University Hardware

What would we do without this amazing hardware and houseware combo?! Anything you need – somehow they either have it or get it for you. Old New York, as good as it gets.

I’ve shopped at University Hardware/​Columbia Housewares for about 25 years now.
The prices are good, they have a lot of unusual things both modern and from earlier decades (like most of the apartment building around here). And they are as helpful as anyone can possibly expect. As others say: This is a business which builds a loyal repeat customer base, the old fashioned way, both capable and ethical. I highly recommend them.

These two stores have everything you need ranging from candles to small measuring cups to flower pots to picture-​hanging wire to screws of many sizes to three different widths of painter’s tape. Could be a little cheaper, but you are paying for the convenience, which is well worth it considering that otherwise it is a schlep and/​or subway fare to get the same thing somewhere else — if the other place has it.

Good, solid hardware store in Columbia-​town.
The staff here is pretty knowledgeable of the trades (plumbing, electrical, general maintenance) and how they can help you within their supplies. I’ve gone there for key copies, random packs of baking soda, and even custom sized window drapes.
If they don’t have something, they’ll order it for you.

What a great find! After I accidentally walked into the housewares store on the corner, I was directed to this Hardware store by a really nice guy who walked me out and pointed to the hardware store for what I needed. Immediately upon walking in, I was directed to what I needed by another nice guy. When I went to the counter to pay for my items, I was greeted by the charming Bob. The other reviews are right. Bob is the BEST… he is honest and he is funny as hell. The recurring theme here is that everyone is really nice and helpful which seems to be a rarity these days.

This is a great store that seems to have everything one might need. Bob is a hardware expert and can be trusted to give you honest and complete advice.
My parents live 50 blocks away yet they get their air-​conditioners here because they know the store is reputable, the help is solid, and the reputation sterling.
You can order on the phone and they will deliver (i.e. last minute need for chairs when people bring unexpected guests to a party).

Bob F is the best!!! Love this store! Neal H. Hurwitz NY NY

Just moved my child from California to Columbia. Couldn’t pack everything into a couple of suitcases. As a result, we needed a bunch of things to help set up the room.
This place has everything for the apartment dweller and student! Every inch from floor to ceiling and front to back is packed. Friendly, helpful, smiling staff are ready to help you find what you’re looking for. Great selection of hardware and housewares between the two neighboring storefronts. While prices are not like the big, boxy, warehouse stores, they are very reasonable.
Furthermore, we didn’t need a couple of items that we bought. Still in original packaging though. Misplaced the receipt. Didn’t think that we would have a shot at returning the items for store credit, but we decided to try nonetheless. To our surprise, we got our cash back.
Great selection, reasonable prices, helpful staff, generous return policy. This place rocks!

These guys are nothing short of amazing. I cannot say how many times I’ve called Bob for some random issue (fixing an antique lock that hasn’t budged in 100 years, getting extra folding chairs for last-​minute guests, even repairing a faulty pepper-​grinder) – he’s always come through with a solution.
It’s rare these days to have a true neighborhood store where customers are greeted by name and treated with courtesy. This business is a real value-​add to the area and I am thrilled to have them right around the corner.

Needed keys made. They did it in just a few minutes and it was inexpensive.
Also, needed a window A/​C installed. The guys came right on time, and took less than 15 minutes to install. It cost around $ 100 ($ 50 was for the wall brackets), which was cheaper than other places I had looked into.
Overall, the service was good and they had everything I needed

I needed a few kitchen items and they wound up having exactly what I needed (plus a few extras that I didn’t know until that moment were also exactly what I needed), and were reasonably priced. One of the employees asked if I was looking for anything in particular and knew just where everything was, which was a big help since that place is jam-​packed with stuff. I would have poked along shelves forever just looking for a garlic press! But he pointed me right to it. Definitely a good place for everyday stuff.

Wow. I called them at 10:45am today in dire need of a locksmith – and the locksmith told me he «couldn’t deal with me» until after 4. I need a locksmith NOW, not AFTER FOUR! I’m locked out NOW, goddammit!

This is what old-​fashioned customer service looks and feels like!
Last evening, my teen-​age daughter remembered that she needed work gloves to bring on a flight to Oregon leaving at 7AM today.
Bob, not only came and re-​opened the store for her after closing, but had all the options ready at the register (perhaps 8), that he had available. He even had tickets to a Broadway show in half an hour and still did this. Amazing, kind, knowledgeable, and good-​natured about it all to boot!
Just moved here and feel totally welcomed to the neighborhood by this generous act. Our whole family will be loyal customers!

I’ve been in before and they’ve always been really friendly and helpful.
I went in today to find a micro-​screwdriver that I could use to open the panel on my camera flash (so that I could fix it). I told them that I’ve been having trouble finding small enough screwdrivers and that, even when I do, I still can’t open the screws. One of the guys actually unscrewed the flash cover for me and they let me fix my camera right there and screw the cover back on. The most amazing service I’ve ever seen and I didn’t even buy anything from them this time. It’s the kind of service you hear about ‘in the good old days’ but rarely ever see anymore.

I needed some keys made. They did it in two minutes and it was cheap! One of the keys was a Medeco which I have had trouble getting made correctly in the past. Theirs worked great. I have been here before and always had a good experience. Only reason I give 4 stars is that some of their stuff is way overpriced. But, the keys were cheap.

Stopped in the other day. Despite being a random walk-​in, they were very helpful with regard to my numerous questions about locks and lock cylinders. They also offered to do the job within an hour. Made me feel like my business was important to them. Pretty cool deal. Would definitely recommend.

If I could give this place zero stars I would.
So I read the reviews and thought, great, I’ll call them up to set up an appointment (I needed to have a deadbolt installed on my door). I made an appointment and… THEY NEVER SHOWED UP. I waited around for 3 hours just in case, and heard nothing from them. I called multiple times after that and either no one picked up or a lady picked up and kept giving me stupid excuses. («you have to call back», «Let me have your number and someone will get back to you», «you need to speak with Bob»)…Seriously? Never again! They didn’t even have the courtesy to call and cancel or apologize. Poor customer service indeed.

So I am in a need of a locksmith yesterday. My apartment’s front door lock was jammed.
Anyone who had an experience with one of the many locksmiths around knows, that one needs to proceed carefully with them, buyer be ware.
The locksmith quoted me $ 380 (he claimed that the spring was «tired». Righhhht!)
I called university hardware, they sent a guy over, he tuned the lock, oiled it a bit, and it is as good as new.

Here is a business, who builds a repeat customer loyal base, the old fashion way, both capable and ethical. Highly reccomend them.

I.
LOVE.
THIS.
STORE!
I just moved to the west side and they have everything. EVERYTHING! The guys who work here are also super helpful and carried everything out to the car for me.
I love this store.

They have everything on earth in this tiny store. I’m half-​convinced there’s a portal downstairs that leads to a giant warehouse in the midwest — that’s how high the likelihood is of them having any particular random item in stock.