Kent’s: A Shopper’s Perspective

Why You Should Visit

• Friendly and Helpful Staff: You’ll consistently encounter a welcoming atmosphere. Staff are known for their helpfulness, going above and beyond to assist with product selection and even loading heavy items (like 17kg bags of soil) into your vehicle. One shopper specifically praised Kenzie for her exceptional assistance. Many describe staff as friendly, joking, and accommodating, even going so far as to call them the “friendliest staff” they’ve ever encountered.
• Convenient Location & Selection: The store offers a decent selection of home and business renovation supplies, perfect for smaller home repairs. While not as extensive as larger stores in Charlottetown, they stock most common items. It’s described as a convenient, easily navigable store within its community, allowing shoppers to usually find what they need.
• Great for Gardeners (Seasonally): The garden center is highly regarded, although be aware it closes early in the season (before September, according to one review). You’ll find soil, mums, shrubs, and other gardening essentials.
• Good Value & Sales: The store offers typical hardware store prices, but flyer sales and weekend specials frequently include “door crasher” deals, although availability may vary.
• Clean and Organized: The store maintains a clean and well-organized layout, making it easy to locate desired items. One shopper explicitly mentioned taking photos due to the store’s inspiring layout.
• Added Perks: They accept AirMiles rewards.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Inconsistent Staff Experience: While most staff are praised, one particular employee in the paint department has received multiple negative reviews for rudeness and unhelpful behavior. If you encounter this individual, be prepared for a potentially frustrating experience.
• Limited Selection: The selection, while decent, is smaller than some competitors, especially in Charlottetown. You might find a more comprehensive inventory at larger stores.
• Seasonal Limitations: The garden center’s early closure each year might disappoint gardeners needing supplies later in the season.
• Mask Policy Issues: The store’s handling of mask exemptions has led to negative reviews and complaints of discriminatory practices. This is a significant concern for shoppers with health conditions that prevent mask-wearing.
• Stock Availability on Sale Items: While sales offer good deals, availability of the discounted “door crasher” items is not always guaranteed.