Penn Hardware

I will start by saying the service is excellent, but their prices are WAY WAY higher than any big box hardware store. Its cheaper to take the drive to Home depot, or even Lowes which is still higher the the Depot, but still extremely cheaper than Penn.

Excellent experience here. I liked their selection, the guy who copied keys for me was very helpful and friendly, and the woman at the register was very kind and helpful as well. Prices were a little higher than big box stores of course, but worth it. Loved the old old floors. I’m appalled by the racist reviews on this place — ignore them, it’s a good spot and you shouldn’t hesitate to shop here!

I can’t believe all the racist reviews! This place is great! Everyone, including the male Asian owner, is extremely helpful in this store! I can’t stand going to Home Depot/​Lowes, where the «real Americans» work because of their real lack of customer service! Whenever I go to penn treaty hardware I always am greeted by someone who wants to help. God Bless America that anyone from anywhere can still come here and set up shop if they are willing to work hard enough! Like I said this place is great, their prices are competitive with the big box stores and they’re conveniently located. I love going to this store.

I felt the same way as Kev and the last Unilocaler when I walked in there today. I was surprised to see the rude Asian female behind the counter. The outside appearance gave you the impression that older white people owned it. But a nice white gentleman made sure to approach me, greeting me and made sure I walked away happy with my purchase and a little small talk. I would give this place a higher review if they didn’t lose my front door screen/​frame over the summer due to lack of organization.

I would go to this place over Home Depot or Lowes any day of the week. I’m always greeted as soon as I walk in and the employees always know where everything is located in the store. They even offer advice when I need it. The store seems really small from the outside, but I’ve honestly never left here empty-​handed and they always have everything I need. Sure, maybe they’re not American-​owned, but so what? That’s part of the American dream, so I think people should lay off them. They run an honest, local business that offers good, affordable products and it is 100 times better than their evil corporate counterparts.

Kev,
I’m with you a hundred percent regarding Penn Hardware. It does have a few issues. The American workers go out of their way to help you. But that wife needs to go somewhere else. She was sitting at the cash register on her cell phone, talking in Korean the entire time I was there, screaming to someone in a god-​awful tone. I dunno, maybe the kimchy went sour. She rang up my purchases without missing a beat to her phone mate. I couldn’t say if she spoke any English, but she sure wasn’t talking anything to me.
Total rudeness on her part is putting it mildly.
I, too, love the idea of the little hardware store, and yes, I walked in there and they installed a new screen for me. Not sure if Home Depot would have done that.
It’s the «American Culture» thing that they don’t have a clue about. Nor do they show any interest in learning it.

I have to say this store, has been one of the few stores on Frankford Avenue that still exists after a lot of other stores went out of buisness years’ ago. But this place has not.
I’m middle-​aged & my dad, back in the day, we used to go together. (i’m talking when i had to hold my dad’s hand when crossing frankford avenue)
When Home Depot or Lowes doesn’t even carry those certain parts that are just too hard to find, Penn Hardware «ALMOST ALWAYS» has it in stock. I still go there to have certain knives sharpened & I always go there to have keys made.
I’m sure by now that the original owners after all these years’ have long since retired & sold the buisness. I cannot blame them. I would do the same thing. I’m just a little bumed-​out (well, a lot to be honest with ya) that when you put something up for sale in the open market, anyone from anywhere can buy it~That’s the AMERICAN” way, right?
Well, it wasn’t sold to a fellow American. I think some Asian or Koeren husband & wife bought it. If anyone has the money (& they normally come to the U.S. «loaded» to begin with) They kept the emloyees on as hired help, which was nice of them. They could’ve let them go when the store sold, but kept these fine gentleman on. Here’s my down-​fall, I don’t know if any of you out there feel the same about American Buisnesses’ the way I feel but the wife, who couldn’t & doesn’t want to be bothered, who normally sits behind the counter & doesn’t even give you the sweat off her brow. I personally think she can’t speak English very well. I can’t beleive it myself. It’s sad that we don’t have enough «fairly-​rich» individuals out there who whould’ve bought this store. I noticed since they owned it (it’s not due to inflation either) everything went up in price. And I mean everything. So sad in my opinion, but I guess nothing lasts forever, right ?
But the workers (the american guys) could not do enough for ya. They are teriffic in my opinion. they are right there when you walk in to help you.
The store is the same (*1966*) when my dad & I used to go together (that’s a good thing) the squeaky floors, the smell of the old wood floors, it brings back child-​hood memories anyway for me it does. But, at least, I can always bend-​an-​ear with the fella’s & talk about todays’ events with them & it really makes your day.