Frentz & Son’s Hardware

I’ve noticed a decline in this place over the years. Like many, we were introduced to this place as young children when our fathers, and fathers father came here for all sorts of miscellaneous parts and gadgets. As a kid I used to like the hobby isle that had Rocket Kits and all kinds of cool stuff. Too bad that’s gone, my kids would love it. Some of the younger staff aren’t impressive here and I miss being guaranteed to deal with the owners (who I see less of lately). Nevertheless, I’ve noted BIG problems with this place lately and have decided not to come back anymore.
1) Paint. You’ll regret buying paint here. It’s clear they don’t really sell paint anymore and what they have is more a ‘token’ nod to days gone by when this place used to rock the paint and require a full time paint guy. I came for a single gallon of a simple color of paint and the young guy acted like I was asking for him to murder someone. He said «Oh, I can try to mix it, but none of us are really up on this anymore.»… Ok? I got the paint and some mildew additive and some primer. The primer was clearly long beyond it’s ‘prime’ and had to be thrown out when I got home — the 2 inches of dust on the top should have tipped me off. The mildew additive was sold old it had solidified into a hard rock… I tossed that out too. Waste of a trip.
2) Hours. This place changes hours as they see fit apparently. I stopped by Christmas Eve around 5PM to pick up something quick — they were closed. I stopped by the day AFTER Christmas, they were closed. I stopped by New Years Eve at around 6PM, they were closed. Since when did New Years Eve become a holiday? Each time I ended up down on 4^th Street at Ace Hardware buying what I needed.
3) Selection. It’s bad these days. Half the time they don’t have what I want. Half the time they are out of what I want. Again — I end up down on 4^th Street at Ace Hardware each time. Rock Salt? All out. Ace Hardware. New drain for my bathroom sink? Wrong size. Ace Hardware. That’s the story of my life with this place and I have decided to START each journey 1 mile away at Ace Hardware rather than keep dealing with this.
So there you have it, a truthful review based on real experiences over 35 years shopping here. I’ve moved on to better places. Online if possible. Ace Hardware if possible, and as a last resort Home Depot. Frentz and Sons? Nope.

Most def a rare find these days, old fashioned personal service and great value.

Great selection. They always seem to have what I need. Great service. A very knowledgeable group of people. Polite and helpful. Prices are on bar w big box stores. I prefer to support local and small when I can, compared to big box home stores.

Frenz Hardware has been run by the same family for many decades for the past 40 years I’ve gone there for about every thing I need from mops to nuts and bolts to lawn’s products and knowledgeable people with information about electrical equipment. They carry all kinds of household supplies and will make keys for you and have a assortment of different paints you’ll find all the parts are needed at this hardware! A great assortment of plumbing supplies. Unlike the chain stores there is a person to work with you when you come in I’ve been helped out over the years and appreciate the individual treatment

This place never ceases to amaze me. Whatever crazy piece of hardware you need, they’ll have it. And the staff is super knowledgeable. Don’t waste your time wandering the store for that hard-​to-​find part; ask them and they’ll take you straight to it. If I could give 6 stars as a rating, I would!

This is one of the last good hardware stores around. I pray they don’t get bought out by some cookie cutter franchise! I build custom cabinets and furniture and all the box store and hardware stores that start with the letter A carry the same basic stuff. When I need something one step above basic, this is where go.

Frentz and Sons have been in the area for as long as I can remember. Although it’s a smaller hardware store, and nowhere on the scale of Home Depot or Lowes, they make up with quality over quantity.
The store is located conveniently at Gardenia and Main, and there’s a private parking lot on the east end of the building. Upon walking around, one will find everything from garden tools and kitchenware to lumber and plumbing accessories.
The staff are mostly younger kids, but they’re more than always willing to help and offer honest input if you have a question. If they’re not sure of the best answer, almost always they’ll advise someone else to help that may know more about the issue.
Keep it up Frentz!

This local neighborhood hardware store is about as good as it gets. They are always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. They assisted me in fixing a leaky toilet and gave me a bunch of tips on how to complete the project. As someone who is not very good at DIY project, the team at Frentz is top notch and always willing to help.

This is the only hardware store where I know they will have what I’m looking for. Need odd-​ball pieces, obscure tools, or just general hardware, they’ve got you covered.

Excellent local resource for hard-​to-​find hardware and simple parts for home repair /​fixes. I have been consistently impressed with the amount of widgets, parts, components and loose hardware that Frentz has on hand. Prices are very reasonable. You also have ability to purchase 1 – 2 simple parts (nuts, bolts, screws, nails, plumbing parts, washers, etc.) versus an entire box quantity like most other stores. Staff offers very high level of service and is knowledgeable. Adequate free parking. I feel fortunate to have Frentz in our neighborhood as a resource — which is especially imperative if you own an older home. *****QUICK UPDATE: One thing I have encountered is that Frentz closes at 4pm on Sunday. Good for them and their staff, however, most «weekend warriors» work on projects Saturday and Sunday — this is prime time. Wish they were open to 6−7pm; just an observation on a few trips I have made there and found lights out and off to Home Depot /​Lowes.****

Great hardware store with knowledgeable peeps — not just the «I know which aisle it’s in» that generally dominates the big boxes. I have been shopping there since I was a kid (well, I was along for the ride with my mom at first:). It’s a great store with great employees who are very helpful. Plus, you’re supporting a long-​time local biz! Great place.

Cute old school Mom & Pop Hardware store. Why is it listed as «nursery gardens» I have no idea.
I’m all for supporting the local businesses and F & S’s has a great hardware selection. Everything is neat and organized and if you can’t find anything, just wander in and within 5 – 10 mins, someone will ask you if you need assistance. Talk about old school customer service! Some oddities like a steel grill brush will cost like $ 1 more and other kitchen appliances like a toaster cost $ 5 more but you should be buying that from Target or something.
They’ve surprised me with hard to find items like oil lamp fluid and wick replacement which Target and Lowe’s didn’t even have. Take that big corporate chains!

Best hardware store in Michigan! Every staff member is exceptionally helpful and customer oriented. Did I mention knowledgeable? I have never had a situation where they didn’t have what I needed and I’ve been going to them for over 30 years.

Frentz is one of those places that’s been in business forever and has *everything* you’d expect to find in an old hardware store. Nuts and bolts? Screws? Wall anchors? Everything you need, in dozens of labeled bins. Paint and varnish? Of course. Mantles for your Aladdin lamp? Check. Canning jars? All the sizes and styles. Electrical hardware? They’ve got all the wire, socets and switches you need, as well as the biggest assortment of wall plates I’ve ever seen. Stainless, white, brown, cream, large, small,. they even have plates to fit the old switches and outlets you still see in some of the older houses around here. The staff are great, too. Between Frentz and Durst I don’t need to hit the big box stores at all for 90% of my household maintenance needs.

Best hardware store around, bar none. Everyone there is unbelievably knowledgable and they know right where your item is. Don’t let the older, smaller «look» of the place turn you away. Family owned and operated, this is the place to go for anything you need home-​repair-​wise.

Love this place. Whatever you need, they have it.

I can’t believe I’ve never reviewed this place! We were there countless times during our ages-​long home reno. It’s the kind of hardware store that probably looked how it does now from the very beginning, from the cracked tiles and cramped goods stuffed everywhere. It has everything, if you can just find it, and don’t even worry about that because someone who works there knows the precise location of it all.

frentz & son’s is bomb ass diggity (what?). in a world where it’s nearly impossible to find an employee at a big box retailer, frentz makes sure you’re never far from the answer you need.
they hire high school kids (i think it helps them compete in price with the depot) to work there and the first few times i went… i was approached by some kid with gauge in his ear and tattered arms asking if i need anything. and i must admit the old man in me took over at first… «ugh. this little punk couldn’t possibly help me with what i need…»
and every time i’m shocked at the knowledge of the kids in this store. they’re really amazing.
i’ve had one issue in my time going to this store where the kid had to defer to the old man behind the counter.
they’ll either have what you need or be able to order what you need.

This family owned hardware store in Royal Oak is well known among locals. Could it be their great selection of plumbing goods, paints, and general hardware? Could it be because the service is impeccable, the staff freakishly smart? Guess what, it’s a combination of the two. This hardware store has been sitting on Main Road for decades and it doesn’t seem like it will be going anywhere soon.
Need a key made? Paints mixed or just some general cleaning supplies? Frentz and Sons is your place. The prices are reasonable and it feels good to support a family owned business when everything is being taken over by huge corporations.