McLendon Hardware Tacoma: A Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Extensive Product Selection: You’ll find a surprisingly broad range of items, including home maintenance supplies (inside and outside), seasonal merchandise, canning and kitchen staples, a sizable nursery with unique plants, tools, garden center items, paint, lumber, lighting, grilling supplies, building materials, and cleaning supplies. They even have a house display showcasing finishes and options.
• Locally Owned and Well-Stocked: This is a classic, locally-owned hardware store that consistently keeps its shelves full. The selection of plants, in particular, is impressive, often featuring items unavailable at larger chains. I’ve even seen rare plant varieties pop up periodically.
• Helpful and Knowledgeable Staff (Sometimes): While experiences vary greatly, many shoppers report consistently friendly and helpful staff who go above and beyond to assist with projects, locate specific items (including hard-to-find boards in the scrape pile!), and offer expert advice in various departments—especially in “Pop’s Workshop”.
• Unique Finds: Beyond the usual hardware fare, you can expect interesting seasonal displays and a charming outdoor bunny inhabitant in the garden section.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Inconsistent Customer Service: Be aware that staff interactions can be highly unpredictable. While some praise the helpfulness, others report encountering rude, dismissive, and even hostile employees. Finding assistance can be difficult as some staff seem to avoid customer interactions, even if products lack clear pricing.
• Long Checkout Lines: Expect potentially significant waits at checkout, as there are typically only one or two open registers. This is particularly true during busy periods, leading some shoppers to abandon purchases due to the extended waiting times. More checkout staff would greatly improve this.
• Pricing and Self-Checkout: Prices aren’t always clearly marked on items, which can be frustrating and necessitate seeking out employees (who might be unavailable or uncooperative). A self-checkout system would be a helpful addition.
• Potential for Unjustified Ejection: There have been reports of customers being wrongly accused of prior infractions and forcibly removed from the store. This is clearly unacceptable, making it potentially unsafe for some shoppers to visit.
• Phone Service: Getting answers to simple questions via phone can be challenging. Calls may not be answered or may be abruptly disconnected.