As a child, a serious and tool-minded young boy, I wandered the narrow aisles of Kilian's, gazing up at hatchets, bird feeders, drill bits, and the floor-to-ceiling selection of nails, screws, nuts, and bolts. My father, in an adjacent aisle, assessed clamp sizes or perhaps compared different hose fixtures for build quality and features. The worn wooden floor and musty scent already percolating into my childhood memory: this was a place I went with my dad, this was a thing I did with my dad. Now, as a grown man, I watch my own son peak into drawers of copper nails, fidget with the array of door handles and hinges, or pull dowels out of the cubby and look for room to swing them. Will he have a son? Will Kilian's still be here for them? Of course this place doesn't have the selection of Lowe's, how could it!? The whole of Kilian's is barely the size of the barbecue display at Lowe's. If you want the experience of a big box store that has almost everything, and is the same in every city or town, and where no one cares about anything, don't come to Kilian's. But if you want to talk to a real person about what concrete anchors they recommend, or about which adhesives work best for pressure treated lumber, you could do worse. If, however, you're like me and you're chasing the circle of existence, the cycle of living and dying, raging against the tide of nihilistic despair that is this age of necrotic empire, squeezing meaning out of this life through sheer force of will, then let go of your child's hand and let them wander the antiquated aisles of this institution, let them learn for themselves what a real hardware store is like. read more

The staff was so rude and the place is cluttered. I was looking to buy some paint but left after staff was dismissive.

Classic hardware store and they have a great selection. Problem is they are rude there and can't copy keys for anything. Very rude cause you're not there with a wife and kids too. I work at Acme nearby so I know how these people think. read more

I requested a 1 3/4 inch backset set of door hardware. It did not fit, but since I foolishly neglected to photograph this before sending it back, I was charged a restocking fee. Would NEVER recommend this business to anyone. Greg H. read more

I could not be happier with my purchase of bronze spring weatherstripping from Killian. The delivery was faster than a cheeta! Great service... wonderful online ordering. read more

William A. Kilian Hardware - Bronze weather stripping - Hardware Stores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Excellent service, selection, and value. Great website and online ordering. Selection of products online is vast, and prices are good. Shipping is fast, and it's clear that the staff really care about their customers. read more

I have been going to Kilian's Hardware since moving to Philadelphia over 20 years ago. They are an old fashioned hardware store with more than just hardware. You can find kitchen ware, sweatshirts, denim pants and many other items. What makes them unique is that they also offer repair services that can be hard to find. They have repaired my window screens, old plaster lath in my ceiling, and a salt lamp with a very tricky and broken base. They used to repair guitars but I'm not sure they still do. These services aren't cheap but they do good work and it's worth it. I hope to continue to use them forever. read more

The service was subpar. The cashier was dour, rude and condescending. The floor person was nice enough, but he wasn't helpful. They didn't have what I wanted and apparently weren't interested if I needed anything else. The Kilians of old was 180 degrees different. They doubled their sales floor, halved their merchandise and are staffed by people who consider customers a nuisance. They're trading on the names reputation. I'm never going back. read more

Fantastic local gem that has everything you could possibly need and excellent staff! If you can't find anything, ask, it's probably there!

If you want to be treated rudely and as if you are a bother I definitely recommend Killian's. Give them a call and you'll be treated as if they don't want your business. I can't imagine the customer service is any better in person. Pass. read more

Great family run hardware store. They have everything you need and, miraculously, no where to find it. It has been my family's go-to hardware store for 50 years. read more

My wife and I repeatedly use Kilian's to find all sorts of arcane items and solutions. They always deliver just what we need, even though it is sometimes not what we thought we wanted. A wonderful example of an ideal hardware store. Magic! read more

A step back in time. This store can be a movie set for the small town charming hardware store that has a bit of everything. Kilian Hardware store is stuffed with all sorts of the stuff you would expect to find in this kind of a hardware store plus a bunch of stuff you did not know you needed. The store is a bit crowded and claustrophobic but in a good way. I have rarely left the store without finding what I needed to fix the broken stuff in my old house. read more

William A. Kilian Hardware - Hardware Stores Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Definitely my favorite hardware store. The prices are comparable to the big box store. Their selection for hardware items is extensive and the staff have almost encyclopedic knowledge of their merchandise. If one staff member doesn't they will point you to someone who does. They are my preferred location for copying keys. They are very thorough and exact and the keys always work the first time around -- unlike the sloppy job often done at the big box stores. read more

Spent a year looking for reproduction push button light switches and plates. Finally took the plunge and placed an order with Kilian Hardware and couldn't be happier. Great prices, good quality merchandise, great shipping rates and fantastic customer service. All the switches were packed very carefully, and were shipped the same day! We had 2 switches that were faulty and a quick phone call to the store took care of it. We were so happy with the switches and with our experience we placed another large order to replace all the remaining switches in the house (52 in total). Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. There were even handwritten thank you notes in our shipments. Aces! read more

Kilian's is the best! In the heart of Chestnut Hill, this local hardware store somehow always has what you're looking for on their shelves. From paint to birdseed to flower bulbs, Kilian's never disappoints. Where else can you buy a single screw? The staff is always incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about current stock or project tips. A true neighborhood staple. read more

I have tried using Killians for years. I go in when I am walking by and need something quickly. Each time I do, if i enter with kids, I am treated rudely or ignored. Yesterday I stood at the counter for several minutes while multiple coworkers walked by without a word. No one even said "someone will be right with you." One person did ask if we needed help, as we were standing at the register. When I said yes, the person replied with silence. It's like they play "not it" when families are around. This experience is representative of years of attempts to use this local store. I regularly drive 15 minutes out of my way to use a different hardware store at this point. If I was the owner, I would be upset by this behavior. read more

I told my self the last time I went to Killian's that I wouldn't return. I should have stuck with my guns. Each and every time I have been there, I've made to feel like my presence is a problem, especially when everyone around me is getting friendly greetings and good service. As one of many examples, I would be curious to know what reasonable explanation there would be for asking the person in line behind me how can he be helped? There was a line. I was clearly next. This isn't rocket science. Luckily for me I found another neighborhood store that sells BM paint, has a diverse staff and is very friendly. It's out of my way but worth it to never patronize Killian's ever again. read more

3 yrs ago I purchased a vanity to place in a small area of my bedroom. I was a little disappointed with the quality when it arrived. I decided that a mirrorerd top would add a little character. I looked up the nearest Hardware store (Killian's) and called in the measurements. Not only wer e they able to have it ready in a few days but it was reasonably priced and fit perfectly! The beveled edges also added the much needed look of quality. I get so many compliments now. Thank you Killians! read more

They have a great selection of Old Village Paints and Old Village Gel Stains and Varnish! Great hardware store. If it's not on the floor they'll find one in the basement! By far the best hardware store around! read more

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I live a block away, but as of today, that's a block too far, especially when there are friendlier and more helpful hardware stores fifteen minutes away in Wyndmoor, Andorra, and Ambler. I took a window to be re-glazed at noon yesterday, a job that had been done in less than an hour last September. I took a claim check, which had "PM" written on the line labeled "Time Estimate." When I checked at closing time, five hours later, the clerk laughed and said it would be at least a week. When I asked why it would take so long this time, she just shrugged. I explained that this window was needed for my daughter's bedroom, she told me to come back today. When I called today, the glazier laughed again at my apparently unreasonable expectations and told me that it would now be at least two weeks. Since I am heading out of town tomorrow, I told them to return the window unrepaired. I picked it up at 2:00. There was another crack in the pane. The clerk walked away from me until I reminded them that they had forgotten to return my $10 deposit. Again it was returned without comment or apology. If the staff knew a repair job would take two weeks, it is unconscionable that they would lead me to believe that it could be done in a day, especially if the same job had been done in a matter of hours in the past. Enjoy my last dollar, Killians. There are better alternatives out there. read more

WOOOW Even though it sometimes takes some browsing around they have everything. Russel the owner is an old fashioned 2nd generation hardware store guy. If you are lucky you can see his dad help out in the store and give customer a hint on where to find things. a true GEM read more

Once upon a time, all hardware stores were like this: Mom & Pop places that evolved with the community. You can find all kinds of stuff here. We ended up buying a left-handed bamboo scraper spoon and a mesh food cover for summer BBQs. Dog friendly to boot! If we lived in this neighborhood, we'd be here a lot more often. read more

It really does have so much stuff. It's like an interesting, local blend of Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Home Depot? But homier. With better prices than either of those stores. Will definitely be going back for other stuff I need for around the house. read more

Incredibly friendly and hardworking staff. I'm not a very handy guy. I've come in with some random issues looking for things that I'm not sure even exist, and their staff is always there to give me very creative recommendations to solve my problems. Store is not huge, but its absolutely packed with hardware supplies. More likely than not they'll have what you're looking for or be able to tell you where to find it. I'll see them next time I got a problem I can solve. read more

Kilian Hardware: So important to the community. Priceless. read more

Horrible service!!! Had me waiting for 15 minutes and got handed down from one staff person to another and then told what I needed instead of listening. Good thing Stanley's just 5 mins away!!! read more

I've been going here for years. By far the most comprehensive and varied hardware store I've ever seen. The store and it's owners are a bedrock of the community. Staff is great. read more

I took a screen there to be repaired. Four days later I called and asked about my screen. She actually laughed and said, oh that won't be ready for another three or for weeks! What??? I wish I had been told that, so I good make a decision to wait or not! I thought it very rude for her to take an "oh well attitude"! It's hot and I needed the screen in a timely fashion. Won't be going there anymore!!! read more

Whenever I go to Kilian's or call them about an item, it seems it's always in stock. That's really all I want in my local hardware store. But Kilian's has an old-time atmosphere that makes it a stand-out for me against today's impersonal huge box stores. I've noticed that several people have complained about waiting in line as one of the cashiers' finishes a personal conversation: this isn't about rudeness; it's the way people used to do business when we weren't always in such a rush (and, no, I'm not someone who knows anyone who works here). I called to ask them about an item this morning, and the woman I spoke with asked me good clarifying questions then came back to report that they do have the item. Will it cost more than it would be in other stores? Maybe a few cents more. But I'd rather support one of my local businesses then drive 15 minutes to a completely sterile and impersonal box store. read more

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and highly recommend Kilian Hardware for their professionalism, first-class customer service and, most importantly, their high quality products. I urge everyone reading this review to BUY BUY BUY from this company and refer to friends them freely and often. Their products are higher quality and longer lasting than the sham replacement products found at the big box stores, and the upfront cost is almost identical. Further, the long term cost savings are huge. For example, the bronze weather stripping I ordered from Kilian Hardware costs the exact same as the plastic v-channel weather stripping found at Home Depot, dollar for dollar, while the bronze weatherstripping looks better, lasts for 100 years and the plastic v-channel needs replacement every 1-3 years. Even the kerf style weatherstripping needs frequent replacement and warps wood doors due to front-side pressure. It's all a scam by the big box stores to! That's why you can't find the good stuff Kilian offers anywhere. Companies like this deserve our support and continued patronage. I am a lifelong, loyal customer and you should be too. read more

They had what I needed, and the dude in the hat and beard seemed to know his stuff. There's something about the privately owned hardware stores that beat HD and L by a mile, sometimes you find stuff there that the bigger stores won't have. read more

Who needs to get into a car to go to Home Depot when you've got these folks within walking distance, and they can actually answer your questions? Unless you like walking for miles on concrete looking for help. read more

Killian's does have access to well-stocked products...I'll give it that. But the store lacks good customer service, especially given its loyal clientele. I called two months ago (on behalf of my parent's community) to arrange for a large bulk purchase of lighting fixtures -- the result of a "buyers club" in our Mt. Airy community. The store was open to it, but now that we were ready to move on it (after the holidays), the manager said no. That wasn't the bad part, the unfortunate message was the way in which he said it. It was very mean and unkind. He didn't take the time to say, can you call me back or can we talk when it's less busy or can you send me the document for review. Instead he was rush and rash. I called him on it, and he seemed to pause... but offered no apology. There is a lot of unkindness in the world. I don't need it from our nearest neighborhood hardware store, especially when a partnership is a win-win for both sides. I am very disappointed, and am reluctant to go back. Funny thing is that I called Home Depot immediately afterwards and had great customer service and attention. read more

Once again I had to go there cause granted even tho they never update there stock for more modern things they do have all the hard to find old fashioned stuff... still not worth it when you have 5 people waiting in line for 10 mins cause the fucking lady at the front desk has to have a 15 convo with her friend about how her weekend was ... yeah let's wast everyone time and have they wait to be rung up so you can finish your chat .. you wanna talk and catch up go to fucking Starbucks read more

I don't believe I'm the first person Yelping Kilian's! I'm sure I won't be the last. As a renter, I don't have a need for stores as overwhelming as Home Depot when I need little odds and ends or tools and often I have questions about what is appropriate for a project. At Kilian's you get great service and there's always someone willing to answer questions or give advice on what products would help with a certain need. And Kilian's doesn't just have hardware. They have gardening products, kitchen tools, some nice guitars in their back window and they're very much a staple in the Chestnut Hill community. Anyone in the northwest part of Philadelphia or the eastern Montco suburbs has probably stopped into Kilian's at one time or another. So even if you're just hanging out or visiting Chestnut Hill, make a point to pop into Kilian's and just see what they have because you never know what you'll hop upon either. read more

I have been going to Killan's since I was old enough to cross the street. The store in the 55 years I have been going there has changed very little. They always have had whatever I needed ( and even some stuff I didn't know I needed ). This is a local landmark and a treasure as well. No matter who helps you they will always do it with a smile on their face. I just love to go in and look around and I always leave with something. Outstandvstore cause the family cares about the business and your satisfaction. read more

Killian's is an amazing treasure trove of obscure things you did not know you needed until the thingumajig broke. Then you just take it to Killian's and one of the guys disappears into the basement and comes back with what you need! Seriously, the store is small but they have everything in there. It's so convenient on the corner of Germantown and Highland and the staff are all helpful. Prices are reasonable and it is dog friendly too! read more

I just love this place. It reminds of my own basement where I have tons of stuff like this but can't find it. They have all their things organized and the staff always seems to know where the dowels, window screen, toggle bolts or toilet brushes are. The counter folks always have a smile like they know some inside joke. There's a reason this neighborhood place has endured so long. It's great. read more

A real, old fashioned hardware store in all the good ways, and a leading edge multi-disciplinary shop in all the good ways (& none of the bad in both cases). read more