I cannot recommend highly enough. We've had about 15 screens repaired, received pest control advice, bought paint and items, and had a glass window (with gas insulation inside, don't know what to call it) redone - and much more - all for reasonable prices and with a smile. Today a really great employee came out and jerry-rigged a license plate that was falling off our car because the screw hole for it was broken. They are AWESOME. Pray they don't leave the neighborhood because the bike lanes have removed any way to easily pull in front of the store for loading/unloading - they are the best. I'm a bike rider too and don't want to see the new lanes shutting down small independent businesses like this - there must be a way to adjust. read more

Needed three sets of keys pronto. The owner cranked up the machine and popped 'em out in no time. Happy to report that all keys worked perfectly. Put me in the "Very Satisfied" category. read more

The owner, Allen, and his assistants (Gusto, etc) are really helpful. He's helped me replace a custom screen PERFECTLY. To the 16th of an inch were my measurements, and they were dead on. Perfect fit. Also has all wood and can cut what you need. Electric is good variety. (Insert joke here) Supreme at cutting keys. Do not go to Home Depot obviously....he's never had to cut keys twice for me. Has all hardware. Lots of nice tools to waste money on if you roll like that. I will go out of my way to give Allen my business in the future. read more

Great service and reasonable prices. Staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. And always good to support a small business owner.

I had 3 screens with holes in them thanks to the four legged roommate with claws. I wanted to take them somewhere that could rescreen them and that was willing to do a contact-free transaction due to Covid-19. I first called the Ace Hardware nearest me and they said "nope." So I called Gillman...they were delightful. From the person who answered the phone to the person who came out of the store to pick up the screens leaning against my car everyone I spoke to was friendly and helpful. A couple days later I paid by phone and they brought them back out to lean against the car and return home where they are now thwarting the four leggers best attempts because I got PET SCREENS. Well worth driving a little farther for some excellent customer service. read more

very happy with service. They repaired lock in my van within 30 min Reasonable price and prompt service read more

Ah...the progress on my crack house continues. I had to make an emergency run to the hardware store yesterday to get a second gas hose for my super fantastic salvaged 40's double oven that was FINALLY ready to be hooked up, some new toilet seats (cause no one wants to sit on the crack seats), and some rope (because my headboard won't come in through a door, we have to hoist it up the front). Not wanting to drive to the Despot or Menards in rush hour traffic and with free plumbing help waiting at the house, I decided to hit Gillmans. Staff is very cordial and helpful - I had everything on my list within 5 minutes. Prices were pretty fair and the selection was good, if minimal. Not the place to come if you are looking for a gold leafed toilet, but solid on the basics. Bonus - they only charge $10 to re-key a deadbolt. This morning I was able to get up, cook breakfast and wash some dishes in my finally functional kitchen - thanks Gillmans! Locally owned, close to my house, helpful staff - I'll be back again and again. read more

I love supporting the little guys. I can't tell you how many times I ran over to this little Ace when I had the restaurant. Often explaining things in remedial girly terms and always getting a serious straight faced answer as to what would do the trick. Fast key service, knowledgeable staff. Family owned and operated and seriously, its like having your very own Helpful Hardware Man every time you step foot in the door. read more

Not sure why it took us over a year to fix our screen door... It was $20 and it took the lenght of brunch for them to do it. How wonderful and helpful! Maybe its time to re-screen the whole house.... read more

i cannot thank or recommend the team at gillman ace hardware enough. i came in this morning, drenched in white latex paint i had accidentally knocked over on my porch, which then leaked onto the porches of my neighbors below me. this hardware store was the closest to me, i came in and explained what happened and they IMMEDIATELY began assembling me basically a kit of everything i would need to remove the paint. 3 hours of scrubbing later it's finally looking good and without this team it probably would've been an impossible task. thank you so much!!! read more

I never thought I'd care about hardware stores until I became the owner of a condo. Suddenly I was making weekly trips for all sort of things. After several rage-inducing experiences at Home Depot, I decided I would do my best to support my local hardware store rather than give any more money to the chains. Here's what I love about this place - it is nothing pretty to look at, but you walk in and ask the guy for any random thing and he knows exactly where it is. Not only that, he'll give you advice about it and maybe point out a superior product. I'm pretty handy, but sometimes need some guidance. I've never felt condescended to, which is something that tends to happen to women in hardware stores. The only downside is the strange lack of parking in that area (at least whenever I've gone there). read more

Great staff! I only had some keys copied, but I noticed their selection of products is great. As other people have mentioned, the staff is the real key to this store. They're friendly, helpful and totally knowledgeable. I bought some pepper spray, too, and the man explained which was the best product and what each of them actually did when you spray them. Definitely worth the trip to this store so you can talk to the staff and benefit from their knowledge and expertise. read more

This is as local a business as it gets. Neighbors stop by to say hello, cause he has alot of regulars, residents and businesses. The owner is completely knowledgeable and friendly, and without one ounce of impatience in helping me figure out what I need to get things fixed around the house. I try my best to avoid shopping at Home Depot so I can make sure to pick up items here instead. read more

YES! this is a hardware store! gritty dudes who know how to do everything and will help you figure out whatever question or need brought you in there. && suport local business! read more

This is such a GREAT neighborhood hardware store. I always go here first for any needs I have for hardware items. The clerks are always, every single-time, very welcoming, & helpful right away with anything you need. They are also very knowledgable, so if you have any questions about your project, & not sure what to use, ask them! We are so lucky to have this great store near us, & do not have to go to the dreaded big retail hardware stores, where the clerks avoid you because they do not know anything. read more

Went there to buy a quick double side tape for my small project the older guy was really nice he help me to pick the right one plus some tips to help my project will come back again! read more

I hate everything about this store. I went in in spring 2014 to make new keys. Then tried to pay for it with a card, after the keys were made. Said the minimum had to be $5, so I had to buy other stuff I didn't need just to make up for it. read more

Ace Hardware stores can be cluttery and seem disorganized. Some of the items on the shelves look as if they've been there for years. The floors are uneven, the walls at odd angles, the rooms a bit labyrinthine, but the customer service, almost without exception, is of the almost extinct kind. Gillman Ace, my new local favorite, is no exception. All I needed was some canning supplies. I called before I left the house to make sure they had the right size jars. They did, and the man on the phone assured me that they had several dozen. At the store, I found that he had set aside the jars for me. We had a great conversation about canning, how he noticed it seemed to have become more popular lately. I told him about an article I had read in the Trib to the same effect and he seemed genuinely interested. The entire experience left me feeling so *good*-- when was the last time a trip to the hardware store actually made you happy? I'll go through the trouble of finding on-street parking for the superior service I get at Gillman Ace. Like I said in an earlier review, Home Depot can bite me. read more

This is what a hardware store should be; well stocked with what you need, staffed by knowledgeable people and has an excellent connection with the community. I ended up, after several years in the area, popping in here because my land lord is unable to properly fix the plumbing for the kitchen sink drain in my apartment. I knew what I needed but couldn't find it and did not even have to look for somebody to help me, they came right up to me. The new what I wanted and were very knowledgeable, had I not known exactly what I needed they would have taken care of me. Prices were excellent and to top it off as they rung me up it seemed the 'helpful hardware man' knew the names of most of his customers because I saw him greet three of them by name as I was rung up and paid. Places like this are a rapidly disappearing treasure. read more

This place is not shiny and prettily organized, but don't let its looks deceive you. My first visit was on a Saturday, half an hour before closing and I was expecting to have to leave my two screens for repair, but the woman behind the counter said she believed I could have them fixed while I waited. She walked me over to the workshop where we were told, yes, they could be fixed in 15 minutes. What a pleasant surprise! They did not have the other two items I needed but I am glad I tried out this place. I recommend Gilman's because service is quick and straightforward, if not friendly. Also, it was easy to find metered parking. read more

The owner of this location is incredibly helpful, personable, and kind. I'm thankful to have the store in the neighborhood. I've been coming here for years for various home repair needs, garden supplies, and more. Thanks for all the support. read more

I've been coming here since I moved to Logan Square in 2002. It is the 1st place I even consider when I have hardware needs...they are THAT good! 90% of the time, they have exactly what I need; the other 10% of the time, they had it but it's sold out and I can't wait for a re-order. Also, they make the BEST & MOST ACCURATE keys in town! I've never-ever had a key made here that didn't work, unlike every other "hardware" store I've tried for keys. Staff is friendly, honest, like what they do so there's no "attitude". Man, I LOVE this place! From garden seeds to adapters to chains to hold a trellis upright...this IS the Helpful Hardware Place! Boo to Big Box Stores! Yeah to Gillman's!!! Oh, and everyone that I've ever sent here automatically loves it and recommends it in return. :) read more

Gillman Ace Hardware - No special glossy MadMen front. Just an honest business with a no-nonsense storefront. :) - Hardware Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A great place! The owner is always super helpful and just a sweet guy. Being an art student and making a lot of sculptures, this place is very handy to have a couple blocks down from me. I'm always surprised by how cheap the total is. I got a huge bag of sand a couple weeks ago and it was only $4???? Wow-ee It may not seem like it from the front but they are stocked with anything you could ever need - hardware and tools wise. good stuff read more

I showed up at 5:56 PM - 4 minutes before closing - and the man who helped me was kind enough to custom cut me a piece of glass and a duplicate a key without complaint. The whole process was efficient and inexpensive - thank you very much! read more

Apparently I'm at the point in my life where I frequent hardware stores. Gillman is excellent! Great selection and helpful staff. During the ten minutes I was in the store, I heard the owner speaking with customers in Polish and Spanish. That's pretty cool. read more

This is a great Ace - I grew up going to Ace so I will always go to one over Home Depot any day! The owner is so nice and helpful - he found everything I needed right away! Great place - I hope it never goes away! read more

The staff is very kind and they have everything you can possibly need. Made a spare key in 30 seconds. Please visit this place and make it your go to you won't regret it and they are good people read more

I have to say that the big box stores are useless to me. They have everything including everything you don't Ned in addition to the one thing you went to the store for to begin with. This particular visit I needed to get some hole filler for the walls we punctured for our paintings. I went in and less than 5 minutes later I was on my bike and on my way home. The folks here are friendly and knowledgeable, plus I would rather keep them busy than an orange shirt on Elston. Sure, there may be instances where you need the bigger stores, but for the majority of your needs I am sure you'll find it here. read more

I love shopping here. I bought all the paint to redo our apartment here and he matched samples with no problems. (In addition to buying caulk, grout, and equipment for fixing other parts of the apartment). The employees are friendly and helpful. They know the store and the products. Its cheaper than Lowe's or Home Depot. And they're good at what they do. read more

I came here to get keys cut and it quickly became my go-to hardware store. It has a family owned vibe and the staff is so friendly and happy to help you find what you're looking for. read more

A REAL old fashioned hardware store that ALWAYS has exactly what you need unlike the chain stores that only carry whatever sells fast. They wrote the book on customer service and exemplify courtesy. Parking is on the street. Never park in the laundramats lot as you will be booted. You may have to drive around the block once or twice hunting for a parking space but this store is WELL WORTH IT. read more

The store itself carries a decent enough array of hardware and supplies, but the real power is in the staff. The guys who work at the store are super knowledgeable and personable, not like Home Depot where some 18 year old gang-banger concubine who hasn't done it themselves is telling me how to hang drywall while chatting on her cell phone. I'm still not sure who works at the store vs who just comes by to chat with the owner, but they've all been great and they've never once tried to upsell me. I'll give my business to this place before any of the big box stores any day of the week. read more

It's an older building with very full shelves, crooked floors and a seemingly random organization system. But they have EVERYTHING and the great folks that work there know where it all is! If I can't find something all I have to do is ask and not only do they tell me where it is, but they escort me over to the item and make sure it's what I want. Most places will say "Isle 3" and maybe point, but not here. That's awesome. And while I did get the names of the gentlemen working, I have forgotten them. I do know the owner's Dad was in working, too, and that's also cool. Who knows more about hardware than Dads? It's their combination of selection and service that makes this a 5-star store. And I can always find parking out front, so that's cool, too. read more

Love this Ace. I've gotten a bunch of keys copied here and they all work well and are only ~$2 each - which definitely beats those kiosks that try to charge $8 per key (wtf). They also have all your standard hardware, etc. The store itself isn't very clean but whatever. Go here and not the one in Gold Coast!! read more

Great little hardware shop, the kind that gives you faith in American small businesses. The owner seems to be there every day, and while he's ever so slightly gruff, he's extremely helpful. The store is a bit disheveled, but if you're doing any variety of home improvements, that shouldn't bother you. I come here before going to any other store, and you should too. read more

A top notch place. Super nice owner, who won't make you feel like a dummy if you aren't a home repair expert!

After a failed attempt at getting a key cut at home depot I came here. Key works perfectly and I was in and out in under 2 minutes.

They didn't have the toilet part I needed, but they sent me to a place around the corner that specialized in plumbing parts and they had it right in stock. Very nice people! read more

This hardware store, locally owned, as others have said, doesn't have the huge selection that Menard's and Home Depot have, but it covers all the basics with enough choices. The biggest reason we'll come back is that when you run into problems, the owner knows SO much and is a lot more helpful than some of the high-turnover employees at the bigger stores. The owner and employees are great!!!!! read more

This place is organized in an extremely random manner where asking for help is something you not only do out of choice, but out of necessity. It's a good thing then that the staff are so helpful and friendly. I came in looking for speaker wire to reconfigure the stereo set up in our bedroom and the guy behind the counter was quick to not only lead us to exactly where the wire was, but was also quick to distinguish what we needed from what we didn't according to what system we have. While standing at the register, the Lady proceeded to point their extensive collection of preserving and jarring wares and the guy ringing me up proceeded to ask me about preserving jams and such. All in all, a really friendly place where I'll be going for all house fixer upper needs from now on! read more