This is a gargantuan (for NYC) privately owned place that has everything. I've bought towels, kitcheware, a vacuum cleaner, duplicate keys, window blinds, a mop, and a winter hat here. Staff is not expert, but they're friendly and can help you find stuff quickly. read more

I've been a customer here since the store was located on 94th street. I was ecstatic to find out that they moved right by my current apartment. Rainbow makes my day light, easy and happy. All in one store. WHATEVER you need for your house you will find it there. Certain items can be of a cheaper quality. Overall, one of my favorite stores in NYC. Strange, nah? read more

This store is amazing! Whatever you need to buy, they have it (from pearl cupcake toppings to printing paper to Uno Cards). The prices are also decent. I highly suggest this place. read more

So helpful. I bought some plexiglass panels to insulate my air conditioner and they cut them for free and taught me how to install them.

Large selection. I enjoy browsing and I'm not a shopper. Prices are fair for UES but Amazon is almost always cheaper. Still if you need it now not in a day or two, this is a great choice. read more

I have a home improvement project requiring a power drill. I was feeling a little apprehensive about what to buy (and my project in general) and wanted to find a hardware store that could offer me some sage advice along with reasonable prices. My nearer by Russian run place is very friendly but since I was recently asked the question "wrench, what is?" I didn't know if they would pull though in the advice department. Since I've had great luck with Ace stores elsewhere, I decided to give Rainbow a try. And they totally scored! There is a really nice and very knowledgeable British man who works in tools who gladly helped me out. He recommended the tool model that would work best for my needs and didn't try to up-sell me to more expensive models. He answered tons of my dumb questions I had and left me feeling totally prepared to handle some power drilling! It was like asking my Dad for help - if he were British and with a lot more patience. Also, the drill cost exactly what I would have paid for it on Target.com so I feel like I got a total bargain since I left the store feeling prepared to tackle my project. Try getting that kind of advice from a big box store! The only reason I don't give this place 5 stars is that the store outside of the tool department kind of chaotic and the rest of the employees were not super helpful. read more

Across the street is a Restaurant Supply store that has many of the same kitchen items at much lower prices. You can also also shop on line & get better pricing ~ Bed Bath & Beyond is a winner. However if $$ is not an issue, by all means shop till ya drop here. read more

I read some of the negative reviews of Rainbow Store on First Avenue, too hot, aisles too narrow, etc. obviously, the writers' complaints make it obvious that they are not born NEw Yorkers but from OUTSIDE of NY. I was born and bred in New York andI have been a customer of Rainbow stores for over 30 years(on 1st avenue and the one that had to close on 2nd Ave. because of subway construction). Hot, narrow aisles so what else is new in NYC? This store is a treasure and so is it's owner/partner Vicki. The help I have gotten from the store is imcomparble. Jenette who manages the pharmacy has gone out of her way to deliver my Rxs many, many times. Although I live further away from Rainbox now, I would not change to another store or pharmacy for any reason. Patricia Conway read more

This place is awesome. When I needed to quickly get 2 shelves, some decorative boxes, paint, notebooks, a picture frame, a lamp, and of course garbage bags, I left here with too much to carry. They have great prices and somehow cram everything you could ever possibly need neatly in the 2 floor store. The staff can be surprisingly helpful with finding things, and as a bonus, they carry things back to your apartment FOR FREE within a certain block radius. You also always find something that you weren't looking for but you definitely need, like woven yellow placemats and a thing you nail into your wall that holds your cell phone. read more

This place is like a mini-K Mart. It has everything you're looking for for pretty reasonable prices. I went there most recently for some hardware and was pleasantly surprised by a (new?) employee named Kenny. He seemed very knowledgeable about the entire hardware sections and patient with the customers bombarding him with questions about paints, rollers, shelves, screws, etc. I even saw him ask customers if they needed help (gasp!). More than one! (What?!). He's a great addition to Rainbow. read more

The NICEST people work here! It is a bit of a maze and kind of intimidating, but ask anyone for help, they'll do that and more! Totally my go to place for any house related! See you soon Rainbow peeps and thank you! read more

Excellent store. They have huge selections of house hold supplies . They also have some office supplies and hard ware supplies. I bought many items from this store. I am mostly satisfied with items that I bought. They have even some funiture and lamp. They have good selections of lamp . The price is very reasonable compare to the nehborong store. The staffs are mostly kind . read more

This place is like sensory overload. Any random thing you can think of they prob have like 5 types of: Saki glasses, tea pots, hammers, nails, super glue, paint, new keys made, kitchenware.... It's decent price and like a bed, bath & beyond meets home depot meets Kmart. read more

We call this the everything store. How they manage to fit everything in there is beyond me. If you need it they prob have it. My daughter likes going here more than any toy store. Great neighborhood shop. Make sure to go to the back register when its busy. read more

My favorite hardware store. Old fashion New York stocking and shelving methods. They have everything you'd ever need and things you never knew you need. From wall paint, plumbing fixtures, craft and picture painting, toys, pillows planting equipment and furniture to assemble., and holiday decorations and specialty cake making equipment.I have always found the staff helpful and suggest best methods for use or assembly if you ask politely read more

I came here for a screw and let with a kickball, Disney princess Magiclip doll and dog poop bags...this place has EVERYTHING. Moving to NYC from the suburbs I have been missing Target snd Walmart but now I found my substitute! They have a very large potholder and placemat section, randomly. read more

This place made moving into my apartment so much easier than having to trek all the way to Harlem to shop at Target. I bought an over-the-door mirror, a water purifier, hair brush, toiletries, and even child-sized hangers. Rainbow is such an assest to the community! read more

A great neighborhood convenience store from light bulbs to teddy bears to making keys to cooking materials to k-cups to printer cartridges and much more- this place has it all. Also reasonable prices. read more

This store is an unbelievable find !! You get anything and everything you would want ! I have bought innumerable items from this store ranging from plastic storage boxes, mugs , hair accessories , a vacuum cleaner , pillow covers , curtains to a straightening iron !! The list goes on !! It's like a hidden treasure in NYC ! read more

Really slow service - waited behind one person for 10 minutes while 2 employees chatted at the register. Then one started playing on his phone as I continued to wait... read more

This store is dirty, overstocked and the people working here have absolutely no skills in customer relations. BUYER BEWARE: They have a 15 day return policy WITH the receipt and will only give you store credit. What a scam! read more

Has everything you could probably need. Sign up for their coupons for deals. Not too many sales, but you will find just about anything you need there! read more

Extremely friendly staff that helped me find exactly what I was looking for today! I have gone here numerous times and the staff always points me in the right direction! read more

If you know what you want and it's on the floor, no problem. If you're looking for something a bit more complex, maybe you'll be ok. If you're looking for custom Benjamin Moore paint (which they sell), forget it. We waited while the person "helping" us tried to figure out how to work the paint mixing machine and then stopped when he realized he was not equipped to do it. He suggested we wait for the person who did know how to do it. That person was on break. No one knew exactly when he'd be back. Ten minutes or so? Or would we be waiting around for longer, with no place to sit? We gave up. Went home, called Janovic Paint and Decorating Centers on Third Avenue and within minutes of hanging up, there was the paint at my door. The staff at Rainbow was uniformly disinterested, whereas the person answering the phone at Janovic (and taking care of my order, while asking me specific questions to steer me towards the right purchase) was friendly, polite, professional and extremely helpful. Disappointing trip to Rainbow, but lovely to discover Janovic. read more

I love this store!!! You can find things here that are a little more special than those found in normal houseware stores. There are cute music boxes and cool napkin holders, bizarre glassware that look like experiment tubes- maybe they are-, adorable Japanese tableware and a whole lot more. read more

Has just about everything you could need. Right around the corner from my new apartment, so I feel like I go all the time. Very fun to browse around, find the randomest kitchen utensil you didn't even know existed, and look some more. Ace hardware attached is also super convenient. It's a little bit of a maze, but the staff - while not plentiful - are helpful. Prices are fine. If you want higher-end stuff then go to Bed Bath and Beyond, but for convenience and utilitarian type stuff, this place is great. read more

LOVE!!! It is more than just a local hardware store. You can find just about any and everything you might need from sweets to home goods to tools and toys, etc. And the staff are welcoming and amusing. Well worth the visit if you have never been. read more

This store is a magical land of plenty! Anything you want or need, or you don't want and don't need, is here. Cozy socks? Check. Tupperware? Got it. Bookcase? Oh, yes. Cheesy DVDs? Roger. In the winter my girlfriend and I get pricey scented candles, and in the summer we get cheap flip-flops. Though Rainbow Ace has the discount store vibe, the final cost often doesn't match the vibe. read more

This place is crammed full of all sorts of goodies. If you know what you want and EXACTLY where it is, you're fine. But beware, if you think you might need to ask the staff for where specific items may be, schedule some extra time into your visit in advance. The inventory is vast and the staff can really be hit or miss. Also, the price mark-up is noticeably higher than many other stores carrying similar items. read more

this place is a wonderland. every time i walk in i see at least eight things that i don't need... but kind of do, come to think of it. i mean, yes, i already have a perfectly good colander. but it's not a pretty red colander. and though i don't drink tea often i'm sure i would use that adorable tea pot with the little flowers, and it'd really be a lovely addition to my kitchen. never mind that i have no counter space on which to put it. let's not get bogged down by details here! if i succumb to the cravings to buy another picture frame, i don't generally regret it because this place is pretty inexpensive. and it has everything. it's the only place in the area where you can get a toaster oven, paint, cleaning supplies, storage boxes, toothpaste, yarn, toys, and pharmaceuticals. to sum it up: it's inexpensive, convenient, and fun. what more could you want? read more

Worst customer service I have ever encountered in my entire life. Nothing but attitude. I ordered balloons for a surprise party and they weren't delivered!! Not surprised, the girl I ordered from gave nothing but attitude from the minute I ordered them. The balloons were my only decoration, so you can understand the disappointment. read more

I'm so happy this place is in my neighborhood anything you could ever need for your home or project is here. Staff is always available to point you in the right direction. read more

Very disappointed!! This store stocks SodaStream supplies and it is the only reason to go there since they UPCHARGE everything in comparison to Bed Bath & Beyond down the street. They send out so called "coupons" which have a long paragraph of exclusions, but can be helpful if what you want to buy isn't on that list. For years now I've been exchanging the CO2 canisters there and I've always been able to use the coupon. Today all of a sudden they denied the use of the coupon saying its excluded, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEIR LONG LIST OF exclusions does not indicate this. I asked to speak to the manager (07-10-16; 10:30 am) who rudely refused to explain why they wouldn't honor their own coupon where the items I was purchasing were not listed as excluded. The exchange canister program is not a sale item, but simply a different priced item coupled with a material item payment (empty canister). It's a pity that they have become a bait and switch operation. Customer service, especially management, is rude and unhelpful. I'm glad there is a Bed Bath and Beyond just down the street at 61st/1st Ave. Avoid this place like the plague! read more

Horrible... unfriendly, bad attitude cashiers! I am SO TIRED of store personnel that act as if they are doing me a favor by taking my money. Whenever possible, I will AVOID this store in future! read more

I came to Rainbow today for basics. I normally love the store because they have a little bit of everything. However the service that I received today is absolutely unacceptable. When presenting a coupon that came directly from the store, it was refused. When I asked why it was refused they said that they could not find it in the system. Then they said it was because I was buying paper products. They said read the fine print! I did read the fine print absolutely nothing was mentioned about paper products being excluded. When I asked to speak to a manager, another young lady came towards the counter did not identify herself as a manager but said Yeah you can't use any coupons here. I asked another sales associate on my way out the door for the name of the manager. I was asked why do you need it? And when I explained he said yeah that's just how it is! Are you kidding? This is absolutely ridiculous. Horrid customer service. A simple name of the manager would have been fine. I had planned to call and ask the manager if that was actually the case or if the cashier was mistaken. But I can see now that as all sales associates treated me with the same attitude just for asking a question, I would probably get just as poor of a response from the manager.l read more

One of my favorite shops in the neighborhood!! In fact, I'm now on my way to shop there, for the many incidentals I usually, can only find there!! It's a little crowded with merchandise, but I've learned to live with it!!! Buzz G read more

This place has literally EVERYTHING! I have purchased baking dishes, fans, picture frames, snacks, paint, paint brushes, locks, birthday cards, paper towel holder, wrapping paper, decorating supplies for decorating cookies and cakes, towels, shampoo... you name it they probably have it! You can get lost trying to look for things but I have always had very nice employees either point out the way or take me there. read more

Was there again today. Talked to three personnel. Two were complete rude AHoles. One kid was gracious and well mannered. I try not to go there because the staff is SO WEAK. read more

I shop here all the time and love it, but tonight they shut 10 Minutes early which is a HUGE pet peave of mine. Sign says closed at 10pm NOT 9:50pm. read more

Need something for your apt? You will find almost anything here....so strange. I was drawn in by the patio display right outside but found everything from fans, cutlery, shower curtains to frames. To their credit, it is a very well organized store. But definitely a scratch your head, um, all in one kind of store. I found the prices to be higher than I am normally used to but when in Rome, I mean the upper east side! read more