Matty K’s Hardware Store

It was my go-​to for many many household projects. Here’s hoping Matty K’s gets back up.

So sorry for your loss due to the fire. I’ve only been to your store a couple of times since moving into the area 5 months ago and your staff was always pleasant and helpful.

I was in town to paint my condo and make a few repairs for my tenant. Went to Matty K’s for supplies since it is less than 2 blocks away. Once I got into the painting project, I realized I grossly underestimated how much paint I would need. I couldn’t spare time to take a break. Turns out Matty K’s offers free delivery! Over a 4-​day period, they made 3 deliveries and even helped with some handyman help. Without the owner, Matty, and his 2 friendly staff, I would still be working today. Instead, I am in a café surfing the internet and enjoying a very nice espresso. Thanks Matty & Team!

Employees are so nice. Had the best customer service here. I had to glue a leg back on my table and couldn’t quite figure out how to do it. I took pictures and Matt spent about 20 minutes with me talking about what the best way to clamp it was. It’s nice to know there still little mom and pop stores that have that personal touch which is why you go there in the first place! I will take all my business here. Thanks Matt!

Friendly. Sincere. Glad they’re there.

In Dec. 14, I asked an employee if there would be more items in stock anytime soon, and he said that «Matt plans to restock the shelves in January». Well, it’s now March, and the shelves are still bare. I decided to give them another chance, but in looking for toilet seats, only one of the selection eight wooden seats was in stock. The continued low inventory makes me wonder if they don’t plan to close soon. It’s dusty, too. I’m giving up on them.

I went here a few days ago to get 3 copies of my house key made. Came home to test them, none of them worked. Went back the next day, and the guy (different from the last one) had a terrible attitude! No «I’m sorry about that», no «We will make sure to be very accurate this time», nothing. They cut three more keys, I went home, none of them work. I’m going to go back today to get a refund. Unbelievable. The least they could’ve done was apologize for the inconvenience.

I used to love Matty K’s, as my previous review mentions. But the past three or four times I have gone, the shelves are practically empty, and they never seem to have what I am looking for. I am wondering if this is a bad sign for the ongoing success of the store. I hope they return it to its original glory. I want to shop local, but they are making it pretty darn hard! For now, I have moved all my business to a hardware store that is closer to my job.

I have been into the store on a few occasions over the past year. I have never found anything because the inventory has always been extremely sparse. Just recently I went in and it looked as if the store was closing, there was hardly anything there. I was looking for a saw, but the entire «saw» section was empty, just hooks and tags for everything that should be there. Even the hammer section only had 1 hammer. Every aisle was mostly empty. I wasn’t looking for anything that should be hard to find, just a simple hacksaw. I don’t know how they stay in business not having any inventory. Do not expect to find what you need at this store.

I have no idea how this place stays in business when they carry so little inventory!
I have gone into Matty K’s at least 7 – 8 times in the past year, and have been able to buy what I’m looking for on only two occasions. And I’m not looking for anything crazy. (Rubber key slips, flashlights, plastic trash cans — things I believe should be found in your average hardware store!)
It makes it difficult to support local businesses like these, when I know I can go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and find what I need without wondering if it is in stock or not.

If only 0 was an option here. On Monday I went into get 2 sets of 4 keys made. Got home and only 3 worked. No biggie. That happens. Came back today to get them fixed and the guy who did the keys originally had a horrible attitude. I explained what I needed, he argued, looked frustrated with me, and argued some more. I finally said forget it. Give me a refund and I’ll go somewhere else. His answer… sorry, no one is perfect. First of all when you are making keys… you have to be lol. Second… you were 3 for 8 on accurate. I’m aware of how imperfect you are.
Never coming here again.

I’m glad they support Peterson Garden Project, but that’s about it.
Their seed selection is tiny and their outdoor seedlings are dying. Even at half off, I wouldn’t buy them. Plus, it’s a tiny selection. Even then, I had trouble getting my question about a seed packet answered. The cashier asked another worker, that worker went to ask someone else, and then they still weren’t sure.
Like other people have mentioned, the shelves are sparsely stocked, as if they’re on the verge of going out of business. For many things, it looked like they only have one of that item. I’ll have to go somewhere else.

I’ve lived in Lincoln Square for several years now, and I was very excited to have a hardware store in the area when Matty K’s opened.
I want to love them. I really do.
Others have already talked about the recent supplier/​distributor issues (more than a month? Really???), so I won’t go into that. Honestly, I had issues with this place well before they decided to switch distributors.
Bottom Line: This place has very inconsistent and confusing stock (in terms of what a hardware store should always have, yet they never do), as well as staff who can’t give basic project advice. I mean, I’m always glad they’re there when I need cleaning supplies, but more often than not I’ve left empty-​handed and frustrated. The only reason I keep going back is the convenience factor.

I made my last trip to Matty’s today. I go here first everytime I need something and they never have it. Today a light bulb I held up, I was sent to aisle 2 where they knew there were nothing but empty shelves but they sent me anyway. I returned from aisle 2 and another employee comes over and indicates we are out of them. They are out of everything.
How does this place stay in business? Well over 50% of the shelf space is empty. It looks like it is going out of business but it never does. I despise going to Home Depot but I have to because Matty’s has no stock. I see it as very hard to compete with Home Depot but it is even harder if you don’t stock anything.
They are out power washing the sidewalk to put stuff out when they really need the power washer to remove the dust from the 20 year old inventory. Close the old junk out please.
I can walk here but I will not. Ever. Again.

I love my local businesses, but I can’t support them when they don’t have anything in stock. I’ve tried coming here a few times and have always left empty-​handed. Like others have said, I’m not sure if there is an issue with their shipments, but it seems like lots of basic items just are never around. I’ll keep trying when I’m in the Square and hope to see some improvements!

Great service, really friendly and helpful staff. None of the pretension or lethargy that comes with many hardware stores. The people who work there seem to not only be knowledgeable but genuinely interested in helping you. I’m very glad to have this independent hardware store open in the the former Ace.
Unfortunately the stock seems to have dwindled over the winter, so I’m hoping that it revives a little as spring comes.

This is a helpful hardware store in Lincoln Square.
I forgot to measure my tub drain before buying a plug. The guy at the register walked me back to the drains and didn’t make fun of me for buying three sizes. When I returned the other two about a week later, still no jibs or pitying stares.
I asked a few other questions and got some helpful advice, no judgement. You can tell as a woman, I am used to getting some poor treatment in hardware stores.
This smaller store is for your basic needs, like tub plugs. Its not large but if you need something basic to finish a project, stop here.

Gotta echo what others have been saying about this store being out of a lot of basic items. I’ll keep shopping there for the moment; maybe they’ve just had a run of bad luck with their shipments. I hope that’s all it is.
Staff are very friendly, as others have said, and the place is clean and tidy.

I really want to give this place a better review. It’s local, it’s not a huge chain like Home Depot or Menards and the staff are typically super friendly & helpful. But every time I go in here they don’t have what I’m looking for and we’re talking the most basic of hardware store items. I’ve gotten excuses like the shipment didn’t come in, they’re out of it and now they just don’t have a hook for it. How are you constantly out of light bulbs and floor cleaner at a hardware store?
I’ll probably give them another shot but not replenishing your stock on a regular basis is cause for customers to shop elsewhere.

This is a hardware store for the 21^st century. I have always loved hardware stores, but since the big box stores took over, it just hasn’t been the same … till now. I have been here twice now and I love that you can get your basic nuts and bolts and then you can get real nuts, as in peanuts, mixed nuts, etc.
Everything is organized, neat and clean. The selection is good and basic if not huge. For the theatrically inclined, there is a whole section of items that you would not find in a traditional hardware store. Want to put on a play in your fathers barn? Start here.
I also liked their plant and gardening selection. The plants look healthy and well cared for. The selection was good, but not extensive. The young man who helped me, boxed up my purchases and carried them to my car. I really appreciated that. I didn’t ask, he just did it. Well done!
I will shop here as much as I can and hope that they are very successful and around for many years to come.