I really want to support local businesses like Cole Hardware. In a world dominated by big-box…read morestores and Amazon, it's great to have an independent hardware store serving the community. Unfortunately, this visit was frustrating. I placed an online order that was estimated to be ready in 15 minutes. I intentionally waited an hour before coming in, but I still had to wait while my order was put together. It honestly would have been faster to walk the aisles myself, grab the item, and pay at the register. What disappointed me even more was the customer service at the front counter. The staff I interacted with came across as dismissive and unfriendly, which made the experience feel less welcoming than I expected. I genuinely want to keep supporting Cole Hardware because local businesses matter. I just hope they can improve the online pickup process and provide a friendlier customer experience. Those two changes would make a big difference and would keep me choosing them over the convenience of Amazon.

OMG. What a gem. A hardware store with everything you could need, laid out in charming, organized…read morefashion. The staff went above and beyond. And I struck up a neighborly conversation with the people in line with me. Support this place. In a world of heartless Home Depot's we need to keep a gem like this alive.

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!

Hardware stores are fun in SF bay area...Ace hardware and home Depot and mill valley Depot haha…read moresame thing mill valley Ace Depot hahahha

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.

Better service than Home Depot but that comes with higher prices…read more Main problem is the layout of the store. Very difficult to know which aisle items are on and even if the helpful staff tell you it is impossible to know how to get to a particular aisle because the signs are not visible from the front of the store.

I love a family hardware store that's packed with every imaginable household item as well as…read moretools, painting supplies and even bubble wrap and other stuff. Will you pay more? Yes, compared to a huge box store but you pay for the convenience of having a neighborhood hardware store. I went into the store looking for packing supplies since I was planning to ship some fragile items and wanted to personally box them myself. Kay, the owner, was very helpful and I also enjoyed the interaction between her and her sons who helped her.

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.

Shoutout to Pascal in the back and manager Evan. They helped me out in a tight spot and got me…read moreexactly what I needed on a tight timeline. Very understanding guys who go above and beyond.

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 having a tough time finding the right cam locks for an executive desk I ordered from Wayfair…read moreand was feeling completely lost in the store. Chris noticed I needed assistance and immediately jumped into action. Luckily, I had taken pictures of the desk and parts, which Chris used to guide me directly to the exact hardware section I needed. He was exceptionally attentive, knowledgeable, and patient; especially compared to a frustrating experience I had previously at another big-box retailer. Even though a wood glue recommendation we tried didn't end up working for my specific fix, his willingness to share his knowledge and problem-solve with me was outstanding. Chris provided top-tier customer service, and I truly appreciate his effort and dedication to helping me out.

NEVER AGAIN Yesterday's visit was so horrible. I will not go…read moreback to the store. A couple years ago I went there and it was bad but OK. Yesterday was an inexcusable. I went in and asked where I could find batteries for my gate remote. I was instructed by the girls at the counter to go back and take a number. Unfortunately, that old lady in the back was not helpful as usual. She said she couldn't help me with it. She showed me where the batteries are so I could buy them. I had to buy a screwdriver in order to open the remote. The owner was at the back counter behind the cashiers drinking his coffee and eating. He was glaring at me and I don't know why. He used to be so friendly and smiled and was very helpful. What the hell happened?!?!? if I wanted this kind of treatment, I would've went to Home Depot.

I am upgrading my review from several years ago. I have had many positive subsequent experiences at…read morethis hardware store. They don't have the best selection or the best prices, but they are convenient if you live off Arlington Avenue in the Kensington-Berkeley-El Cerrito area.

Every time I call. Every time I go in. The staff at the store is always so helpful, friendly, and…read morehuman! I so appreciate the homie feeling I get when I walk in the store... Not something I get from any other Ace Hardware store! Thank you for excellent customer service!

They pack more than the average amount of stuff in a small space. There can be a language barrier,…read morebut generally they know their stock as well. The future here is unclear, as the local town wants nothing but more housing, and this site is in the crosshairs for "redevelopment". But for now they're open and a good place to go. They're focused on "supplies", meaning hardware, there's no toys, trinkets, garden tractors, housewares or other stuff. I wish that True Value had online stock status.

FInally got an excuse to visit and walk around. Up and down all the aisles, and couldn't find what…read moreI was looking for, so I asked the clerk. He led me out to the one row I hadn't looked at, at the front on the register side. There was the Brasscraft replacement for the cruddy junk-metal bonnet nut that Delta inexplicably put in their otherwise OK bathroom faucets. Happy happy joy joy! True Value lists this BrassCraft part on-line, same $5.99 as on-line with 1 week shipping. Clearly marked with the Delta RP6060 number. BrassCraft's part is thicker and heavier duty than the junk-metal original, and fits a 27mm socket vs 15/16 or 31/32 inch tools. But also does fit the presumably inch dimension threads under the handle.. Old, old, school, as someone posted, not a lot of power tools, lumber or plants. Yep. I don't go to hardware stores for power tools, or lumber, I go for hardware, and hardware is what they're all about. ALL the sizes of copper pipe, brass pipe, galvanized steel pipe, black-oxide pipe, ABS and PVC pipe, flexible pipe, pipe fittings, adapters, screws, nuts, bolts, nails, specialty nails, good cleaner and polish selection, real electrical / other workshop, brackets, ducts. In a word, hardwared..

I love this Home Depot! I recently purchased both a refrigerator and a stove from this Emeryville…read morelocation and I had an amazing experience both times. I didn't have to wait long to be assisted, in either case, which was the first gold star from me! Alex Chavez-Montes (Appliance Specialist) helped me with my GE refrigerator purchase last week and TJ Jones (Kitchen & Bath Design Consultant) helped me with my Frigidaire Stainless Steel Range purchase today. Both Alex and TJ provided exemplary customer service to me and both were very knowledgeable about appliances. Alex provided great advice and really cared about my satisfaction with the product. TJ was an absolute delight to work with and she went above and beyond to ensure that I was well taken care of. It was just a pleasure doing business with both of them and I wouldn't hesitate to work with either of them again. Plus, 3 years ago, I also purchased my GE washer and dryer from this Home Depot. I have been extremely pleased with every appliance purchase I have made at this location. They sell quality appliances and they are reasonably priced for great value. This is my go-to store for excellence in service and appliances!

I'm leaving a 5 star review specifically because of the employee KAT. She just went above and…read morebeyond to help us with an online order that we had to pick up. We had been having an ongoing issue with this order and had called the main line multiple times. We finally decided to go into the store and Kat helped us. She was so helpful, positive and cheerful! Thank you Kat!

BRIEF TAKEAWAYS: -They have the friendliest and most helpful…read morestaff of any hardware store I've ever been to. -They don't just sell lumber. They're a hardware store too -They have multiple pickup spots. TL:DR VERSION: I went there to find a shelf and find some 2x4s. They turned out to have way more than just that. They're a full-on hardware store. I ended up also getting wood screws, plastic sheeting, and painters tape too. Staff was very helpful and friendly. One of them helped me find wood for shelf (in the size, color, and finish that worked for my project) and order 2x4s They have multiple pickup locations for different orders, all within a block of each other. I got my 2x4s behind the store, and the guys happily cut them to the lengths I needed. They directed me to their other location acrid the street. I went down Folger a little too far and ended up in their other outdoor lot. The gent I talked to in one of the offices was very friendly and helpful. He stopped the work he was doing and walked out in the rain to show me where their corner warehouse is. The guys at the corner warehouse were also friendly. They got my order cut to size and loaded it into my trunk. One of them helped me with a refund on items I didn't need. This is the best experience I've ever had at a hardware store. Their service is exceptional, and they had everything I needed.

Ashby Lumber is definitely a place for contractors, but regular people can benefit from shopping…read morethere, as well. It's a small place loaded with fix it tools, paint, etc. The service is excellent and the prices are reasonable. The best part is if you have a question, there are enough employees to answer it. I would recommend this place and will return.