This place is wonderful. I've been going there since I was a child in the 1970s. It's a piece of Arlington that we should never lose. Plus, they have everything and are super nice. read more

Fantastic place -- it's like stepping out of a time machine into the 1950s. Everything you could ever want. The guys on the hardware side tend to be a little gruff, but the women who work the other half of the business are sweet and cheery. read more

Absolutely love this place. Very friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. They are a little more expensive on some items, however, for plants and herbs - I found them to be less expensive than Home Depot, Merrifield or the streetside markets - with a better variety. I was there last Saturday and they were busy, but when I asked for help, the employee took time to explain what was best for what I needed and even help me pick out the best product for the amount I wanted to spend. It truly did remind me of great customer service. read more

OK, I have been using Ayers since I was in HIGH SCHOOL in 1970. To this day, I can always go in and find the one thing I was looking for plus the other 5 things I forgot I needed. It is heaven, though I'll never understand why men's underwear is inside a glass case! Love this place! read more

Canning supplies, nuts and bolts, potting soil, lengths of chain...Ayres always has what I came in for and more. Prices are great, service is helpful and friendly. A true Arlington treasure! read more

Who doesn't love Ayers? They're what you think of when you think of a small town hardware store that has everything, and then some. I've gotten paint here, mulch, salt for my driveway, and kitchen utensils. The folks who work here are super friendly and knowledgeable. A++ read more

Complete awesome local source for everything you need. Make sure to check out toy department-fantastic. Always helpful staff too!

If you can't find something, almost anything, you can find it at Ayers. Need Spoolies? They have em. Great store for many years.

This is THE BEST hardware store out there. The people are friendly and helpful. This is just the way a hardware store should be. They have got everything you need for your Honey Do list and it isn't as overwhelming as those chain stores. Plus they have stuff that you can't find at the chain store, like crafting supplies, stationary, fishing supplies.... I could go on and on. This place has everything including some candy you can't find most places. I LOVE Ayers!!! read more

Friendly, knowledgable, really well stocked, family owned -- and prices comparable to the anonymous big box chains. What's not to like?

A step back in time. And apparently the only place in Northern Virginia that still knows how to make a copy of a key which actually works. I'm so happy to have found a place with so many quirky items. Can't wait to go back and roam the aisles again. read more

Ayers is the best! I was lucky enough to grow up 2 blocks away and started going to Ayers in the late '50s and have never stopped. Mr. Ayers was a great person, the Mayor of Westover, always in a suite and bow tie, to bad he left us so early when he died in the late '70s. Still going to the barber two doors up after 50 years. If you get a chance to visit Westover don't miss Ayers and step back in time in a good way. read more

I love this place, you would never be live how much stuff they have inside and it's all good stuff. I always stop by after getting my haircut at Pete's Barber Shop........... read more

Ayes is great! Friendly service, always have what we need and easy to find the little things. Love the toys section as well where little ones can buy something with their allowance, a simple toy like pick up sticks and the like. Ayers is a real asset to our neighborhood! read more

I first shopped at Ayers when my children were in kindergarten. They had everything we needed for school. My children are now parents of teenagers and I'm still an enthusiastic Ayers patron! I love this store. It's not only nostalgic but I can actually find things that the bigger stores don't have....odd sized air conditioner filters, chicken wire and other odds and ends, plus it's fun to browse. They had the most beautiful hanging plants this summer and at great prices too. It has the "warehouse" experience beat by a mile.....and there's an ice cream shop right next store. I can't think of anything to not love about the place! read more

A true classic with everything you need -- and tons of things you didn't know you need. Stop by whenever you need -- well -- anything. Did a quick survey of friends and family... recent Ayers' purchases include velcro, mirror hangers, printer paper, dog toys, potting soil, Golden Books, a plunger, bags of plastic soldiers, Hawaiian leis, solar lights, felt, Ball jars, sun hats, tulip bulbs, key chains, keys, DC souvenirs, screws, stencils, a planter, sunglasses that clip onto your regular glasses, fireplace matches... you get the idea. read more

I am the second of 4 generations to make Ayres the first place I look for stuff. Mr Ayres vision of a variety store for years to come was "on target". I met Mr Ayres many years ago and he had a heart of gold. The saying I hear a lot is "Ayres has everything you are looking for" still works in my household. read more

Appreciated the help from staffer who looked at my mailbox, helped me figure out the better option between drilling a new hole in the metal box or drilling new screw hole into masonry wall to place it where a slightly smaller mailbox previously hung. He also personally showed me the exact drill bit and other materials I'd need to do the job. Just a guess, but I don't know that I would've so easily found someone in Home Depot or Lowes to give me that level of help. read more

I've lived in the Ayres neighborhood since 1985. It's a great store, especially if you need something for one of the older homes in the neighborhood. I like the plants when they are in season. Also all of the kitchen gadgets you can't find all in one place anywhere else. My kids love the little toys. Nothing fancy, but still fun. I think everyone who shops at Ayres has something that made them fall in love with the place. For me, finding paper doilies (heart shaped, too!), poster board, and felt squares all in the same place reminded me of stores from my childhood. I like Target and other big box stores, but Ayres has charm and variety that most other stores just don't have. May they be in Westover Village forever! read more

I tried returning a few items but Ayers would not take them. The receipt states items need to be in original packaging of which there was none since my loose items came in small paper bags. I would never purchase anything from the bins again. If you want friendly, helpful employees SHOP AT BROWN'S HARDWARE OR HOME DEPOT. They do not expect customers to be thieves and have a reasonable return policy. read more

I love this place. They've always had the hardware supplies I need, and the service and knowledgeable sales staff far exceed what you'll find at a Lowe's or a Home Depot. Go here, and keep your tax dollars local, before you head to a big box store. A great selection of toys as well, including all the old favorites, from whoopie cushions to Hot Wheels to balsa wood airplanes, sleds, play-doh and crayons, and beyond. I always come for the hardware, but stick around looking at the toys for my son. Everyone is very friendly. Great, great store. read more

Great store where you can find just about anything you could ever need. Mr. Ayers' store is a true gem and has been an Arlington institution for years and years. I love this place! read more

Oh, how I love this store. They don't make places like this anymore. They have just what you need when all the big box stores don't have it. This is my go-to place for terra cotta plant pots, because Home Depot might carry one or two sizes of them, but Ayers has a lot of sizes. They've also got all the random soaps and cleaners you can't find everywhere, like Octagon soap or Dip-It percolator cleaner. Speaking of percolators, you can get a replacement knob for your percolator. They've got air filters, knitting needles, toys for the kids, holiday decorations, hoses, hosiery, coloring books, shoe polish, candles, canning supplies, garden gnomes, paint...you name it. And they can cut you new keys while you search for all these random things. And when you need assistance, someone is there to help - you don't have to wander around looking for someone (who probably can't answer your question anyway) like you do at Home Depot or Lowe's. read more

i refer to this as 'the magic hardware store'. they have everything. if you go in to look for it, they have it - and a bunch more stuff you didn't know you needed. the only way this can be done is magic. read more

Smoking in the store?? I've shopped here many times over the last 8 years we've lived here and thoroughly appreciate supporting local business, however, I can't believe staff are allowed to either smoke inside the store or stand where the smoke enters the building. I just walked in with my young daughter and neighbor to pick up a small toy during early release and 3/4 of the store smelled of cigarette smoke, so much so I started sneezing and was nauseated. I certainly don't want children in this environment. The smoke was strongest in the toy section--right where the kids were perusing. I also assessed the back exit of the bar next door as well as the garage door of Ayers thinking someone may be hanging outside on break having a smoke but no one was outside. When I mentioned it to the clerk at the register, she stated she never leaves her coat in the back where people take breaks since her coat always ends up smelling like smoke. I'm not the smoking police---go ahead and smoke away but not where I shop. Certainly I will be back--just too convenient a location and find stuff I don't want to traipse all over the city to find. Just disappointed today. read more