Imperial Ace Hardware

Screw nice little Saturday’s and Home Depot. Streak through the quad to the gymnasium and support a little guy like this instead.
It’s way better when you need advice on home improvements. Smaller selection yes, but the customer service can’t be beat. They’ll walk you through whatever you need from start to finish with that mom and pop feel the whole time.

This place is like stepping back in time. The people there are very helpful and knowledgable. They also cut keys quickly, correctly, and at a low price.

A great neighborhood hardware store. So friendly and helpful. I came in for an awl a few weeks ago, and though they were out of stock, the owner let me take his personal awl to use and bring back!

Great guys inside. Seems like they have a bit of everything. I needed a shovel in a pinch and they came through but for a steep penny.

I like this place. They don’t have everything, and it is a somewhat limited selection. But it’s a good neighborhood hardware store that I can pop into once in a while for basic supplies.
I did stop by this past Saturday to pick up some drywall anchors, and noticed a sign on the door: «Closed for Maintenance, Back Monday». Oooooh the irony.

I drove out of my way to find this place, paid a dollar for parking, only to arrive with the place closed and a sign on the door that said back in an hour. Doh!

Dropped in here this morning to get some keys made and Joe helped me out. I started admiring his cabinetry and collection of stuff about the cabinets, and before you knew it, I was led back through a secret door and thrown back to 1955. This was an amazing find. Not only to get keys made but for the history and the chat!

What a neighborhood gem — Joe always knows what you need, is there to ask you what you might be looking for — and has an answer, an anecdote, and something about the city to tell you. I walk in there even when I don’t need something — if for no other reason than to say hello to him before grabbing a sub at Vinnie’s next door!

Outstanding place!!! If they don’t have it (chances are you don’t need it) but the owner or other friendly patrons will certainly do their best to help you out however they can. Wish all small businesses were still run like this.

My parents own local hardware stores back in Michigan, so I’ve grown up being involved in small businesses — and let me tell you, Imperial Hardware is the perfect small business. They go above and beyond the call of duty. Let me tell you about my story…
I went to a friend’s newly renovated apartment, and while I was there, the toilet got clogged (and no, it wasn’t me!). My friend and I went to Jewel to pick up a plunger and went back to do the dirty work. The plunger didn’t work. We then called Imperial Hardware at 5:08 (they close at 5 on Saturdays) and they said they would stay open for us to come buy another type of plunger. We got there around 5:20, and the owner, his wife, and two guys were just chilling in there waiting for us. When we got in they went to get us the best plunger they had, and as we waited, his wife (who owns Vinnie’s next door) went and gave us a huge container of free (AMAZING) tuna. How unbelievably sweet. The two guys that were sitting there offered to come with us to help plunge the toilet. The owner gave the two guys a snake as well, just in case the plunger didn’t work. When we got back to my friend’s house, the second plunger didn’t work. It then took two tries with the snake to get the toilet unclogged — they said there was something like metal inside the toilet (thank you construction workers for making that happen). Needless to say, we didn’t have to pay for the snake, or pay plumbers to come — we just got two nice guys that wanted to lend a helping hand.
Imperial Hardware. Thank you. I will definitely be moving you to #1 on my hardware list. Also, thank you for the tuna — can’t wait to have it for dinner tonight! Will definitely be back to Vinnie’s!

Love this hardware store and all of the people that are always hanging out there. Great place for every little thing you need and pleasant conversation that will keep you there for hours. They just added a new section to the hardware store — a lock company. They have always done keys but now they can do everything from commercial keys to residential keys. The owner gave me a flyer that say they will do 24 hour lock out service, rekeying, change your locks and a million more things. You can hire them for their lock services if you live in the loop, west loop, Ukrainian village or wicker park. I highly suggest this place for all of your hardware and social needs. I think I need a new screw driver. I might head over there now :)

Copying keys doesn’t take long – what keeps you here long is the pleasant conversation you’re going to have with the owner (also the owner of Vinnie’s sub shop next door).
Not too shabby. Wish I had more reason to stop by.

Having a hardware store right down the street from my place is always a great convenience. I’ve gone here quite a few times to get keys made, and pick up random stuff for the house. The owner is always extremely helpful and willing to give you suggestions on what will work and what won’t.

The neighborhood hardware store has been smashed by the oversized Home Depots of the world. So I highly recommend if you need something to stop in here.
When you walk in you will always find Joe the owner and a cast of characters sitting up front. The first thing you will get is customer service. Yes they will ask you what you need. It takes me like 10 minutes to find someone at one of those big stores. So the personal touch is nice.
The selection is not huge but they have the hardware essentials. They also make keys too.
So if you need something quick and you are looking for some friendly customer service, then this is the neighborhood location for you.

Joey (owner) is just a great guy! Friendly, always calm, funny, helpful, and truly loved by the locals. You can find just about everything you may need when less expected. In addition, Binnies deli happens located next door, to the right of the hardware store, so is convenient, practical, and you can grab lunch at the same time, the Italian subs are just so fresh, yummy, and Dar, (owner) is always so upbeat, and happy. You feel she has known you all along. Very warm people overall.
In the summer the deli has a patio, and personally, u just drop by even when I don’t need anything. I feel like there part of my family.
Both, the hardware and the deli, are small family bussiness, and it truly encourage you to support small bussiness owners, in the neighboorhood
especially when they are hardworking dedicated, and truly appreciate you
As a whole.

I love the owner that always greets me at the door smiling. Super friendly service & helpful!

I love these guys. Every time I walk in, whether to copy a key or get a quick clog removal or light bulb, I am greeted by three or four older men sitting in lawn chairs inside the store, enjoying their day and catching up. It feels like I’m visiting a grandfather or uncle I’ve never had.
They always are happy to help with anything and the prices are reasonable. These guys have lived in the neighborhood forever and know everything about anything.

Imperial solved my post-​moving panic. The owner works the counter and knows everything and it’s one of those little shops that somehow has everything in it. Who knows how they do it.
Cut keys? Yup.
Have bungee cords? Over there.
Something to mount glass to a wall? These’ll work.
Ideas for mounting a metal plate to concrete? Try sandpaper, then this.
Best pizza in this neighborhood? Try this number.
Know where I can get photocopies? Here, I’ll do it for you.
Thanks!

They don’t have a lot in terms of merchandise, but they are good at making keys. Also, they are very nice.