Cottin’s Hardware & Rental

Went there a couple days ago for dowels, wood glue, ammonia, and adhesive for pictures. As soon as I entered, a gentleman came up to me, asked if I needed help, and showed me exactly where everything was on my list. It rang up to about $ 11, which was less than I expected. I will be back — great customer service and prices, plus the owner’s dog inside! (if you are a dog person)

This may be my favorite business in the entire city of Lawrence. It all boils down to really outstanding service. I can walk in that big chain hardware store in town (has three letters) and can’t track someone down to save my life – which is why I stopped going there years ago. At Cottin’s, you walk in the door and they’ll ask you if you need help finding something. I usually do, so I’m grateful for the attention. They’re very helpful and really know their business.
Need something? This isn’t a huge store, but they’re happy to order it for you, and then they’ll call you as soon as it’s in. I’ll do that for everything vs. going to *that chain which shall remain unnamed.* Since it’s a family run business, they treat their customers like their neighbors (like good neighbors, make that).
This is as good as a locally run business gets. They have and will continue to get all of my business. Now if we could just find someone in this town that could run a restaurant this well…

Love this place! Staff is always helpful and I’m comfortable finding materials for my various projects. Matter of fact, there’s a picture of me on their bulletin board, with a hobby horse I painted for my cousin, years ago. Linda asked me to bring it in for a pic when I finished it… they enjoy seeing finished projects there. Cotton’s has a «small-​town» feel to it. Always.
Ok…“compliment sandwich” time… some stuff is much higher priced than their competition, which tends to be frustrating, but only when I happen to notice it. That’s my only downside. I usually use Cotton’s when I only have to get a few items anyway, the space is smaller which makes it less daunting and easier to find stuff.

Starting a farmer’s market on Thursdays was a great idea and it’s now something I look forward to regularly (it’s smaller and indoors in the winter) but I love strolling and sampling and having a beer at the Free State tent. All local vendors and I always run in to somebody interesting to talk to. Runs 4 – 6:30 and I highly recommend some heirloom apples or pears this fall. Enjoy!

This is the closest hardware store to my house and I avoid it at all costs. My first experience was after we moved into our house and I needed shelf liners. I went and bought 8 rolls of shelf paper and after I checked out, I was just handed my receipt. No bag. Am I supposed to juggle these outside?!
Second trip was later that spring, and I went to stock up on lawn supplies: fertilizer, gloves, a rake, a weed eater and extra line and an extension cord. I had some questions about the line the weed eater used, and the response I got was, «I don’t know.» No offer to go find someone who knew, or elaborate on it. This time when I checked out, I asked for a bag (what is it with this place not wanting to give you a bag?!) and I kid you not, the response was, «We don’t have a bag for the weed eater.» Um, no kidding, but I did buy gloves, weed eater line and an extension cord that would fit in a bag!
I go to Westlake Ace Hardware now and they’re awesome!

If you usually leave Home Depot in a rage, check out our neighborhood hardware store. The staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They’ll help you find exactly what you need whether it’s a 25 cent piece of hardware or an equipment rental. Need a little work done around your house? Ask them for a recommendation. In a world of big box stores, it’s a rare find.

Great prices and knowledgeable staff make it easy to support this mom and pop shop. Cheap rentals on power tools (and other stuff!) makes this a great shop to have around the corner when working on home projects!

The first time I entered Cottin’s, I did so with reluctance. I was concerned that as per usual, some older gent would look over my head to speak to my boyfriend about what he might be looking for today, making me feel invisible and like such a *girl.* Kind of like what happened to me when I used to go into certain chain electronics stores that have since gone out of business (yay!) in NYC.
Not only did this not happen, I actually enjoyed my time in there the several times I’ve gone in. I kid you not!
Now, I fully admit that I usually would only go into Cottin’s because the K would be super enthusiastic about shopping in there and I can’t say I share the same enthusiasm, but oh, OK, they have a lot of awesome garden stuff and hello, are those pink flamingoes!!!
There’s a lot to love about Cottin’s. They rent cotton candy (COTTIN Candy?!) and icee machines. They sell all kinds of tape. They sell a lot of different colored and sized novelty light bulbs. They sell old school Radio Flyer wagons. It feels like it could be 1950 in there, but with a 2010 sensibility. The staff, all young and friendly, rule the school. As Lydia A mentions below, they are part of what makes Cottin’s such an enjoyable place to be.
A «place to be»?!
Yes! It’s an experience! Even getting keys made is kinda fun (OK, well, that’s an exaggeration. It is quick and painless, however!)
OTOH, you’d have to drag me kicking and screaming into one of my most hated stores ever… HOME DEPOT. Blargh!
Here’s to the true mom & pop sensibility of Cottin’s (check out their cute retro bumper stickers while you’re there and slap one on your toolbox) with their fair prices, excellent customer service and the way they make you feel like anything is possible so I’m going to start building that garden shed I’ve always wanted… I JEST.

A teeny update.
I went to Cottin’s on Sunday to pick up some spray paint and the sales guy encouraged me to buy the cheaper brand of spray paint because my project didn’t require weather proofing. I had the first can in my hand and was walking to the counter with it when he stopped me to clarify exactly what I needed it for. Then told me I didn’t need to pay the extra dollar fifty for the weather proof version.
PEOPLE. IT DOES NOT GET MORE AWESOME THAN THAT.

Despite living a block away from a bigger, chain hardware store, I will drive across town to go to Cottin’s. Their employees are friendly and knowledgeable and their selection is great. You get competitive prices with quality employees — a rare find these days.

Oh, Cottins. This place is everything one could want in a neighborhood hardware store. Friendly service, super cheap rentals, that great hardware store smell. I especially love the hammers that are used on their doors as handles. They have a good selection for their size, and a better location than the big box store in town. Also, the employees here actually know what they are talking about or can refer you to someone who does, and are willing to help you, not like some stores where they seem to think that all women are incompetent in home improvement. A great place to start for small projects or everyday repairs.