McLean Hardware Co

This store seems to have everything. I used to go to Home Depot, thinking I would get a better selection, then I realized that on everything from shovels to screws to caulking to garden hoses McLean Hardware has a better selection. Their helpful staff is always available. Someone usually greets you as you enter and offers to show you to whatever you came for. Nuts and bolts you can buy in any quantity — as few as a single part if that is all you need. They have plenty of parking just a few steps from the entrance.

The staff is very friendly. You can always find someone quickly help you. Despite the age of some of the staff they always seem to find a solution. You can find just about anything in there.

This is one of several local hardware/​homeware stores in Arlington/​McLean, but generally in my view the best. Customers are almost always — unless the place is terribly busy at the time — greeted at the door by someone offering to help or point you toward what you need; they are invariably knowledgeable about what the store carries, and even in giving advice if you need it.
Second, I can’t recall a time when I went in and found they didn’t have what I needed. Their selection is very extensive for a smallish store.
Third, regarding the competition: It’s a personal choice: you like local stores, or you like big-​box places. For me if I need a truckload of something, or want to pick from a huge selection of ceiling fans, it’s the big store. For most of my typical home projects, where I need just an item or two for a $ 20 or $ 30 purchase, I weigh the two hours I would kill driving to and from home Depot, wandering the aisles for an hour without finding what I need (v. 30 minutes total to MHW), and it’s no contest. Besides, I have found McLean Hardware often has stuff I can’t find at Home Depot, and often their goods and brands are of better quality than in those big-​box places.

In a pinch this place is great. However, their prices are really high. I just paid $ 12.99 for a roll of painter’s tape that is $ 6.58 at Home Depot. I’m willing to pay more for convenience (I did just buy the tape) but this is a little crazy!

Cool, old-​style hardware store.
Staff friendly, not always informed.
Prices: at least 30 percent mark up over others
Hours: useless. Reminds of bankers hours.
Only useful if you need something now, in midst of a project. Otherwise, way too expensive. The cool factor, limited, doesn’t justify the prices.

Let me preference this by saying in the late 80s and 90s I used to skateboard on the side of this building when it was Gourmet Giant. I’ve moved away for some time and recently moved my family back into the area and have been going to McLean Hardware for about six months now.
I was shocked to see McLean Hardware move to this location, mainly because this is a huge building and McLean Hardware wasn’t very large at their older location. However, they make great use of the space they have. I want to point out three key items:
Customer Service: Most of the employees are kids from high school, etc. However, they are extremely friendly and helpful. It’s great to walk in and if you’re looking for something or need assistance there is someone to help, and they do it with a smile on their face. Their customer service reminds me of a small town mom and pop shop.
Selection: Even though the name is McLean Hardware they sell everything you can think of. It’s more of a «house hardware» and supply store than just a «hardware» store. This is one of the biggest reasons why I prefer coming here because you can find almost anything that’s typically sold at Home Depot, CVS and other «convenience» stores (besides larger or contractor centric items).
Price: Usually, smaller stores have higher prices, and being in McLean means the rent is not cheap. However, their prices are pretty fair compared to Home Depot, Lowes and Ace Hardware. Also, if you factor in the extra drive and time it takes to go to the nearest HD, Lowes, etc they’re actually cheaper.
This is a great store for McLean and it’s a nice place to shop and find items you need. If there was one item I would change it would be their closing time. To me 6pm is too early. There are people driving home from work at 4−5pm and don’t make it home until 5−6pm. A closing time of 7−8pm would be more ideal.

I have shopped at McLean Hardware for a couple years. It has majority of the essentials that are needed for basic home needs and is the most convenient since it is the only hardware supply shop in McLean. Home Depot and Lowes are a little too far.
The employees are friendly and courteous. I am not really a hardware knowledgeable person, and they guide me with all of my questions. The prices here are moderately reasonable. The employees also help me to my car when I need assistance as well.
The only strife I have about this place is that I think that it is dimly lit. Maybe it could be of my old age or eyes, but sometimes it is a little difficult to read some of the products.
Highly recommended and a important shop in the McLean community.

I’ve shopped at McLean Hardware on a regular basis for 16 years. As a resident of McLean, it’s great to have a local HW store that has most of what I need without driving more than a couple of miles. The store also has employees greet you at the door to walk you to the things you need — all the while providing any needed advice. The store is a Stihl dealer and service provider, which is convenient. McLean Hardware is a valued business member of the McLean community!

I give McLean Hardware 5-​stars for old school service. There is always someone to help you. A point made by the a previous reviewer is that some of the staff are high school age. I find them very helpful, but not as knowledgeable. Therefore, if, I have something a little more complicated I go to an older staff member and in the past was satisfied with their knowledge base. It is definitely not a box store, so the prices are more expensive for most things. However, if you need help at Home Depot I challenge you to get it as quickly.

Very young and inexperienced staff (and lots of them chating at every corner). Bought a grill with assembly and delivery. Were told we’d get it next day. Were waiting for more than two weeks and nobody had a clear view on what happened and what to expect.

It used to be that you went to a local hardware store to get stuff and it was less expensive than Lowe’s, Home Depot or Heckingers (I’m dating myself here). This place is EASILY 30% more expensive than Home Depot and has less than ¼ of the selection available. Just go to Home depot, alright?
That being said, they’re very friendly and helpful.

I’ve been looking for screws for our kitchen cabinets’ knobs. I couldn’t find the right size at Home Depot. I got the screw size and codes I need from the website I purchased the knobs from (the screws included was too short) and brought the screws to McLean Hardware store. A gentleman stood in front of the cashier asked me if I need any help right after I entered the door. I gave him the code of the screws and right away, he led me to the aisle and pulled out a box. The length and diameter was exactly what I need. They don’t sell a whole bag, but I do need quite a few. They still have enough for me. In and out only took me less than 5 min. What a great experience. My husband went there maybe two months ago to look for a special kind washer and he found it also. He was helped by a high school kid, who he said was very knowledgeable and polite.
A neighborhood hardware store like this (although I don’t live right in McLean, but not far away) is exactly what we need. I will check out this store first before I go to home depot from now on. Wonderful experience!!!

You won’t regret shopping at this local hardware store… they have more items than you think and are SUPER helpful

A good place to pick up hardware supplies without having to schlep to a Home Depot or Loews since there are none in McLean.
Prices are reasonable, and they usually have plenty of people on staff to help.
They also sell and service Stihl equipment, and sell Weber grills on display in their back room.

I have lived in McLean for over 30 years, and do a lot of handyman work around the house. McLean Hardware is great and the place to go — period. Whenever I travel the long distance to Home Depot or Lowe’s, I find that they are out of stock, don’t have the right part, and I can wander endlessly trying to find the item I am seeking — and there is never anyone with an ounce of knowledge. McLean Hardware is just the opposite — they greet you as you come in, take you to the item you are seeking, and let you know how to install it. And, most impressive, whenever I have done a price comparison, I have found they are about the same price as the Home Depot/Lowe’s price. Oh yes, = the parking is easy and close.
I am prompted to write this review because I am moving out of McLean after all these years and wanted to note the several very firms I have used that have stood the test of time.

Go here first, support your local stores, then shop Home Depot if you must. I find 80% of the time they have what I need and expert advice if I want it. They will special order most anything. The people are great, they hire local high school kids all year round, and it’s just a plain good experience. And they are not ACE so they carry whatever they want to carry which means the have that weird 7/​8″ castle nut you were looking for that on one else had and they will sell you ONE for the price of $ 0.28. You just can’t beat it.
About the only thing they don’t stock well is lumber (but they have some plywood and 2x stuff). The best place locally for that is the Sheets lumber yard in Vienna, VA (but they keep bankers hours.)

First time coming here and I was really happy with the service I received. I’d definitely come back here since it’s close to where I live and the pricing is about the same (a tad bit more) as other hardware chain stores.

You’re going to pay a little but more in money, but what you save in time and frustration is so worth it! McLean Hardware is a veritable institution and rightfully so; a trained, helpful staff and a well-​stocked store make going there a pleasant experience. Easy parking, even better!

Great non corporate hardware store. Big selection.

I’ve only dealt with these guys on the phone but I can tell you — they’re great for giving you honest and straightfoward advice before selling you anything.
I remember I needed to get candle soot off of my walls as a part of my moveout cleaning and after many bouts with 409 and other «organic» cleansers (that don’t do crap except for the simple stuff, by the way), I called McLean Hardware and asked if they had dry sponges so I could gently get the stains off of the wall. Instead of saying, «yes, we have them, come in and buy them now,» the guy on the phone tells me that instead of buying that, to try Bar Keepers Friend first.
I do, and it came off like a charm.
I’m going to have to shop these guys first (plus they’re closer than Home Depot) if they continue to have service like this with straight advice!