Buikema’s Ace Hardware Center

I stop at this store first before going to the big box home improvement stores for most items. Have been shopping here for almost 25 years. I understand that I may be paying a little more, but I like the feeling of a small, old fashioned hardware store. Just this weekend, I bought stain for my wood fence, accessories for my grill and light bulbs. In the last few weeks, I’ve purchased propane for my grill, dirt for a garden project, and fertilizer for my lawn. I regularly shop here for there bulk hardware (bolts, etc). If I only need to buy a few, I only buy what I need, they have a large selection and it’s easy to find. As I just mentioned, I shop i the paint section. I find the staff in the paint area helpful and their selection is large. While there are a few high school-​age employees, there are also many workers who I think were former tradesmen, so I’ve gotten some useful direction. Now, I also had a return this weekend – bought the wrong bulb – and I had no issue returning it. The workers at the store are always friendly, and they know the layout of the store and always take me to the item I’m looking for. As you might guess, parking is very close to the door. I just have an experience here I don’t get at the big box stores and I like supporting local businesses.

There’s something about hardware stores that just appeals to me. Maybe it’s just all of the stuff. There’s always bound to be something in here that I find and decide I can’t live without. This store is on the large side, without being as overwhelming as someplace like Home Depot. It’s also in a rather convenient location. All in all, if you need a hardware store, this place will probably have what you need. I’ve got no complaints!

Too expensive, much more expensive than other hardware stores in the area. The price you see it’s not the price it will be charged; there is always a price error and you will be charge more than shown in the isle. Refund not a concept understood here, if they make a mistake and overcharge you, you have to go back to get your money back.

I almost always shop at Home Depot. But they didn’t have the specific mousetrap I needed (don’t ask). So I made a quick trip to this fine establishment.
First, the employees are super nice and helpful. I have the feeling a lot of them are retired construction workers, electricians, plumbers, etc. Not high school grads like you find at Home Depot. They pointed me in the right direction and I found what I needed with no problems.
Second, the store is small and cramped. The aisles are very narrow, barely wide enough for one shopping cart to go through. I had my son with me so I found it difficult to navigate certain parts of the store.
Finally, there is no place in the parking lot that I could see to leave the carts. I couldn’t just leave my son in the car while running the cart back inside. So I ended up leaving it in the next spot over. I know, not supposed to do that, so sue me.
I give this store 3 stars — mostly because of the cramped layout and parking lot thing.
Other than that, it’s not a bad place.

This is where to go for help. If you are trying to figure out how to do something or need a part and aren’t sure what part, these guys will help you.
If you are looking for a big, shiny store this isn’t it. This is like a neighborhood store. Most of the employees are older and have lots more knowledge than the people working at Home Depot!
I’ve come in here, knowing WHAT I have to do, but not exactly sure HOW to do it. These guys, (usually one will call over another for a consult), have taken me through the store to get the parts and talked me through what I needed to do.
The check out process can be kind of slow. Rarely is more than one lane open. Sometimes they will have the customer service desk help out if it gets really backed up.
Oh and they won’t give you quarters for the car wash next door.

Going into any Ace Hardware Center is like going back in time as far as I’m concerned and this location is no exception!
Though Ace is a chain store, every time I walk into this location I feel as though I’m walking into my local hardware store. The staff is friendly and helpful.
All in all, I highly recommend you check out Buikema’s Ace Hardware Center.