Emil’s Hardware

There’s something more authentic about going into a hardware store that’s actually a little grungy and rustic. I feel that the Home Depot is like a giant 7-​Eleven convenience store for hardware and do-​it-​yourself projects that only carries a couple middle-​of-​the-​road brands. I prefer to patronize the underdogs who have more specialized and varied brands of tools and products.
I found what I needed right away with the help of the guy behind the counter who walked me to the locations of the items I purchased quickly and easily. Not to continually dis Home Depot, but I went there the other night and waited in a long line for about 15 minutes to buy a couple screwdrivers that were not my first choice after researching; they were the best of what was available in the super store at 9pm… I guess I gotta give it to them for the convenience of later evening shopping (just like 7-​Eleven)!
From now on I will be checking to see if Emil’s has what I need before making the trek over to the super store.
Helpful employees, parking in back alley along the building, variety of products, great central location just North of the 10 freeway at Robertson… support small businesses in America!

The most unhelpful, crotchedy, old men with attitude. While I like to patronize local businesses, putting up with bad customer service shouldn’t be part of it.

In the day and age of conglomerations taking over everything. Sometime’s it just nice to be able to run down to your local store and buy something specific for my needs. I was installing new hardware into my macbook and needed a tool. I don’t have a car (in LA?! Are you crazy?!? calm down, I’m just visiting) so I needed somewhere within biking distance. I found this place on trusty old Unilocal.Gave them a call to see if they had the tool in stock, and lo and behold, they did. I asked if they cold hold it, and they were nice enough to do so. Headed down, bought the tool, and paid with an ATM card. Quick and friendly service. This would be a good store for all of your hardware needs, you don’t see much stores like these nowadays, I’m glad they still exist.

I would have rated this place a zero, if given the option. I don’t normally write reviews but feel compelled to share my now disgust for this local hardware store. I have been going to Emils for 15 years, and have never had any issue, until the past 3 weeks. I brought in a screen to be resized slightly larger. When I got it back, it was off, which they offered to fix. Then I received a call from the owner, after the fact, telling me their mistake would cost me $ 10. When the newly corrected screen was ready 10 days later, I went in, paid my $ 10, then showed them their mistake. Granted I was also quite annoyed at how long it all took and expressed my displeasure with their customer service. I asked them to simply own up to the mistake which was clearly marked on the receipt, and then they threatened to take me «out back and have his guy kick my ass.» At which point, I gathered both my old and newly cut screen, and decided to leave. Needless to say, I’m not likely to return anytime soon, if ever to Emil’s. Though if you do decide to visit, be sure to express your condolences on their loss of business from people who use Unilocal to find a local hardware store. My recommendation would be to then leave and go to the Mid-​city Lowes for your hardware needs, where they remove the chip on their shoulder and actually train people in customer service.

I rarely write reviews but want to toot Emil’s horn as those bad reviews are unjustified. I’ve been going to Emil’s for 23 years. They have always bailed me out of my plumbing and other household problems in the cheapest (as in cost effective) way possible! Every time they give me a solution, it works and the fix lasts a long time if not forever! Yes, they are gruff, but that’s part of the fun and it offsets the fact that they really know what they are doing and what you need!
They really impressed me yesterday. My old American Standard toilet kept refreshing itself, and became even worse refreshing every minute after this upselling plumber came over. Dashed over to Emil’s with photos of my toilet insides. They knew my exact toilet, exactly what was happening, gave me the exact part I needed, even had new parts of the old system plus the new system if I ever want to upgrade to t hat; and they SHOWED me exactly what to do. They patiently repeated it multiple times because I couldn’t get it right off! They said I could do it myself but were willing to give me a plumber referral so I’m completely covered, but the guys who shop there are so nice too that one of them gave me one as well.
When I got home it was clear exactly what to do. It was beyond easy as their instructions were clear. The refreshing has stopped! It was $ 3.37 vs. the $ 370 the upselling plummber wanted. Emil’s saved my day and my pocket book. So if they seem a little grumpy in the beginnng who cares. They give you the service you need and beyond! No one in Home Depot would take the time to find the old system that you have (if they even had it) and show you exactly what to do! That is what an old school hardware store is all about!

I am a business owner and neighbor to Emil’s Hardware. Every time I have been in there someone has been rude to me. Nobody who works there is friendly or nice at all. They act like you are disturbing them when you enter. I would rather drive to Home Depot then go into Emil’s. I will NEVER go there again!

At this family owned hardware store, they are all super friendly and eager to help. My 5 year old son just can’t get enough. He wants to go every day to explore and wrap his brain around what each item does and how he can improve upon it. Angel is extremely patient with my son and even encourages him to learn by figuring out how things work. I love small businesses!!!

Less friendly than unfriendly! These people don’t care. Went in to get a new screen. I brought an old screen that had been installed in a window for 20 years or more. They measured, charged me and made a new screen. Problem was that the used the wrong thickness frame material. They first insisted that it was my fault since they made it the way it was written on the slip. Problem is that they measured and wrote the slip. They then claimed (lied) that the old screen was the same thickness frame as the one they made. How could that be since the old one fit in the window track and the one they made didn’t? Anyway, I gave them their $ 12 for a new screen as I don’t have time to argue or go somewhere else over $ 12. It’s not the money, it’s the poor service and irresponsible behavior that will keep me out of this store whenever possible. I tried today to talk to the owner, but after asking him if he was the owner, he said he was too busy help me. Go somewhere else. These people act as though they are doing you a favor to spend money there.

Great customer service

Close by my work, had to stop in to pick up some specific types of bolts and screws. Staff was very helpful and friendly, showed me exactly what I needed and I was in and out in no time. Very mom-​and-​pop type of store, you can tell it’s been around for a while. This will be my go-​to hardware store from now on.

So I gave you guys a call asking for Toggle Screws or whatever about 15 minutes prior to closing time. You said you had them and I said I would be over in 2 minutes. You said «Ok» So I drive over takes about 5 minutes in total, get there at 5:20pm (10 minutes before closing) already knowing what I want should be a 5 minute transaction. I come to the door to find it «Closed» I call again you have your stupid automated crap. Next time you decide you’re going to be XXXXs and close early at least have the decency to let a person know when they call. What should have been a quick transaction wasn’t. Thanks for nothing.

Unfriendly is an understatement! If you know what you want and know where it is then by all means shop there! If you need help or are looking for that mom and pop charm… NOT THE PLACE!!! They treat the customer as if they were employees on the first day. Don’t shout at me to make your job easier, I’m the customer and will go else were from now on!!!

I am all in favor of supporting the mom and pop shop and that’s the reason I keep going back to Emil’s because it’s down the block from me, but they have the WORST customer service on the entire planet!!! They especially talk down to you if your Mexican or Hassidic Jewish but have no fear — if your a woman good luck!
Of course not all the guys that work there are dicks but most of the guys that work there unfortunately are.

Emil’s is way better than Home Depot or Lowe’s
I love it because of a) the know-​how they readily share to help me get my stuff done right and b) my house seems to have been built entirely out of stuff from their store, they always seem to have the exact replacement I need, no need gerry-​rig something else to work, and no need to buy a 100 pack, which makes jobs go way faster and cheaper
With regards to prices, check the fine print… you’ll find Home Depot & Lowe’s follow the classic big box store formula — loss-​lead on advertised items, and mark everything else up a little bit. For example, needed a tall ladder in a pinch, thought I might be getting fleeced when I paid $ 99.99 at Emils. Was at home depot a little while later — they had the exact same one for $ 129.99.
And the staff is awesome, any Unilocaler writing otherwise is probably a douche bag or works for Home Depot.

Now this is a hardware store. When I don’t want the hustle and bustle of Home Depot or Lowe’s, I come here.
You’re gonna pay a bit more, but worth the convenience of the ol’ lickety split.
Floor to ceiling, they have everything!
The outside could use a paint job, but that’s part of the charm.

This is a neighborhood hardware store, and does a great job of filling this role for the Beverlywood /​Cheviot Hills area. The nearest HD or other big store is 20 minutes away (one way).
I live in the neighborhood I love the place. I have bought items there at least 30 times over the past 5 years. It is true that the place is cluttered and that you need to get help to find most things. But they do have most things that I have needed, and the total time it takes to get in and out (including driving) is much shorter than if I had to go to a big store.
If you live in the Beverlywood area, I highly recommend making Emil’s your first stop for hardware needs.

I happen to really like it here, in spite of some of the bad reviews touching on things that are undeniably true. It is cluttered. Some of the product packaging looks like it’s been around for a few… decades. But that just doesn’t bother me. I’ve interacted with three people. A younger man who I’m pretty sure is not related to the Emil’s founder and was very helpful; a middle aged man who is a son or grandson I think of Emil’s, and an older gentleman– maybe the middle aged guy’s dad? The middle aged man was a bit grouchy but I didn’t mind… maybe I was so charmed by the fact that I got what I needed quickly and for less money than I thought I would have to shell out, that his grumpiness seemed charming in a weird, fitting sort of way, too. The older man was quick and to the point but helpful, fast, and made me three keys that all worked.
Emil’s has been here since 1947 and I really like that– my grandmother still lives around the corner from Emil’s in a house that my grandparents bought in the early 1940’s… I bet my grandfather came here all the time. So yes, I’m charmed by the whole thing, but I also got everything I needed at good prices, and no one was mean to me. And they let you have an account with them (if you qualify) which is awesome and so old school and great for people like me who are in property management.
One thing I really wish they would do is get a new sign for the front of the building. The one they have now (stands on a pole over the roof on Robertson) is so worn away that it is entirely illegible. The first time I tried to find the store, I drove by it 3 times. Get a new sign guys!

The guys at Emil’s go above and beyond
I will go out if my way to shop at Emil’s and even pay a premium do to their superior knowledge and customer service
Big box what?

i really want to support family owned businesses… BUT NOT THIS PLACE
not ever i don’t care how close you are to my businesses i would drive to Loews or or HD. your customer service is nasty. giving attitude to me or anyone is just unacceptable. Number one all the employees there are lazy 2 you are very unorganized, your pricing is wrong 3 the place is dirty disgusting i know is a hardware but clean at least ones a month. being nice to the people that help support your businesses is free. take advantage make a customer for life. But after my experience you know how they said than and angry client will tell to 10 more people?? well im telling to way more people than that.

Hillbillies. Friendly hillbillies. This place reminds me of an episode of Green Acres, that old TV show. This whole place is like a time capsule. What a mess also. They have paint, hardware and light bulbs here.
The reason they get five stars is because the guys working here are SO nice. I needed some esoteric brass fittings for a light fixture in one of my rental properties. They didn’t have what I needed, but the main guy with a big beard spent a lot of time and patiently helped me find a proper alternative.
It worked perfectly and I was able to hang my light. The place looks closed from Robertson, but the entrance is in the alley at the back. I love places like this that have really nice people working there.