Clark & Barlow Hardware

Chicago, United States

4.4

Open now

19 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 312-726-3010
Website:
www.clarkandbarlow.com
Address:
353 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60654
Near North Side, River North
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 mi321 North LaSalle
0.3 miLa Salle & Erie
0.3 miLa Salle & Grand
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Chicago) 11:24 AM Thursday, June 5, 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Our Decorative Hardware Showroom features the latest design hardware for kitchens, bath and doors. Desginers from around the world have their hardware on display. Downstairs you can find a large selection of tool accessories and anything else you may need to get the job done.

Under the management of Studio41, Clark & Barlow has a bright future for growth and expansion. You can find Clark & Barlow Decorative Hardware departments in all eight Studio41 locations in the City and suburbs. Visit a showroom near you or shop online here at www​.Clarkand​Bar​low​.com.

History

Established in 1894.

The Clark and Barlow Hardware Co. has served customers in the Chicago area for over 100 years. A landmark business located in downtown Chicago, the original Clark Hardware was founded in 1894 by John Clark. In 1923, John Clark combined his contractor supply business with the architectural hardware business of Jack Barlow to form the Clark and Barlow Hardware Co. Joseph Sullivan purchased Clark & Barlow from Jack Barlow in 1964, and operated the business until he passed away in 2010. The business changed hands in June 2012 and is now a division of Studio41.

Clark & Barlow continues its tradition of great products and services for its customers, along with the convenience of easy access and free parking in downtown Chicago. The company’s three business divisions: Decorative Hardware, Building Maintenance Supplies, and Lockshop Services carry on the long-​established tradition of service to the Chicago Building and Design community in the City and to residential customers across Chicago.

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19 reviews of Clark & Barlow Hardware

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I just went there today to make some keys.
They are super friendly and very attentive!
Great service and simply they are the best!
Place rating: 5
Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL
I lost the key to my laptop lock and after being told by nearly 30 other locksmiths that they wouldn’t be able to remove it, I was fortunate enough to find this place that said they’d give it a shot. The locksmith (I believe his name was Roman?) tried several different tools to take off the lock (after asking for proof of ownership of the laptop, of course!) and finally was able to get it off. I really appreciated that he didn’t take the easy route and tell me that it was impossible like others had. Highly recommended!
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
My partner and I were there Wednesday (2÷19÷14) at the recommendation of our contractor to chose hardware for a home we are building. We need interior and exterior door hardware as well as cabinet hardware for the entire home. My contractor asked that we speak with his person, Kathy Ward. I have no idea if she was there. We were in the showroom for about 45 minutes looking, roughly between 4:10 and 4:55. No one and I mean no one acknowledged us. No one looked at us, no one asked if we needed any assistance and no one even looked up and said I will be with in in a moment. There was no one else in the showroom other than my partner and me so they certainly were not busy with foot traffic. There was a female sitting at a desk near the entrance engaged in her computer, she never looked up as we walked by; there was a male close by sitting at a desk engaged in his smartphone and he never looked up as we walked by; there was another female sitting at a desk towards the back that closed on a phone call and never looked up as we walked by. We were never acknowledged the entire 45 minutes we were there by any of these 3 desk sitting individuals. Needless to say, we may go back and use there showroom to review options, but we will go elsewhere to shop at a place where we are welcomed. I will not spend my money at a place with such and indifferent staff and will chose a place where my business is appreciated.
Place rating: 5
Noble Square, Chicago, IL
I have been here a handful of times. The crew is east going and are nice to their customers. The first time I went here I needed some advice and tools to get out a corroded and stripped screw. Presto! It was out! The second time I visited C&B I needed a handful of Chicago screws. Staff knew what I was talking about after a brief description (they called them something else) What I loved was that they had nice brass ‘vintage’ looking screws for my leather key chain holder I was making. Ace hrdwr down the street only had dinky aluminum that were very cheap looking. Will come back and would recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a true hardware store.
Place rating: 5
Seattle, WA
This place is great — everyone who works here is so helpful. Basically the exact opposite of Home Depot /​Lowes (which is a very good thing).
I am convinced the guys in the key shop can copy any key you could possible walk through the door with — even one of those big keys to the city that Dick Daley gave out to his union pals.
Place rating: 5
Nashville, TN
Great customer service! I came here in a panic after our condo building had a break in. They were very helpful in choosing the right deadbolt. Good selection of don Jo security bars (shockingly home depot doesn’t sell these at all!) Prices were reasonable for deadbolts even compared to online. Keys made here are less expensive than HD too. Love the easy free parking lot!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Within 10 minutes Judy Sullivan gave me a thorough rundown on pocket door pulls and locks so that I was able to come up with a decision based on quality, aesthetics, and price. I took a breath and then we were on to internal door handles. The showroom has an amazing selection. Plan on taking your time if you are a first-​timer. I had hinges from the early 60s and was concerned when the showroom hinges did not have the same configurations as my hinges. Not too worry. Wayne has them in stock. Even in brushed nickel or stainless steel (I forget). It seems like our purchases our infinite as we slog through our remodeling job and Clark and Barlow made these decisions very easy at reasonable costs and great quality. THANKS!
Place rating: 4
Minneapolis, MN
I refer to this place as «Hottie Hardware.» Because everyone that works there is hot. Kinda like fireman hot. Even if they aren’t, they still are. Not like a generic Ace or something. Every time something goes down at work and we need a fix, I”m always first to volunteer to go to the hardware store. And not just because the employees are hot, but because they have free parking. Oh yeah, and because they have hardware stuff. I had to buy a bunch of master padlocks the other day because someone lost one. We then had to replace all 6, because they have the same key. Not that I work in an incompetent place, quite the opposite. But stuff goes wrong sometimes. I digress. Clark and Barlow has free parking and all of your hardware needs. Minus a star because they have working people hours, 9 – 5. I’m not a 9 – 5 kind of girl. The shop is dirty and manly, and I would have no problem walking in there and saying, «Hello boys, I’m Sarah. Could you guys build me a house?» And the answer would be yes. But I’m not gonna do that. Well, probably not. We’ll see. However, I am in the middle of gutting my place, and have a friend re-​doing an old dresser for me. I could stop in to get some decorative knobs. I hear they have that kind of stuff too. So bottom line. I’m not very hardware-​ey. But do I stop in to get extra keys made unnecessarily? Yup. I have a collection of my front gate keys buried in my yard. You know. Just in case.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
This is an impressive hardware store for decorative items. No, they don’t have the selection of a Home Depot or Menard’s when it comes to regular home items, but their staff is very helpful and they are downtown and have a large parking lot.
What is most impressive is their showroom where they carry door handles, knockers, locks, cabinet handles, etc. If you don’t want the standard item that you can find at most hardware stores, come here. They have an amazing selection on display on the second floor. Yes, many of these items are more expensive, but thats what happens when you buy designer or high quality stuff. You want an antique looking solid brass door handle, come here. You want the cheapest door handle you can find, go to Home Depot.
Place rating: 2
Chicago, IL
It’s obvious that many people who have reviewed this company are associated with the Sullivan family… their website is a laugh and their «interactive» deco hardware online is also non-​functional. Also, their Decorative Hardware department sells very high-​end products… wonder why many reviews rate this company as moderately priced ($ 2,000 door knocker, anyone?)…any Home Depot or Menards are much better priced. If it sounds like I’m simply spouting off, I’m not… know this company very very well, indeed.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
The antithesis of Home Depot/Lowe’s.
Good customer service, easy returns, though no additional help in locating a product they do not normally stock.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
I just needed to get some keys made and ended up staying there for over an hour. This place has got to be a tinkerer’s dream. A little bit of everything stuffed on the shelves.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
They have very good quality stuff (no discount pricing). I found a ‘light guage’ track & hardware system for bi-​fold doors that I could have done chin ups on. It was light guage b/​c the industrial grade could be used to hang a freight train from. Their pricing is fair and the counter guys helpful, but sometimes they get pretty busy. (that’s a good thing I think).
A very nice selection of specialty hardware available (but possibly not in stock).
They also have someone who looks at these reviews & probably takes them seriously. To bad the old spring loaded canisters that shot across the showroom (from the old place) doesn’t work. It was great to see that spring-​loaded rocket going across the old show room in a place that is now the Thompson Center.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Love this place. It’s gotten me out of many a pinch. Just picked up a cordless drill from there last week. Not just any cordless drill but the exact Porter Cable model I was looking for and they had one left. I should have ordered it weeks ago when the charger on my last one went out but when I needed it that morning they miraculously had it. They also have a parking lot. It’s nice to deal with grown men who will know what you’re asking for and will go and get or at least show you where to look for what you need and then ring you up personally.
Best and most comprehensive hardware store downtown.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Clark and Barlow is my favorite hardware store downtown. They’ve been around since 1894 and offer a great selection of decorative hardware for the home. Here you will find doorbell buttons, sink fixtures, cabinet pulls, towel bars, tub sets, shower sets, address plates, switch plates and so much more.
Their hours are built around contractor hours, so get there early.
Be sure to check out their website for a mind-​blowing interactive site that showcases everything that is new in the hardware industry through virtual showrooms.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
This is the type of hardware store that your father would have gone to. It is not cavernous like a Home Depot or slick like Menard’s. The interior is a bit cramped and slightly grungy, but the shelves are full of supplies that you would not find at the «big box» hardware shops. Clark & Barlow was the only place I could find Boyer’s Fire Water Drain Opener which is the only thing that works on our bathtub drain when it gets severely clogged so five stars to them just for that. Not to mention that the Fire Water was two dollars cheaper than the regular Drano and Liquid Plumr that you would find in your local grocery store!
The people in the store also harken back to a more nostalgic time. We saw groups of men standing around talking shop and the counter service was friendly as could be! Service with a smile and they even packed our purchase in a PAPER bag!
Another huge bonus — FREE parking, which is extremely hard to find downtown!!! I will definitely be a repeat customer!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
One of the only large hardware stores near the loop. As the manager of a store in the downtown area, Clark and Barlow was one of the greatest places in the city for me. Without fail, I always found what I needed, including some pretty hard to make keys, even when other places couldn’t deliver. Very friendly staff give this otherwise cold place the feeling of a family run store in a small town, not in the middle of the city. Free parking is a perk as well.
Place rating: 3
Las Vegas, NV
I work for a huge company that’s been a customer of Clark & Barlow for decades. I find it hugely insulting that this guy Roman told me they dont have lock smith time available for 2 weeks. WTF???
But, they do have a key desk and they do have a parking lot!
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
This place is like an old time hardware store. Strictly hardware so you wont see any of those «as seen on TV» items. Wait for your number to be called then walk up to the counter. There’s usually 3 chatty guys handling the action, «Whaddaya need?». Great customer service, always shoot you straight. I was there looking for a very crazy small allen wrench that no Ace carries. The guy disappears for 2 minutes, comes back and gives it to me with a wave of the hand, «no charge». I think Andy of Mayberry would shop here. There’s also a separate locksmith/​keyshop and free lot parking without some kinda pesky validation. I love this place.