P.J.'s Ace Hardware INC.

Walter White a month ago

The employees are helpful and nice for the most part. The store is PACKED with items and they will probably have what you need. Unfortunately I can't recommend going here and I don't plan on going here again. I've commissioned them to make replacement screens for 2 of my windows in the past and they both were fine. These were basic screens with no fancy fasteners or hooks, which they can't create. A couple weeks ago, I did what I usually do and brought in a storm window that I needed them to duplicate but as a screen. The older gentlemen let me know that he can do it but it wouldn't have any hooks or hardware like the storm window has, which was fine. I get a call the next day that it was ready and I went to pick it up. All looked fine and I head to the register. The woman rings me up and it's $37.50 for the 32" x 18" basic screen. I thought that was a lot and I can almost guarantee that I paid no where near that for the other two screens I had replicated in the past. I paid and didn't argue because the price is the price and I should have confirmed the cost when I dropped it off and not assume that the price I paid for the same size screen a couple years ago was what I would be paying this time. When I got home, I looked at the receipt and the item was labeled STORM WINDOW REPAIR. Today we went to the other Ace close to Harlem in Oak Park and dropped off a window pane that is the same size for the glass to be replaced. The price.....$21. For the entire pane of glass. For one of our windows that uses the same size as that screen. GLASS is cheaper than a few pieces of screen frame and some netting? Clearly we will start going to the other Ace going forward. I really wanted to support a local neighborhood Black Owned business but we're in troubling economic times. I don't mind paying a little more to keep our businesses open, but I will not be price gouged and taken advantage of. I'm really disappointed in PJ's and will continue to wish them the best but can't support them with my dollars that I work too hard for.

catherine burns 2 months ago

best old school hardware store. screen repair in the back. Owner Clyde is so helpful and nice, knows where everything is and if they dont have it, can order it and it is delivered in 2 days. keep shopping small businesses and local!

Helena Wu 3 months ago

P.J.'s Ace Hardware is a fantastic neighborhood store with a wide selection of tools and home improvement supplies. The staff are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, always ready to guide you to the right product. It’s a convenient and reliable place for both quick fixes and bigger projects.

Dalila Johnson 3 months ago

I've been a satisfied client of PJ Ace for a couple decades now. They're extremely knowledgeable, professional, community minded & friendly. Their prices are a tad bit more than big box hardware stores. They have to be to survive. But their services, knowledgeable, and accommodations are worth it. There's always a sale person or expert visible and available. They value their clientele and the community loyalty. I really appreciate P.J.s being in the community.

B. E. St. John 7 months ago

The 1.5-mile stretch of Chicago Avenue through Oak Park is bookended by two throwback hardware stores - Dressel's (now Olson's but it'll always be Dressel's to me, same as Sears will always be the name of the Tower) and PJ'S. Dressel's holds down the west end, near Harlem Ave; PJs is an extension chord away from Austin on the east. Both are great local businesses. I live closer to PJs, so I tend to go there. It's a warm, family-run business. Customers linger at the counter to talk with whomever is behind the counter. The staff is friendly and chatty, the way you'd imagine a hardware store from a bygone era. On a few occasions, my kids have come to me at the last minute with a list of items required by some sadistic science or art project, and PJs has always come through. One time it was a dozen paint stirrers, another time steel wool and wood screws. Regarding the stirrers: the lady tending store that morning cracked open a new box of them, and insisted I take a big handful, no charge. Another time, I needed a special type of saw blade, which they didn't have in stock. Alot of businesses would try to talk you into waiting for them to order it so they could keep the sale. Clyde the owner called up Dressel's, confirmed that they had it, and sent me on my merry way down Chicago Ave to get it. That integrity and customer service are in short supply these days at a lot of businesses, so when I find a place that does it well, I keep coming back. PJs is definitely one of those places, and I keep returning.