Crown Hardware & Plumbing: A Shopper’s Guide

Why You Should Visit

• Extensive Specialty Selection: You’ll find hard-to-find items and specialty products not stocked by other hardware stores. This includes plumbing parts, locks, and unique hardware items. For example, I successfully sourced a round grease trap vent hood here after a year-long search. They even helped me find specific bathtub faucet parts—stem, flange, and handle—that other stores couldn’t locate.
• Expert Advice and Problem-Solving: The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, particularly in plumbing. They offer solutions for complex repair issues, acting as a one-stop shop for DIY projects and professional handymen. I witnessed firsthand how staff quickly resolved issues that took me weeks and hundreds of dollars at chain stores to solve. They even handled a difficult 100-year-old faucet valve repair with ease.
• Competitive Pricing on Some Items: Key copying, for example, is very reasonably priced at $3.50 per key. While not always the cheapest option overall, the value of their expertise is often worth the price.
• Full-Service Approach: Crown provides a full-service experience, much like an old-school deli. You might have to wait your turn (be prepared for lines, especially if they are diagnosing an issue), but their attention to each customer is noted by many. They will help you find the right products to solve your problem and not just direct you to the aisle.
• Community Gem: Crown is described as a Milwaukee gem and the last of its kind, suggesting a strong local reputation for quality and service.
• Water Heater Installation Services: They offer professional water heater installation services at competitive prices. I personally used their services and received excellent service from a professional named Jim.

Why You Might Consider Alternatives

• Inconsistent Customer Service: Be aware that customer service can be inconsistent. While many praise the knowledgeable and helpful staff, several reviews detail negative experiences with rude or unhelpful employees, particularly at the front desk. Long wait times are also a possibility.
• Potentially High Prices: Some reviewers mentioned “ridiculously inflated prices,” so be sure to compare prices with other stores before committing to a purchase, especially for common items.
• Limited Staff Knowledge: At least one instance was reported where a staff member lacked sufficient knowledge to assist a customer with plumbing questions.
• Slow Service: Expect potential wait times, especially if staff are busy assisting other customers with complex issues, including in-depth product searches. One customer waited 25 minutes to be helped while they dealt with another customer.