A decent discount / hardware shop with limited cheap priced goods and they copy keys at cheaper cost then most locksmith stores . Place is cluttered with a bunch of useful things , housewares , hardware supplies , and a bunch of other nik naks that are useful .I BROWSED around a bit and picked up a portable tool set for the car and light bulbs, extension cord and rechargeable flashlight .Really not sure if I need any of the stuff I purchased but the prices were too good not to . Not as good as dollar general or deals and discount but I bet you that if you browse around a bit , you won't leave empty handed .3.5 stars on my yelp meter . read more

I had been going to this store since we moved into the neighborhood. Support the small business and all that. Today I needed keys made. Two copies of three keys. While he did that, I ran another errand. When I came back, he'd only made copies of two keys. I handed him the originals back, with the third key in my fingers, for him to make two copies of that one as well. I paid for my merchandise, got home, tried to use my new keys in the door...he'd made another pair of one of the other keys. So I go back to get the correct key made. "You made a mistake and copied the wrong key." He tells me "I can't work with you. Go somewhere else." "It was your mistake," I said, keeping myself calm though I was outraged. "If you're unhinged, I can't work with you." He actually said that to me. So he's lost a loyal customer. I will gladly go a block farther to the store on 23rd Avenue when I need something. This kind of thing is also why I buy from big box stores. They have standards for customer service and disciplinary measures when those standards are not met. read more

Its local businesses like this that make Astoria the true gem that it is, especially when its not dominated by big corporations but rather small businesses who provide no frills service with honest intentions. The prices are here are nothing near the home depot like prices when considering hardware variety and making key copies here is nearly 1/2 the price cheaper than Home Depot. Sure its not the prettiest place to look at, given its relatively dingy and old looking interior, but its charm is what keeps people coming back. Finding items is not always an easy feat but thankfully the owner and the cute Russian and Latin girl that works here know their way around all corners of the store. read more

Love this housewares shop. It looks small but is packed full. All sorts of things for the home. I usually ask the owner for help and he knows exactly where an item is located. If you want a high end, very expensive housewares store, this isn't it. It is like the old fashioned stores, crammed full of very reasonably priced home necessities. That said, there is a range of quality. And that is probably right for the community. Old timers who want a brand name, new people just starting out. I hope this individually owned, useful store stays in business and isn't pushed out by the big box stores coming into Astoria. read more

This can be a pretty decent place to shop. If you need a few basics to get your apartment up and running, I recommend checking this place out. I wish I could give it 4 or even 5 stars; I'll explain why I cant: A lot of their stuff is junk, so you have to sort through what is worth buying and what isn't. I expect the owner to do this for me. Also some of their items are overpriced (for any type of store). I saw some really nothing dinner plates there today for $5.99 each, and would never pay that kind of money at a discount store. They're worth no more than $1.99 tops. At a discount store, you should find a whole place setting for $4.99. The owner is very nice, but honestly he doesn't seem interested in bringing better products into the store or building his business. He seems only interested in selling what he can get for cheap. But like other posters have said, when you ask, he is helpful. At the moment the place seems to have been turned upside down. I don't know if the guy is revamping the place, but the aisles are cluttered with junk, debris, and merchandise, so it's hard to walk around and confusing as to what is actually happening there. I do hope he's revamping, because the store has potential. It has dropped in appearance significantly since recent visits, and the shelves are looking emptier. A place down the block has a far better selection of kitchenware. It's called Shanaz Variety and Discount at 35-04 Ditmars and unlike King Penny it is jammed with merchandise. I don't know whether it's strictly a hardware store; it looks like more like a discount home furnishing store, so the comparison is difficult. But I just came from there and was impressed at their selection and prices on pots and pans. KP doesn't take credit cards, and they close very early (6:00 PM each day). I've stopped by there often (ready to buy) to find the door locked. The rest of the neighborhood can manage this; why can't KP? I will continue to stop by from time to time, but since I've discovered Shanaz, I think I've pretty much given up on this place -- for a while. read more

This place is wonderful! I used to come here all the time when I needed help around my home, I moved to Brooklyn and actually came to Astoria for this place. Staff was amazing and helped me with all my needs! Prices were good I didn't leave feeing like my wallet was going to yell at me when I got home lol read more

This place is such a joke. The owner is always *ss. I'd rather go to BBB to take care my needs. This is why America's mom&pop shops are gone. One or two bad experience and lose biz for good. read more

King Penny - Nothing is penny....what a joke!? - Hardware Stores Near Me - Astoria, New York

I went here to get copies of my keys. When I asked for this, the older man behind the counter commented, "yeah, I guess they let women do that now," which I found sexist and unnecessary. The keys were made quickly and didn't cost much. read more

Meh. It feels more like a junk store than a hardware store. All I managed to find here was cheap batteries, but that was it.

The King Penny is an interesting place to shop. My husband spends lots of time wondering about the owners life. Rightfully so because he is so darn enigmatic. He is quiet yet very aware. Also he knows every item in his store off the top of his head. He knew for example from memory he had T9 flourcent bulbs but no T5 flourcent bulbs. Does he have a family? What was he like in the 80s? Did he ever dance or enjoy laughing at Taxi re-runs? The store has lots of nifty things. Great store. Hope to get to the bottom of the mysterious King Penny. read more

Is this King Penny any relationship to the store with the same name that was located in Corona in the 50's and 60's? It was on National Street. Sounds like a lot of the same merchandise is carried in this Astoria store. It was always a maze of items. The owner of the store was Irving. He could get you anything if you had the make and model number. Good prices and an experience to shop there. He carried anything from housewares to jewelry to china. read more

I'm all about patronage for small businesses, but the man who owns this place is no good. He overcharged me 40 dollars and refused to reimburse me when I brought him my receipt and my bank statement telling me my receipt wasn't enough to go on, even saying I may have printed it myself. There are other discount stores in the area with nice owners who won't intentionally steal from you. My suggestion would be to go to one of those. read more

The kind of place you hope never goes out of business. All the stuff you never thought you'd need and more. It like walking to grandpa basement. read more

This place charms the socks off of me in all of its junk-store glory. The man who owns the place is so sweet, and the other folks working there are always very helpful and nice. They don't always have what I'm looking for, but that's fine. I go to them first before going to any other hardware store because they lend such character to the area, and even if they don't have what I'm looking for I get a kick out of nosing around and seeing what they've got. read more

I love this place. Good selection and very helpful staff. Sure beats home depot!

I used to go shopping at King Penny with my mother in the 1940's and 1950s, when the current owner's father ran the store. I visited the store a couple of years ago on a nostalgic trip to the old neighborhood. It hasn't changed a bit. It looked and smelled the same. It is a "gem." Stop in and experience a bit of Astoria's past. read more