Dressel’s Hardware

I have been here on a few occasions and the people there have always been helpful — none of the snottiness that almost half of the reviews here mention. It is somewhat unorganized, but to me, that gives the place some character. I’ve never had a hard time finding what I’m looking for there whether it’s me hunting the item down myself or asking someone who works there for assistance.
Not many of these old time hardware stores around anymore and that’s too bad because usually the people who work in them are much more knowledgeable than big box employees. Hopefully Dressel’s is around for many more years to come.

These guys are amazing. I’ve been visiting their store for more than ten years. They r like having my own personal staff as handymen.

I needed a hard to find shower curtain rod cover. Not optimistic about locating one, I walked into Dressels. Immediately, someone asked if I needed help. Why yes, they did have a shower rod cover? When I explained my unconventional use for it, he said…“Maybe I have something better, which will be sturdier.” He walked me over to aisle which had a plastic rod, with springs at both ends that could fit into my existing, old, permanently installed ceramic towel rod brackets (the original glass towel rod had been broken). Thank you! Dressel’s has been in Oak Park for a long time, so the décor isn’t brand new — part of it’s appeal. It has unique hardware store character with thousands of interesting items in it’s nooks and crannies. If someone doesn’t come over to ask if you need help, walk around a little and ask one of the numerous employees… it seems as though they are sometimes at the back left in the paint area. Don’t be shy, just ask. On another note, I’ve had duplicate keys made at hardware stores all over the country. Unlike most of those venues, Dressel’s duplicate keys work 99.9% of the time, so hardly any return trips are necessary.

Your traditional and typical small hardware store. The staff is knowledgeable and will never sell a product you don’t need. Free advice and yes, at times, the owner is crusty. I will accept a bit of attitude for honest advice! They have saved us on many occasions!

Absolutely horrible customer service, no one to help you and all I heard was I don’t know how to lease out a steam cleaner. I drove out of downtown 30 minutes early to get this done and arrived 10 minutes before they closed. Nasty nasty people they are.

A complete mystery why this store remains in business with the utter contempt displayed toward customers. Customer service is an oxymoron as is the staff.

My wife and I have both been here several times. Each time before we go we have to weigh whether it is worth going 3 blocks to Dressel’s or a few miles to HD. I would say each time after we go to Dressel’s we wish we had actually taken the time to drive to HD instead.
The place is a mess with no distinct organization or signing. If you find an area you think is the right place, it likely is not the exact right place. I cringe when I have to actually ask for help as the staff seem to relish in making anyone feel stupid. I went in today for likely my last time to just buy some screws to attach a bracket to a shelf. Pretty simple, just needed some ⁵⁄₈ wood screws. After searching for 5 minutes in the screw section I finally had to ask for help from one of several employees sitting back in the «man cave» discussing which Bear’s defense was the best ever. When the first screw was presented it was thinner than I needed. I asked if they had something similar in a machine screw. He took it out and instead of handing it to me, he laid it on the counter, stepped back, looked at his friends and crossed his arms. He knew I had asked for the wrong thing as I told him what the screws were for. He waited and watched until I realized I should have said sheet metal screw. I did finally get the screws I needed.
After getting these, I was looking at a hose shut off and at 155p they turned out the lights. Guess that is closing time on a Sunday. No announcements but the cashier was getting her purse ready to leave as I went up to make my purchase.
Would only recommend if you don’t have a car and can’t drive to somewhere, anywhere or are into being humiliated in public or discussing Bear’s defense with the guyz.

The customer service at this Ace is horrendous. Every time I ask a question, even if it is only where an item is, the staff mock me. I avoid this store at all costs. In contrast, the staff at PJs Ace at Chicago and Austin are friendly and the owner will order anything that is not in stock (expedited). Go to PJs instead.

I walked in at 5:50 and at 5:55 they turned off the lights. No offer to help find what I needed. Not even an announcement. Just turned off the lights. Customer service is obviously not a priority here.

This is a densely packed little hardware store, and you might be surprised to find more items here that you won’t find at the big box locations. (Of course, here you won’t find some of the large construction materials you would find at those places.) I’ve been more than satisfied with their service, and their services are spot on, from key cutting to threading galvanized pipe I have never had a problem. (The pipe & key cutting machines require more expertise than most people realize so it helps to have someone who knows what they are doing in those areas.)
I am continually surprised how people will travel long distances to the big box for the (perceived) benefit of saving a few cents on a tube of caulk or whatever. Your time, as well as gas and wear and tear on your vehicle should also matter to you.

Dressel’s is a great local hardware store. It is so much better than going to any big box store — friendly service and being in Oak Park with all the vintage and historic homes usually have the strange items these buildings need. I have always found what I was looking for and if not in stock they will get it for you. I usually go in there and ask «do you have a product similar to the old fashioned Glass Wax» and they knew what I was talking about and had the product — my windows shine. Love this place and enjoy walking up and down the aisles.

This place is great — the staff is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and always asks if I need help finding something, then takes me to the item. Quick and to the point, I like it.

It’s a small, hole-​in-​the-​wall family run store. Yes, it’s messy in there but the staff is great and always available. You never have to spend time trying to find someone. The lady at the checkout counter is super nice too.
Oh, and I love the smell in there for some odd reason.

This place is within walking distance of my place, it has a decent selection perfect for someone like me (condo dweller, no yard), it’s not so huge that I get lost, and the staff was friendly and helpful.
I came in seeking a halogen bulb for my kitchen and was immediately pointed to the correct aisle. When I was ½ way down, another employee asked me what I needed and proceeded to look for the specific bulb for me. Quick, efficient, friendly, and had what I needed. Yes, I’ll be back. So much better than driving to Menards and wandering around lost for 20 min.

It’s getting two stars because I can get keys copied there, and the location is convenient, right off Harlem, and is in a walkable ‘hood. I can’t speak to the availability of contractor/​hardware stuff; who knows, maybe it’s the bomb. But as just an average person browsing around, I noticed three cons:
1. It’s extremely messy with crap organization and not a wide variety of products. There is dust/​hairs that must have accumulated for years on some products. It looks like some shelves have just had the merch just tossed onto them. I had to ask the teenager on staff where every single product I wanted was located — and the store is not that big.
2. Of the things I looked at, most of them were overpriced. Almost $ 8 for a cheese grater? Come on, I can get the exact same one at IKEA for $ 4. At the very least, there were no bargains.
3. The check-​out lady had some bizarro snotty attitude. A well-​run store does not make its customers feel bad for buying its products (weed killer — I know, very controversial. Flay me.).
It’d take a lot for me to go back. Schauer’s in Forest Park all the way baby.

This is the worst hardware store I’ve ever been to. The aisles look like a messy 12 year olds bedroom and the staff is terrible. I’ve never had a good experience here. I live 3 blocks away and I will never shop here again. If your in the river forest area I’d suggest the true value on Madison in forest park, much more helpful.

* * * GO TO PJ’s ACE JUST DOWN THE ROAD! * * *
Been going to Dressels for over 20 YEARS. Always feel like maybe cause I’m not a buddy of an employee or a contractor, I’m not welcome. YES crabby checkout, YES employees that help you smile-​free when you ask. Limited lawn products too, unless you’re sold on the whole «Scott’s system». When I asked them a few years ago about possibly stocking corn-​gluten based pre-​emergent & more natural products, got a verbal eye-​roll.
Only good interaction was when I bought a baggo (corn hole) beanbag game from them: home made, pick your design or logo. Nice wooden set maker really took pride in. Maybe that’s the business they should really be in?
I’ve started gong to PJs in Oak Park just a couple miles east (7 Chicago Ave, Oak Park) and am always asking myself «why do I EVER go to Dressels?» as I’m leaving.

I went to Dressel’s today minutes after Snowmageddon 2011 ended. Before I left, I called Dressels and wanted to make sure they had some shovels as this was my purpose for walking a mile in the snow. When I called I got a «you’re kind of a jackass for asking» tone and was told «of course we have snovels.» When we walked in the door, I got a similar tone when asking where the shovels are kept. Sigh. The crabby old you know what at the counter then proceeded to be really nasty to the customer in front of us… I felt sorry for the guy because all he did was mention all the snow and she went off on a rant about how she hates people who complain about the snow.
Needless to say, I will only be back to this place if it is the last resort-​such as supplies for a blizzard or zombie apocalypse.

I am not at all shocked that more than one reviewer has mentioned the «less than helpful» staff.
I have been in Dressel’s only a few times, and twice have gotten poor service. Whenever I ask someone to help me find something, I am not led to where it is, but told where it may or may not be.
The last time I went (and it definately will be the last time) the super-​rude woman at the front rung up my purchase, and when I realized I had bought the wrong item, I came back one minute later and asked to get my money back. She gave me the shittiest look, huffed and puffed and raised her voice. I got my money back, but she didn’t stop! No. I came back a moment later with the right item (finding it without any help from any staff) and she was bad-​mouthing me in front of the other cashier because when I paid my money was pulled out of my pocket in a wad. She said she hates customers like me. Are you kidding me?! I am standing right there! I glared at her, and she took off to the back. The other cashier was nice (in comparison, and THAT IS NOT A FEAT.)

Great place. Everyone is very helpful. They have a bigger selection than you might expect. I can often go here instead of Menard’s