The man that works in the hobbies department, Tracie is the most knowledgeable model train expert we ave ever met. So helpful.

Ace was having a large sale today on the side walk. I picked out some items to buy then walked inside to pay. I was immediately targeted and surrounded by over 6 Ace hardware employees for not having a mask on. I explained I have a religious exemption and provided them with my personal religious exemption information. The ace hardware employee Johnathan snatched the items I wanted to buy from my hands. I snapped a photo of Johnathan not even wearing his mask over his nose. After being denyed services for not wearing a mask I was on my way out when Omar waited until I was in the doorway to close the automatic door on me, crushing and cutting my arm.Because I have a religious exemption I was harassed, discriminated against, assaulted all for not wearing a mask. Meanwhile Johnathan and a few other Ace employees didnt even have their masks on properly.I will be suing for discrimination and assault.

I really like this place. My 4 star is only because when I go in, I get the Can I help. You? which mean I think your intending on shoplifting, so Im gonna follow you around and make sure your uncomfortable. Which actually speaks volumes for how cool this place is considering it STILL got 4 stars. Well stocked.Get in, find whatcha need, pay, go. And they are knowledgeable about most things With the exception of bike parts... Dont ask for bike tubes, pull be shown surgical tubing to sink hoses. Be good,or be good at it.

Horrible staff. Discrimination at its finest. DO NOT SHOP HERE.

UPDATE...VIRGINIA STORE OWNER CALLED TODAY. SHE IS CORRECTING THE SITUATION WITH GREAT URGENCY OF EMPATHY. I TAKE BACK ALL MY WORDS. 180° DIFFERENT I FEEL ON THIS NOW...I am legally blind. Detached retinas in both eyes. This store is not friendly for me. Many obstacles. I told the manager. She got very defensive and said its good for other blind customers. I said not all blind is the same. She didnt care and kept being defensive. DONT SHOP HERE!!!!

Good selection of parts & tools.Knowledgeable, helpful staff.

While I loved the old downtown berkeley ace, it was so cluttered and disorganized. Switching to the old vista community college campus was the right move. This is a good hardware store, as far as downtown locations go. Wont find many random items here, but you will find all home repair items. They also have a few aisles for crafts and hobbyists inclusing MODEL ROCKETS!ALSO, I love the staff here. Theyre great people.

Small cashier took package out of view to remove parts, avoid!GO TO HOME DEPOT

Totally a very low customer service orinted owners. Extremely arrogant and rude

This store is extremely discriminatory. If you are wearing any form of outfit in which they do not agree with they will boot you out. I would not suggest going to this Ace Hardware under any circumstances there are plenty of other ones to go to and I would suggest supporting those!

Love this store. Well-stocked, reasonable prices. Staff is knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. They also have a lot of hobby stuff, especially model train items. Parking can suck and is metered.

Met a guy who has worked there for 22 years, super rad dude. Got some keys made lickity split.

Great selection and easy to get help

Great selection. Some staff is super friendly, others not so much.

Love my neighborhood Ace, all the things you need with the friendliest and most helpful staff!

Love this Ace. Amazing selection and great staff. Always well stocked.

Found the tool that I couldnt find in home depot with reasonable price.

A great well stocked Ace location. I recommend it highly.

Always helpful and friendly. Deep selection choices.

Well-stocked, good service and friendly staff. Great go-to store!

Excellent urban hardware store. I really appreciate every item having a price tag on it! Saves time & annoyance.

Great hardware store. They have almost everything you need.

Love this place! They always seem to have what I need and the staff are friendly and helpful!

Been buying my models from This ace since I was a teenager, love the new location!

Friendly staff, knowledgeable. When I was undecided over what I really needed, I got good advice from the salespeople there.

Very helpful in fixing my wheelchair and finding kitchen tools that help me adjust to my changing body. I have a muscle disorder

Great hardware selection, and a hobby section focused on model trains. Central location for Berkeley residents; you can get there on foot!

Needed to get a screw for my bike but they would not let me bring the bike inside to get it fixed. When I asked if I could speak to a manger the staff at the front was rude and said that a manager was not here. Not worth the hassle of going to a place where they are not understanding of customers needs and good customer service.

Great hardware store with friendly workers, I always feel like I am not using the right terms when dealing with sales rep. on this kind of store... However the staff new exactly what I wanted and suggested me some option.I have some construction work projects done recently and I find myself inside a hardware store more times then I can count, but I like it!!Great Job!

This ACE seems to have most everything practical, and a whole section on hobby stuff from models to trains and raw materials, and pricing seems more competitive than the priced-because-you-have-to-buy-now that Ive experienced at other hardware stores.

Best hobby store around! Ill bet you didnt know that Berkeley Ace is one of the few Hardware stores around that still has a hobby department!I come here mainly because it is one of the only local hobby stores that stocks a decent selection of 1:32 scale slot cars, track, and accessories, but it is also one of the best hobby stores I have ever been to. They have an excellent selection of hobby products, especially model-building supplies and small tools.I have observed that they typically have a much better selection of hobby-sized metals, woods, and plastics, on hand, than most of the other hobby shops or hardware stores, which makes it worth it for me to make the trip here, instead of shopping where I live, in Walnut Creek (a 15-minute drive).Their specialties are plastic models and model trains, and they are extremely well-stocked with both. Their selection of aircraft models is amazing--Ive been told that it is one of the largest in the West--and it includes many obsvure, vintage, and discontinued models.The truly amazing feature of this hobby store is the incredibly knowledgeable staff, which includes a former professional model builder and a model train expert. The store manager is a slot car nut! Everyone is friendly and very helpful.Also, you cant beat having a hobby store inside a hardware store, because youll always be able to find those items that you need, but that hobby stores typically dont carry, such as standard fasteners or lumber (theres always something).I cant say enough good things about Berkeley Ace Hardware. It is definitely my favorite hobby store, and one of my all-around favorite stores, period.

This place usually has what I need for a reasonable price. It is only a local store, so of course it wont have everything. The staff are friendly and helpful. The location is also convenient. The hours are a bit short, however, I have trouble getting in there after work.

Conveniently located, lots of helpful staff to help you find items, reasonable prices. They have just about everything.

A great staff, always there to help!

Im a handyman and have been going here for 3 years, because its by far the closest hardware store to my house. Ive been consistently amazed and appalled by the rudeness and poor attitude of one of the managers, Barbara. Several months ago I thought I had spoken with the store manager, a woman, who was incredibly nice and apologetic. She thanked me for my input, said she would address the problem and asked me to introduce myself the next time I was in the store. The thing is, Barbaras poor attitude and consistent rudeness to almost every customer with whom she comes into contact hasnt changed, so I again asked for the store manager. This time, however, I was told the store manager is a man, and that there hasnt been a female store manager in the time Ive been coming to the store. Interesting. Who did I talk to? So I left a voicemail for the male store manager... who never returned my call. Aside from that, nearly every time I ask for advice its obvious most of the employees, including Barbara, a manager, knows less than I do, and whatever opinion they give is just a guess. I hate to reinforce a stereotype, but the only employees who have ever given me really sound, knowledgeable advice have been a couple of the male employees. Many of the female employees are very friendly and professional, and try their best, but when I ask for advice at a hardware store I expect the employees to know more than me about their products.

Great store, has everything for home and garden. Even has an amazing hobby area loaded with model kits and trains. Nice selection of books, paints, parts, and sets. One of the best model train stores in the entire Bay Area. Friendly service, good bathrooms. Parking can be challenging. Anticipate walking a block or three. Better off parking off site and taking Lyft. Open daily.Highly recommended!

I don’t come here for hardware. I’m here for the hobby section which is a rarity anywhere in the Bay Area. This Ace Hardware carries a good quantity of unusual plastic models kits and trains. Also available are hobby tools, paints and the like. If you’re into this hobby, you’ll like this place.

If I could give 0 starts I would. Lazy manager didnt want.to look up a receipt for me. I couldnt find in my truck. Had it I had to turn my truck upside down to find it. Its like he was calling me a liar. He could have easily looked up a cc receipt choose to call me a liar instead!

Simply great. A wide variety of household and gardening goods. Friendly staff and a great area for model trains, cars, paints and other modeling supplies. Would recommend!

I would never go anyplace else! These folks are great. Knowledgeable, friendly, and it seems like theyve got everything in the world. And If they dont, they can get it for you really quickly. Dont be put off by the parking problems. Its definitely worth it.

This place is second to none. Incredibly helpful and invested staff. Theyre always happy to figure out what you need for whatever project youre working on. Everyone seems genuinely happy to work there. They have almost anything you could think you could need around the house.

Extensive inventory with just about everything Ive needed and more. The hobby models section is great too. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff- I was helped by Jonathan today and he knew his stuff through and through and went the extra mile to make sure all my needs were met and the toilet parts would fit. Thanks Jon and ace hardware!

Is hard to get around but is clean

They did me a solid. Doesnt matter what it was. It was something most stores wouldnt do these days. But they value their customers. Theyre worth your loyalty. Selection is great, too.

Great, respectful help. I had a missing piece from some cheap secondhand furniture, and although they didnt have the exact part, the helpful employee found a workaround for me and explained it clearly without treating me like a child. I would go out of my way to shop here again.

Great store. Very organized with a deep inventory of stuff. Prices are a bit high, but i am sure their overhead is substantial being in downtown Berkeley.

Feel so lucky to have this AWESOME store and the amazing staff in my neighborhood!They always have what I need and great advice!Love my Ace!

Used to really like this ace, but had an experience recently where they wouldnt stand by their product and give a refund (a cheap little saw that didnt work as described on package). I was about to buy a few hundred dollars of hardware but decided against it since they dont accept that return which I had receipt and original packaging with.

The staff is always courteous and pretty much readily available to assist in any way.A great selection of hardware and very well organized and stocked .* * * * * * 6 stars to the Berkeley Ace Hardware .....for serving the BestFREE. POPCORN .....this side of the Mississippi.....

Went in during COVID-19. Although I was wearing mask, the staff were not helpful and were treating me as a zombie! Come on people. It is not that contagious and if you are working you are accepting the risk!!! I ended up leaving the store and not buy anything although has grabbed couple of items.

I love this place. Its a great neighborhood hardware store; organized, well-stocked and the people who work there are so helpful.

Best hardware store Ive ever been in, and Im 77 years old. Plus my dad managed a hardware store all his life.

Very Berkeley - High prices, un-enthused staff, check your bag (and attitude) at at the door.Our staple hardware store for apartment dwellers in the downtown Berkeley area. The staff arent always attentive but if youre patient and courteous, theyll kindly help for the most part. They have always treated us right on returns and are generally well stocked with what we need.

Very poor customer service from Elgin. I walked in for a particular item and the first two employees I saw were helping others. I saw a man stocking or replacing batteries.( I couldnt quite tell, his back was to me.) I asked excuse me, do you work here? He pulled his shirt around so I could see his badge and said do you see the badge? kind of stunned, I replied I didnt when I asked you. He replied well you do now, someone on the other side will help you. Im not sure if he thinks he is the sheriff of ace hardware or he didnt like my Raiders hat, but in a ten second interaction he essentially insulted me and sent me to another employee. Offered no help, just an uncomfortable experience. The other two employees I interacted with were pleasant and helpful.

This place is awesome, except they open late and close early. Unless you work nearby, good luck getting there outside of the work day.

Whats not to like? An ideally situated location. Swing by late after lab on the way home to repair the next degenerating component of your absurdly overpriced apartment. Theres a train set in the window too - more to brighten your day. I appreciate this places existence.

Staff very unprofessional, dont care about customers.

I love it they let me drive a train! And they would show me the train Engines out of the box the train I drove was a emdf40ph caltrain I love it here rely great service:)

Great to have a hardware store downtown. Parking is very difficult to find though.

Very Friendly Staff

Good place to come for basic needs. Service is ok. Nothing really stood out. Pretty average store.

Great service, friendly staff, and affordable prices!

They have a very knowledgeable group of sales associates. Very helpful

Parked right out front and by the way they have separate parking spaces for people that did an online order, Brandon got what I need ran back out less than 10 minutes!

Awful, They treat you like a criminal as soon as you walk in by making you surrender your bags. Their prices are ridiculously high. Staff is not helpful and rude. Ill be taking my companys business elsewhere. If you have any way to get to another store, it will be worth the effort.

The BEST Ace store!! Quality of products GREAT! 100% customer satisfaction is ALWAYS no.

Guy in the back, super helpful. Short lady at the counter on Sunday, super cold.

Came here to get keys made and ended up waiting 20+ minutes while the employees sort of wandered about. If I had known how long they would have taken I would have gone elsewhere. The only reason Ill give them 3 and not one is because the price was reasonable. Would not recommend if you value your time.

Awesome store for all types of hardware. Surprisingly they also sell all types of scales train sets and other relative accessories

Best hardware store in Berkeley. Always nice and friendly, the entire staff.

Best price on Benjamin Moore paints in the East Bay and Brittany is a color wizard (can match anything by eye)! Great hardware store.

Great experience but not easy to return something.

Knowledgeable staff and good inventory. I found what I was looking for.

It’s like amazon, but you don’t have to wait two days... 😜 No but really: they have everything, and the staff is so friendly.

This my first online review ever. The quality is ok, service almost ok, price a bit high, but they have also real Berkeley attitude and community commitment, hiring people with disabilities, keeping a look a bit messy but more friendly than any big franchise store, and for a not so big store I am surprised to always find what I need. It is a very good compromise. I wish we had more stores like this.

I would disregard the review by user Boroko Bo about wrenches. It sounds like she was asking for a metric torque wrench which is a confusing request because its a conflation of her two separate actual needs. It sounds like the staffs response was the correct one. Torque wrenches that are meant to be used with sockets dont come in metric or imperial types... they are universal. They do have square drive sizes measured in inches (e.g. 1/2, 3/8,1/4) but that doesnt mean that they dont work with metric sockets. So yes, being directed to a 1/2 or 3/8 square drive torque is what she needed even though she thought it wasnt European enough.This is a perfectly acceptable hardware store.

Decent hardware stores, closed and moved down the street.

I used to love this hardware store for its thoroughness and convenience but their new location, downtown Berkeley without parking, is a crushing blow to their former convenience.

Wonderful Ace Hardware !!! Very well stocked, lots of variety. Like a kid in a candy store.

Good selection friendly staff

A little bit cramped, a little bit tough to get to, but the hobby section is great and its nice to have a hardware store is the area. Plus, the staff always seems very knowledgeable.

Great store in a good location. Helpful staff.

Is and always has been a great place for hardware, advice and model toys.

They have everything here, and the people are nice.

Clean store, parking is a challenge, friendly staff, and theres a hobby shop inside with tons of trains, cars, and toys! Highly recommended.

Wont let me bring and walk my bike inside, asked that I lock in the street. The area is unsafe for bikes so this is pretty unfriendly.

Friendly staff, good selection, and free coffee.

Brilliant great costumers on this old school store

Theyre very helpful.

They have what you need but the new space is kinda cramped and not nearly as cool as the old space on University.

Overpriced, preys on students in the area to stay in business, and refuses entry to paying customers because of bags. Hopefully new management will come soon instead of these arses.

L just did buy from you again! Very pleased with your website Good selection, fast deliveryReliable.

Great hobby section, can get the best prices on paint in the area (contractor pricing).

Ive stopped in here a few times to pick up miscellaneous tools for around the house. Staff is always super friendly and they are knowledgeable to boot.

Answered my Lionel questions I couldnt answer on the line. And answered my needs

I get my keys cut here. Good service.

Well stocked and friendly knowledgeable staff

This is a good hardware store in a good location

Fantastic people, great hobby department!

Extensive stock, knowledgeable and friendly staff.