General Store – Ace Hardware

Courtney was awesome and the prices on Romeos is the best in town. We drove from Moses lake and experienced great service and prices. Thanks

If you live on the South hill or in the center of town, the General store is located conveniently on the way to all the big-​box chain stores on to the North side of town. They don’t always have what I need, but it’s worth stopping by because when they do have it, it saves 20 minutes of sitting at traffic lights, and being there is inexplicably more pleasant than going to a Walmart or Home Depot.
There is something nostalgic about the place that reminds me of the little-​bit-​of-​everything stores that were around before there were Walmarts everywhere. They have some things that I remember seeing around in childhood, but that I didn’t think existed anymore. When I was looking for a home phone, they had rotary dial phones, and not like an updated version, the exact same thing my Mom had sitting on the kitchen counter when I was growing up. I don’t know if someone is actually still making them or if they had just been sitting in the General warehouse for 30 years.

I LOVE THIS STORE, THEY HAVE EVERY-​THING! I come here every time I visit my sister in Spokane. I can wander the store for ever. I usually look at their outdoor wear (jackets, boots, etc) in the back. I recently fuond out they have an upstairs with more outdoor gear! Lots of cheap stuff! They seriously have everything you need here for indoor and outdoor fun.

What can I say about the General Store? I live fairly close and so that is usually my first stop when I need a random tool, car/​motorcycle/​rv part, camping supply, fishing license or yard decoration. Overall it is a pretty good place and is locally owned, so I like supporting them.
Negatives for me– the staff is not particularly freindly (in fact the checkers don’t really seem to have much interest in serving customers), and often they just don’t have that oddball household item that I really need.

I will be the first to admit that we stop in the General Store to bust our boredom funk when we need to have a «family outing.» I do agree that the aisles are rather claustrophobic and have no organization scheme but it sure is fun to look at each one!
Super friendly and extremely helpful staff. I had a question about a plumbing issue and I received attention and patience and even a second opinion to make sure he was right! Love that.
They have a coffee stand, which may or may not help with the disorganization, because it’s a little out of place (much like everything else, I suppose).
Bored? Stop in and have a look-​see. I’m sure you’ll find a gem that you couldn’t imagine life without it before.

nice place lots of variety

Cramped and cluttered feeling. Confusing arrangement at times.
Staff is very friendly though. And I have found things here I cannot find anywhere else.
One thing I like is that all former and active military personell get a 10% discount all the time on any non-​discounted item.
Sometimes their prices can be a little high, but there is a lot if that going around. Parking lot can be a hassle.
Still, good store to look in.

Tons of stuff! Stuff you don’t see any where else. You may want to go up and down EVERY ailse! Fun just to look!

It is always fun to browse around this interesting store. You may find just the camp gear or clothing that you didnt know you wanted or needed. They’ve got lots of garden stuff too. All kinds of things!!!

You hear it everyday… Shop Local, Support Independently Owned Businesses that provide jobs… This is the Place!
The General Store is a Spokane Icon. They are Family owned and operated and have been serving Spokane for Decades!
I dare you to go inside and browse around and come out empty handed… You can’t. I found something cool in almost every department of the store. The Automotive counter carries parts that no one else in Town stocks… High Performance parts, Motorcyle Helmets, gadgets and gizmos galore! The Clothing Department prides itself on it’s wide range of winter wear and work clothes. I found my Dad a pair of insulated Wrangler Jeans there. I found Boots, Coats, Gloves and Hats for all of my Grandchildren. In the Camping area I bought sleeping bags and fun «Survival Kit» Canteens for my Grandsons to take when they go hiking and camping. The Housewares area has a great selection of everything from Coffee Grinders to Compost Bins you put next to the sink. The Toy department has fun play sets to encourage childrens imaginations… Farm sets, Camping sets, Hunting sets.
Yes, they may have to be cautious of all of the crooks out there stealing and trying to pass bad currency and checks, but I dare you to go inside and not leave a piece of your heart behind as it becomes your new favorite local department store!

I will have to agree that there is some odd about this place, but I just enjoy going there for some odd reason! They do have some off the wall stuff that for some reason I have to have… hahaha.

I don’t know what it is about the General Store that attracts me to its narrow aisles piled high with bargain junk and poor selection, but I keep going back, looking for the perfect three-​dollar shirt or the unavailable faucet stem or the just-​right pair of nonexistent bargain socks. Maybe it’s exactly the disorganization, the seemingly endless supply of the average Spokanite (who does not actually exist) or the illusion of my saving money on camping supplies (that I would never actually use), but even right now, when thinking «I need to get my son a stainless steal water bottle,» I’m considering going back to the General Store, even though I almost never find what I need, and almost always am frustrated and disappointed when I leave.
There is something viscerally appealing about this place. But I don’t quite have my finger on the source or the appeal. You probably have to experience it for yourself.
You will understand. I know you will.
Go see. Get some work clothes. A new hunting cap. Some fireball fish eggs. And ask yourself if you don’t feel they trust you as you make your way to the checkout, as they ask for ID and want to know the name of your third cousin twice removed before accepting your check… as they examine your twenty-​dollar bill with a counterfeit pen and a wet-​ink sensing bluelight strobe (I made that up… I don’t think it exists).
You’ll wonder why you came. And then? In a few weeks? You’ll go back. Because you need a key made for your Camaro.