Arnolds Frontier Hardware

Friendly helpful staff, get prices and everything you could need at a great hardware store.

Awesome old school hardware store. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They have many odd ball items the larger chain hardware stores don’t carry.

When you need a special nut or bolt, a traditional tool or part, small hardware to gang anything from a television to a picture frame — all that and you want personalized service, homespun Ace hardware stores like Arnold’s are the place to go.
I needed to hang a small box-​like art piece on my wall. I wanted something secure that wouldn’t come off, and needed a little advice on the best way to go about it.
You enter the store, and an older bearded fellow with coveralls helped me through. I also needed some 3-​in-​one oil (remember that), and knew that they would have something like that, and the big-​box hardware stores probably wouldn’t.
Their hand tools, drill bits, and small hardware items are top quality. They even had number size twist drills of various sizes right on the wall. I’ve never seen that in a hardware store before.
It may not be the place if you’re starting a large construction job — but it is the place where if you need something hardware, don’t want to spend a lot of time searching for it in a home center, and you want great personalized service.

Great old school hardware store. They have been there for over 60 years. A real treat to go into. It has a bit of everything. I was looking on line for Western wood smoking chips and the online vendors with the chips including the shipping costs were pretty high. I searched for local vendors and Arnolds popped up. I went by the shop and they didn’t have the odd ball alder, lemon, peach and orange chips I was looking for, but they could order then and have it in a day or two. The cost was ½ as much as the online stores and no shipping costs. I ordered a bunch and they came in the next day. Goes to show, the local vendors still have it over online.

If you need basic things for home or garden then this is a great independent hardware store. The service is friendly and the owner is almost always there to help. This isn’t home depot, so don’t expect to build a house from this place… but for basic hardware needs it is perfect… especially if you live nearby.

These guys are beyond helpful. Easy to get to. I even call them for local services in which they keep a book of reliable workers, not someone off the street or the parking lot at a chain.
I can go on and on but basically you need it, 98% of the time they have had it, big and small items.
Service, location, and knowledge about all kinds of things.

This is my favorite «go to place» for hardware questions. The guys are very knowledgable about the multiple ways to solve a problem and subscribe to the «Try to fix it before replacing» philosophy. I really appreciate the personal attention! Please give them your business.

My earliest memories of going to this place was when I was a probably 14 years old.
The back-​story is that I had saved about $ 300 to buy what was basically an expensive toy gun (especially for a kid). The first thing I did when I got it was screw it up by stripping a tiny hex bolt deep into one of parts I was trying to remove. I biked here after school and asked for advice — the guy who was working there (I don’t remember his name) was actually pretty cool and took me seriously considering I was a such a knucklehead back then.
He showed me out to use an EZ-​Out and gave me tips on how to use it (I brought the stuck bolt and work piece with me). It’s funny how that memory stick out considering all the times I’ve been there since. I respected the man for making me do the work, instead of him doing it for me.
I think that was really what got me started as a do-​it-​yourself guy. I learned that anything that can go wrong (on a project), will go wrong — and that there is always a solution to it…
I’m 27 now, and I still go there for things that I need.
What makes this place great is that they offer a unique mix of what every hobbyist needs, and here’s why:
«Hunting» for a specific part is easy to do online, but only if you know in advance that it is the exact part you need.
«Searching» for what you need at an actual store (OSH, Home Depot) that supposedly has it all takes a lot of time. You can literally spend hours here looking for 1 item that works. If you want knowledgeable want help from an employee, make that two days.
Arnold’s has the best of both worlds (at least for me since I live close). I can come in, bring whatever it is I’m working on with me, and tests parts until I get what works. They even let me borrow parts to size them and bring them back when I was working on the car. It will never be busy to the point where you can’t get any help, and the employees are actually very intelligent and well-​aware of what they have in stock.
I have many hobbies that range from brewing beer, to working on cars, to soldering electronics — and they seem to have what I need in a pinch. Amazingly, they will have odd items that neither OSH, Michaels, or Home Depot carry.
I know this was a long review, but I hardly ever Unilocal a review unless the place means a lot to me — and this review has been overdue. Been going here for over a decade, the service has never changed.

Awesome just awesome!
To be able to talk to someone about any problem I have and they will take the time to help find a solution.
We had an old coffee pot that we wanted to fix.
Arnold had the part no one else had, fixed it for a lot less than replacing it.
This store is a throw back to how things once were.
Just a great store.

I had the good fortune of being told about Arnold’s Hardware by a neighbor. It’s really a throwback to what used to be referred to as «REAL CUSTOMER SERVICE». The staff knows their stuff and are always helpful (unlike the HELPFUL Honda Sales guys).
You may pay a little less at the GIANT Hardware Stores locally… but when you have a question, is there anybody around to help you??? Or even know the craft?
It’s really a breath of fresh air knowing that whenever I need something fixed or replaced in our home, that they are there.

I lived in Sierra Madre from 2 years to 14 years old, my father was a carpenter. I grew up at that store and knew Arnold well. He was a fun old guy, gave myself and my brother ballons and played little tricks on us.
He was super cool when we were touching and playing with EVERYTHING. That was over 22 years ago but, I’ll never forget that place.

Cute ‘mom and pop’ shop. Glad to see that Home Depot/Lowe’s/OSH hasn’t taken them over. The staff was friendly and helpful, and they had fruit pickers in stock when OSH didn’t. Before going to any of the larger hardware stores, I’ll be calling Arnolds first, as I love supporting the ‘small fries’ =)

Arnolds is the BEST! I will always go here FIRST before trudging my way over to OSH or Home Depot. They have EVERYTHING! Seriously and if they don’t have it they can order it. Their prices are fair and I enjoy all the people that work there. They are so amazingly nice exactly what you expect from a local hardware store. They have a super cool gift section too. Just a treat every time I go in to see them. Can’t say enough good things about Arnold’s.

After reading the reviews on Unilocal,I decided to give this place a shot since its so close to my house. I always had this thing in my head where I believed your local mom and pop stores will always be more expensive than your national chain stores.
However, as I am getting older, I am beginning to and willing to pay a bit more for better service. So I decided to give this place a shot. Upon entering, I immediately realized this was a ACE hardware store and not just a local one store operator. Not knowing if I made the right decision, I immediately asked for a replacement for my sprinkler valve control unit. This gentlemen helped me to the aisle and started to explain a few options for me. Without going into the grueling details… all I have to say is ‘absolutely bar none’ service!!! He even offered to loan me his store pipe wrench since I live here locally. Seriously, I mean, who does this kind of thing anymore!!!
Highly recommend them!!! Support your local business and even if you are a bit aways, I strongly believe it’s going to be worth your drive.

Where Arnolds is located is always on my way home, whether driving or walking. Why not try to shop here, instead of OSH?
Always the staff is supremely helpful, always maintaining a good sense of humor. Paint, furniture polish, sink strainer, light bulbs, brooms, trowels, kitchen floor mat – the stuff of domestic life – I have purchased at Arnolds. I can’t think of the number of times I have laughed when I’ve shopped here because conversations ensue.
Frankly, downtown Sierra Madre is fortunate to have a small hardware store. So many communities are shackled to the environment of the strip mall or big box mall. In this part of the foothills and down into the valley, a selection of hardware stores still exists, and we take it all for granted. Arnolds resides on my short list of hardware stores to support. It’s across the street from the town bakery, Wildflour, and east of the public library — destinations to incorporate into a constitutional. Come equipped with a shopping bag or backpack.

The five stars is for their EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE. These guys really go out of their way to be helpful. They have the time and the knowledge to help you find what you need. They really do know their stuff (and they all dress in overalls, for your viewing pleasure.) Surprisingly, their prices are competitive with the Big Boys — so why go anywhere else? Who wants a world run by HomeDepot and other Big Box Behemoths? I sure don’t. Support your local hardware stores, people! Go visit Basil & Company at Arnold’s Frontier Hardware in beautiful downtown Sierra Madre.

I go out of my way to do business with Arnold’s. No searching for someone to wait on you. And the best part: They know hardware. Ask them anything and they’ll have the right answer. The best hardware store anywhere.

I love trading here. Where else could one find a knowledgeable clerk that can advise on the advantages of different lamp oils and suggest the proper size wick for a lantern.

Arnold’s is the perfect place for those with A.D.D.
Remember the old days, when your dad used to frequent the quaint and friendly neighborhood hardware store? Well, here is your opportunity to step back in time. It is small, yet carries the essentials. No P.A. systems. No long lines. No Bobcats taking up the aisles. No fist fights over who is next to get help from the guy in the orange vest. They may not have the biggest variety or the best prices, but it is a great place to stop when you are in a bind. And, you don’t even need a map to find a screw! I’ve known way too many men who have gone into Home Depot (aka «The Black Hole») for a couple of bricks and returned home 3 hours later.
And, besides, I have a thing for men who wear weathered overalls. The guys who work here can be found in them every day.

Their motto is «Where old-​fashioned service is never outdated» A knowable staff and hard to find parts. One nice service is that they will loan you tools. I had to replace a facet part and they lent be a tool that would have cost me $ 25. They also have a gift shop in the front of the store that has seasonal items.