Old Takoma Ace Hardware

Seriously, take what you know about hardware stores, what you think about hardware stores, and what you visualize about hardware stores — got it? Now —
throw it out the window. This defies all of those impressions.
This feels like home and it is a hardware store, NOT because I am a guy, NOT because I like tools, but BECAUSE I love service, hospitality, and creativity. Welcome to the Old Takoma Ace Hardware store. You find an great selection of stocking stuffers for Christmas (unique keychains, awesome water bottles, machines to make your own soda fountain drinks, plants that live on air, water, and of course plain old soil, a GREAT collection of bird feeders, unique items for the kitchen that do not rely on tools to install), and this is just brushing the surface. The manager, — AMAZING — and he goes out of your way for you ALL THE TIME. This is a place you will not likely forget, and not likely be able to compare to any other hardware store.

This store is fantastic. Not as big as a HD, but comparable to Strosniders in Silver Spring. Nice selection of goods. It has an extremely friendly and helpful staff. If it isn’t in the store, they’ll offer to order it for you. The staff reminds me of Fischer Hardware in Springfield, another example of great customer service.

It pains me to leave anything but a five star review for this store. I have been there at least a couple dozen times over the past few years. It is a store I go out of my way to purchase from – even when other stores may be a little closer or cheaper– because of their amazing service.
Today, however, when I tried to make a simple call to see if the product I wanted was in stock, and if not, if it could be ordered. The woman I spoke with was incredibly rude and short with me. Each time I began to speak, she said, «Hold on» and would put me on hold. This happened five times. If she had taken even a moment longer to listen to me she would have heard the exact product I was looking for and what I needed.
Finally, she came back on the phone and said, «We don’t have it.» And I said, «Ok. Is it something I can order?» She repeated, «We DON’T have it.» And I said, «I understand you don’t have it in stock, but can it be ordered?» She raised her voice and said «WE DON’T HAVE IT!» and let out a sigh. Finally, I repeated again, using all of my patience not to be as rude to her as she had been to me, «You don’t have it in stock. Can a special order be made for it in the size I want?»
She finally looked (I could hear another worker whispering to her at this point) and sure enough, it COULD be ordered and picked up in store! But in the time that she was being rude to me, I was able to find it online and will be ordering it from there.

Okay, I typically wouldn’t review a hardware store because…
1.) I avoid having to go to a hardware store, I usually convince the fiancé to do it.
2.) I’m a food reviewing kinda person.
However, I got my nails done next door one day, and needed to pick up a lock for storage so I ran in real quick. Immediately, I was greeted by more than 3 different people. The employee behind the counter saw the lost and hesitant look on my face upon walking in, and asked immediately how she could help. I let her know I needed a lock, and another employee walked me to the section I needed to be in. The employee even talked me through the different locks. Yes, we are talking about just locks. And they were so accommodating and helpful.
I went back up to the counter, made the purchase and had trouble getting my card out of my phone wallet. The employee was kind enough to help me. The entire process was painless.
This is exactly what good customer service should be. They were on point, from the moment I walked towards the door. I was even greeted outside before going in.
The prices are reasonable for a brick and mortar store.
The store is definitely a lot bigger than it seems from the outside.
A true «neighbohood» store.
Oh, and my fiancé came in one evening and they let her bring our pup in. They even offered her a biscuit treat!

OK, sorry to take so long to update this. After my disappointment registered with the folks at Ace, I got a prompt phone call and an offer to make it right. That makes all the difference in the world between a store that makes a goof and one to which you would return. As my original review said, they are usually outstanding in most ways. Eric really is professional and friendly — can’t ask for much more. Advice on getting a good match when you request custom color mixing: before leaving the store, have them apply a bit of the custom color mixed paint that they are selling you and wait until it dries. Now you can actually see if it is a match to the sample that you brought.

Great hardware store! Very women-​friendly. The friendly staff are knowledgeable about the merchandise, and take you right to what you need. A local gem.

Okay, this place is absolutely amazing. Somehow they always have EVERYTHING you need (from motor oil to cheese cloth). Every time I enter the store, I have about 5 employees asking me if they can help me with anything, and you name it, they find it for you. They also have parking right behind the store which is great (although it can be a little cramped sometimes). Tip: join Ace Rewards, they send you good coupons.

Every visit to this store reinforces the «feels like a small town» vibe that Takoma Park creates. Of course, I’ve never actually lived in an actual small town, but have been to several with people for whom «antique» is a verb… so, grains of salt, and all that.
The service is friendly and sincerely helpful. The variety of items, for the store’s size, is excellent. The location and parking, given the small lots in the area, are convenient, and allow the backing up of one’s ride right up to the loading area where the more bulky items (mulch, soil, gravel, other rocky things) are sold. It’s always a pleasure going here; I have gotten to the point of using Home Depot and Lowes only for ordering things online, or on the rare occasions when I need something that Ace does not have.

Wow, I was so excited to buy some mason jars here instead of ordering on Amazon — I love to support local businesses, and there just aren’t even that many to support these days. I walked in, found the jars, and promptly had the lights turned out on me — I guess they were closing, and no one told me. I yelled that I was in there, hoping for lights, but to no avail. Luckily I didn’t get locked in! Back to Amazon for me.

The store is larger than it looks from the outside. The owners have several locations, including DC. I can always get help. There is free parking at the back entrance.

I needed to fix a sink trap this weekend and went to Ace. I ended up talking with one of the store clerks and they gave me advice on which parts I needed and how to make the fix. I have an old house, and any fix can be tough. Their help was spot on and saved me money!

LOVE this store. Staffed by really smart, helpful people, and actually a fun and relaxing place to shop. I didn’t give 5 stars only because the store is small and not able to carry everything, but they do pack a lot in. Customer service is 100% better than at big box competitors.

This is my favorite hardware store. The manager Eric with his staff are welcoming and always dedicated to assisting the customers. The store provides general repair supplies, tools, and can order items that they may not have (barely an issue). They have embodied the traditional «Neighborhood Family Hardware Store» at this location. Kudos X’s 3!

Forget the big chain stores and their illusion of choice. One does not need 40 varieties of hand saws one just needs the right handsaw and of course the right person to guide you there. Thank goodness Ace is here. I like red aprons over orange vests any day.

I’m ready to amend my previous 4 star review and up Takoma ACE to 5 stars!
The other day, Strosniders told me it would take 20 days for them to re-​screen a screen door for me. I walked out and drove right over to ACE, where I was greeted at the door by 3 employees and told it would definitely take less than a week… and the screen was ready in less than 24 hours. From now on I’ll just go straight to ACE.

Its like the «CHEERS» of hardware stores.
I swear everytime I come in here I feel like Im had my Grandpa’s workroom in the basement. With all their tools and one of a kind gadgets I am always amazed by what they carry. From Dichotomous (sp) Earth to pink night light bulbs.
Thats not the best part, the most amazing part of my ace journey is the friendly «HELLO, WELCOME TO ACE» Im always met with. «Can I help you find something» to the near point of annoyance (better overdone than none).
I always get friendly speedy quality service when I come here.

Popped in to grab a few tools, because aparently I am completely unable to keep track of where I place my Phillips head whenever I move — as many screwdrivers as I’ve had addresses, and then some.
It is a solid local hardware shop, with most everything that you would need to keep your apartment or home in order, without having to grab some really nice power tools. Everything was well organized and easy to find, and while a little pricey, I felt it was fair.
The staff here is super helpful — like crazy helpful. Follow you around and ask a lot of questions helpful. Depending on when your mood, that can be good or bad. No wants a bunch of smiley faces asking inane questions when you are hungover and just need to buy some fucking Sheetrock nails. But, it certainly does help when you are in a good mood, and people really should be nicer these days, right?
Recommend, will be back.

Since I moved back to Takoma, I have frequented ACE at least 7 times in the span of two weeks. You can’t really put a value on a hardware store that is walking distance from your house, has better customer service than the big box chains, and also carries candy you haven’t seen since your childhood in the 70’s.
Their prices might be a bit higher than Lowe’s or Home Depot, but I use them anyway for the majority of my purchases in the hardware area.
The place is stocked to the gills with everything — in a maze of rows and shelves. I wouldn’t be surprised if a minotaur is living somewhere in the back. However, I do know if he is he is likely wearing an ACE vest and will be more than happy to show me to whatever section I need.

Walked in, saw what I was looking for and headed straight for it. While looking at the various scrapers, I overheard the manager question one of the sales help as to whether she greeted me. Oops! She had not. Immediately, she approached me and was both helpful and friendly.
Recommend!

Neighborhood hardware store– what’s not to love? They have a little of everything and the shelves are so packed they’re almost spilling over. The prices are decent. The place is much less intimidating than say Home Depot or Lowes. The people there are really friendly and helpful. No roaming around looking for people, they are there ready and waiting to help. They have a parking lot in the back and a plethora of stuff you need, but don’t know you need until you see it – like the hand held fan with a spray bottle for walking to the metro? Love them!