Monarch Hardware

I just moved to this section of west philly and needed a key made. So this past Thursday I came in and met the kind older gentleman who was happy to duplicate my key and assist me with buying 4 rubber identifiers and a bottle of super glue. I was happy with my purchase and was on my way. I went home slid the key in the lock and it opened without a hitch. A few hrs later I gathered up a few broken objects that needed to be fixed and opened up the superglue unscrewed the top and tried to pull out the applicator brush and found that all the glue had hardened and it was all useless. On Saturday when I was back in the area I returned to the store and found a new man working. I explained to him the situation, showed him the glue and the box it had came in with the stores price tag still affixed. He asked for a receipt. A small shred of tissue paper with a few scratches marked on it. After I found the key worked I discarded such a tiny piece of paper. I told him as much and was met with disbelief. «How do I know you bought it here?» I told him who was working the day the time and everything I bought. «We don’t accept returns without a receipt!» I told him I hadn’t kept the worthless shred of paper since I assumed that the merchandise they sold wouldn’t be faulty. He brought me into the back of the store and grudgingly with a lot of attitude gave me a refund. Told me how I got what I wanted and «was I glad»? Yeah I got what I came back for but didn’t need the attitude to go with it. I told him that I’m a contractor and would return to make more purchases. Then he started being a real d-​bag and told me perhaps it was best I didn’t. I can assure you that I’ll take his advice and never spend a cent there for sure without competitive prices the customer service is what keeps small businesses like this running. The piss poor attitude of what I assume is the owners son is gonna sink this business for sure. Apparently he doesn’t need business to continue operating. So I would suggest that if your looking to spend your money go somewhere that isn’t run by an asshole that inherited his daddy’s business but wasn’t left with his fathers desire to be friendly and run an honest business.

Definitely convenient if you live in West Philly, but not necessarily somewhere I’d go out of my way to visit. Prices are a little high, hours aren’t accommodating to someone with a M-​F day job, and its main draw seems to be that it’s the only option in the neighborhood.
Basically, if you need something small on a weekday and don’t mind paying a couple extra dollars to avoid leaving the immediate vicinity, they’re a go. Otherwise, hit up somewhere else.

Used them once for lock change and once for lock out. Both times I called, gave my address and someone arrived within 15 minutes. Couldn’t ask for anything more.

Needed some weird-​looking lightbulbs that CVS didn’t have, and there was absolutely no way I was making the trek to Home Depot unless I had to. So thankful that a quick Google search brought me to Monarch, which happens to be two blocks away from my apartment! I was greeted by a sweet old lady pretty much as soon as I walked in, and she was quick to help me find exactly what I needed. She was very careful and thorough, and even checked with some of the other guys who worked there to make sure that what she got was the correct lightbulb. I was in and out in five minutes, which didn’t give me a whole lot of time to check out what else they had, but the store looked pretty stocked with… well, everything. I paid a little more than I would’ve liked for lightbulbs (but then again I know nothing about the pricing of anything hardware-​related), but I definitely won’t complain about convenience and friendly service!

When in West Philadelphia this is the place to go. If you live in the neighborhood, you don’t have to go to Loews or Home Depot down on Columbus Boulevard, you can go around the corner.
They have everything, well probably nearly everything. In operation since 1929, this business has its original floor to ceiling shelves and oak drawers packed with all sorts of fun things.
This is the sort of place you go to when you need a certain type of florescent bulb and that particular bulb is no longer manufactured. On a related note, I wanted a flat head screw for my bathroom doorknob escutcheon. Following my request, the owner goes into the back storage area and brings back a little cardboard box full of the screws that had to date back to the FDR administration, if not when the store opened. They fit my door perfectly.
The one drawback is that this store is not open on Sundays (a chronic Philadelphia problem in a city still dealing with the legacy of Blue Laws) and closes on the early side in the evenings in general. Hours like these are perfect for general contractors but somewhat inconvenient for neighborhood residents with day jobs. The fact that West Philadelphia Locksmith is also closed on Sundays could draw business from anyone needing a key cut.
I should probably also mention that the staff is very helpful, especially when I was purchasing caulking materials, paint, potting soil and dealing with minor plumbing issues (installing a «j-​bend» pipe under bathroom sink and a new shower head).

I went in this morning to buy a toilet flapper, a shovel and a few other miscellaneous supplies. The staff at this local store is fantastic and they are so helpful and knowledgeable. They provided me more cost-​effective options even though they could have sold me higher-​priced goods, and when I accidentally purchased the wrong flapper, I came back and they happily exchanged it even though I opened the packaging. They are very sweet and understanding and they deserve more than five stars and I would shop here over the big chain stores any given day. I’ll definitely be back!!!

Okay. So this dude in here can make a key at the speed of light. Almost like that dude in the Matrix. I had to get a couple keys made. Homeboy had them fabricated in a snap. I’d imagine his house is filled with keys from all over.
The owner and his son are cool dudes. Always very helpful and willing to chat. They have all the essentials that can save you from a Home Depot trip right there in the neighborhood. Quality products too.

it’s the only game in town, which always makes something hard to rate! i try to shop here vs big box stores or amazon because its important to me to support local businesses, but this place is quite small, so unfortunately their offerings are somewhat limited. good in a pinch, though.

Used these guys twice. They are super helpful and generous. Once they didn’t have what I needed because it was a specialty item and they gave me two places to check instead of just letting me leave empty handed.

I recently moved into a new apartment and have been completely renovating the backyard. I’m a very DIY prone person, but am pretty young and haven’t had much experience with building and big projects. The guys at Monarch have been incredibly helpful. The store is well stocked with everything I need at affordable prices for even young college students such as myself.

Stuck-​up with an attitude like they are the only hardware shop in town. The guys at 20^th & Pine make them look like the amateurs they are. I will certainly go the extra distance next time!

Great little shop with plenty squeezed in, very helpful and a quick easy experience.

This is a local mom and pop type of operation. It’s a small store, but they pack in a lot of stuff. They also often competitive prices.
Just about every time I have gone to Monarch, I’m asked within seconds if I need help. And, they are always able to help me with what I need.
In addition to hardware goods, they have also helped change the looks in my home and replace glass in a window. They do offer to install the windows as well. However, when I inquired, they straight up told me I could save a chunk of money by bringing it in myself, since coming out and doing the work would cost significantly more. Most places don’t position you to pay less and, in turn, make less from the deal. But Monarch is about as honest as they get. They really have their customers interest in mind.
I’m a fan of putting money in the pockets of honest hardworking business owners, much more so than the Walmarts of the world. Check this place out if it’s near you and you have any hardware needs. They surely will take good care of you.

I went to Monarch to get supplies I needed for a project a while ago and was greeted with extraordinary service.
Al, an older man with white hair was extremely friendly and helpful even though I was in the store close to closing time (instead of trying to hustle me out!).
For neighborhood stores like this, the prices might not be as great as a massive store, but they more than make up for it in service.

Excellent, knowledgeable, and friendly service, the gentlemen at Monarch were able to help me pick the right screws and hangers in order to hang a finicky curtain bracket in my plaster walls (which had fallen down three times already). Even though I ended up having to come back after the first attempt didn’t work (due to my lack of knowledge regarding the walls and the size of my bracket) they were happy to exchange an unopened packet of anchors for something else (which then worked). Now when I need any type of hardware or home-​maintenance supply, I’ll be coming to the guys at Monarch for help. They really know their stuff!

They made my keys cheaply and well! And the staff is friendly. It’s awesome to have a local hardware store with knowledgable staff.
Also I have bought some affordable vegetable seeds and pots here. So what if I never planted the seeds in the pots! At least they make great containers for kitchen utensils now.

No frills, no fuss, just stuff to nail/​glue/​paint to other stuff. Service ranges from fair to decent to great. Be prepared for lots of dust. $ 10+ to use a credit card. Not open on Sundays.

Fast and friendly Locksmith.
I called a few place and their prices were the most reasonable and they seemed friendly. The locksmith showed up on time, was indeed friendly (who wants a creepy locksmith?!). he changed the locks, made new keys all on the spot. he was fast and efficient.

Great local West Philly hardware store for all my needs. Usually my hardware shopping is «urgent» in that a job can’t get finished without a particular tool or piece of hardware. Although I think I’ll make a quick visit, I can’t resist buying little gadgets or rolls of tape, «just in case.» Good prices and services. I highly recommend the store.

This is a little neighborhood hardware store… the only one anywhere near me in West Philly. It’s a tiny shop, but crammed in here is tons and tons of stuff, very well-​organized. I’ve always found everything I set out to buy when I came here, and then, some other things that I needed but had forgotten I needed.
The staff is friendly and helpful.
Prices are very reasonable.
I’m very glad this store is here and I would encourage others to visit it first instead of taking a trek out to one of those bigger corporate stores. You’ll probably find everything you need here, and save yourself a lot of time and headache.
=)