Nothing like it. I'd move in here if I could. I just moved from the UES, and this is one the places I'll really miss. I used to go there for everything: paint, dishes, candles, clothes hangers, storage, furniture, XMas decorations, cards, hampers, lamps...you name it. The place is cramped, not because it's small, but because they have so much. I'm lost without Rainbow. read more

I stop in often and by doing so now get the service needed when searching. There are seemingly store clerks throughout; some want to stay faceless, some seem to recognize me and smile... and talk! As for the store itself, it is addicting. The true test today will be if they are willing to take back a gallon of mixed BM paint; regardless, they do seem to have almost everything you could possible need. One hilarious occurrence was once I was looking for 100 manila folders. I brought a box on 100 to the front and when rung up it priced out at $37.00 plus tax! I asked them to check... offering "that must be a mistake. It's like 8 dollars for a box." They said "no, it's .37 cents each." I said, yes" for 1, but when you get a box they are like 8 cents." People on line were amused, yet the cashiers would have none of it; $37.00 was the price. Of course I went to staples instead and got the box for $8.00. But honestly, this store is a gem and definitely a less expensive option over any other. read more

This is a Fabulous store. Has Everything (great inventory), EXCEPT helpful and nice sales people. They are COLD and RUDE. They stand around talking to one another and completely ignore you. The shame of it is....the Owner is really a nice woman but why she hires these Horrible employees is beyond my comprehension!! read more

This place is gigantic, and packed to the ceiling with everything you can imagine, and hardware too. Paint, tools, hardware, cooking, clothes, home decorating, vitamins, toys, pet supplies. Just too much for me to list. AND the staff is pleasant as well as knowledgeable. read more

Absolutely awesome home town general store meets Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowes, Bed Bath Beyond, and Ace Hardware feel. Love it. And good prices on most items too! read more

This store has 2 floors of every and anything that you need for your home. Tiles, glue for the tiles, shower curtains, any and all camping items. I probably wouldn't come here for cereal, although they probably have that too as it can be brought on camping trips. Any and all plate ware, bathroom item, pet items, they have EVERYTHING!!! After reading some other reviews, I say just show up when they are open. Don't come at 858 if they close at 9. read more

If you're just going to buy shampoo and toilet paper, yes, the supermarket or a spacious Duane Reade might be better. The aisles are narrow. BUT.... ...if you are into browsing, and want some "Bed Bath and Beyond" or "Bazaar" items (tupperware, hobby supplies, paint, a lamp shade, a little stuffed toy for a child) there are sections of this place (and a basement) that will be fun to browse. Especially off-peak hours. PS, their prescription drugs seem to always be lower priced than Duane Reade and I found the people working there to be pleasant and friendly. read more

Very nice store. Great staff, excellent selection. The store is much larger inside than it would appear from the outside. Ace in Suffern is an easy recommendation read more

This is a terrible business. I live right around the corner & I literally travel to other Ace hardwares further away to avoid this place. Yes, they have a great inventory at great prices. There's a lot there. But the staff are so incredibly rude. I've had experience buying paint here several times, and it's always terrible. They never have the paint ready, even though I order it online every time. You have to ask around the store to several employees to see who will make the paint for you. It takes at least 30-45 mins every time. When I went yesterday, I waited in line at the register because there was no one in the paint room of course. I asked and a very rude employee whom I recognize (I think she works like the "customer service" side of the desk, it's on the other side of the main desk) yelled at me from across the room and asked what I wanted. I said I needed to pick up paint and she so rudely said "what paint". I explained I had an online order of sample paint, and she just started walking and I'm like ? Do I follow you? I told her no one was in the paint store when she told me to go there, and she yelled at me that she called someone. I was so shocked and annoyed by this interaction that I literally said out loud how rude everyone in this store always is. She just ignored me. The manager apparently is the guy who did my paint, and he wasn't as rude but was not helpful. He took his time to make the paint. Then he didn't even give me one of those metal things to open the paint samples that they always give, and I didn't realize so I had to find one at home which was very annoying. Anyway avoid this Ace at all costs. Unless they get new management / employees. They're all super rude. read more

Rainbow is the best! It's basically a Bed Bath & Beyond with similar prices and they carry items that many pharmacies do not have. It's a large space for the area and has two floors full of almost anything you could possibly need for your apartment. If you like doing DIY crafts they sell paint and several glass items to decorate, including cute mason jars and flower pots. They also sell office, kitchen, and bedding supplies. I wish I had know about this place sooner and saved some trips to Bed Bath & Beyond! read more

So rude. I waited on line this morning. At home noticed the scale I bought was dirty and the battery indicated it was I indicating LO. (The plastic interface had been removed.) Went back this afternoon to return it. Manager manning the front door was so rude - kept pointing to line I'd have to wait on again. This is one of thoses places that just seems to have the most miserable people working there. My last trip. read more

The store's selection is broad. The prices are fair, bordering on slightly high. The staff and management are incompetent and dangerous. Let me talk about tools, because I know that best and is what I used to buy here. If you go here and ask for help, you might die. And then they'll call you a liar. First, the stuff: a decent selection of low quality Hillman bolts (e.g. nothing graded) and consumer furniture connectors. No good power tools, but there is at least one thing of eveything small, even the crappy 6 inch block hand planes. Plumbing selection is nearly nil for in wall but ok for outside of the wall, NPT nipples to 12", unions, flanges, etc. from 1-1/4" to 3/8 in black pipe, and well organized, plus sink diameter in various materials and the usual connectors, extensions and trap. You won't get a hammer drill here, but you can buy an SDS bit. But dear God, the people working there- Just from the last two trips, over the last week: I have heard hardware "experts" at this store *twice* recommend to novice DIYers that you can put a (normal, #2, flat tip, maybe a 8-32) Philips bolt directly into a wall - once by screwing (not even pilot hole), and the other, god help me, with an 8oz framing hammer. This doesn't work, and if it does go in (without putting a hole in the wall,) and if the part of the wall it's now in isn't on the floor, if that bolt is carrying any weight, at best it will fall out and slightly enlarge the hole. You need an anchor+tap screw or a special wide tooth tapping screw, or if you need a bolt, t nut or threaded insert. Lots of ways to do this. Not those two. And remember this is a consumer oriented selection. That time I ran after them, an older couple, and told them that they had gotten some bad advice.) I have heard homeowners intending to drill a 1/2 hole in metal and asking for the right way, and watched them be handed a black and gold 1/2 twist bit and literally told "youre good." That absolutely works. I do it from time to time. Of course, I also know which metal I'm drilling, what speed I should not exceed, type of coolant, and how to control the very dangerous swarf (metal dust and shavings - think wood splinters that cut underneath the skin. And dust in your lungs). The guy asked none of that and sent them on their way. (If the hole needed to be precise, then they needed someone to do it for them, if it was a rough hole, a arbored hole saw would be a fair bit safer in terms of dust.) There are a silly number of things that can go wrong for those people from dust to bouncing, live drills. Less serious: The other day my girlfriend and I stopped in. We bought a pretty nice mini screwdriver for $6 at the checkout bin. Problem was, the bits really are hard to get in and out of storage, and one has to stay in the magnetic holder at all times. Today, two days later, she tried to return it receipt in hand. First they insisted it was used. Eventually -after twenty five minutes - she got a store credit, even though there is no posted sign to their policy, as NYC requires for credit only policy. Here's the thing, she carries a Swiss made $40 pocket driver every day. I carry at least three (cheap/rough precision, German precision ESD, and my own Swiss stubby general 1/4 hex). Oh also, my keychain. That is to say, at any given time when we are together, there is at least 5 driver+bits, worth at least $100. We didn't need this, even in the store. You can guess what we have at home. That their first reaction is to insist that the customer is a liar should tell you how much to trust them. Incidentally, that $6 driver still had its sticker - which goes around the handle, cable flag style - on it. And you can buy 4 of them for $10 on Amazon. Try True Value literally across the street. Friendly, real tools, real neighborhood store. At least 8 types of chucked corded power drills. SDS hammer drills. Staff admits when they don't know something. A pleasure. 50 feet away. Your choice. read more

I love Rainbow! They have EVERYTHING! Shit I don't need, shit I didn't know I needed, shit I do need, shit I think I need, shit I don't think I need but I buy anyway. I'm a sucker for a store where I can get my Xanax prescription, a vacuum cleaner, and a gallon of paint at one time. read more

This is one of those places that's a 3 1/2 stars and a zero at the same time. They have a broad inventory and okay prices by UES standards. But it can also be SO frustrating. There's a semi-organized semi-random arrangement of wares, and often the employees don't know where things are or what they have. It's unfortunate, but that isn't unusual in lots of stores. Tonight I had a MEGA-ANNNOYING experience, and it prompted this review. I wanted to exchange an item because my partner bought the wrong style. Instead of getting food grade diatomaceous earth he got regular DE. So I drag the 10-lb bag back to the store and tell them I want to exchange it for the other kind. They say, Fine, leave it here and bring the exchange. It takes about 8 minutes and a trip down and up stairs to find out they don't have what I want. Then it takes another 15 minutes to find out they don't have 3 other items I could get instead. Wandering around for several more minutes I see something I can use and is about the same amount of money so it can be exchanged. Then: When was the purchase made, by cash or credit, do you have receipt? No flexibility, no graciousness, and no exceptions. My point to them was that they could have saved me a lot of time and frustration if they had JUST LET ME KNOW at the beginning. And come on, it was an unusual item, not something I was likely to have bought someplace else, so it's not like it would have cost them anything to make the exchange. There's annoying, and then there's stupid annoying. This time Rainbow offered stupid annoying. read more

The staff let this place down. Did you know that for sale items, the "system doesn't tell them" and you need to let the staff know? Barely any of the staff are helpful - they act like you are in their way. Beyond that, the staff will openly call each other the N word, B word and even Heifer.. seriously? These people need customer service training. Forget about buying anything here; the lack of respect from the staff makes you want to march to a better place! read more

The staff here was awful. Nobody wants to help. I had to ask four different people for a simple item and they all had the worst attitude. What should have been a 2 minute excursion turned into a fifteen minute pain in the ass. I will never go back here again. Horrible horrible service. read more

Man, this place is boss. They have everything in the world. I almost gave them four stars. Do you believe that? What the hell is wrong with me? I wouldn't say the prices are cheap per se, but they sure are reasonable. GO HERE INSTEAD OF BASICS PLUS. The "Plus" in "Basics Plus" means "Plus Grand Larceny As We Rob You Blind". Not so at Rainbow. Here's a lil anecdote, as if you want to read an anecdote. I had this boss Christmas tree stand (it too was boss, as Rainbow is boss - I should have made this connection in the beginning!). Unfortunately, it broke one evening as we were trying to put the tree up. I went out to the local sidewalk tree guy, desperate to buy a tree stand off of him. Alas, in a twist typical of Byzantine NYC codes, Christmas tree sellers forfeit their license if they sell stands w/o trees. I swear to God I almost bought a second tree just to get the stand, I was that close to my wit's end. Thankfully, the kind sir reminded me that Rainbow has EVERYTHING, and that they have a stand. But - they didn't have a stand. They had a SELECTION of stands. INCLUDING the same boss tree stand that broke! In an improved model! NOT EVEN THE INTERNETS HAD THIS TREE STAND. See Mike B.'s review - TARDIS indeed. Or the Room of Requirement. Call it what you will. But if Rainbow doesn't have what you're looking for, IT DOESN'T EXIST. read more

this store is the TARDIS of hardware/houseware stores. for those of you who are not Doctor Who fans, that means there is more space on the inside than the outside dimensions should allow. I was a fan of the fact that they are open until 10 PM (it was 9 PM when I got here). the selection of tools and supplies here is good enough for most New York apartment dwellers. you'll very likely find whatever you need for putting air conditioners in, assembling a bookshelf, hanging a frame, and other minor work. the quality of what you find is not bad. yeah, they aren't top-of-the-line contractor tools, but they are better than the cheap little ones you'll find in a dollar store which will break easily. also, if you need a hammer with a pink rubber grip, they have a lot of them here. plenty of housewares and toiletries too. so if you can't make it to Spatula City, you can get spatulas here, as well as mops, toothpaste, snacks, and more. prices are fair. a ratcheting screwdriver set with 24 different bits and a storage case was 18 bucks. it's laid out somewhat maze-like, but it's not messy. staff was friendly and helpful. the older British dude helped me right away. I didn't see a sonic screwdriver here, but I was also kind of in a rush. DOO WEE OOOOOOOOOOOH... read more

Rude managers, rude cashiers, I have been shopping their for years first time wanted to bring back an indoor flood light bulb (which is $16) because it was not working I was treated by the manager also by the cashier as if I was ripping them off. Someone should teach people who work there good manner, I have a lot of friends who live around there and shop there I certainly will make sure everyone knows about it, I shall never, never step foot in that store ever again. Zeynep read more

I LOVE that this store has everything! Its a one stop shop for hardware (paints to plumbing bits), houseware (dishes, towels, curtains, command strips), craft supplies, greeting cards, toys and games and beauty items as examples. Its old school with narrow aisles and stairs to the lower level. They have helpful pleasant staff. Whatever you're looking for, you will probably find it and more at Rainbow. read more

I am finding my self in trouble these days. I recently moved and while my new commute allows me to walk to and from work if I'm not in a hurry (good), I pass home depot, the container store, and Rainbow (bad... for my wallet). I really have very little self control with this trifecta of hardware and home utility. They are all highly rated in my book but this is a review for Rainbow which is the closest to my house so I will focus there for now. In short... they have everything. It is like a hardware store, bed bath and beyond, duane reade, paint store, and kitchen supply place in one. Their shockingly large selection makes up for slightly high prices and staff who aren't always familiar with everything in stock (they are usually fine though). This place is a resource and though as I get the place set up my visits will no doubt decrease, I know Rainbow will be there to support my hardware habit whenever the need arises. read more

Ok yes they have everything, but the cosmetics etc are sometimes expired, and the prices are steep, on top of that the people who work there are terrible, like actually, terrible. Forget hello or thank you, just slow and thoughtless. That said if you need a random kitchen thing in the area they might have it..... read more

Love this place. since 1995, they expanded from the main original store, left to Starbucks and right to the other corner. if only there was a way they could expand and move into the Duane Reade, just 2 1/2 blocks away from another one. They have just about anything you could want. lots of housewares, cool dishes and glassware, cleaning stuff, hardware, stationery, cards, etc. Good place for a quick party gift too. Lots of fun stuff up at the counter area too. The stuff isn't junk either, like a dollar shop. It's well selected and generally good quality. If you're an impulse buyer, put on your blinders. Definitely a neighborhood staple. read more

Edit. I got a phone call and tons of apologies for this. They were appalled this happened to me and said this is certainly not their policy. They made everything good with a replacement canister. If anyone has issues in the future, ask for a different manager. Apparently they have more than one on shift and a second manager might be able to clear up any confusion. -- They sold me an empty soda stream canister and refused to do anything about it. Buyer beware. First, when I returned two canisters for a larger one, they almost accidentally charged me for the canisters I was exchanging (thankfully another clerk noticed the error and stopped the transaction). When I got home, the canister wouldn't work.. Second, I went to Rainbow hardware to alert them of the defective canister. I soon discovered that the canister they sold me was significantly lighter than the other large canisters and did not have the plastic seal like the others. Rainbow hardware made me wait for a while, blamed me, and accused me of using the canister completely in a couple days. Went to Basics Plus where they went above and beyond and actually gave me a slight discount for the horrid experience that Rainbow put me through. Avoid this store like the plague. Go to Basics Plus. read more

They have everything here. The staff is very helpful (I once mentioned to my girlfriend that I needed to find a dishrack and the stocker behind us said, "Downstairs, on the right"). The selection is vast, vast, vast. Did I mention they have everything? Desk chairs, pushcarts, microwaves, coffee makers, cleaning supplies, light bulbs, picture frames, office supplies, photo development, a pharmacy, air conditioners, kitchen utensils, on and on and on. read more

this place is a hidden treasure. I spent $40 on Britta filters in Duane Reade, last night i just found this place and OMG the same filters were $20 seriously its worth a look around. They have all kinds of little things for the house towels, dish soap for much less than Duane Reade!! Awesome i will defiantly hit this place up again. read more

This place is a joke. I came to this place only because I get coupons in the mail as it is pretty expensive. One in particular that I use is 20% off of ANY 3 items. Today in particular, when I arrived at the counter with my items, I'm shown a sign that says that it excludes certain items, which happened to be one of the products I was purchasing. What a contradiction. Each individual coupon should explicitly say these exceptions or denote a star next to the word "any" for the consumer to find this information elsewhere on the coupon card. Also, most of the female employees are incredibly rude and unhelpful. read more

Walked in the rain to get keys made- employees grumbled over who was going to do the job. Walked all the way back to discover all of the new keys didn't work. Walked back to return the keys, explain the situation- employee didn't care, no apology. read more

This place is fantastic! They have everything -- and I mean everything. They're a first class hardware and housewares store, pharmacy, and a complete stationery store. They have everything from garden furniture and air-conditioners to greeting cards (huge selection), toys, placemats, doorknobs and every kind of wire and lightblub imaginable. They are, in this era of standardized Duane Reades on every corner, one of the last places that has MYSTERY, where it is is EXCITING and FUN to shop. You never know what you're going to find. It's an Aladdin's Cave. Their pharmacy is also the nicest and most pleasant do deal with I have encountered in New York. I love this store! Did I mention they have a first-class paint selection? Their staff is very helpful and happy to guide you through their huge selection. read more

This place has everything! It's more than a hardware store. I just moved to the area and have been here already more than anywhere else in the neighborhood. You really can get anything here, but don't expect the best service (though I guess that's all of NY stores unless you're at some premium shop like Pottery Barn). I really recommend coming here for anything from blinds, to cable cords, shampoo, lightbulbs to paint and legit hardware supplies. However, don't expect a home depot - it's hardware Manhattan style! read more

This place is awesome. It has anything and everything. Houseware and Hardware. Pharmacy and Furniture. Their prices are not cheap but they are not outlandish. I also get coupons in the mail for here but I have yet to use them. Not sure why. read more

Three floors of baskets, hardware and tools, dishes, toys, etc. Some nice items.

I love this store. You can find pretty much anything here, and considering the location, prices are pretty good. I live in the neighborhood and get their coupons by mail every week, which makes shopping experience even better. read more

All kinds of great products that can be hard to find at one place in NYC--balloons, kitchenware, paint, party supplies, picture frames, general home goods. But the service is the worst. Lots of incompetence and no one cares at all about helping you. All the employees seem miserable. Prices also feel a bit high... I can never seem to leave there without spending $100. If you live nearby coupons come often by mail, though. Maybe my spending total is just because there are so many goodies. read more

Less a hardware store than a housewares store -- think of it as the neighborhood version of BB&B with paint and a pharmacy on site. But still super convenient and reasonably priced. For actual hardware, you're better off going to S&V's across the street. read more

They literally have everything under the ...RAINBOW!! It's our first stop for everything since they have it all. Get on their mailing list for coupon postcards! read more

I LOVE THIS PLACE. I honestly come here at least once a week. It literally has everything, is generally affordable, and they mail you coupons. Any time I've had hardware related questions the staff is very knowledgeable. Not only do I love this place, my grandparents (who do not live in NYC) do as well. They always seem to need random items and they ALWAYS find them here (example--my grandfather wanted castor cups, couldn't find them in any Wal-Marts upstate but of course this place had them). My grandparents always make sure to stop by any time they visit. Let me just give you a quick list of the items that I have purchased here (I really mean it when I say they sell everything and the most random things): -bath mat, silicone salad spinner, bananagrams game, poster board, chalkboard paint, lemon juicer, eyebrow pencil, fake river rocks, a pantry shelf, potting soil, single cup coffee maker, head phones/ear buds, bug spray, flip flops, chalk, birthday cards, fire extinguisher, photo storage box, and of course, paint. This is no exaggeration, I had a roommate who almost decided not to move from our apartment (almost 3 blocks away from Rainbow) JUST because she didn't want to be away from this store. read more

Nice selection but the workers seemed to be from another city, they don't always engage, greet and acknowledge you.

Only been here once, but wish I would have found it sooner. Seems they have everything in this store, and if they don't I am sure they can point you in the right direction. Prices weren't outrageous, and the line wasn't long wither. read more

Do not come here to have keys made. Just go across the street to the hardware store. My keys didn't work THREE TIMES !!! which was a major inconvenience, and when I finally asked for my money back, the older black male manager was super combative and rude. Nope never again. read more