the owner) knows everything there is to know about home repairs - even the specifics about Harbor Bay homes. If they don't have the part they are looking for, they will order it for you - much better than getting lost with no helpers in sight at Home Depot. read more

ENCINAL HARDWARE is located in the "island city" of Alameda, California. Most of Alameda takes the form of middle class homes, with a neighborhood of upper-class mansions located roughly to the southeast of Crown Memorial Park. ENCINAL HARDWARE is on a main street and is easy to find from any neighborhood. Also, what is easy to find is anything you want, for example, paints, concrete, putty, plumbing supplies, nuts/bolts/nails/fasteners, garden supplies such as hoses, and whatever. ENCINAL HARDWARE is also distinguished by the fact that the owners are unusually knowledgeable and can answer your questions and immediately connect you with the needed device, article of manufacture, or chemical composition. What inspired me to write this, is the amazing ability of ENCINAL HARDWARE personnel to provide me with a replacement part needed for my SLIK PRO 700BH tripod. NEED FOR REPLACEMENT PART FOR TRIPOD. While hiking at Pinnacles National Park last weekend, a screw-on handle decided to come loose and fall off from the ball head of my tripod. The result was that the ball head could no longer be properly secured. Although I was able to find the part number, I was not in the mood for calling one of the large camera stores in New York City. And so, I went to ENCINAL HARDWARE and I said that I needed a bolt, but wasn't sure if the bolt would do the job at securing the ball head. In a blink of an eye, the store employee provided me with a bolt of the correct gauge and length, and also provided me with a plastic knob that was configured for slipping on the bolt (enabling me to tighten and loosen the bolt, as needed when focusing my camera). Also, he provided me with a nut to secure the plastic knob. The total cost was $4.80. As I write this (one day later), I am still in the state of amazement. NEED FOR CONCRETE FOR GEOLOGY DIORAMA. A few years ago, in preparation for a driving trip up north through the Channeled Scab Lands to Montana, I decided to create a diorama showing how the Channeled Scab Lands were created by a sudden flood. For this project, I went to ENCINAL HARDWARE and acquired all the needed supplies. I got five Tupperware tubs, one to illustrate each stage in the creation of the Scab Lands. I got thick rubber, which I cut out to resemble the known shape of the glaciers. Also, I got a box of high quality dried concrete for making the mountains, North American continent, and Pacific Ocean. ENCINAL HARDWARE had everything for my project, and I completed it in the space of two afternoons. NEED FOR SUPPLIES TO MAKE A SEA URCHIN COSTUME. On Halloween about ten years ago, I decided to make a sea urchin costume for Halloween. As we know, Halloween is a big deal on Alameda Island, at least in the neighborhoods between High Street and Park Street. From ENCINAL HARDWARE, I bought chicken wire, which I cut into the shape of a yoke, for wearing over my shoulders. Also, I bought three tubs of putty, for use in covering the yoke to make a Teletubby-like stomach and back. Also, I bought green spray paint for painting the entire sea urchin. Also, I bought Tygon tubing, which is a type of hollow plastic tubing that is flexible but that maintains its straight shape unless intentionally bent. At about twenty locations in the chicken wire tummy, I inserted segments of tubing (each segment about 8 inches long) and threaded a blinking LED light with wire down each tubing, and at internal part of the costume, I had twenty batteries, enabling the colored LED lights to blink. All of these supplies were from ENCINAL HARDWARE, including the blinking LED lights. My Halloween costume turned out exactly the way I wanted, and I enjoyed walking amidst the crowd of other trick-or-treaters, and evoking occasional comments from ghosts, Spidermen, fairies, and vampires. I am grateful to ENCINAL HARDWARE for making my life richer, in terms of my ability to make educational supplies for teaching middle school students (the glacier diorama), my ability to repair my camera tripod, and my ability to make a whimsical Halloween costume. Thanks again!!! read more

Great store and super helpful staff. They don't give you that "you're an idiot" look when you ask for that "screw thingy you use with plastic around it when the wall is crumbling and you are trying to hang something heavy." Rather they reply nicely with..."an anchor?" Thanks! read more

This place really is fantastic. First of all, for a small place, they have an amazing inventory. I can't recall going there and not finding what I need. However, where they really shine is in service. Not only are they helpful in asking what you need and taking you right to it when you walk in the door, but they have given me excellent advice on how to do the repairs/projects I'm working on. From unclogging drains to electrical work to painting and drywall patching. I'm pretty good with this stuff, but often it's my first time encountering it and their advice has saved me time, aggravation, and money. read more

Encinal Hardware embodies the reasons why small local shops are so valuable. On auto pilot, we got everything at Home Depot and it took forever to find anything. One day we went to Encinal Hardware since it was closer and we just needed one item but were surprised to find the item was cheaper then Home Depot and the people were attentive and happy to help. It's a little store but they seem to have it all like Mary Poppins handbag. You should give it a chance next time you need an item. read more

Encinal hardware has everything you would expect from a great local hardware store. If you've been to Coles in SF you know what I'm talking about. The staff is friendly and VERY knowledgeable and it's impossible to get lost leave in frustration like I've been known to do at home depot. read more