Ayers Variety and Hardware

I was on the hunt for a snow shovel to combat the 1^st blizzard of 2016. I went to at least 5 home Depots and 3 Lowes. yea ZERO snow shovels. I definitely was not about to buy a garden shovel like some idiot.
I was headed to night class and I happen to see the CVS next door to this place and when I walked in. I was immediately greeted by an employee with a smile. This place was stocked with all types of shovels and they were decent prices. I picked up two and headed on my way. This place is a hidden gem and I’ll definitely come back!

I really didn’t think places like this old time hardware store existed anymore. Ayers is just like a place back home where as a little kid my allowance often was doesn’t on penny candy, craft supplies, model kits, etc…
I came over to the Westover part of Arlington to hit up a couple other stores while Christmas shopping and discovered this gem. Spent over an hour just wandering up and down every aisle checking everything out. And even picked up a few stocking stuffers in the process.
Ayers harkens back to a time when you could go into a neighborhood hardware/​general store pick up rhe weirdest assortment of items like just a few nail or screws for a project (not whole boxes of them), iron patches to fix a pair of well loved jeans, a birthday card, a single Styrofoam ball for some craft project, a can of paint, some industrial strength velcro, and a few Mary Janes to nibble on. And not have the total burn through your wallet. Plus you’re going to find friendly knowledgeable staff to help you.
I’m definitely going to be back here at Ayers. Home Depot and Lowes have their place — but give me the small community hardware store any day.

Everything you want in a neighborhood hardware store: knowledgeable, friendly staff that can help you with your project and probably everything you need to get it done, local ownership, and prices competitive with Home Depot. Great variety of stuff packed into every available surface, from penny candy to canning supplies and power tools. Seasonal offerings from sidewalk shelves full of bedding plants to Halloween decorations. Convenient hours and parking. An Arlington landmark!

I’ve lived near Ayers for more than 20 years — and they never, ever, EVER fail to have what I need that I either can’t find somewhere else, or don’t want to have to deal with a larger store to get. Among the last minute saves over the years — specialty hardware, glass cutting for basketball-​meets-​garage door window replacement, weird voltage lightbulbs and myriad class project materials for the kids. Customer service rocks too! I am happy to pay just a tad more for items at Ayers than some big box store.

They don’t have grade 8 bolts anymore :-(Still have nearly everything else, though!

This is one of the best local businesses in the area. I have been going here for years and I always see the same people, and they always recognize me and are ready to help. It is very rare when I can’t find the thing I need there. Its a classic little store that has craft supplies in back, tons of hardware in the second room, and a large selection of candy (modern and classic) for the kids.

Always have what I’m looking for. Helpful staff. Lots of free parking behind the building.

This place packs a tremendous amount of stuff in a rather small space. It would be hard to find what you need, if not for the helpful folks that work here. I’m grateful for places like this, because they help me avoid Home Depot.

I can’t express how much I love living close to Ayers. Whenever I need something – pretty much anything for house, yard, and family – I come here. The family and staff have what you need. If you ask, they will show you where it is and how to use it. If you’re not sure, they will help you find something that works even better. This is a treasure of a store. I have been liberated from the frustration of Home Depot! I can find a shower curtain, party favors, little toys, stuff for the yard, bedding plants, and hardware, paint, etc too. Just wow. Thanks, Ayers!

This store is great when you need help and don’t feel like wandering aimlessly around the big box stores for hours. Would highly recommend they are also super helpful with around the home projects etc.
In this day and age it is super important to support small businesses and this is a great one to support!

I love Ayers. It’s nearby, so it’s great when I realize I don’t have something for a project. It can be more expensive than big box stores, but I’ve found some items (screws, nails, etc) very comparable if not cheaper.

The people here are always friendly. Good variety of items.

We’re retired. Wife went here as a child. She was sharing memories with cashiers, who could recall stories from days before she ever hung out there.
Old-​timey hardware. If Home Depot doesn’t have it, AYERS does.
See photos of the Flexible Flyer Sleds and Radio Flyer ride-​on wagons, bikes, etc.
A classic frozen in time (1950s).

This place is the best «in a pinch» store in Arlington. It’s easier to access than Home Depot in terms of parking, has a better selection than, say, a Bill’s Hardware, and you gotta love the small business angle.
Of course, with the small-​business comes the higher prices, and makes it an unrealistic option for major purchases (materials for bathroom renovation, etc).
That said, still one of my favorite locally owned shops in Arlington.

I’ve lived in Arlington for a while and hadn’t been here yet. I happened to come by for the Farmers Market and remembered I needed some roller shades for the new/​old house. Other than Home Depot, not many places have them. Anyway, this place is awesome. They have all kinds of tools, kitchen stuff, roller shades, of course, toys, Halloween decorations and vintage candy. Even the kids liked it. On top of that, the staff is really helpful and friendly. I will think about comIng here over Home Depot next time.

Ayers is the best ever store for all ages, all needs, and all «I need it now!» things. The Kaplan family serves the Westover community as well as John Ayers did. The flowering plants, vegetables, and herbs can’t be beat. The young people hired are just wonderful… blue hair, piercings, and all. The older people hired are cool too. Any item, no matter how odd, they will provide. I will shop here as long as my legs can carry me there.
jill in arlington, va

Love Ayers! The people are helpful and they have a surprisingly large selection of items. I try to go here (instead of the dreaded Home Depot) whenever I am working on projects at home. I actually stopped by Ayers last month to get several keys made and it only took about 10 minutes. There are a few parking spots out front that you can cross your fingers will be available — if not, circle around the neighborhood for a minute or two and try again. Odds are one will open up.

I might need to come back and be impressed by these guys and their oodles of other fun items, but for today i went in to get a key copy and right back out. There was a little bit of a similar situation to Rose F. with the front desk guy. I walked in and literally made eye contact with him as I was standing at the front and he just… turned around and sat down at the store computer. I mean, no problem, I walked up and asked where to make key copies, found out it was in back in hardware, but still strange. And when I was checking out, it was the similar feeling from Rose F. — «I’ve processed your transaction, given you your change, I’m done with you, please get out»
The guy in back making keys was nice and friendly though. :) If I wanted to spur conversation, totally would have been possible.
Did see christmas decorations and a sign that said christmas related returns not accepted after the 14^th of December. Benefits and detractions from small business support; will admit this is funner and easier to navigate and the employees at Home Depot have a general tendency to be… I don’t want to say useless, but not helpful more often than not.
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Key Copies (Standard House) = $ 1.50 + tax (5%)
NOTE: Minimum card charge $ 3.00 purchase

I’ve only been here to make key copies and get basic essentials like batteries, but the immediate impression of walking into an old time hardware/​general store is delightful, the staff is nice, and everything I’ve bought has been reasonably priced. I keep coming back here whenever there’s something I need.

Big mama needs her some hairpins, some crossword puzzles, a lightbulb, ant farm for the kids, maybe a Tootsie Roll, a new Thermos, cooler, and picture hangers.
Big mama needs her some Ayers.