Ace Hardware

Incredibly attentive, friendly, knowledgeable staff. They ask to help you find what you’re looking for, help select a product and do it quickly. Love this store.

In the age of big box warehouse stores and huge national brands, there is a reason small hardware stores like Ace remain healthy in towns like Independence.
Beyond the convenience of just driving a few miles to the store (I live in Seven Hills) I have a lot of confidence that I will be able to talk to a person within seconds of stepping into the store if I need to, that that person will have all the time I need to answer questions or find specific items, and that that person will know what they are talking about.
Smaller hardware stores may cost a little more than Lowes or Home Depot; they may not have 50 options for a grill or even a replacement electrical outlet; they may not carry everything I could possibly ever need. The big box stores are there for a reason…
…but so are the little stores.
I appreciate that this store, and stores like it, because they represent something those big stores can’t — they are neighborhood stores; they are more friendly, more intimate, and feel more like «my» hardware store. I’ll sacrifice a dollar here or there, tolerate the lack of a dizzying array of options, and forego the massive holiday sales flyers and big crowds for that feeling.

The Ace Hardware in Independence, Ohio is an old style hardware store of 40 years ago. The store has a lot of tools and hardware but nowhere near what you would find in an average Home Depot. The staff members are older and experienced. The prices, while definitely not cheap, are reasonable. If you live nearby and need a few things I recommend Ace Hardware.