Berkeley Ace Hardware

This is a great hardware store. They have anything and everything I could think of when it comes to hardware. Stellar Customer Service, stocked and greatly organized.

I just called this place looking for an item and they were very promptly helpful and professional service I'm heading there to pick up my items

Ace Hardware, in general, has friendly employees and a nice selection of items. This location in particular has super nice people working here who are always willing to answer questions. It’s like walking into a friend’s house. Except you have to pay for the things you walk out with.

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. Won't 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. They're great people. However, I wish they would have a better policy to open up more registers faster when the line gets long.. Especially because parking meters are so expensive.

This legacy business in Berkeley, despite having moved to a new location retains its old world charm and customer service not found in most hardware stores. Super helpful staff, and a supply of goods that are seemingly perfect for the surrounding areas. Highly recommended for construction, home repair, and even gardening.

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

Great place to shop for most home maintenance items

Best hobby store around! I'll bet you didn't 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--I've 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 can't beat having a hobby store inside a hardware store, because you'll always be able to find those items that you need, but that hobby stores typically don't carry, such as standard fasteners or lumber (there's always something).

I can't say enough good things about Berkeley Ace Hardware. It is definitely my favorite hobby store, and one of my all-around favorite stores, period.

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.

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!

Didn’t come for the hardware; instead came for something more important; the trains. For a place that doesn’t specialize in trains, they have a very large and varied stock, and some things here hard to find other places. Prices are also great compared to other places, I bought an Athearn Genesis GP40-2 DC from Railroad Hobbies in Roseville for 180, here the exact same locomotive, including number, is only 140. Hobby area attendant (can’t remember his name right now) was kind and helpful and honored the October discount even though it was November.
Would very much suggest going here just for the trains!

Extensive inventory with just about everything I've 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!

Almost always has what I need, and the same prices as HD, but with people that know their products and can actually help you! Purchased Titebond wood glue, blue painter's tape and LED florescent tube replacement - great variety, selection.

Great, respectful help. I had a missing piece from some cheap secondhand furniture, and although they didn't 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.

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 it's good for other blind customers. I said not all blind is the same. She didn't care and kept being defensive. DONT SHOP HERE!!!!

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

Went to get a paint match, not only did the paint match up 100% perfectly, but they even tested it against the paint chip to prove it would work

I would never go anyplace else! These folks are great. Knowledgeable, friendly, and it seems like they've got everything in the world. And If they don't, they can get it for you really quickly. Don't be put off by the parking problems. It's definitely worth it.

Ace Hardware. You kinda know what you're gonna see there unless you've never been to the back room where there are all kinds of models, trains, and hobby-like stuff. Fun to just peruse.
Still my go-to years after the move from University to Milvia.

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 Best

FREE. POPCORN .....this side of the Mississippi.....