Mayday Hardware & Supply

I really was so helped by the service at this wonderful hardware store! Not only did I get the tools I needed but I got a total
tutorial on how to properly achieve my project. These people really empower their customers! Thanks so much!

Hung up on me after brushing off a question. I guess it wasn’t worth the store’s time to look into it more? Either way, won’t be trying them again.

Jerry is the most helpful guy around. After asking him about my changing locks, he walked me, step by step, through the process of changing my own locks, saving me hundreds of dollars. He really made sure I knew what to do when I got back to my apartment – and after his descriptions and help, I did it by myself in ten minutes. Thank you Jerry! The rest of the guys working here are also really nice. Love this place.

This is what every hardware store should be like. Knowledgeable friendly staff, great inventory and family run. Looking forward to visiting again.

I love coming here! Jerry and his wife are the best, and they’ll talk you through any of your projects with patience, options and experience. What’s great about this is that even though it’s their business, they’ll often help you save money by telling you what you actually need, and what’s unnecessary. Much appreciated!
A few tips I’ve learned…
1) they have a bunch of pallets for sale that are not on the floor. They’re 3/​$ 25, ACTUALLY reclaimed, and are wonderful for DIY projects when you’re on a budget. (See photos for before and after pics of some of the MANY uses I’ve had for these).
2) On Tuesdays and Thursdays they have an assistant who can cut down wood to your specifications.
3) If you don’t use some of the materials you’ve bought for your projects, they’re happy to return them for you.
Happy that after years of coming here, Im finally writing them the review that they deserve!

Terrible experience. I went here to have some keys cut on a rainy day, no other customers around. First it took the owner several minutes to deign to even come up and help me, even though he was sitting two steps away and apparently not busy. Second, he quotes a price that I later learn is outrageous for the job — $ 20 for 2×4 keys, should be more like $ 10. And for this princely sum I get neither a receipt nor a key ring! Nor, indeed, the right keys!!! Five out of the eight keys he cut don’t work, and now I look at them I can see small and big mistakes that I didn’t notice at the time but should be obvious to a locksmith — like cutting a key on the wrong side. Seriously. Never coming back, unbelievable this place still exists.

This place is amazing — so much so that this is my first hardware store review.
I found Mayday as result of helping my daughter with her Brooklyn move. I walked in with a long list of odds and ends and the woman behind the counter took the time to walk through the store with me and show me where I could find every item. Turns out she’s part of the husband /​wife team that own the store.
But it’s the final item on my list that will forever make Jerry Walsh — the owner — and Mayday one of my stories. While moving my daughter’s favorite piece of furniture I had taped the drawers shut — later peeling off the tape and the antiqued finish with it. Basically, I ruined it. Jerry overheard me asking his wife how I could match the paint on the drawer I had brought in for reference. «Just a minute» — he says — Jerry comes back a few minutes later with a 20 –30+ year old boxed antiquing kit made by Red Devil — in the exact color needed — wedge wood blue base paint with the antiquing glaze included. We’re talking a circa 60’s — 70’s — product — probably can’t even be found on eBay. But Jerry had it.
«I knew I was keeping this for a reason» — Jerry declared. After fixing the furniture with the kit — I dropped by to show Jerry and his wife a picture of the outcome — perfect match — piece restored.
This place does everything with care — keys made — glass cut to fit for table tops — I saw it all.
Jerry’s time at Mayday began on a day way back in 1964 when he came into Mayday for the first time as an 8^th grade kid. But that’s Jerry’s story. It’s a busy place but as you get to know Jerry and his wife — if you or Jerry have a minute — it’s a great story to hear.
Everyone should want a business like this and people like Jerry and his wife in their neighborhood.
Make Mayday your first «go to» — you won’t be disappointed.

Jerry was so helpful, courteous and friendly. I had a problem with the lock on my door. Before calling Mayday Hardware, I called a locksmith who was going to charge $ 125 to open the door. I then called Mayday and spoke to Jerry who explained to me what I needed to do. I went to the store and Jerry helped me out. I definitely recommend the store and the service they provide.

Just moved a few blocks away and finding a good hardware store is key. After countless attempts to hang some bikes, I came in here for some guidance.
The staff were incredibly helpful. I didn’t catch either of their names, but I am pretty sure Jerry helped me and a nice lady that works in the front area. I’ve never had such a welcoming experience at a hardware store and its really a benefit to know that they truly care.
Best of all, their prices are great! I will do all my shopping here.

The man who runs this store is a piece of garbage. He makes himself feel important by making other people feel bad. He will talk to you like you are a child. Highly overpriced. I had to pay $ 24 to get four keys made!

Mayday is a solid neighborhood hardware store. While of course there are things I wish they carried (more supplies for gardening/​flower pots), 9 times out of 10 when I go in they have what I need. I’m pro-​small business, pro-​community, pro-​visiting with the owners and learning interesting things (both about projects and our neighborhood), and whenever we’re working on something — big or small — Mayday is the first place we look for supplies. Grateful to have them so close by.

I am not even going to spend time reading more than 5 reviews. I know this place from 15 years experience, and I am here to relate my evaluation from many experiences.
Jerry is salt of the earth. So is his business. To call it nuts and bolts is being facetious, right? You need something? Jerry’s got it. Or he’ll get it. The whole neighborhood is that same way. You have to be pretty privileged, pretty fickle, pretty unmalleable, to not work with Jerry. He’d give his shirt off his back for you. His store isn’t pretty, it’s a hardware store, and his prices are reasonable. Cheaper than going to the big stores in other parts of Brooklyn or 23^rd St. He is an honest businessman, there to help you, not the other way around, for the annointed few who think he’s your slave. Treat him right, and you’ll have the kindest gentleman at your service, to make sure you’re safe. I say this post EV explosion. Jerry would sooner turn you in than endeavor to support this underhanded kind of work. The man is made of ethics.
How much more can I offer my support? Jerry is a local businessman, unheralded, and despite that unassuming quality and his enduring modesty, is a rock star, and deserved our respect and support. The Mouse That Roared!

I went into this hardware store today. The owner seemed friendly but when he didn’t understand what type of plug I needed to fix a cord he became condescending and rudely told me to leave his store. So I will never purchase anything from this hardware store, I will never even step foot in this store.

I’ve been a neighborhooder for about 2 years and I love MayDay Hardware. When I walk my roomies dog, she always wants to stop for treats! Light bulbs and other stuff are always a need and if they don’t have it they’ll order it!
The best however was deciding to have my small bedroom painted and finding a color was not easy for me. Jerry and Liz really took the time to help and find a warm color called Cookies and Cream, that turned out to be as delicious as the name! My little room is a cozy place to lay my head and this winter I’ve been home A LOT!
Thanx Jerry keep up the good work as our local hardware store!
Kristin the Tour Guide!

Quick, fast service… the owner is super nice and helpful. He’s worked there since 1964 – he knows his stuff!

I’m updating this review to relate an experience.. It’s just a one-​time thing, but it cuts to the heart of the point of small neighborhood hardware stores. I get it, they’re expensive. Selection is limited. But what they absolutely have to be, is convenient.
So when I’m standing outside a closed roll top gate, 45 minutes after the store is supposed to open, there is no posted sign, and nobody answering their phone, I really have to wonder what the point is.
Hit and miss.

Shopping here is similar to casting a vote for a Democrat: you know perfectly well it’s not good enough, but the alternative (in this case, Home Depot) is simply horrifying and unthinkable.
I largely agree with Alexis G.‘s review. I live just around the corner from this store, and as much as I like the idea of a neighborhood hardware store, I always feel condescended to by the owner when I shop for something. In the warmer months their plant selection is always really limited and sad and deathlike, and doesn’t hold a candle to what you find at that Jamaican-​rasta-​marijuana place up the road. But for the occasional item, it gets the job done.

The owner clearly is misogynistic and does not respect women. I will never return to this store and though I support small businesses, it is my hope that a Lowes or Home Depot puts this guy out of business.
I went in to purchase paint supplies and the person working there (who was clearly new) was extremely nice and helpful. When this sales person walked me to the register to check me out, Jerry chose this moment to give him a tutorial on making keys. I waited patiently. Then Jerry went to the register and proceeded to check out everyone in line behind me (all men). When I finally spoke up and indicated that I had been standing there all that time to pay (not to learn about how keys are made) he said in a condescending tone «I’ll get to you.» He’ll never «get to» my business again.

This place is a great local option. Go grab screws, spackle, or sandpaper. Obviously not well equipped for major construction, but it will have the basics as well as great recommendations on quick fixes. Jerry, the owner is friendly, has great music taste, and broad and practiced knowledge of his inventory.

If you’re looking for a big box store crawling with staff that is only marginally helpful, this isn’t the spot for you. Just because the owner isnt talking directly to you doesn’t mean he’s not helping you… he’s a big multi-​tasker.
This is a mom and pop that has been in the neighborhood looooong before the influx. My guess is jerry grew up running the register after school as he knows hardware, plumbing, wiring, and construction down to the last nail.
There are often contractors shopping there so I think that says a lot.
My personal experience was making a «pipe-​furniture» bathroom vanity. Of course Jerry was able to help me logistically, but he also has a great eye for 3-​D design. There were some issues with my original sketch and he came up with some really creative solutions and recommendations that ended up making the finished product better than I’d imagined. Beyond that the experience of collaborating with him on the project was really fun.
Yes, it’s a hardware store that’s got you covered… But know this, it’s also hipster DIY wonderland if you’ve got the time to run some ideas by the owner and hear what he’s got to say.