Ace Hardware

The only one that I go back to every time. When I’m on tour and I need something hardware related, I’ll wait to get it at ace Milwaukee. It’s close to all the theaters and arenas that I do shows at. My hometown had a store like this one but was run out by the big box boys.
If you live here then don’t let this store die! If you shop at a big box the ceo can buy a new jet to get to his 3−4^th vacation home!

Staff is very friendly and helpful. They’ll guide you right to whatever you’re looking for, and if they don’t have it, their knowledgeable staff can usually come up with an adequate alternative for you.

Very helpful and friendly staff. The store is packed full. Ace has lots of stuff for older homes, catering to the east side (key blanks, locks, amazing drain cleaner: Bad Cat).

I visited this Ace Hardware on a Doors Open Milwaukee tour. The employees and the family owners were very nice. They handed out an info sheet, here are highlights: Style is Astylistic Utilitarian and designed by J.B. Conrad, built in 1902 by Charles Abresch. The third building North was once Engine House #2 (see my photos for traces left behind). The highlight was the «not open to the public» viewing of the boiler/​furnace. This badass makes our home furnaces look like cigarette lighters. Largest in Milwaukee, third largest in Wisconsin. (see my photos).
Thank you to the store for graciously showing the history of your buildings!

Top notch staff with extraordinary knowledge on providing solutions to your household handyperson problems. some of the inventory is dated but most is very useful. A portion of the building used to be an old Firehouse where you can still see the holes in the ceiling in which the firefighters would slide through at the time of an emergency.

Hardware store galore! Your Paw-​Paw would be proud of you for shopping here, cause it’s where he’d shop.
I had locked my keys in my car not too long ago, & realized I was within walking distance to National Ace Hardware. Instead of panicking & calling a locksmith, I calmly walked to Ace to see if I could find something to get it open myself. (I’m a DIY type of lady.)
When I entered, there were lots of friendly sales staff milling around with customers, but they all said hello to me. I didn’t know ~exactly~ what I was looking for to get my door open, I just knew I’d find something that would do the trick. As I walked around, I realized they had EVERYTHING. Looking at their selection, I even found myself thinking about projects at home I could be doing instead of looking for something to open my car door MacGuyver-​style. I eventually found what I needed (plus some stuff that was on sale for less urgent needs) with the help of one of the sales staff members who was funny & polite. I don’t remember his name but I should go back & ask, because the owners of Ace should know they’ve got some quality people working there.

Fantastic hardware store for all your needs and more.
Greeted immediately on arrival and everyone in the store knows what they are talking about and will guide you to the correct aisle instantly. Very knowledgeable staff.
Definitely come here instead of any of the big, chain hardware/​home improvement centers!

Great old school hardware store near our home. They have pretty much every thing we would need. They were able to paint match our swatch and we got several other items to boot. You can also get an Ace Rewards card and earn points and get coupons to save on all your hardware store stuff.

Great downtown hardware store– huge selection and parking available. Staff is very friendly and helpful. They even help you load your car. Highly recommend.

National Ace Hardware = Best hardware store ever. Located just north from the hubbub of downtown Milwaukee, this place is a bright beacon of home-​fix-​it-​up-​ness. Seriously, I don’t know why anyone would want to go to those gigantic warehouse places where the staff are ignorant, inattentive or uneducated. That’s not to say this ACE location isn’t gigantic (it is) but everything just seems easier here.
You’re greeted immediately upon entry by friendly, knowledgeable staff who know exactly where to go or where to find what you may need. On the off chance you are not greeted right away, within 20 seconds of walking around someone is bound to ask if you need help. Awesome customer service.
I will continue shopping here for my hardware needs long after I’ve moved from the downtown area.

Wow, customer service. Super friendly and helpful staff. It felt like they cared. The inside of the store is pretty old looking, which was kind of refreshing (in a musty sort of way) from the bleach and plastic smell of Super Menards.

They have everything… no joke

Now THIS is a hardware store. Located in downtown Milwaukee, National Ace Hardware is one of those places that make me wonder why all hardware stores can’t be like this.
I have been going to this store for over 15 years. They carry all the things that my old houses needed through the years and now my rental properties need. The people that work here– actually know hardware and have answers to questions when you ask. Heck– you don’t even need to ask a question– they are there to help from the moment you walk in the door.
Like the other day when I was looking for an aerator for an old faucet that should have been retired years ago. The guy goes to some box, pulls out an aerator and I am on my way to solving my drippy spigot problem. No model number needed, no explanation– just «bring that back if it doesn’t work but it should do the trick». And you know what? It did.
Need a small motor serviced– or a rotary mower’s blades sharpened? No problem. Drive up to the service building in the back (clearly marked SERVICE) and the nice guys will lift it out of the car for you and return it to your car when it is fixed. Oh– and pull the door tight behind you or the alert buzzer goes on and on!
If you live in Milwaukee– no matter your hardware needs– forget going to one of the «big box» retailers that have popped up all around. They are staffed with people who don’t even know what an «aerator» is unless it is in a clearly labeled package and sometimes not even then. Go to National Ace Hardware. Trust me. Your hardware hunt is over!