Cole Hardware - San Francisco, California

Afshin Afshar-Ghasemlou

A San Francisco Original with Community Spirit and Great Service

Cole Hardware is a San Francisco original! It was founded in 1920 as a small, family-owned business in San Francisco's Cole Valley neighborhood. In 1959, David Karp purchased it. Over the decades, he grew it from its original location to multiple stores across the Bay Area.

Cole Hardware is known for its community focus and extensive product selection. The business has weathered challenges like the 1989 earthquake and the 2016 fire that destroyed its flagship store, maintaining its reputation for exceptional customer service and strong community ties.

Over the last few years, I have visited for different reasons, and every single time, I am impressed and pleased with their selection of products and wonderful customer service. Their prices are also very competitive. However, what is most valuable to me is the as-needed free consulting one can get from the store's employees. For example, you may have a simple electrical project at home. You can always ask a representative for advice. If they can't answer your question, they will find you a colleague who could. Visit them next time you have a little project or need a basic item for your home.

Yeahoo Whoyah

Fantastic having a local shop with a large selection of hardware and home accessories with helpful staff. We certainly enjoyed just wandering around looking at their vast and varied inventory.

Carol Brownson

I thought hardware stores just sold stuff. I was so wrong. I went looking for something to anchor my spare battery to my mobility scooter. Stephen did much more than sell me an item. He constructed a gizmo to hold my battery beautifully in place on my mobility scooter. 🙂 I can now bounce along SF sidewalks safely.
Oh yes - my badly worn garden clippers that I picked up the same day had been beautifully sharpened and restored.
Cole Hardware: more than a hardware store.

Alexandra Yick

Dude... I love Cole Hardware lol. Coming to this store is like going treasure hunting. Sometimes I'll wander in with no agenda and no plans - and then find something useful, exciting, or random to buy. Recently I got a "stubby hammer" - a mini adorable hammer. I also come here for gardening supplies. They have lots of soils in the back. The best part of cole hardware is the staff. They're knowledgeable and friendly. And not pushy! The staff doesn't hard sell you. One gentleman helped me find tools for de-weeding my garden. He suggested the cheaper option, because he said it did a great job. I've also gotten great tips for gardening. Don't let my photos dissuade you - go check it out!

Andrew Davenport

Great selection, friendly staff and a good location. Love the convenience of this Cole’s. Much rather spend a little more here than drive to one of the big hardware stores across town.

Rafaela D

While this store seems like a wild card given it sells nearly everything, my experience there was the worst and I’ve only wasted money. I went to the store about 4x because it was very close to my apartment. The service was always rude and unhelpful, and at all times they would leave us waiting for so long without a reason (not as if the store was busy). I ended up buying a bunch of things they recommended that did not work out for what I needed

Niki Pham

Great place to pick up Benjamin Moore paints. I order online and pick it up to avoid wait times (which aren’t that long but I always end up leaving with things I didn’t intend on buying 🤪). Great customer service and they do occasional sales! Grateful this is my neighborhood hardware store.

Bruce Wells

I like this store , the staff are very helpful & they are open on the weekends., 😃