Legit, locally-owned hardware store with knowledgeable staff. The cashier was really young, but he…read moreknew what he was doing. I picked up some gardening stuff: plants and potting soil. Turned out to be a few bucks cheaper than what you'd pay at Bunnings. Quick access from the city along North Terrace. Takes about 10min by car. Booyakasha! Will be back.

I know for a lot of people, Bunnings is synonymous with hardware. In the same way that people who…read moreshop at woolworths and think that they are getting the best price possible just won't visit a foodland, a lot of Bunnings customers are loyal to the point of self-punishment. I on the other hand, would prefer to spend my money at somewhere like Banner Mitre 10. The first reason is that like Woolies, Coles and Dan Murphy's, Bunnings are owned by one of those dominating behemoths (in this case Wesfarmers) which squeeze their supply chain, their staff and everyone else involved in the process. Like Woolies and Coles, what you end up with is not the best products, but rather products with high margins that can be bought in bulk, and if they break it just goes in the bin and you get a new one, and a new one, and another new one. Don't get me wrong... Bunnings has its place. It's a good place to go for say Stanley tools, Hills products etc, but if you want a good chainsaw, like the Stihl I bought on the weekend, there's no way you going to get it at Bunnings. What you're going to get is a piece of crap Ozito or something for $100 less which you can only cut 2x4 pine with before it craps itself. Now, onto my Banner Mitre 10 review... I used to work for these guys about 9 years ago while at uni and they are a great family run business. They treated us well as staff and had great discounts for staff and end of year parties. I felt like I was part of the family. After a few years living too far from the store, I've moved back fairly close to the area, so I popped in to look at ladders. They have a great selection of Bailey ladders and don't stock the cheap crap that Bunnings do. They also price matched a quite ridiculously low price I had for the chainsaw from one of my work's suppliers, so I'll definitely be back. They have a great trade section and friendly staff. What I'm trying to get at here is that there are other options apart from Bunnings for hardware/tools and home improvement products. Give these guys a go because they know their stuff, have better brands and service and are family run.

excellent and friendly service, very helpful and knowledgeable. Alway go to this store before the…read morebig hardware stores.

I don't know how these hardware stores all survive but they're still popping up all over the place…read moreand old ones being rebuilt or renovated, must be money in it. Randall's Hardware is no different except that it is a part of the Thrifty Link Hardware franchise and usually a family operated and run independant business with support. Having said that it is the only hardware store on Prospect Rd so they've done a good investment and have the market cornered. They are absolute troopers as their hours are long and whatever business they make is well deserved. Randall's carry a complete range of hardware and outdoor supplies and equipment, enough to perform any maintenance jobs in and around the home.

Cheap as Chips 2.0, or it may be the other way around, I'm not sure, but it's essentially the same…read more Plenty of bric-a-brac and cheap bits and pieces. The perfect place to get gifts for your loved ones (Insert sarcasm here). But really, it is a handy store to have in the mall, not as frustrating to get to as the Cheap as Chips out yonder. I find myself going there to buy wrapping paper or sticky tape or the kinds of things that don't NEED to be of superior quality. The staff are no doubt in borderline slave labor. Please be forgiving if they do not have those fake cheery retail smiles you have come to love from other stores. Cheap products, and cheap service, but that is to be expected.

22/12/2011 1 photo This afternoon, I spent it Yelping and…read moreshopping with my best friend and overall, had a pretty good day catching up with her. It was fast approaching 5pm, when I suddenly remembered one last thing! Zing! I told my best friend that I needed one more thing before I went home. I told her: "Xmas shopping makes me go nuts sometimes! Figuring out what to get my loved ones is half the battle, and then having to find a shop that actually sells decent wrapping paper!!" My best friend resorted to taking me to this store and she found for me a nice Xmas box for only $2. She said after with a very serious expression, "The Reject Shop never fails. You don't need to buy much this Xmas, or need expensive wrapping paper." (Note that because I only had notes, when I opened up my wallet, my countless 5cents coins flew up in the air, and all over the ground. How embarassing! It had to happen in the Reject shop, out of all stores! Luckily my best friend helped with the picking up of all my silver Aussie coins and we recovered quickly!) I gave this store an extra star, because from time to time I do find this store useful when running low on funds. As self-confident and highly independent as I am, we can all benefit big time with the extra wisdom, support and help from our best friends, especially over this Xmas holiday season, when most of us have hit hard financial times. Remember that.

Gone are the days where libraries were like stepping into a black hole of silence and study…read more Today's libraries are all about community and activity and the City Library is a great example. For the parents, it's a great stop off for the kids. There's a good, open kids book section complete with mini kid-sized cushions for you to awkwardly try to sit on as you read to your kids. Need a bit of quiet time? Have no fear there's free wifi here too if you need to check those footy scores while the kids explore the rest of what the library has to offer. - but why let them have all the fun? In the Innovation Lab, there are 3D printers to check out, a 3Doodler (a pen that writes vertically...) to play with and not to mention, there are a few books there too. Centrally located, the new Adelaide City Library sits right at the heart of Adelaide City in the new Rundle Place complex, overlooking the hustle and bustle of Rundle Mall. The entrance to the City Library is tucked down a lane way (Francis Street) and up 6 flights of stairs (or Level 3 via the lift). You can also enter via the Rundle Place car park lifts where it's actually on Level 6. Quirky nuances but all part of the adventure... It has everything you'd expect from a modern library - plenty of computers, reading spaces, books, media and even a very nice outdoor reading area. But this library is more than a place to go find a good book, it's a community hub that's bursting with potential. The whole library has the feel of a flexible, modular space with a number of studios and labs available to be used by community groups for everything from computer game development to art exhibitions. As well as the studios, there are also a few specialised areas like the Innovation Lab with those cool 3D toys. The Digital Hub also has a suite of computers and the library offers regular free training from the basics like how to use an iPad to using social media for your business. For the history buffs, the History Hub serves as your go-to place for a look back in time. Finally, for the parents with small kids, there is a very clean Parents Room in the a Rundle Place food court. To get there, head out the 'back' entrance of the Library towards the carpark and head down the lifts to the lower ground level and follow the signs. Coles is also there if you forgot to bring snacks and the food court has a decent number of lunch options. Go check out what a community library in the city is all about.

Back in my day, a visit to my local Norwood library was an adventure. I would get so excited about…read morethe range of books, magazines, videos and cassette tapes I could borrow that I'd often go over the borrowing limit and have to make the tough call at the front desk of which ones I'd leave behind. Today it seems libraries have upped the anti of "free stuff" you can borrow and services you can use. The City Library is a hub of free internet, books, mags, DVDs and of course a place for you to design your own 3D toy... hang on what? You can print in 3D now? Well take me Back to the Future and call me Marty - the City Library is full of new technologies even I don't know how to use. However, even tech dinosaurs like me can still learn how to produce music or a stop motion lego movie in their production studio or even design and produce a 3D toy in their Fab Lab. Check out their free community activity schedule for all the times and details. To be honest I've never actually come here to borrow books, but instead I've made use of the free high-speed internet and quiet space for working when I have a break during a day of meetings. I'm also keen to try their meeting rooms and digital hub training space for seminars as well as access their database from the SA archives (history nerd alert). This modern library is a great community centre and space rising high above the Mall and provides a little peace away from the busy shoppers.

A great store to visit as there isn't much crowd compared to the other branches. As all branches,…read morethis store is huge and you're greeted by yellow banners bearing sales promo. They do offer some competitive prices here, especially in the range of laptops, computers and plasma TV. The staff are helpful and friendly, and have excellent product knowledge. This makes shopping easier and enjoyable too. I bought my recent smartphone from this store and I must commend Eric for being so helpful and friendly. He patiently answered all of my queries and concerns. Plus it's definitely a kids friendly store as my sons took turns in testing and playing with the iPhone test model with no reservations from the staff. My kids spotted a shelf filled with preloved Xbox games which were going for a song. If you're after sound systems and players, they stock Kenwood, Pioneer, Sony and others here. Conveniently located on South Road, this is a great place to come and browse all the latest gadgets and techs.

This is probably my favourite JB store in Adelaide. A lot less crowded than any other JB store that…read morestill boasts a mind boggling range of merchandise. Helpful & friendly staff, very easy parking.

Unley Disposals have an extensive range of second hand furniture. These guys not only sell…read morefurniture but they are always buying as well. This is a family owned business that's been in operation for four decades. As well as pre-loved items, they also make and sell their own pine furniture. Everything is locally made and they can custom build to your design. There are actually two arms to this business - one part of the shop is the Disposals area and the other is called Mr Bookcases. If you're looking for something to sleep on, something to sit on or something to hang on your wall and you don't want to spend a lot of money, you may just find what you're looking for at Unley Disposals. The shop itself is pretty hard to miss but I always look for the dummy soldier in his army greens out the front.

If you've been sitting there thinking, where can I buy a Bali hut? Or a larger than life-sized army…read moreman? Then look no further. Love, love, LOVE Mr. Bookcases. Not only do they sell good quality and cheap furniture items, they have a range of really quirky things that you probably wouldn't find in many places around Adelaide. Eureka flag included. From incredibly awesome Ned Kelly coffee tables, to beautiful dining tables, to mattresses... There is a whole lot of items available in this massive store. Apparently their stock changes on a regular basis also. Some of the items are second hand, and some of them are new, and some of them are even custom built. It's also family owned, and all the stuff is made in Adelaide. Love.

25/4/2008 Shaver Shop is not as terrifying as one might…read morethink before stepping into...two walls full of all kinds of shavers and razors! A lot to choose from here, that I am literally afraid of running into one of the guitarists from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, or Andre 3000 from Outkast, or Afroman, or Bigfoot, with their long hair and body fur, and waving it around on my face. Lucky I didn't bump into Bigfoot. Instead, it's more like meeting the Bill Gates of the latest technology in razors, who made me drop my jaws in awe at how much he clearly knows every little detail of the latest and best shavers here. Not only that, he was so quick in serving the two male customers already here before me, that it wasn't long before he approached me. You're the man. You win. But please don't make me regret spending $600 on you. Don't worry, there's more affordable shavers here for everyone, men and women.

It's an ongoing thing for a fella to make the decision, does he shave or does he beard up. I…read morefluctuate between the two. It doesn't take long to look all hairy and unkempt, and it can get quite itchy and take you right off the smooch list because who wants to rub their lips against a cactus? Then again there is a very sophisticated value added if you have facial hair that is well groomed. Even if you don't do the full face scrape every day you still need shaving implements to keep yourself looking tidy, so every man has a relationship with some source of face scraping. I myself go directly to the specialists because you only have one face and before you know it, that very same face is looking like a disaster zone every morning, so you may as well have good advice to keep it safe and acceptable. The Shaver Shop attracted me because it was quite clear what they were on about - shavers. Yes, I am a genius aren't I?! They have a very good range of electric shavers and some blades - they can source what they don't stock and they give decent advice with reasonable warranties on the various shavers depending on what you are looking for. It isn't so simple to find something that suits your personal skin style without a little advice and there are some shavers that simply will rip your sensitive skin apart and render you quite the unattractive creature with scabs on your face. Yes, scabs on your face. Think about it - who wants to have scabs on their face? Certainly not I - so advice and support is the way I go, and that way generally leads me into the Shaver Shop - it is my dear friends as simple as that. They stock other personal hygiene things as well, mouth, face and hair is really the areas they watch out for; you can pick yourself up a toothbrush, a nose hair trimmer, a buzz thing for cutting your own hair... it's not a buzz saw... not a buzz cutter (?) but it makes a buzz noise and it's fun to mow off someones hair and make them look like a convict. Buzz clippers? I'll have to ask next time I'm in the store. I grow my hair, so that's why I'm coming up blank on that one. Men even shave their pubic hair these days evidently, so you can get a personal groomer that will whisk off those thick and curleys without stopping for a cough or a "thank you father for I have sinned" along the way... figure that quip out yourself. All I really know is that you'll have a smooth face if you get in and sort out something with these folk. There's usually a man and a woman on hand staff wise so you will not find yourself lining up for public humiliation.

I always thought Spotlight was a shop to go to if you were after a lamp, or a set of curtians. Both…read moreof these are available, however Spotlight does offer a lot more.This place is a one stop shop for all regular house hold needs, and is open 7 days a week. If you're shopping from bed linen, or after gardening, office or kitchen supplies, you're bound to find something here. Otherwise the variety makes it an ideal place to go Christmas shopping, if you have left things to the last minute. The prices are reasonably cheap, but the quality is excellent. Everything here is advertised on sale, but I'm pretty sure the prices have been bumped up beforehand to compensate.

Hmmm, I have a love/hate relationship with this place, but have given it 4 stars (since I couldn't…read moreselect 3 1/2) because ultimately I can usually get most things I need from here. What I don't like is that this Spotlight is like most of them - MESSY!! It's hard to find what you need amongst the chaos. It's like everything is literally thrown in there with no consideration for organisation or logic. The other thing I don't like are the cheap options for most things - instead of stocking high quality wool, for example, only cheap acryllic and substandard wool blends are available ... but I guess that's what their customers want - they'd go elsewhere if they wanted to step up the quality. And I guess that's what Spotlight is good for. But the sheer range is great! I came here for Velcro, and was faced with more options and colours than I needed ... but at least they had some!! And that's why I keep coming back (albeit reluctantly) ;) I must say their registers have been moved, and this has made the check-out more efficient than it was on my last visit, so that's another plus ;)