Hillside Hardware and Paint Co

Fast, friendly service + the goods. Ask for what you want, and you’ll find it + buy it (in/​out quickly).

I went in as the cliched girl with a new apartment and no idea how to hang art (or, in this case, my spice rack that didn’t come with screws even though it was supposed to!) They were wonderfully helpful, and kind, they gave me helpful hints on how to install it, as well as the correct screws… in a situation like this you never know if you’re going to get genuine help or be laughed at. This was 100% genuine help, and they also made me an extra copy of my keys in like 2 minutes. I will go here next time I need help on a small household project!

I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a better hardware store. This place is jam packed with everything. I’ve purchased keys, smoke detectors, paint, tools, and other various items over the last 10+ years of patronizing this business. My experience has always been consistent. Friendly people, knowledgeable staff, and always willing to go the extra mile. I could go to Home Depot and save a couple of bucks but I prefer to patronize a local business with outstanding staff and service.

What helpful staff. While waiting for one gentleman to get my hardware cloth cut, I think every single employee asked if I needed help. I love that! And on top of that, this place is PACKED with fun hardware and accessories. Fun time to look through it all while waiting. Will definitely go back. I would rather pay more money to support this business and get this service

Great small hardware store. Packed to the brim with stuff. They have lots of paint and house work stuff, but less of the nuts and bolts hardware.

I really appreciate this hardware store. The people working there have been very helpful and friendly each time I’ve been there, showing me to whatever I’ve been looking for and explaining options.

I went in to replace a fluorescent light bulb and the owner asked me questions about the fixture. He recommended I replace the Ballast as well as the bulb and it turned out to be the ballast after all. Saved me another trip and the new bulb was much brighter than the old.

Hillside is a filthy garage. An amazing, beautiful, filthy garage.
It’s got everything you’ll need, and nothing you can find, which is why I’ll echo the sentiments in a number of reviews: ask the employees. Just like Junior’s pigsty of a room, there’s method to the madness and only he understands it. If you decide your product GPS is on par just fine, thankyouverymuch during your first visit, it’s guaranteed you will be asking for assistance during each subsequent perusal. So before you grab the whip and your pith helmet, just buck up and inquire like every other customer who walks through the door.
Oh, and wear a dust mask — filthy garages are filthy! There’s a ¼ inch layer of sawdust and other assorted particulate on a bag of grass seed, but I’ve figured out why: every contractor, paint professional and plumbing enthusiast swings through during its opening hours. And if the pros are making this their purveyor of choice, so should you.
Bonus tip: need chems to keep you motor running? I found carb and choke cleaner, fuel additives, motor oil, coolant, radiator sealant and other engine maintenance liquids on hand, just in case the jalopy is bringing you down. Prices are better than the gas station!

As a chick who is quite competent when it comes to using tools, and has engaged in many DIY projects out of both boredom and necessity, I often dread going to the hardware store, including those really big hardware stores that sell those orange buckets, and dealing with a staff that is either incompetent, condescending, or both. This is not the case, however, at Hillside, and I’m super glad I found this place. The staff comes off as genuine and clearly know what they’re talking about. The older guy that helped me sort out what all I needed to refinish my coffee table was super sweet and even remembered me from when I was there a couple months before. This is a business that is highly deserving of local support!

Only reason for not giving 5 stars is that the selection, while impressive for such a small store, is limited even compared to some other local non-​big-​box hardware stores. Customer service can’t be beat, though. They’re friendly and extremely helpful. For example, one time when I was trying to find some fasteners for a piece of furniture they didn’t stock them but gave me some extras that they had leftover from past furniture purchases of their own.

Nothing bad to say about these guys. I think they know me by now – I go up there for almost all my home repair/​improvement needs. They are a little more expensive (for some things) than big box stores, but it’s so nice to support local businesses and have the convenience of them right up the street.

Most of the guys who work here are great, but the old guy with the wonky eye is the living worst. He wasted about 20 minutes of my time because I dared to ask him for a specific nut I couldn’t find. I’m not sure if it was deliberate or through sheer incompetence. I wouldn’t be surprised either way. Steer well clear if that guy’s working, everybody else there has been great.

This place is a gem. I can walk in with a small screw and/​or bolt and they’ll match it for me, accurately. They have also ordered special lengths of rebar for a garden trellis project (called when they came in) and other items. Staff are very friendly and helpful, always a pleasure to visit here. I try never to go to Home Depot anymore. And prices are competitive. Truly a pleasure to have this as my local hardware store.

A paint and hardware store owned and run by people whose corporate office is behind the counter, not in the Cayman Islands.

their customer service blew me away! explained the problem I needed to fix, they walked me through all the options. problem: solved, so easily
this clueless-​about-​hardware gal was very satisfied

I really love this hardware shop. The staff has always been helpful and if there is something that isn’t in, well it’ll be in next week. I have to give a lot of credit to the local guys. I’d much rather come here than to get lost at Home Depot.

Owner Mark is the best! Him and his staff know about pretty much anything and everything. And if you stump him then he has a guy or a phone number you can call to get the answer you need. This is old school Mom and Pop type of store that this country was built on. None of the Big Box Chain Store stuff that everything is turning into. I prefer to give my hard earned money to places like this. Every square inch of space is filled with items from A to Z. Hard to find just what you are looking for but if you ask the guys they will know exactly where to find it. Prices are fair but I personally put a premium on great service and this place will give it to you. Go check it out next time you are doing a home project.

I just moved to the Somerville/​Medford area and have been repeatedly coming to Hillside True Value for all my hardware needs. They have a knowledge group of gentlemen who are always willing to provide their advice and help find the right tool for the job. Prices are fair and returning an item is never a hassle. Plenty of parking on the street or across the street from the store in the parking lot next to the church.

I love the feel of a place that reminds me of my basement when I was growing up. Stuff everywhere, but yet everything is in it’s place.
The service is excellent and they always have what I’m looking for.
Definitely a small town local feel to it.

This place has tons of inventory, but for some strange reason, they never ever have what I’m looking for. The inside is filthy, almost as if it’s never been cleaned. Ever.
But the owners and employees are friendly, and always willing to help you find something and give suggestions. Hillside is nice to have around for when you need something generic like a bulb or varnish. And it always feels good to keep your cheddar local and not support Home Depot.