I was not able to find three florescent bulb that needed to be replaced. The staff was willing to…read moretake the time to assist me in finding the correct items. The cost of the bulbs was excellent value but what I truly appreciated was the service provided.

So frustrated. I show up at 8:53. I need three paint samples. Nice guy says he will be right with…read moreme. I wait. This is how it always is. There's four people on the floor. All of them are doing whatever it is that they're doing, the store is practically empty but yet nobody can help with paint supplies. Finally they ring me up at 9:38 in the morning, the entire process took almost an hour, and he didn't even make it right. It wasn't like he discounted one of the paint samples. It wasn't like he recognized that this process had taken this long. Never again..

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.

Today was their last day. I managed to get one last shopping stop in as they were literally packing…read moreup the stuff left. They had a bunch of stuff for free outside for anyone to take, which says a lot about this business. Just bought a home and Mik, Lacy, and Frank have all been helpful in helping me figure out what is useful and what might not be. Will definitely be taking my business to see them for their excellent customer service at the South Shore location even if it is a farther drive from my daughter's preschool because I appreciate their honesty and loyalty to the customer's goals and needs. Will definitely miss the 50% off but I enjoyed it while it lasted! Thanks Mik, Lacy, and Frank!

Pagano's Hardware on Central Ave is Alameda's hometown hardware store. Before you even think about…read moregoing to Home Depot, you see if Paganos has it. I used to shop at the old Lincoln Ave location. You had to ask someone for help to find anything. Same is true at the Central Ave store. The store is packed with merchandise. The other day I was walking around the store looking for wall clocks and bug bulbs, and a store person had to help me. BTW, the store people aren't there to watch for shoplifters. They're there to help you find stuff in a semi-unorganized store. What? Someone is going to steal a bag of anchor bolts? Maybe run out the door with a shop vac? And Yes, they make keys. Pagano's Hardware on Central Ave is in Neptune Plaza at Central Ave x Webster St. Parking in lot, and meter parking on street.

I bought vinyl from this store. They have a lot different varieties to select. The price is very…read moregood compare to big stores. Overall I am very satisfied with the quality.

This weekend I needed parts for a vintage lamp I had just bought. I walked in carrying the lamp and…read moreno sooner had I said "I'm looking for the globe that goes with this" than the guy working there replied "We can't help you." I was surprised to be dismissed so quickly so I made the motion of looking around like I wanted to see some options. I gently pressed and he again stated "We can't help you." Then he told me to go to Bed Bath & Beyond. 1. I was there because I wanted to support a local business. I could have easily tried Lamps Plus first 2. Before you summarily dismiss a customer, maybe show her the globes you DO have and explain why they would or wouldn't work for her particular lamp 3. This is a 60-year-old lamp...I doubt Bed Bath and Beyond would have what I need So I went to Ensler Lighting in Berkeley and spent my $$ there instead. At first the guy at Ensler also wasn't certain he had what I needed, but guess what? He took the time to look around and experiment and ultimately he was able to jury-rig something that worked great. Imagine that?

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.

Very helpful staff! I went in here to look for oven cleaner, and I was advised to use a heavy…read moredegreaser instead. Hey, makes sense. Lots of choices and prices.

When my ancient phone set died (don't faint youngsters), I had to replace it ASAP. It's for a phone…read morenumber I've had since 1991, the one that all my friends, family, healthcare team call. (I do have a cell for emergencies.) I looked online and found a replacement at the Encinal True Value store, spoke to the very capable Mike & ordered it from him. Not long after, I found another one online from the same manufacturer that seemed a better fit for my needs (one receiver instead of 2) at a considerably lower price. Mike agreed to order the 2nd one and match the price. He is a solid guy; even though the wait time was long (I joked with my friends that the warehouse must be in Anchorage), I made the deal. It was necessary to go to the store to pick it up once it came in. When I went there, parking wasn't bad though there is no dedicated store parking, it's all on nearby streets. While there I got a couple of other things for myself and a friend. It's fun to go up and down the aisles, reminds me of my childhood, nostalgic and somehow sweet. Unfortunately, when I later tried to exchange one brand of super glue I'd bought there for another, one of the clerks, a woman, actually followed me (& the friend who'd driven me there) onto the aisle to tell me why I shouldn't do that as we were looking for a better version. Not cool and VERY off-putting. I am old but not feeble-minced. sheesh Let me make up my own darn mind! Sadly, it got worse on my 3rd trip to the store. The same woman clerk took too much convincing when I asked to speak with Mike (I thought he'd undercharged me for the phone set). She became increasingly argumentative, then bordering on nasty. yeah When Mike came up from the back, he had to ask her to step away. She still continued mouthing off. I said, "Wow." And he said, "Wow is right," then proceeded to kindly and patiently explain how I had misread my receipts. I will not reveal her name, she apparently has ample problems to sort out. [I just noticed the horrific post from Brianna M. Oct. 2025 - the road rage woman is highly likely this woman clerk. Good grief, that was a police matter, still is.***] However, I will say - I urge you to look at this store before buying on Amazon. We need to support our local merchants and this is a good one. (Pagano's is DISMAL, don't go there...) But, if you go in, ask for Mike. You really don't want to interact with the wacky woman.*** One star off for the long wait to get the phone set + unasked for "advice" about super glue (Mike did that too during my 3rd visit) One star off for the out of control clerk. ***Yelp staff - this is a public safety issue. I hope you have done everything possible to address it since Brianna M. posted nearly a year ago.

I was at the South shore shopping center in Alameda, and came in here to pick up a few items…read more Everything was pretty easy to find, well organized also. You can tell this place is popular with the local residents. Because it's popular, I wasn't able to find everything, that's understandable, and it's not big, like my usual store in San Leandro. But still, this is a very good hardware store!!

I like neighborhood and community stores like this. Pagano's has a decent selection of home repair…read moreand supply items at reasonable prices. Go here if you want to get a replacement nut, bolt, screw to purchase a la carte. They have light supplies of garden needs and other pantry/household items. Key cutting services are available at a counter in the back of the store with prices ranging from $3 to $5 per key. $1 special on Tuesdays for 1 key. Located in the South Shore Shopping Plaza with plenty of parking. Apparently this store has been an Alameda business for generations. They used to be located on Lincoln Ave and have another store at Webster and Central.

It's a convenient neighborhood hardware store. It looks small on the outside but it's pretty big…read morein the inside. They have a pretty large selection of things you need. The service was great! The staff seemed happy to work there and always so helpful.

A great asset for the hill area. Surprisingly diverse consumer and professional product lines, an…read moreabundance housed in a medium-sized facility. The guys always know the inventory, and the prices are frequently lower than Home Depot. Two thumbs up.

Sometimes I'll go in there. And they'll exactly what I need but for the most part…read moreThe problem lays when they come time to pay and you go to use a coupon for some reason.They don't apply At least not in their store I don't know if the staff just isn't knowledgeable enough to know how to apply the coupons but theoretically , it should have been a lot easier than what some of the cashiers make it out to be There's other things like it can walk into.For instance, Pete's hardware, which is an eighth branch out in Castro Valley.Let me tell you I won't get too steps inside that store.And somebody's offering to help me This particular store in Oakland on MacArthur boulevard that I'm posting this about.They won't help you unless you actually ask them I grew up in this neighborhood, and this story used to be so helpful.I don't know what happened to it I'm only going to leave two stars

I can always appreciate the flow of service and knowledgable staff at this location…read more I've picked up some really beautiful plants here and they have a fairly decent selection for a decent price

Folks here are detailed, professional and knowledgeable. They will get shit done…read more Very happy with the tiles and countertop I got here. Customer service was nice and even though the contractor who installed for us said a total of 4 sentences to us only, he was a pro and did a fantastic job. They are definitely a no-nonsense business. Get your shit together before you pull up to their store. Know what you want and make good and quick decisions. Would recommend and come back soon again!

Decent staff. Lot of stuff. But very crowded feel. Not great prices.read more