Adler’s Design Center & Hardware

Adler’s service is always above and beyond. Even when it’s busy (which it often is), they take it in stride. They like to help you solve your problems, not just point you an an aisle.
Even though they have a much smaller space than the big box hardware stores, they always have what I need. Also, they are really good at cutting keys.
It feels like the kind of family/​neighborhood store that existed in the old movies. Thanks for all your help, Adler’s!!!

Big shout out to Romi (sorry if that’s not spelled correctly) for his help with my very old door latch. Great job!

Here’s my experience with Adler’s. I am new to the area, and this place was recommended to me by my contractor, architect, and several friends and acquaintances. So of course I went, not once, but three times, for various reasons, mostly purchasing paint.
The first time I went with my husband, and it was the only time I was offered any kind of assistance from a salesperson. He was very nice, took some time with us, advised us as to hues and tones best for loft ceilings. So far, so good. Purchased expensive C2 (which I’ve used several times before) paint «chip» samples, based on his advice. Got them home to discover ALL of them were at least 3 shades too dark. All of them. (Even though we spent the majority of our consultation with the salesperson discussing how dark the paint should be, and he made a point of telling us he had lots of experience with loft ceilings.)
Back to the drawing board, but not there. Went to a local Ben Moore Center instead and am perfectly happy with final ceiling paint choices.
But back to Adler’s. I went again, this time to check out their Modern Masters section (also a product I am already familiar with, but I did have some questions to ask). I stood in front of the MM display for a good half hour, obviously in need of some assistance, but not one person offered me any. Not even a «If you need some help, let us know.» Nada. And no one else was in the shop, so the several employees wandering around were not busy with other customers.
Anyway, I gave up and left finally, no purchase. I should add that the whole time I was reading the different brochures and labels on the MMs display case, I was subjected to a very loud, distracting, and extremely annoying personal one-​way phone conversation carried on by (I surmised, simply due to the personal information she was loudly giving out) the wife of the owner, or an owner herself. (She identified herself as Someone Adler.) Anyway, it was a call to a doctor’s office, and had to do with medical tests and such, and was not a conversation I felt I should be listening to, nor one I felt she should want a stranger to listen to. However, this did not deter her in the least. Very unprofessional and embarrassing (at least to me) and just kind of… yucky. Mind you, she wasn’t dying or anything – it was all rather routine sounding stuff, but as I said, personal and not appropriate broadcasting material.
Okay, last time. I went to purchase some C2 paint for another project. This time I knew exactly what I wanted, so simply asked for it and paid for it and left. Which was a good thing, because once again, not a single person acknowledged my presence, let alone offered assistance of any kind. No one. So strange.
And one final complaint: This last visit was during the recent crazy snow season we’ve had in Providence and environs. But it was during a lull – fully enough time to at least shovel out your damn parking lot! It was untouched, except for the cars that were making slushy inroads in it, trying to keep from sliding around and hitting each other. I mean – ? The front steps and sidewalk of the church directly across the street, I noticed, were completely cleared of snow and ice. In fact, a man was busy with a shovel as I walked by. I almost asked him wth was up with Adler’s inability to provide safe and reasonable access to its business, but decided to keep my mouth shut and simply take my business elsewhere in the future.
Footnote: You can buy virtually all of the «unusual» products, such as C2 and Modern Masters paints online at a big discount from the prices Adler’s charges, even with paying for shipping costs. If this place is trying to set itself apart by its personal and exemplary professional service and advice, I’d say they are failing epically. You can’t really set yourself up as a friendly, family-​owned business and then not deliver something as basic as customer service, in my humble opinion. We had a hardware store much like Adler’s back in Bethesda, MD, where I moved from, called Strohsnider’s – also a family-​owned, service oriented, well-​staffed and stocked place. The difference was someone greeted you at the door when you entered, found out what you needed/​wanted, and then took you in hand to help you find and purchase it. Nothing even approximating anything like that happened to me at Adler’s, I promise you.
Advice: Buy online, and/​or visit a design service shop that actually does what it says it does: provides the kind of service big box stores don’t. I’d have settled for a simple, «What can we help you with today, ma’am?» but I didn’t even get that.

This is the best hardware store in town! I’ve been going to Adler’s for years. It’s the place for window glass, hardware, tools, and the best paint counter in the state.
Seriously, don’t go to the big box stores until you check out how much they fit in this store!

I have to say, unfortunately my good friend, who went there to spend quite a bit of do re mi $$$, told me exactly all the same as the negative reviews here. She spent about 10 minutes in the design center area, where two women decided to chit chat and not even pay her mind, then my friend went to the front register, asked for help, where she was assured that someone was there waiting to help her, and my friend said, no, there is no one there working, the person at the register proceeded to page the woman who was to be in design, and when she came up, low and behold, yes it was one of the women that was far to busy chatting, who then, walked back to design center and said «here are the books» (with the type of wallpaper my friend wanted), and proceeded to leave my friend there alone, even though she asked for assistance and input, to go back to chatting, after 10 minutes my friend went to walk out and the woman said, did you not find what you wanted? and my friend said, (now the owner was there chatting with the two women), when I am spending the amount of money I am about to spend, I prefer to get some service, the woman’s jaw dropped! It is really unfortunate because, as the other negative reviewers mentioned, of course we want to support a local family run business but, not at the cost of service and expertise… c’mon Mr. Adler, time to hire professional client oriented staff!

Wonderful expert advice and quality products. I love the paint that we got the project came out perfect. thank you thank you thank you to the wonderful people at Adlers Hardware store for all their help and support

The nicest, most helpful people in the world. Worth it.

Great neighborhood hardware store. Where you can actually get some help. I was looking for a light switch which apparently isn’t made anymore because its not a popular style. Wouldn’t you know they had one. Thanks adler’s for being around.

Dear Adler,
Thank you for carrying C2 paint and helping me find the perfect shade of gray. After exhausting my search at Benjamin Moore, I came here and found the color I was searching for! It helps that C2 paint sample strips are a 100% match to the actual paint in the can which saved this DIY home renovator moolah! I did not have to keep buying paint samples!!!
I also really appreciate the fact that you carry Waterlox! When it sold out in the store, you called me back to save me a can when a new shipment came in the next week. I love that you carry all these hard to find specialty items (the big box stores don’t carry) and your staff is so knowledgeable (compared to the people especially the teens working at the big box stores).

Again, I am so excited to find all these small neighborhood businesses. Also located on Wickenden street along with many of my other favorite stores is this hardware shop where I get most of my stuff. It’s always difficult to find parking right next to the business you are looking for but if you don’t mind walking a few blocks you’ll be able to find ample parking. I came here to get keys made and they were quick, efficient and affordable. Best thing is that all the keys worked! They also have a great selection of paints and other things you expect to find in a hardware store. If it’s something small and generic don’t go all the way down to the Home Depot when you can be here at Adler’s.

I work at a local museum in Pawtucket and I live Providence. Adler’s is a fine family hardware store. Whenever I have needed to replace glass, make duplicate keys, replace a plumbing fixture, find a nut or a drill bit, or (and this is mostly what I purchase) look for advice about painting, buy paint, sandpaper, brushes, or need to find another source for something they do not carry, Adler’s has been 100% helpful.
Adler’s is a resource, and everyone I have interacted with has been unfailingly helpful and friendly. For certain things they may be more expensive, but if you are buying large quantities of paint, for example, you can establish a business relationship that will keep them competitive.
Adler’s is also generous to the community. They have donated consultation time and materials to be auctioned off at fundraisers, and they have given advice and paint every time I have approached them. This is the reason why people buy local, instead of at the Big Box stores. So I would take issue with the people who find Adler’s «unhelpful» or «rude,» having many intersections with them in the past ten years, every one of which was helpful and friendly. Customers are entitled to their opinions, but let’s be honest: they are not really ‘right’ all of the time. If you arrive with an attitude, maybe you’ll miss the essence of the place. If you go to Adler’s looking for help, in my experience, Adler’s has always been there, as well as for my wife and everyone else I’ve sent to Wickenden Street.
P. S. There’s great pizza across the street at Fellini’s, and the Coffee Connection is a few feet away for your Joe.

I’ve been shopping at Adler’s for over 10 years and would absolutely recommend this store to anyone. Having read other reviews on Unilocal,I’ve seen a bunch of comments about the staff being rude… I’ve never experienced that myself.
I grew up in Vermont where the local hardware store was not just a place to buy paint, but it was a place to meet product experts and learn from other craftsmen. I can tell you that Adler’s is the only place in RI where I’ve had that same experience. The staff is super knowledgeable, and more importantly, they USE the products that they sell so they can tell you how the products work in the real world.
It’s not that I am anti-​Lowes, or anti-​Home Depot, but let me tell you… stores like that carry only vendors that can deliver HUGE quantities of product at super cheap prices. Hence, the quality of the products in those stores is nothing like what you get at a store like Adler’s. Try finding a high-​end varnish or tung oil at a big box store. Try finding precision wood working tools, or high-​end bits. They just aren’t there. If you want the best, you have to go to a smaller store that can carry what they want, not what they are mandated to carry.
Adler’s is a small-​business that’s run by people who are great at what they do. I wish I lived closer so I could go there over big-​box more often. However, if I am in the neighborhood, or I need something that’s quality, this is where I go.
~Todd

I was surprised at the negative reviews because I have had such great service at Adlers over the years. They should not be compared to Lowes or Home Depot. They are a convince store and home decoration store. I’ve seen comments of the staff being rude but I always found it to be a laid back attitude. I have had custom paint made, window treatment and more. I now live 15 miles away and still make the trip for the specialized service.

Went in to buy new door hardware and as always they have a fabulous selection

It is really nice to have a hardware store within walking distance. Their selection is small, but they have most everything you would need for small-​scale home improvement. Prices are high — I assume they markup everything given its ‘urban’ location. I don’t go to Adler’s when I have a long list, but it is fine when you just need one thing.
The major problem I have with Adlers is their hours — since they are family run they are open ‘traditional’ business hours (only open until 6 during the week) and are closed on Sundays. Most of my home improvement happens on the evenings and weekends.

Local hardware store… good prices, great people.

Talk about rude, the staff is far from welcoming or helpful. I hate to write bad reviews but I also hate people who judge a book by it’s cover. Yes I am younger but I am in the middle of a home renovation and have a 10k budget for interior design. I walked in looking for wallpaper and left with a frown.
When I walked in the store it was empty, despite that I didn’t get a «hello how are you» or «something I can help you find?». Just a cold blank stare then a women ignoring me. The best part of it was when a older women with sun-​glasses and bleach blonde hair walked in with a Gucci bag everybody who worked their surrounded her. I do not like snotty snooty people, you work their you don’t own the store so please don’t pass judgement as a staff-​member.
Never again!

I wanted to like Adler’s. I mean– great location, metric hardware, fun inventory.
But something is… off.
The staff is unhelpful, the clientele is snobby, and the selection is over-​priced.
It took me well over ten minutes to be helped. Yuck. I really hope the owners read some of these Unilocal reiews and do a customer service overhaul.

I despise this store.
For some reason I’ve been back a few times because everyone always raves about. In my handful of visits though I’ve found the store confusing and claustrophobic. Worse, the staff is rude, aloof, unhelpful, and seemingly annoyed when there are customers around.
I want to support a local, non-​chain hardware store but Home Depot, you are my next stop for hardware needs, NEVER again Adler’s.

This store is what I imagine the seven circles of hell to be.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve only been there during the week and this was my first weekend stop. Perhaps it’s because I’m all too familiar with the convenience, glorious organization and multiple options at Home Depot. Perhaps it’s because I prefer to be treated with dignity, but never in my life have I been so completely appalled by a store as I just was at Adler’s.
The staff — rude and aloof — are completely useless. When I asked for assistance, I was glared at, snarfed at, and then turned on so the old lady could scream into their phone system and ask for help. When the strange and unfriendly man behind the key counter «assisted» me, I was shuffled around, snapped at, and made to feel completely unappreciated, even though he messed up my order. It was gross.
I won’t ever, ever be back — and that makes me sad, because I love supporting the local businesses in my community. There aren’t many small, family-​owned hardware stores in Providence anymore, and I would like to do my part to contribute. By why should I spend 50% more on an item here and leave feeling humiliated or furious when I can go elsewhere and leave feeling satisfied and happy? I ain’t no masochist, kids.
Also, that mean old lady should retire. Just because you’re wicked old and have an authentic New England accent doesn’t give you license to be a complete shrew. Just sayin’.