I have an unnatural love for hardware stores, and this one is delightfully overcrowded. Extremely helpful staff.

I went into Ace with a project and no idea how to do it. Frank, who helped me, was so nice and helpful. He really knew what he was talking about and helped me out step by step. read more

I gave the store 3 stars because I like the store in general. But I didn't appreciate the attitude and being snapped at by the cashier AnaDelia for simply asking her a question because the staff is generally so nice and helpful. read more

I LOVE this store...they have everything and anything you could possibly want. Nice, helpful employees. A great old-fashioned hardware store. Highly recommend this place! read more

I like supporting this little chain but I find the same three or four staff members as consistently rude and brusque. I have left there really angry a couple of times when I just needed simple things and this older white dude really went out of my way to make me feel retarded. Short and sweet: The staff knows what they are doing but could really give a fuck about helping you for the most part. Not everyone, but more times than not, I go and just dreading it. read more

I've never spent more time in a hardware store in my life. I just moved to a new apt and I'm constantly finding things to fix, hang or move. This place makes me feel very comfortable and I can ask any stupid question and they don't laugh. Great customer service and variety of products. read more

Super friendly staff-- always willing to answer questions. I have even taken in whatever screws/bolts that I'm using, and the staff has graciously and patiently helped me pick out the right tools/drill bits/etc. read more

I love a good nail. And this establishment won't screw you. The staff are friendly, but a few of them are completely and utterly incompetent. read more

First I'll say I have always been a fan of the store. They have a solid supply and I usually always find what I need. However the last time I was in I left feeling somewhat off. I entered the store and was immediately awkwardly greeted by Tina with a "hey dear what can I help you find." I don't like being called dear by my own grandmother, let alone somebody I've never met before. I'm sure she meant well but lets get real here come on. The staff does rock overall, this guy at the counter, Bryan, will make you laugh & all is well. Good work Bryan! read more

Cole Hardware is a great store with a wide variety of items, attentive & knowledgeable staff, and fair pricing. I shop here perhaps 2-3 times a month, for all things from lightbulbs to mouse traps, aquarium nets and SF parking meter cards. Better yet is the $5 of $25 purchase offer from YELP when I check in on my iPhone. Can't beat that! read more

Paints, key chains, potting soil, battery recycling and more. I'm glad this hardware opened up out here. I like how knowledgeable and approachable the staff are-about almost anything. The newsletter is a bonus too. Wish I had something to fix! read more

We love this place. It's a great neighborhood store. You can really tell all the inventory is very specifically selected. The staff is really friendly and helpful too. Cole is usually our first stop when we need any type of household item. read more

Hey, copies of keys that actually work! Finally.

I love Cole Hardware because I can hardly change a lightbulb, but the people who work there are still incredibly friendly and helpful. It's one of the only hardware stores I've ever been to where someone notices my bewildered stares and offers help before I leave with my tail between my legs. read more

Just like all the other reviews, I have to comment on how great the staff is here. We walked in totally clueless about what we needed and this wonderful grandmotherly type lady named Gertie gave us tons of useful advice about hanging pictures and shelves and what kind of hardware we might need. The place has all the home stuff you could ever need and they also sell fast passes and copy keys for you! We got all our errands done in one quick go. Will definitely be coming back here for all my home needs. read more

I wish they had half stars. Why don't they just give us that? With Cole Hardware around the corner, you don't have to drive out to the 'burbs to go to Target. They have lots of stuff! Like hardware and bathroom mats! Nails and real christmas trees! Plus the people who work there are really nice and helpful. I love having this type of store in my 'hood, it makes me feel like part of a community and it is way better than shopping at some anonymous big-box store! read more

The people here are awesome, and then get an extra half point simply because they're open until 7 most nights which is an hour later than most hardware stores. read more

I try to tell my South Bay friends that I live near the best darn hardware store a new resident could ask for and they look at me puzzled, knowing that I'm hardly crafty. But this store is just so darn convenient! It's got everything you need...kitchenware, cleaning supplies, home decor, key-cutting, muni passes...popcorn! And even if the price is slightly higher than say, a Walgreens, the customer service wins out! The workers are truly knowledgeable and seem to be honestly happy to help. The effort Cole Hardware puts into customer loyalty is certainly working as I haven't met a neighbor who doesn't love them! read more

There's nothing like a local hardware store that is devoted to supplying all-around household needs. I even make a point to read their newsletter when it comes in the mail. read more

Awesome hardware store. The staff is super helpful & friendly to boot! Prices may be slightly higher than the big box stores, but so's the rent on Polk St... read more

Went in for a shower curtain...and $56 later ended up with a new bathroom! Amazing service, selection and the neighborhood is so much fun. Definitely going to be my go-to. Support local small business! read more

Amazing customer service! I came here to purchase picture hooks and received a full tutorial on proper picture hanging, saving me a trip back for clear wire. ....This place was better than a boyfriend! read more

Everything you could ask for in a hardware store. Good selection and the staff is friendly. Reasonable prices although you could get cheaper at Home Depot (which is not anywhere close by). One star knocked off because there was some happy hour promotion being advertised and I only found out after I paid (from the cashier). You could have told me that earlier -_- read more

Gotta love Cole hardware. They got pretty much everything you need here so you don't have to drive outta the city to lowes/Home Depot to buy a simple screw or something. The only thing that could be better is the employees attitudes. None of them seem like they want to be there. read more

Not as close to our apartment as Fredericksen Hardware, so we don't get there too often, but when we do it has a great selection of everything you need to maintain/decorate your apartment including housewares, seasonal items and plants. read more

Something to be said for hardware stores! Could not find the right closet rod support at Lowes nor Home Depot but here, BAM! Also miss having everything accessible within a few steps. Don't need to walk a warehouse to find it read more

As a renter, I don't shop here often. I've only been probably 5 times in 14 years, but every time, I'm impressed with the service, selection and deals offered for a place located in the city where there's not a lot of competition and operating costs are high. Their frequent shopper plan and Friday deals are unique. It's nice to not have to drive out of the city to get staples you might need, like a new toilet seat or garage door opener, or some random hook or tool. read more

I go to Cole's occasionally for odd's and ends. Every time I go, the service is impressive. The staff is knowledgeable about their surprisingly wide selection of products. On one visit, an associate even customized an inexpensive part for my project. This small hardware store in the middle of the City seems to thrive due to their excellent customer service. read more

For handyman referral service ONLY (store experience and employees are still AMAZING): We needed a handyman and I scheduled an appointment with a guy. The appointment was set, and the day before I realized I hadn't asked him his rate. I left him a voicemail simply asking what the rate was (no mention of what I could/could not afford). He called me back but I was working and left me a message saying it would be $75 an hour. I call him back to say thanks for letting me know and we'll see each other tomorrow morning at our appointment time. He says, "Oh, I assumed you thought my price was too high so I took another appointment with someone." I told him he has made a mistake, so would he please cancel the other appointment so that we could still come at our confirmed time (and I had the day off of work ONLY on this day for weeks!). Not only did he refuse to correct HIS mistake, but he told me that he didn't make a mistake and that he was "pretty sure" I wasn't going to pay the price. Why, I have no idea, but his disregard for professionalism screwed up our whole schedule. Plan B: Call Cole for another handyman to come tomorrow. FAIL. They gave me 3 or 4 numbers. One guy was VERY nice and tried to accommodate but couldn't come on that day. Another guy called me back 3 days later and the other number didn't work. I had no flexibility on weekdays because WE WORK and some handymen couldn't even come on weekends. It really was an all around bad/annoying/almost unbelievable experience. read more

I love this place. They are always very friendly and helpful. They have a great selection as well!

Better canning and plant selection than other hardware stores in the area. The staff is super nice. Plus they occasionally have 'bag' sales!

This is the perfect neighborhood hardware store. They have friendly staff and I can always find what I need when I decide to stain the outdoor table, hang some curtains, fix the toilet leaks, re-pot the palm, etc. A+ for Coles. read more

I'm amazed that a this hardware store carries everything you could possibly need in a "smallish" space. Also, the people who work there are very friendly and helpful. When I was new to town, I even got a personal e-mail from the owner welcoming us here, complete with a coupon to use on our first purchase. How is that for stellar service?? :D read more

Not surprised to see such high ratings after my first visit there. The staff were very helpful and friendly and they didn't seem rushed or like they needed to be somewhere else (which is usually the case in a busy retail store). I had many questions about LED lighting products and applications and they steered me in the direction I needed. My project worked perfectly and in a timely manner thanks to the Cole's folks. read more

In the one month that we have lived in the neighborhood we have been to Cole at least 8 times. They have exactly what we have wanted and friendly helpful staff too! read more

I live down the block from this place and they are always there when I need something on the spot. Whether that be nuts and bolts for a project, kitchenware, tools, you name it. The staff is super helpful and friendly too! This is what a neighborhood hardware store should be. read more

Nice hardware store, everything you need at a price you can barely afford! Good selection!

The service and people who work there are exceptional. 'nuff said!!! You can also take your old, used latex paint cans there as well as dead batteries, burnt out CFL bulbs, light bulbs, and fluorescent tubes there. This is the closest I've come to being in an old fashion country store where the customer is king... read more

Cole's is affiliated with Ace Hardware and carries all of the basics you'd expect to see at such a hardware store. They also sell popcorn for 25 Cents. The items here are a little pricey, but are not out of the ordinary for San Francisco. read more

Great place. Super helpful reasonable prices. Love the bucket sales--if it fits in the bucket its 20% off!--awesome