Hippo Hardware: A Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Massive Selection of Unique Items: You’ll find a huge variety of rare and antique plumbing fixtures, lighting, and old building materials. The inventory is extensive enough to warrant multiple visits; expect to spend hours browsing.
• Vintage Finds Galore: The store is a treasure trove of vintage and antique hardware. I personally found a beautiful used door at a great price, and others have scored amazing deals on vintage door knobs (repairing them for under $50 instead of paying $400-$1000 for replacements). Expect to find cast iron sconces from the 1920s and even a 1950s toilet in the bathroom.
• Knowledgeable and Helpful Staff: The staff consistently receives praise for their helpfulness and expertise. Jackson, for example, expertly guided a customer through repairing a vintage toilet flush valve. Others mention Colin’s outstanding diagnostic and repair skills with antique doorknobs, and Jennifer’s assistance with wheelchair accessibility. Even when the store was closed, one employee went above and beyond to assist customers looking for an antique hinge.
• Repair Services: Hippo Hardware offers repair services. They can fix various items you bring in, including re-wiring and updating lighting to modern standards.
• Fair Pricing: While there was one instance of questionable pricing practices, multiple reviews emphasize the fair pricing of many items. The overall sentiment is that you can find excellent deals on unique pieces.
• Unique Atmosphere: This isn’t your average hardware store. The quirky ambiance is described as “fun,” “awesome,” and highly “Instagrammable.” The bathroom itself is a highlight for some, featuring vintage fixtures. One review even mentions karaoke being available at some point.
• Extensive Departments: The store offers departments dedicated to doors, windows, door and window hardware, and lighting. The basement is also mentioned as a significant area to explore.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Inconsistent Pricing and Sales Practices: Be aware that pricing isn’t always transparent; some items lack price tags, and one customer reported a significant price increase on an antique light fixture after initially being quoted a lower price. The management’s handling of this situation also raised concerns.
• Potential for Unreliable Employees: While the staff is generally helpful, one negative review suggests that training and staff supervision could be improved. It’s recommended to double-check prices and be aware of potential inconsistencies.