Meyers Ace Hardware

So glad that this Ace is here, David and his staff can’t be any more personable. We try to get anything hardware related here first, only then do we think of the big box guys. I know some people say that their prices are a bit higher, well that may be true as they don’t having the buying power of the big guys, however what is your time worth? It takes me two minutes to get there, and a few minutes in the store. I’m in and out of Meyer’s before I’d even be halfway to that other place.
Need some screens repaired they do it, glass repairs they do that too, some stuff to put in the garden so the rabbits go away, check, also stuff to get rid of the ants and wasps too. My house is known as the natural disaster zone.
Then of course there is the history, before it became your Ace is the place, it was the Sunset Café, so even if you don’t need any hardware, this is the place to visit for some cool jazz history.

This place is awesome. I love the personal touch that they apply to every encounter. I know I could go to the big box franchise and save a few cents. I rather support a business that genuinely cares about the community that they serve.
The location is also a part of music history as it was formerly one of the hottest jazz clubs in the world at one time. Ask for Dave for a brief history lesson.

I’m always impressed by the selection at this Ace. I’ve walked in many times thinking they won’t have what I need because it’s too small a store. Ever time I walk out with a solution. The guys behind the counter are very knowledgeable and helpful to point me to what I need. A great asset for the neighborhood that saves a long trip to the big box store.

The history of this place is pretty amazing. It’s worth going in just to get the feel and see the old pictures. The employees were all friendly and they helped us find anything we needed. Of course the selection isn’t phenomenal with a neighborhood hardware store, but we were able to find almost everything.

I made the mistake of offhandedly mentioning Home Depot to David, the proprietor, and he revealed what we all know: «Those guys are crushing me. I can’t compete.» He also added, that he has one thing they don’t: history.
I think he’s mistaken, though. In addition to history, this store also has (as a previous reviewer noted) that extra «personal touch» and it seems that he knows most of his customers personally.
Regarding history, this hardware store is in the same legendary building once owned by Satchmo and hosting the likes of Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, and Cab Calloway. The current owner admits to not being a jazz guy, but was more than willing to leave his post at the cash register to give us a quick tour, pointing out how the room’s support pillars had been modified from photos of the original Sunset Café. He let us in to the best preserved part of the club, the current manager’s office which formerly served as a stage. Strikingly, the mural behind the stage was intact.
A true fact I learned today: sound waves don’t ever die, they just get smaller and smaller until you can’t distinguish them from background noise even with unlimited amplification. Maybe that’s why it’s been said that if you close your eyes here, you can still «feel the jazz.»
Back to the hardware store itself… locally owned stores, like classic jazz, are fading but not yet forgotten. I’ve learned to love places like this ever since that time in ’05 at Home Depot when I almost got run over by a forklift.

I love this store! They have been around for a long time and the owners are always on site providing that extra personal touch that you just can’t get in the big box stores. The staff is helpful & friendly and they go out of their way to provide great service. I’ve never left this store disappointed, or without whatever I’m looking for. Neighborhood stores can not compete with the prices offered in the big box stores — but when it comes to great service they absolutely take the prize!!!

Long-​established hardware store. I read in the Tribune that there used to be a nightclub on the second floor with a lot of artifacts extant. The owner might let you take a peek, but he apparently doesn’t have a whole lot of interest in it.