Encinal Hardware

TIM WAS AWESOME! After speaking to him on the phone, I came in & told him I wanted to build a bird stand for my parrot using PVC pipes. I didn’t know anything else. What pipes to use, the measurements, nothing! All I did was showed him a photo of what I wanted, he asked me what size I wanted it & he built it in store for me & it came out just like the photo!
He was so helpful (& gave me an extra pipe lol) I couldn’t imagine doing it by myself. Tim needs a tip jar!

Small family owned hardware store. Very friendly. If they don’t have what you need they will order it for you. They also have a big rolodex of reputable local contractors. Lots of bike parking.

I always go to Encinal HW for my fix it house needs. The whole staff are very helpful. For the tough problems, I go to Mike. He’s very knowledgeable on just about everything. He will give advice and it will be spot on!
I have saved $$$ by fixing stuff myself with their advice and I don’t have that much experience fixing things.
Thank You Encinal Hardware!!!

I am a middle aged female… I probably should stop here since I shouldn’t be in a hardware store… Most of the time I have no idea what I am looking at… But more seriously, I took a toilet handle lever that came out of rental house that needed replacement. Not only did a young man help me know which to buy, Mike later helped me when the lever didn’t fit due to the configuration of the toilet tank. Fascinating, yes? My point is that whenever I have done their, their staff is extremely helpful, knowledgeable, and willing to help. I also was able to obtain a laundry room fan that fit my needs when I attempted to buy one at home depot. Encinal Hardware had exactly what I needed. Wish I had gone there first. You may pay a little more but it is far worth the aggravation of going elsewhere.

This is a mighty little store! The hell with the Home Depot, why go over there when everything you need is here, closer, cheaper, better service. I think of something i need and its always there! So stay in Alameda and support home town folks!

This has been my «go to» place for duplicating keys forever. I’ve never had a problem like I had in the past at a big box hardware store where they rush through the job and the key doesn’t work. Encinal hardware will replace any key that doesn’t work right. And I’ve never had to return one.
I cannot tell you how many times they have saved me times for other odds and ends. If Millie or Cindy can’t answer my question (and they almost always can) one of the owners jumps in from nowhere and walks me down to the right place. I’ve even had them offer creative solutions to fix a door that didn’t require me buying any additional hardware.
There’s also the convenience factor. I can park right in front on any day. For Alamedan’s you can bike there, also. Sure they aren’t open at 10pm at night, but do you really want to go to Home Depot at 10pm? I’ve got better things to do. :)
You don’t expect a hardware store to do more than provide what you need at a good price. Encinal Hardware does so much more, you just have to ask. You’ll find you don’t need as many mind numbing trips to Home Depot for many things. And the personal service, advice and convenience will keep me going out of my way to return.

What a sweet store! Everyone is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. A glance around made it look like Encinal Hardware has a little bit of everything. I came by to get several copies of several different keys, and they were made immediately to the tune of pleasant conversation. While I was waiting, a young man came in that everyone in the store knew, and he talked to everyone about his recent wedding. I left with a smile on my face and a full set of well cut keys in my pocket.
I had no problem parking on the street around the corner.

Best hardware store in the world. It’s owned and run by a long-​time local family. They are courteous, friendly, and will help you find what you need, whether it’s just the right-​sized nut and bolt or a chainsaw — big or small. If they don’t have what you need, they’ll order it for you.

This place is amazing. Every time I go there I am so happy I went there. Tim is the guy there that is always very helpful. As long as they have the time to do it they always go out of there way to make sure you get the right thingamabob you need. I will never go to Home Depot if I can find it here first.

Great local hardware store, they always try to help you solve what ever hardware problem you might have. Also have treats for my dog.

Lovely li’l neighborhood hardware shop. MEGA helpful employees! They do not stock everything-​but-​the-​kitchen-​sink, but they’ve got 90% of my hardware needs covered. Would much rather put my dollar bills into this place than into any orange-​themed big box shops: variety keeps life spicy, even when it comes to your hardware store!

This store is great. The service is great. The staff is friendly. Very clean inside. Has everything.

Hardware store choices in and around Alameda are very few — either the Home Depot across the bridge in Oakland or one of the two (that I know of) independent stores in Alameda: the overpriced Pagano’s or Encinal Hardware. I go to HD when I know what I want and where I’ll find it in the store; otherwise, I’m stuck on the island. Pagano’s is a last resort, but it’s close to home and does have a wide selection of goods. Encinal Hardware is another story.
I rarely shop at Encinal Hardware, mainly because of the limited selection. But on both of my most recent visits there, I’ve also encountered consistently rude service by the staff (including Millie both times), which I am sure is the family that owns the place.
During my last, and I mean last, attempt to shop at Encinal this week, I was looking for a seasonal item that I couldn’t find in the store. I went to the front counter, where Millie was chatting with a co-​worker about LED bulbs. She stopped chatting, looked at me, and then turned back to the guy and continued her chatting.
After a bit, Millie turned back to me and asked if I needed help. I was honored. I told her what I was looking for. «We haven’t brought those down yet,» was her reply. Well, okay. I asked when the item would be available and she gave me a guess at when last year’s stock would be dusted off and put back for sale. Clearly I was wasting her time. I won’t make that mistake again.
Better Half tells me that the Jaber family, who owns Encinal Hardware, has long had a reputation for rudeness, yet many islanders continue to patronize the place. They can have it.

I’ve been doing business with them since I was a kid (There were dinosaurs back then), They usually have what you need and the knowledge to assist you in your task. This is definitely one of the best hardware stores you’ll find anywhere…

The store has decent selection of stuff.
Problem…
SERVICE.
The two times I’ve been there I had to deal with the teenager who works their floor. He has a passing resemblance to one of the older staff — so I’m assuming he’s a relative of the owners.
Smarmy. Sarcastic. Patronizing.
On one level this is common for kids his age. But if I’m spending my $$$ at his family business, I expect him to put a lid on it.
I’ll take my business to the Oakland Home Depot thank you. They, a chain store run by adults, at least are professional.

You can always find what you need here. Mike, Philip and staff are most accommodating. Been patronizing them for years.

This is a mom and pop shop, that you can’t stop
So close for Alameda residents, it’s a skip, jump and a hop
Kind of place you’d find in Leave it to Beaver
Local shops are the best, and they make me a believer
Their old school hospitality you cannot find anywhere
Customer service is like an old barber shop kind of care
This place would be a 5 but they don’t have everything… actually, changing this to a five, because as a small local shop it does the job. They don’t have everything under the sun like Home Depot, but they got something Home Depot doesn’t have, and that’s good old customer service. It’s a first name basis kind of place, where you know the people around and they know you. I love this place because it’s quiet, not crazy like Home Depot.

Five stars without a doubt. Especially since the last two times I was approached and offered help (in a professional way, not in a pushy way), and it was so useful and friendly. I must be used to being ignored, or sloppily rushed through the help experience, from that *other* Alamede store (s).
Hmm, can’t remember why I ever considered the other one as my go-​to place. The experience here is all-​around better, the place is cleaner and I am in and out as fast as I want to be. Thanks for your friendly, professional help, Encinal!

I love this hardware store! I still go to HD for lumber and bigger items, but for anything that fits inside a car, this is my go-​to store. The service here is fantastic. Everyone is friendly, and they make sure to ask if you need help while not being overly aggressive. Of course, if you need help, it’s easy to find an available clerk (unlike the big stores). They are knowledgeable, and I feel confident that they will give me an honest opinion. No pressure ever to buy anything.
Despite the small size of the store, I occasionally find items that I couldn’t find in a big store (like an affordable power adapter outlet center with plugs spaced far apart).
It’s everything I would want and more in a neighborhood hardware store.

I was not in the place for 20 seconds before someone asked me if I needed help., walked me over to where I could find what I needed and placed it in my hand. What I needed was an allen wrench that fit my garbage disposal but I had forgotten the size. The gentleman not only showed me where the allen wrenches were but asked me what size I needed. When I told him, «I’m not sure, I think it’s ⁵⁄₁₆.» He asked me what I needed it for. When I told him, he knew exactly what I needed and gave it to me. He even gave me instructions (they weren’t too complicated or complex but it saved me having to google it when I got home). That’s in complete contrast to the type of service I received from Lowes in Union City a few years back.
Oh and the woman that checked me out at the register was very nice as well.