Westlake Ace Hardware

I really enjoy shopping at Westlake! It is a scense of discovery walking down the aisles. They have so many extra things that spark the imagination.
— Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I never feel rushed or brushed-​off by the employees.
— Many small items can be purchased in single units (just need 3 metric brass screws… and not a 12 pack? Then go here).
— The selection of unique items boggles my mind, especially when the store is half the size of the big-​box hardware).
— Key making done right! When I’ve had keys made at this store, well… they work! That’s not the case when I go to the big-​box stores. I’m not sure what it is, but the worker seems to give the key a little more time and effort.
— In the summer, the turn over part of the parking lot to plants, lawn and garden, and outdoor supplies.
— They don’t carry any large hardware items in the store (can’t buy 5 sheets of 8′ plywood).
— Good selection of manual and power tools.

There are over 80 Westlake Ace’s in the midwest and until 2006, they were still owned by the Westlake family. Today the Westlake Ace stores are owned by a larger company but still carry that quaint smalltown feel — I’m not sure if that’s an accident or intentional but they are not Lowe’s or even Sutherland’s (if you’re up on your home improvement taxonomy).
Their are still Westlake family members around Kansas City, they are pretty good people and still play a role in the stores.
Westlake Ace’s aren’t technically home improvement stores, they’re hardware stores and as close as I can tell, the main difference is that Westlake Ace doesn’t carry building supplies. Generally, if it’s too large to fit in the back of your station wagon, Westlake Ace doesn’t carry it (except for grills and stuff — but you get the point).
This particular Westlake Ace is near my Mom’s house so maybe it’s the nostalgia but I really like this store. Besides the big building supplies, they’ve always had what I needed and often enough of a variety to give options but not so much to be overwhelming. I can see how this would be a great choice for mom and pop trying to fix something around the house.
The staff have always been down to earth and friendly. It seems like most of the people that work there are older, there aren’t any bratty 17 year olds biding their time until there big break at Home Depot. Everyone I’ve run into has been sincere, kind and helpful.
They also have a rewards program of some sort. Apparently I enrolled in that at some point but have no idea what it entitles me to. Generally these are 3% back but since they don’t have building supplies, it would take a lot of toilet seats and bolts to rack up enough to get a decent credit. But that doesn’t matter really because if what you need is at Westlake Ace (and unless you need building supplies, it probably is), and it’s closer than one of those other places, you should go to Westlake Ace.