Carlmont Ace Hardware

After a crappy experience at Hassett Ace in RWC, I decided to give this place a try — especially because I noticed that they’re not affiliated with the Hassett chain. I’m in the middle of 40 bajillion projects at the moment, and sometimes it’s just more fun to go to a real hardware store vs. the soulless orange behemoth we all know. I walked in and it felt like home. Within a minute of searching through their nuts and bolts, an employee came up, and while working with someone else, asked if I was finding everything I needed. THAT, my friends, is service. It’s pretty much the polar opposite of the experience I had at the other Ace. I ended up getting what I needed, and checked out with someone who made friendly conversation.
Their loose nuts, bolts, screws, etc. aisle is pretty much unbeatable and it’s so nice to be able to buy what you need, in a quantity you need, instead of being strong-​armed into getting a whole box of something you need 5 of. I passed by the key machine and smiled because not only is it becoming increasingly difficult to find a place that’ll cut keys by hand (a process I’m convinced is much more accurate than the automated machines used today), but their machine area was spotless. No metal shavings all over the ground or anything.
This is a smaller store, but there are only so many things a person needs when completing a home improvement project, and I’m sure they have it or can order it. I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long to visit. I could’ve been coming here all along!

The people here are so helpful. They have the time to really find out what you need. Small, well stocked and organized.

This is my new favorite go to. Since I had to move, this Ace has been my savior. I can’t count how many times I’ve been here? Compared to Home Depot, hands down I’d rather go here because I can find someone and ask a question. For some reason I can’t do that in the cluster of ciaos at Home Depot. Everyone at this Ace has been a pleasure to interact with. I’ve been able to upgrade my new apartment thanks to this store. And I’m not stressed about it. Thank you Ace Hardware.

Love this place. Anytime we need a small item for a project, my boyfriend and I look here first and don’t have to drive to the big box store instead (especially when Tyler’s Nursery was still open!). The staff are always so helpful. Today they helped find the right wire to rebuild some croquet wickets, measured and cut it for me, and gave me a great price!!!

Very friendly and helpful staff. If you need help with your hardware choices, no matter large or small, you will get it there. A much better shopping experience than big box stores. I hope they stay around; it is a real neighborhood gem.

If you do not have a clue about anything house maintenance, come in here and the staff will help you figure it out. The group of guys and gals in this store absolutely know their stuff and are super friendly about everything.
On the few occasions that I have been in I have never been inside the store for more than 10 – 15 minutes. You get help instantly, you check out and are done. It really is as quick and efficient as it sounds.
Really awesome hardware store.

A *real* hardware store, just like the old days. People who know a lot about everything, wide selection, obscure parts (like hinge pins!). This is a real asset to the community.

The people here are the best. The guys in the back always have a good attitude and are ready to chat about stuff. They are really knowledgable but are ready to admit when they are inexperienced in a certain area.
Also, you can recycle your old fluorescent tubes here!
I like their variety and location too.

Mark isn’t just an expert in hardware, he’s an expert in Build-​A-​Bear animals too. One Saturday morning after my weekly trip to the Belmont Library, I stopped inside Carlmont Ace Hardware with my SF Giants Build-​A-​Bear Panda because its pants kept falling off its butt and wouldn’t stay in place. So, I asked Mark if he could help me, and he quickly managed to move its pants back into their proper position and they haven’t been falling off ever since. Thank you Carlmont Ace Hardware and Mark!

This is an excellent hardware store not only for their stock of items but the customer service is wonderful… I needed a tool to fix my dining room chair, so I brought the chair there and a man put it right up on the counter near the back of the store and took out an Allen wrench and tightened the screws for me… I was so thankful for his help… he also showed me how to use the wrench in the future, so I bought it and my problem was solved…

Needed a really small Phillips screwdriver and they went in the back and found one for me. Good old fashioned customer service. What a concept.

Probably the best customer service I’ve ever received in a hardware store. Clause (sic) was very helpful and helped me get the right parts and gave me great advice on how to finish my DIY kitchen sink installation. I highly recommend this local gem to all Belmont residents!!!

Carlmont Ace has dropped two stars due to a decline in customer service of late. Some of the curmudgeons that work here are surly and appear inconvenienced if you ask them for assistance.

Vinz Clortho here.
You know, Keymaster of Gozer the Gozerian.
Perhaps you’ve heard of me before (
).
Okay no, just kidding. But it’s the 30^th anniversary of Ghostbusters so I kinda had to throw that in there for my boy, Rick Moranis.
Seriously though, I AM Candice G and I was hoping to be the keymaster of my own apartment so I came to Carlmont Ace Hardware to get a zillion copies of the apartment keys that I know I’m probably going lose a billion times over.
Preparedness.
Take that, Zuul.
So I came to this Ace Hardware and it looks and smells about the same as any Ace Hardware anywhere. The smell of tools, gardening supplies, and mechanic knick knacks reminded me of home for some reason and I really liked that.
The woman at the counter was kind enough to point me in the direction of the kind-​of-​unofficial key area (I was expecting a designated counter) where I was met by a nice, Jon Voight-​like older gentleman who was able to examine my keys and make a slightly less exaggerated number of keys than the ‘zillion’ I’d mentioned above.
I got 6 total keys in about 10 minutes and I think my total was something around $ 6, which is a significantly lower dollar figure than what it would cost for a locksmith if and when I lock myself out.

Great little shop… has been for so many years. Totally recommend.

This is an awesome place! I needed a nut for my bike, and the bike shop recommended Ace Hardware. And I went to the local hardware shop near my home, They recommended Ace Hardware too. And I went there and I found what I wanted! The gentleman kindly looked for the right nut among tons of different nuts they had. If you’re looking for any bolt, nut, small piece of hardware, this is the right place!

Expert advice, fully stocked hardware preveyor; very nice hardware store experience.

These guys and gals are WONDERFUL!!! They go out of their way to help you!!! Anytime I have a hardware problem, the guys are SO knowledgeble that it saves me time and money. They have helped me fix my toilet, my shelves, cleaning… everything!!! I can’t say enough about how good ‘olé fashoned help and service is ALIVE and WELL in this store!!!
If I could give 10 stars, they would get it!!!

I come here to get my keys done.
Always an easy, breezy experience. The employees (all on the older side) are very knowledgeable and helpful. I’m ALWAYS helped on the spot without hesitation — the second I walk through the door! They make the keys with the cool old school machine. They are a little on the pricer side than getting a key done at Wal-​Mart or CVS but the beauty is that you know this key will FIT!
I’ve had problems in the past with cheaply made keys so I prefer to come here and have peace of mind that my key is made accordingly. They have pretty keys and designs :-) Because I’m a babysitter and need to carry several keys I like to switch it up! Carlmont Ace gets 5 stars from me!

Carlmont Ace Hardware opened in 1977 and has stayed in the same family the entire time. I love the customer service in this neighborhood store.
I often go here for keys and other random things. The employees give good advice, and I can’t say the same for Home Depot. The store has a surprising amount of items for a neighborhood hardware store. Very convenient.
I spaced when I made my keys and asked for them to make duplicates of the wrong keys. They were really nice and didn’t charge me for the keys, even though the mistake was mine.
For cheap a while back, I bought some real spare keys and a key chain as a toy for my son here. Now he has his own real key chain too, so I don’t have to share mine.