River Lake Hardware

If you need craftsman level service or just a stainless metric bolt and nut, this is the place. My hardware store for more than 20 years for good reason. If you want menards price this is not the place, but their service and selection is way above par for a local store. I don’t go elsewhere for most things as I know they always do the best they can and I don’t get treated like I am there to steal (as I do at fratslonnis down the street). Great local place — never been disappointed in all my years there

What fine work on a lawn mower blade and what great service!
I brought my lawn mower blade here recently for sharpening after it was botched up at another hardware store. They intently and quietly inspected the blade and said they’ll do the best they can to sharpen/​straighten it, but exclaimed their wonder at how bad a job had been done already. They were quite surprised to learn the name of the place that had botched the job; however, they did not bad mouth or speak ill of the other business. That shows courtesy and propriety. I did not ask them to call the other business to explain how they sharpen mower blades (as requested by «the guy» at the other hardware store) because I did not want them to be subjected to any abuse or sarcasm.
I got my lawn mower blade back last evening and it looked great and it was now balanced (it had not been when I brought it in). To top it all off, they would not charge for the sharpening because they had to do a lot of work to straighten out the cutting edge and it may or may not work much longer in my mower. They said it should last just fine through this lawn mowing season, but I may just have to buy a new blade in the next year or two. Once back at home, installed the blade on my mower, took a few swipes over the grass and delighted in seeing that the blade cuts beautifully.
Bonus: they always have an open can of dry roasted peanuts on their main counter where you’re welcome to take the small metal scoop in hand and help yourself to a handful of peanuts (especially helpful for those of you who get «hangry»).

This is the most reliable place to have a key made, the staff is very helpful and they know a lot about your project…

This is the best hardware store! The employees can help South Minneapolis homeowners with any problem. Great prices too!

Hardware stores are, among anything, about neighborhood networking opportunity. Frattalone’s don’t care; Menards don’t care.
When you go to River Lake Hardware, their wood floors squeak, everything is organized and jam packed like it should be. Their employees know where everything is, and what everything does. (Good-​bye Home Depot.)
The owner can be found in the basement completing same-​day window repairs (Frattalones ship them out). The owner has a custom-​built rickshaw that upon sight will make you want to go to VietNam for more than just noodles.
So. You can go to a 100 000 square foot Menards for a plumbing part, for a discount. Or you can go to River Lake Hardware, and get the correct part to correct your incorrect part and support a Lake Street business (or hire a $ 150-​an-​hour plumber). By the way, they know old houses.
And if you need absolute need a beer while you’re waiting for your window to be fixed, there’s a pub next door…

Awesome! I live near the Nokomis Hardware and needed a lawnmower tuneup. They recommended a couple of different places, I decided to go here for the knowledgeable staff based on other reviewers remarks. Top notch service and good pricing for the tune up.
Here are five reasons why I am indicating their service was great and I would return:
1. Told me it would be done within two days, was ready same day
2. Very personable and friendly
3. The repair person is scheduled for vacation, told me if for some reason
(like parts) my lawnmower wasn’t ready they would give me one of their rental mowers to use until my machine was complete.
4. Loaded my mower into the truck for me.
5. Gave me an awesome industrial wet nap to clean my dirty hands and an extra for the road to try for a bigger mess.

I too bemoaned the arrival of the other hardware down the block, but not because iof the competition (actually, each hardware store is a franchise, not a chain, and each is independently owned. The man who owns River Lake has been there for 35 years, and the family corporation that owns the other joint leased the building on 39^th Ave. for the sole purposes of running River Lake out of business. That’s good old-​fashion competition, and that’s how that corp. has always done business. Nothing wrong with that in our economic system, but it’s not accurate to say it’s one chain against another). I just think River Lake gives great SERVICE. If I want selection, I’ll go to a big box where the prices are cheaper too and the staff is available. But if I want advice and honest recommendations, I’ll go to River Lake. I think it’s too bad that the other store set up shop so near River Lake, when they are great at what they do and should stay in the neighborhood.

I’m kind of surprised this place is still open. When the Ace Hardware opened up down the block a couple years ago, a few of my neighbors bemoaned that a chain store was moving into this store’s territory — but then I reminded them that River Lake is a ALSO a chain. I still go there if I need nuts and bolts, but I gotta say I dig the Ace — so much more selection.