A day ago, I would have given Ace Hardware 4-5 stars. A few of the staff have always been helpful and shared expert knowledge. But today, I was stopped on my way in and told I had to leave my backpack--which acts as my purse--behind the counter. ME: "Oh? When did the store start this policy?" STAFF: "We've always done it." ME: "I've NEVER been asked to surrender my backpack and I come in here a lot!" STAFF: Pulls me aside in a confidential whisper..."It's not you, if you know what I mean, but we have to do it to everyone." Now, I am an AARP-card carrying senior in her 60s and I was stopped on this one occasion out of maybe 25+ visits to this store over the past 3 months. This is a case of implicit bias in action, folks. I don't carry a purse. I carry a small knapsack to keep my wallet in. I support Ace's right to proactively prevent shoplifting. But they must be consistent enacting those policies. Don't send off a suspicious vibe when you're projecting a "friendly" atmosphere! There's a smaller neighborhood HW store down the road. I think I will take my business there from now on. read more

I like the variety of products here. They have most everything I need mid project when I need it and a to. Of cool stuff I don't need but really like. The folks here are really nice. Mel is who I always wait to be helped by because she is so sweet and awesome. Love that even though it a large chain store it has a good home town vibe. Good place to shop. read more

Awesome staff! We were renting an house a few miles from this ACE and we had a bit of trouble with a window. We got locked out and tried to go through the window - that didn't work and we ended up damaging the border or it and needed help. Jonathan was super helpful and showed me what parts I needed but it would require some sawing. I told him I had no idea how to saw anything, so he gave me the name of a window fixing company. Unfortunately, they were booked for two weeks solid. And even though they didn't do repairs, he agreed to help me with the window. I paid for the parts and had a beautifully reconstructed window frame to take back to the house. This place is ACES!!! read more

Another to go spot when I need tool and soil. Staff is always friendly and helpful too. When ever I have issue.

Vickie has been amazingly helpful as we've navigated buying a woodstove. It's no wonder the staff is so friendly with such a wonderful manager! We love this store. read more

Love this Ace. We have lived on the island for less than 2 months now and have visited nearly every weekend for all kinds of things as we set up the new house. Staff have been extremely helpful and friendly every time and we have always found what we need from household goods to bird seed to fishing supplies. WE LOVE FREELAND ACE! read more

Just lost a customer As a very longtime customer with rare returns, today I went back to the store to return a paint sample that they had made from a chip and which was waaaay off the intended color. After a long wait, I was told that they could not refund my $5 and that if I wanted to return it, I had to come back again with the chip. It was as if they did not believe me and interrogation ensued. I left the unusable paint sample with them and left the store. They have lost a customer who spent a lot of money in their store. No more. read more

This review is more from my hubby than myself - If they don't have it, you don't need it! There is always something I need and keep forgetting to get until I go to Ace and see it there. So many different items you don't leave empty handed. And our son loves the pop corn! read more

We were camping in the area and needed some supplies so we stopped in here. Wow, what an amazing store! This place has everything! It's a very crowded store, everything is packed in there, so you might have to search for a while to find what you're looking for, but you will find a lot of treasures during your search. You *could* ask for help finding what you need, but I don't suggest it. It's more fun to look. We found things there that we couldn't find in the city. Things that we'd never seen. Beautiful things. Gifty things. The staff there was very friendly and they were helpful when we needed them. This store is almost a destination in itself. read more

For the most part it's a good store. Convenient and what you expect from typical ace. There's one woman working there who seems to be miserable. She should not be working retail if she can't keep her attitude under control. All other employees have been great read more

This is a great store. Very helpful staff. Everyone is nice. They actually act like they want you to shop there. Wish they sold lumber too. I've been going there since I moved to the island and have never been disappointed by their products or their customer service. The garden center is awesome as well. read more

I like that if you don't see what you are looking for they can perhaps order it in and that fresh popcorn is pretty good too. Would like to see more complete in the area's of plumping and electrical. More made in the U.S.A labels. Kristfield's gives this place 2 stars. read more

Always a pleasure buying house paint here! Also planters, garden tools, home goods, etc. Reliable key-cutting. Great store, friendly staff. read more

You can find just about anything at Ace Freeland Home Center. The staff is super-friendly, the store is well-organized, and the variety of available merchandise is great. read more

This gives a new meaning to the concept of a hardware store. This modern, clean, big store is more like an old fashion Mercantile where you can find almost anything you need and don't need! If you need to fix your plumbing, get help with some electrical issue, change out a door knob, buy your aunt a birthday present, entertain the kids with popcorn and an ice cream bar made on Whidbey, just go walk around Ace. It isn't just because it is the only store like it on South Whidbey, it is because it is the only store on South Whidbey worth going to. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. If they don't have what you need, they will actually call around and find it for you! There is a large garden center and outdoor living area with a lot of options for barbecues and patio sets. There is a separate shop next door with fireplaces, stoves and lawn equipment and a real service department. You don't have to leave the island! read more

I was surprised at the large selection of items in this store. I am glad that we have this store close by! The staff is super friendly; one guy help me pick out the exact fishing items I needed and even suggested some fishing places. Great store. read more

This place is fantastic. The new gal in paint dept. that moved from Texas is amazing. She spent 30 minutes helping my wife and I pick colors for the exterior of our house and she was spot on. read more

I love coming to this store. The staff is full of innovative and practical ideas, it's spacious - and it tends to have things that you'd never expect to find in a hardware store, much less one in a small town! read more

A well maintained Ace hardware store. The gardening dept. and paint dept. staff are especially helpful and knowledgeable.

For stars is because you pay to live on the south end of the island. But the have better prices than some other hardware store in the area and a larger less specific selection. The management does a good job on trying to satisfy mostly everyone with there selection, I've just grown up with larger Ace's stores with more to choose from. Friendly hardware store is and understatement for this store. Hands down the most helpful people I've encountered at a store like this. Grab a bag of popcorn and get to building, fixing or creating! read more

Customer service is lacking. No help or anyone available to answer questions. I can see this lack of service with a big company but am surprised with this attitude from a small locally owned company. read more

I've lived on Whidbey for several years and have shopped at Ace so many times that I can't count them. I always find something unexpected there, whether it's a plant, lawn furniture, a kitchen appliance, mirror, Christmas decoration or dog treat. It's a great store with a lot of little surprised hidden on the shelves. read more

They have Great customer service and a diverse selection of merchandise. Not so sure about the hardware part though! Plant department has knowledgeable employees that ask to help! read more

This is a great hardware store . . . if you need it, it is here. Case in point, I had ordered online a really nice foot cream. Lo and behold, another hardware store pal and I stopped by and this Ace has this top-of-the-line foot cream! They've got a fabulous housewares section, as well. Why order online when you can support this retailer locally! Staff are always available and helpful. My only limit on the stars is that the store is just a little bit too crowded (with good stuff), and they need more room - also wish it was open an hour later, especially during the summer. read more

They have a great selection of housewares, sporting goods and garden supplies in addition to what you'd expect from a hardware store. The staff is very friendly and helpful, too! read more

You will leave this store with a good feeling regardless of what or if you purchase anything. The staff treats you like a friend that they desperately want to help with a problem. We have had several home issues to deal with and in two instances we were given advice that led to a solution without a purchase of any kind. Yet we were given the impression that solving the problem was the job of the sales staff, not selling the product. Yes, maybe you could find a better price someplace else, but the attitude of the employees make me want to pay more just to interact with them. read more