Hardware stores carry tools, building supplies, bulk materials and other household and building items. The best ones offer good advice, great service and an old-time atmosphere as well. Many of these listed are in historic buildings dating back to at least the early 20th century, with touches like old wood floors and pressed tin ceilings. These are not all small stores, however. Several of them, like Lehman’s, Hartville and Keim Lumber, are rivals in size with the big-box stores. And there’s some former hardware stores that have been repurposed for other uses.

Beck Paint & Hardware – Beck Paint & Hardware is a family-owned paint and hardware store open since 1959 with locations in Goshen and Walnut Hills. Locations:

• 1798 SR 28, Goshen (513) 722-2000.
• Walnut Hills: 718 E. McMillen St., Cincinnati (513) 961-5773.

Beechwold Hardware is located in the Clintonville area of Columbus.

Beechwold Ace Hardware – Beechwold Hardware, established in 1944, is a family-run hardware store serving Beechwold, Clintonville and surrounding communities in Columbus. Not only do they offer a full line of hardware and supplies, they also provide services like window and screen repair, small engine repair, tool and knife sharpening, lamp repair and much more. 4591 N. High St., Columbus (614) 267-1245.

Brant’s Hardware – Established in 1929, Brant’s Hardware offers home improvement supplies and tools, construction and commercial items, including many hard-to-find items. 125 Mechanic St., Lebanon (513) 932-1060.

Bud’s Farm Toys is located in a former hardware store in downtown Carrollton.

Bud’s Farm Toys – Bud’s Farm Toys is located in a former hardware store in downtown Carrollton.  The store carries quality die-cast replicas of farm machinery and more, with a large selection of name brand toys from ERTL®, Scale Models, Spec Cast and Bruder, plus BREYER® Horses and accessories. They carry hard-to-find collector edition models and discontinued farm toys. 75 W. Main St., Carrollton (330) 627-5343.

Cedar Center Hardware – A family-owned store for more than 28 years, Cedar Center Hardware offers hand and power tools, fasteners, hardware, painting supplies, electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, housewares, lawn & garden and more. 1970 Warrensville Center Road, Cleveland (216) 291-1111.

Cliff Hardware & Paint Supply – In business for more than 90 years, Cliff Hardware & Paint Supply is a complete residential and commercial supplier, offering brands you know and trust. 11115 Reading Road, Sharonville (513) 563-6415.

Colonial Homestead – More than 8,000 antique hand tools for woodworking, blacksmithing, leatherwork and other historic hand trades. Working 1800s woodshop and gunsmith. Hand-built timber frame tiny homes, Windsor chairs and muzzle loaders available. 6515 SR 241, Millersburg (330) 600-9445.

Country View Hardware – Full line of hardware and tools. 3885 Ming Road NE, Carrollton. (330) 627-0717. No website or Facebook.

County Line Hardware – County Line Hardware provides all your hardware needs including solar, electrical, plumbing, paint and hardware. 33951 SR 643, Baltic (in New Bedford) (330) 440-3623. No website or Facebook.

Dellroy Hardware – Long-standing hardware and tool store in historic building in downtown Dellroy. 5 E. Main St., Dellroy (330) 735-2440. No website or Facebook.

Doughty Valley Hardware – Doughty Valley Hardware is a small, locally owned hardware store located just north of Guggisberg Cheese on SR 557 outside the village of Charm. (330) 893-0012. No website or Facebook page.

E&H Ace Hardware – E&H Ace Hardware in Wooster is located in the former Rubbermaid store, with three floors of everything an Ace Hardware has to offer, plus a lot more. 115 S. Market St,, Wooster (330) 262-8821.

Gobel Hardware – Gobel Hardware is a small-town hardware store that carries a little of everything – shop local! 23 N. Main St., Roseville (740) 697-7311. Connect on Facebook.

Hammond Hardware & Lumber – Come take a walk back in time. Browse the store for tools, project supplies, camping equipment, pool supplies, animal feed and seeds. Old-fashioned candies, gifts, coffee and much more. Hammond Hardware & Lumber is located in a 1902 building that for nearly 60 years housed Souder’s Hardware. 106 N. Main St., Hamden (740) 855-4178.

The Hardware Exchange True Value – Serving customers since 1934, The Hardware Exchange True Value carries a wide range of home repair and garden supplies, painting supplies and much more. 141 S. Sandusky St., Delaware (740) 363-1301.

Hartville Hardware – Hartville Hardware began in 1947 as a general farm store and is now the largest independent hardware store in the nation. Hartville offers a full-service design center, lumber yard, outdoor power equipment, appliances and much more. Locations:

• 1315 Edison St., NW, Hartville (330) 877-3631.
• 16003 E. High St., Middlefield (440) 632-1192.

Hill Hardware – Since 1950, Hill Hardware has been Burton’s local small town hardware store serving the folks in this rural Northeast Ohio community. It still retains the original charm and old-fashioned atmosphere of more than 70 years ago. The wood floors still creak, the aisles are narrow with shelves chock full of 7,000+ items, and that old hardware smell still lingers. 14545 Main St. (N. Cheshire), Burton (440) 834-4471.

Hinkle’s Marengo Hardware – A true community hardware store that also offers feeds and seed, hay and straw, wood pellets and more. 20 S. Main St. and 17 N. Main St., (paint store), Marengo (419) 253-0221. Connect on Facebook.

Iron City Hardware – Iron City Hardware sells all basic hardware, plumbing, electrical and electrical items as well as appliances and furniture. 116 S. Third St., Ironton (740) 532-8414.

Joe’s True Value Hardware – Originally Wiehe’s Hardware in the early to mid-1960s, Joe’s True Value Hardware is a local hardware store supplying building materials, tools, lawn and garden supplies, paint, electrical, plumbing and more. 54 S. Main St., Mt. Gilead (419) 946-7811.

Joughin Do-It Best Hardware – In business since 1877 but not too old-fashioned to provide for current hardware needs. Joughin Do-It Best Hardware is a complete hardware store that provides the best in customer service. 23 S. State St., Painesville (440) 357-5858.

Keim Lumber Co. – More than 60,000 products, including those locally made, can be found at Keim Lumber. This extensive store offers lumber, building materials, custom millwork and much more. The business was founded in 1911 as a rough lumber mill for local woodworkers and is a fourth-generation family business. 4465 SR 557, Millersburg (Charm) (330) 893-2251.

Kell Hardware – Founded in 1886, Kell Hardware offers full line of hardware, housewares, home repair supplies, windows/screens, fasteners and plumbing items. 15 W. Main St., Lexington (419) 884-1013.

Lehman’s Hardware Store – Lehman’s Hardware was founded in 1955 and has since grown to become a major tourist destination in Ohio Amish country as well as a big online supplier. The family owned and operated store offers a huge assortment of hardware, building supplies, household goods, foodstuffs, home décor, lamps, books, outdoor equipment, cooking and baking supplies and much more, including a café-style restaurant, non-electric appliances and a huge assortment of soda pop. 4779 Kidron Road, Dalton (800) 438-5346.

Loveland Hardware General Store – Loveland Hardware is continuing the tradition of a local hardware store since 1901. Authorized Stihl dealer and repair shop. 131 Broadway St., Loveland (513) 707-1800. Connect on Facebook.

Merrillee’s Hardware – Family owned and operated independent hardware store established in 1980. Merrillee’s Hardware has a full range of products including hardware, outdoor living, farm & ranch, building and construction supplies and more. 25 S. Miami Ave., Cleves (513) 941-0090.

Mohican Hardware Outdoors – Large selection of power tools and accessories. 21100 Pealer Mill Road, Danville (740) 599-5080.

Moore Brothers Hardware – With more than 57 years of experience, Moore Bros. Hardware is a one-stop supply headquarters for all home projects. Plumbing supplies, tool rentals, generators and more. 10373 Pioneer Road, Byesville (740) 685-8579.

Morris True Value Hardware in McConnelsville is Ohio’s oldest family-owned full-service hardware store, founded in 1845.

Morris True Value Hardware – Morris Hardware is Ohio’s oldest family-owned full-service hardware store, founded in 1845. The business is still owned and operated by direct descendants of the Morris family. Morris offers knife sharpening events, a full line of hardware supplies and power tools, and seasonal supplies such as garden seeds, gardening equipment and swimming pool products. The store has displays of wonderful old photos and early operations. 50 E. Main St., McConnelsville (740) 962-4261.

Mount Hope Hardware – Mount Hope Hardware has been serving Holmes County and the surrounding community since 1973. In addition to being a well-stocked full-service hardware, they also stock appliances and a variety of housewares, including everything needed for home food preservation. 8120 SR 241, Mount Hope (330) 674-7474.

Orme Hardware – Orme Hardware, one of Cambridge and Guernsey County’s oldest businesses, has been in operation since 1869. The first store was located at the corner of E. Eighth Street and Wheeling Avenue in downtown Cambridge. Locations:

• 4888 Elm St., Berlin.
• 634 Lincoln Ave., Cadiz.
• 134 N. 11th St., Cambridge.
• Eureka, 102 N. River St., Newcomerstown.
• 51 E. Main St., New Concord.
• 67 W. Main St., Newark.

Raby Hardware is the nation’s oldest continuously family-owned and operated hardware store, open since 1885 in Loudonville.

Raby Hardware – Raby Hardware is the nation’s oldest continuously family-owned and operated hardware store, open since 1885. Located in downtown Loudonville in the heart of Mohican Country. Raby’s offers an extensive outdoor/recreation section that includes RV parts, tents, sleeping bags, cast iron cookware, fire rings, fire pits, pie irons, and much more. 223 W. Main St., Loudonville (419) 994-3751.

Rapps True Value Hardware – Hardware and outdoor equipment needs at this longtime local hardware store. 2 W. Main St., Mount Sterling (740) 869-3553. Connect on Facebook.

Robertson’s Building Center – Robertson’s Building Center has been serving customers in the Malvern and Carroll County area since 1898. Lumberyard, bulk materials, key cutting, pipe cutting and threading, screen and glass repair, paint matching and mixing. 7389 Canton Road NW, Malvern (330) 863-0611.

Roush Hardware in Westerville has been employee owned since 1951.

Roush Hardware – Employee owned since 1951, Roush Hardware is a full-service hardware store providing key duplication, window and screen repair, paint matching, pipe cutting and threading and more. 373 W. Bridge St., Dublin; 609 S. State St., Westerville (614) 882-3623.

Sandusky Hardware – Local hardware store serving the Sandusky community. 1009 W. Washington St. (US 6), Sandusky (419) 502-0032. Connect on Facebook.

Saving Do-It Best Hardware – Saving Do-It Best Hardware has two locations serving their communities for more than 70 years in Logan and Nelsonville. From home improvements to auto repairs, they have the tools, supplies and advice needed for any project. 95 E. Main St., Logan (740) 385-7514;  129 W. Washington St., Nelsonville (740) 753-1987.

Schreiner Ace Hardware – Schreiner Plumbing & Hardware Company opened in 1946. This longtime hardware store stocks household tools, garden supplies, home décor and more. 2585 N. High St., Columbus (614) 263-5678.

Slater’s Hardware – Established in 1946, Slater’s Hardware has been the place to go for hardware, plumbing, paint, lock and key services, lamp repair, screen and window repair, and expert advice. 1141 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster (740) 654-2204. (Closed due to owners’ retirement in February 2024.)

Smith True Value Hardware – Locally owned hardware store began in 1977. Smith True Value Hardware has a wide selection of quality products and friendly service. 143 Main St., Bellville (419) 886-3200.

Starrett & Son Pro Hardware – A family owned business for five generations, Starrett & Son Pro Hardware offers general hardware supplies and tools ranging from Allen wrenches to vise grips. 293 Main St., Duncan Falls (740) 674-4372.

T&L General Store – Hardware and full line of fishing, RV and marine supplies. 14171 Clay Pike Road, Senecaville (740) 685-2060. Connect on Facebook.

Thornville Hardware & Supply – Thornville Hardware & Supply is a full-service hardware store with massive selection of products for electrical work, plumbing, gardening, livestock and much more. 9055 Boundaries Road, Thornville (740) 246-4333.

Underwood’s Hardware (at left) is located on Somerset’s public square, which features a statue of Gen. Philip Sheridan.

Underwood’s Hardware – Longtime full service True Value hardware store, authorized local Stihl dealer and Holland Grill dealer. 104 Public Square, Somerset (740) 743-1350. Connect on Facebook.

White Hardware – White Hardware is a longtime local hardware store with full range of tools, supplies and equipment; authorized local Stihl dealer. 16067 Water St., Laurelville (740) 332-2471.

Your Olde Tyme Hardware – Do-It Best hardware, 3049 Cleveland Ave. SW, Canton (330) 484-6464. Connect on Facebook.

Zettler Hardware – A staple in the Columbus community since 1886, Zettler Hardware provides the latest advancements in hardware and home improvements with old-fashioned personal service. The family-run business has locations in Columbus, Powell and Pickerington. Locations:

• 2150 Innis Road, Columbus (614) 263-1846.
• 4518 Kenny Road, Columbus (614) 451-0896.
• 2001 Zettler Center Drive, Columbus (614) 279-9466.
• 180 Postage Drive, Pickerington (614) 490-7001.
• 4102 W. Powell Road, Powell (614) 792-9080.

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