Maine Hardware

When you go to Home Depot or Lowes, a part time employee (if you can find one at all) will usually meet your questions with uncomfortable looks and then search around for a handout of some kind. They may suggest you come back on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of every month when the person who knows answers to questions visits the store between the hours of 2:13 and 2:22. Or they may just sort of confabulate. Their products are often oddly flawed or flimsy, like the shop vac that can’t seem to pick up sand (really).
You pay more at Maine Hardware but the things they sell are not garbage, their clerks know what they are talking about and the value of your many is far better spent there than anywhere else near Portland. It has taken me 5 years of home ownership to finally figure this out. Buy lumber products from Hammond, stone from Gagne & son, yard stuff from Paris farmer’s union and hardware from Maine Hardware. And don’t ever go to Lowes or Home Depot!

Best hardware store around! We have been going there for many years and have always found the staff to be knowledgeable and VERY helpful! From buying paint for our house, to getting a new air conditioner, to buying bird seed, shovels and snow melt, and absolutely anything else hardware, it is our go-​to store every time. And free popcorn!

This store is great. The staff is available but not too pushy. They’re friendly, super knowledgeable and it’s clear some have worked, or currently work, in the trades. If you ask a clerk a question and they don’t know the answer, they’ll find someone who does. My dad loves it too. He’s brought in questionable plumbing parts they’ve actually fixed for him on the spot. And although the location may not be the most scenic in town, I like that it’s close and I don’t have to go to the mall area.

When I moved into my apartment, my shower was leaking like CRAZY. My landlord came over to see if she could fix it after a quick plumbing lesson by some of the people over at Maine Hardware. When she couldn’t figure something out, she called the hardware store. I’m the type of person to instantly jump on YouTube if I can’t figure something out, but no, this is Maine… you can just call the hardware store for help and you’ll actually talk to a helpful person.
A few weeks later, I decided to go over to Maine Hardware for some paint. I knew this wouldn’t necessarily be a quick trip, as I’m pretty indecisive and I knew it would take me more than a minute to find the perfect shade of gray for the furniture I was about to paint.
I was in the store FOR AN HOUR. This is because the gentleman at the paint counter was super helpful and friendly. Once he found out that I was working on a DIY project, he was sure to give me plenty advice and even pulled out some pamphlets to give me a little more inspiration. Once I finally picked my shade of paint, he worked to make sure I was getting the best bang for my buck. I always appreciate a good bargain!
I also went to Maine Hardware during their Ladies Night event, which was amazing and PACKED. The whole store was 20% off, they had food/​wine tasting, and even manicures in the paint section!
The ONLY reason I am giving four stars instead of five is because twice when I went to check out, they forgot to ask me if I had a rewards card (which I do). This means I missed out on getting things for the sale price. I know this is partly my fault, but I do wish they had reminded me during the checkout process.

I’ll keep it short and sweet — I just had one of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever had this past weekend at Maine Hardware on St. John St. I left the store feeling great about life in general.

Alright, so Portlander’s know that the strip mall on St. John St is a little… let’s say… rough around the edges. I can’t say I’ve spent much time walking around this area exploring the local businesses, and because I haven’t I missed entirely that Maine Hardware Store was located here. A recent desire to do every DIY project on Pinterest encouraged me to come for wood stain recently… and now? I’m actively making up reasons to come!
It’s too small of physical space for the staff, customers, and stuff they have. So it spills out to the sidewalk and clutters the aisles. But I like that. I like that it feels like I’m in someone I know and trusts basement or garage (and harkens back to every hardware store my grandfather and mom used to drag me to when I was little). At a hardware store, things shouldn’t be pristine and sterile, because that’s disingenuous.
I like that it smells like wood and paint here.
I like that there’s free popcorn.
And I really like the staff.
Everyone’s so politically correct these days that sometimes customer service — or the true nature of helping someone — seems stuffy and forced. Not here. These are real Mainers helping other real Mainers do what Mainers do best… work with our hands to create, build, destroy, and rebuild. The first time I came, there was a girl with pink streaks in her hair; I wasn’t expecting that at a place like this (but it shows you how much the times have changed). And she was super patient and thoughtful checking us out. The last time I came an elderly gentleman met me at the door. It was VERY busy here that day. But he asked me what I needed — like i was the only person there. «Wooden stakes,» I responded. «Big or small?» He asked. «About my size.» I told him (FYI: I’m pint/​travel-​sized). «Oh, so, big then!» He stated. We laughed. We had a moment. We were people to each other — not just a customer, and not just an employed person looking to make a transaction. Then he brought me to the aisle where they were. «You don’t have to do this,» I told him as I trailed behind. «Sure I do, because you want to get in and out… I can tell.» Very astute. Very true. And a process which could have taken 15 minutes or longer, took just 5 because of his help. He even offered to carry them out to my car. Who has customer service like this anymore?
Maine Hardware does. Because they’re locally owned. And we all know that Mainer’s possess a kind of hospitality and consideration not found anywhere else on the planet. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to find more DIY projects so I can continue going to Maine Hardware!

That couldn’t have gone any better. These folks know their stuff. «Do I have it? Yes, right here.» That’s the answer I like

I live in Portland, and I have a very old house (1860), so I end up doing a lot of DIY. I used to go to Aubuchon before they moved, but now if i’m in a pinch Maine Hardware is my spot. The store is organized really well and there is someone who seems to specialize in each functional area always willing to help — this is the biggest difference to me between a store like Maine Hardware and Home Depot — someone who can give you an answer on the spot when you have a specific question about a fitting or a job. I have been sad to see the Trustworthys and True Values that used to be around dissipate, so its nice to have a throwback, high quality option in Portland when you don’t feel like dealing with mall traffic or big box store help who can rarely answer questions. You will pay a little more, but if you’re going in here for a valve, nuts and bolts, paint etc. the price difference isn’t that bad — plus you’re sure to get great service.
I wish they were open later, that is the only thing holding me back from 5 stars.

Pricey but EXCELLENT service. Free popcorn!

Largest supply of hardware (nuts/​bolts) in pitches and lengths that rival McMaster Carr. That is right on when you’re tired of Home Depot carrying less and less for a tradesman.

this is a hardware store with a little bit of everything. some of the merchandise is a little over-​priced, but it you can pretty much find everything you’re looking for all in one spot.
I stopped in here today for the 3^rd time… and discovered that Maine Hardware has free popcorn! yup. swing a right at the register and keep going til you smell it.
also, there is a rewards card that you should sign up for… it’s not like others, this one actually pays off, they’ve already sent me 2 $ 5 gift cards in the mail! free money and free popcorn? my kinda place.