Pollock’s Hardware: A Shopper’s Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Exceptional Customer Service: You’ll encounter friendly and helpful staff who go above and beyond. One staff member even fixed a broken part for me, and another patiently assisted an Indigenous customer with a purchase. This level of kindness is truly remarkable.
- Unique Product Selection: This isn’t your average hardware store. You’ll find a surprising variety of items, including vintage goods, garage mitts, plants, and even some hard-to-find mechanical parts for bikes and cars – things you won’t find at Canadian Tire or even larger stores like Home Depot. They also offer key cutting services. They even had some great house numbers (vintage style). The selection of paint and tools is noteworthy as well. And it’s great for finding that odd hardware item to finish the job.
- Community Focus: This is a local gem, a co-op that has supported its community for years. It has a genuine small-town feel, and supporting them directly contributes to the neighborhood’s vibrancy. The “Almost Summer” market held there indicates a focus on community engagement beyond simply hardware.
- Convenient Amenities: Parking is available in the back, which is a plus.
- Nostalgic Charm: The store has a wonderful, nostalgic feel with many old-fashioned items, including hand-crank mixers. And there’s a resident cat named Ratchet!
- Glass Cutting Services: They cut glass to exact dimensions.
- Good Hardware Selection: While not as extensive as Home Depot, they offer a good selection of hardware supplies – even for woodworking projects. They also offer suggestions if they are out of a specific item.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Limited Stock: While they carry a lot, some items, like wide 3/4″ solid wood boards, may be unavailable in certain sizes.
- Higher Prices: Some items are more expensive than at Home Depot.
- Political Items in Store: Be aware that they carry political items which may not appeal to everyone.
- Store Under Construction: The store is currently under construction, leading to some disarray.
- Inconsistent WiFi: The store WiFi password may not always be readily available.
