Analyzing 7,250,7947.3M ReviewsFor 20,55020.6K Experts
Customers frequently praise the store for knowledgeable staff, reasonable pricing, and quick service for items like lumber and key copying. The owner responds to a majority of reviews. Recurring criticisms include limited operating hours, inconsistent key-copying accuracy, and occasional pricing discrepancies or unhelpful interactions.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and reliability; weakest: replies to reviews.
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
557 Google reviews we collected
Phrases our text analysis found in 386 written reviews
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
We read 386 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Elizabeth at the register was super friendly, very helpful, and has a really cute cat too.”
“However, I have to say the employees are not very friendly.”
“Always helpful and always provides great advice and quality products and services at a fair price.”
“One of them even helped me figure out on short notice how to fix a roller suitcase rubber handle that had ripped off (hint: zip ties).”
“Always great service and great selection, and glad there's an opportunity to support a locally owned small business over the big box stores for my har…”
“See the sad, poor quality photo I showed him to explain my issues.”
“they're courteous and very well experienced on everything that they sell in the store I recommend this store to anyone.”
“Can't recommend them enough, especially over the mega box stores.”
“The service was fast and the keys they made for me work perfectly!”
“As someone who is just moving into Chicago it is great to know that there is a reliable, well priced, local hardware store.”
“Each time I’ve been to the store they’ve walked me through what I need for each project and given helpful suggestions.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Best hardware store! Everyone is always super helpful and friendly Thanks for being here, ya'll!
Great local hardware, lumber and building materials place! Friendly & helpful, experienced staff!
Incredible customer service - even though I couldn't find the exact product I was looking for, they helped me narrow down how I could better find it and recommended other stores, as well as introduce me to their main offerings. Worth supporting for your hardware needs!
Service at Crafty Beaver is excellent. Looking for a particular item and when I ask for assistance the staff did not hesitate to help. The store had exactly what I needed.
Always great service and great selection, and glad there's an opportunity to support a locally owned small business over the big box stores for my hardware needs. Elizabeth at the register was super friendly, very helpful, and has a really cute cat too.
The staff at Crafty Beaver are really exceptional, both in-person & on the phone (to check inventory). We also realized that their lumber/plywood prices beat HD by almost 20%! We only wish they'd stay open an extra hour, as sometimes it's tough to get there after work. Yet if they have what you need, their prices…
4.8 ★★★★★ 557 reviews on Google · rating breakdown
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
Best hardware store! Everyone is always super helpful and friendly Thanks for being here, ya'll!
Great local hardware, lumber and building materials place! Friendly & helpful, experienced staff!
Thanks for the fantastic review, James! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with our staff. We pride ourselves on being a go-to resource for the community. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Quick, simple, solved the problem. What else can we ask for?
Thanks for the great feedback, David!
Incredible customer service - even though I couldn't find the exact product I was looking for, they helped me narrow down how I could better find it and recommended other stores, as well as introduce me to their main offerings. Worth supporting for your hardware needs!
Thank you, Alex!
Service at Crafty Beaver is excellent. Looking for a particular item and when I ask for assistance the staff did not hesitate to help. The store had exactly what I needed.
Thank you for your fantastic review, Christine!
Love this small shop and the people are great
Your support means the world to us. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Always great service and great selection, and glad there's an opportunity to support a locally owned small business over the big box stores for my hardware needs. Elizabeth at the register was super friendly, very helpful, and has a really cute cat too.
Thank you for the fantastic review, David! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed our service and selection. Elizabeth will be glad to know her friendliness made an impact! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
The staff at Crafty Beaver are really exceptional, both in-person & on the phone (to check inventory). We also realized that their lumber/plywood prices beat HD by almost 20%! We only wish they'd stay open an extra hour, as sometimes it's tough to get there after work. Yet if they have what you need, their prices are comparable and you'll save a lot of time if you live on the North Side! Go Beavers!
Thank you for the fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear our team made a positive impression and that you found great value in our prices. Looking forward to seeing you again soon!
Always so helpful and have everything I need. Can't recommend them enough, especially over the mega box stores.
Thanks for the fantastic feedback, Paul!
Great contribution to our neighborhood. Always helpful and always provides great advice and quality products and services at a fair price. We are lucky to have Crafty Beaver Home Center as an outstanding contribution to our community. And the quality of the service, convenience and outstanding staff is experienced every time I visit and shop there.
Thank you Neil! We're lucky to have customers like you and look forward to seeing you again soon!
Analyzing 7,250,7947.3M ReviewsFor 20,55020.6K Experts
