Hardware store · Chicago, IL · reviewed since 2017
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%66+41.9Reliability 28%65+18.4Replies to reviews 8%4+0.3Momentum penalty80−2Experts Score= 59Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.59SCORE
CGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#21 of 30 hardware storesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 31%
4.7★★★★★343 Google reviews · 8 photos
80%five-star reviews
4.53★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
6.3%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Lakeview Ace Hardware 4.7 out of 5 based on 343 reviews, with the owner not replying to any. Customers frequently praise the helpful, friendly staff who assist with projects, key duplication, and finding specific items, noting competitive prices and price matching. Common criticisms include early closing times, a cramped and dusty layout, inconsistent product knowledge, and isolated incidents of rude service or failed key cutting.
Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 343 reviews (80% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 343 Google reviews (213 with written comments, 5 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 12, 2026.
Service: Hardware Store serving Chicago, Illinois.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score profile vs other hardware stores
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach 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 satisfaction; weakest: replies to reviews.
Lakeview Ace HardwareHardware Stores median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Lakeview Ace Hardware: 66/100 on this factor. Category median: 69.B
66
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Lakeview Ace Hardware: 65/100 on this factor. Category median: 77.B
65
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
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ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet.–
–
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Lakeview Ace Hardware: 80/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
80
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Lakeview Ace Hardware: 4/100 on this factor. Category median: 34.F
4
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
343 Google reviews we collected
4.7of 5
5 stars27680%
4 stars3811%
3 stars154%
2 stars41%
1 star103%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 213 written reviews
95%praise
Praise17495%
Complaints105%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude11965%
Quality & results179%
Speed & response158%
Price & value148%
Honesty & trust84%
Would recommend74%
Communication42%
What customers talk about
We read 213 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Staff was super friendly, helpful and patient and we found everything we needed for our new apartment, and at competitive prices!”
“While there are a couple staff who are good people, most of the staff is rude and unhelpful.”
“They can get what you need from the warehouse in one day some times great service.”
“I have been a patron for 20+ years but recently had an awful experience in which I was accused of being difficult because I was unable to set up deliv…”
“Incredibly fast work and good customer service with phone calls.”
“Prices are fair, and the customer service feels personal and friendly.”
“Today, they tried to overcharge me and tell me I was making up discounts in spite is their own signs claiming discounts were on “mix and match” insect spray.”
“Every time I walk in the staff greet me with a smile and are genuinely ready to help.”
“Highly recommend for all your apartment necessities”
“Walked me through how to use what they had available, and even found every item I needed throughout store.”
People customers mention
Kevin6 reviews
Depot4 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
FFrancesLocal Guide · 42 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★★★
THE most helpful workers!! Especially Kevin! I brought in my bike because a screw had fallen off on the thingy that holds my basket in the back. Kevin proceeded to rethread and fasten the screw and bolt for me, getting up and down over and over again which is a lot of exercise! So incredibly helpful and I know had i…
AAnthony7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★
Dishonest and unhelpful. While there are a couple staff who are good people, most of the staff is rude and unhelpful. Yelling at elderly customers who are asking questions. Today, they tried to overcharge me and tell me I was making up discounts in spite is their own signs claiming discounts were on “mix and match”…
JjohnLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Such great staff. Everyone there was very helpful and polite. They helped me get the materials I needed for my project and everything was easy to find.
PPanthero3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★
The few times I’ve been hear have been okay experiences. The store is a bit cramped and many of the products have dust all over them. Would love to support this store more but closing at 5pm makes it hard for me to ever get there. Even if this location stayed open til 6pm I would have used them a dozen or more times.
DDanielle7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Staff was super friendly, helpful and patient and we found everything we needed for our new apartment, and at competitive prices! Highly recommend for all your apartment necessities
TTheresa10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★
Everyone was so helpful and friendly. Did a great job duplicating my keys. Thank you!
THE most helpful workers!! Especially Kevin! I brought in my bike because a screw had fallen off on the thingy that holds my basket in the back. Kevin proceeded to rethread and fasten the screw and bolt for me, getting up and down over and over again which is a lot of exercise! So incredibly helpful and I know had i gone to either a bike store or god forsaken home depot i would not have gotten this good of service! He refused my tip and said to give a good review so here it is! Thank you!
A
Anthony Papini7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Anthony has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Dishonest and unhelpful. While there are a couple staff who are good people, most of the staff is rude and unhelpful. Yelling at elderly customers who are asking questions. Today, they tried to overcharge me and tell me I was making up discounts in spite is their own signs claiming discounts were on “mix and match” insect spray. I want to support local small businesses but these guys are a scam.
J
john lawlessLocal Guide · 19 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews john has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Such great staff. Everyone there was very helpful and polite. They helped me get the materials I needed for my project and everything was easy to find.
W
WOLF BUSHLocal Guide · 169 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews WOLF has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The few times I’ve been hear have been okay experiences. The store is a bit cramped and many of the products have dust all over them. Would love to support this store more but closing at 5pm makes it hard for me to ever get there. Even if this location stayed open til 6pm I would have used them a dozen or more times.
D
Danielle D7 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Danielle has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Staff was super friendly, helpful and patient and we found everything we needed for our new apartment, and at competitive prices! Highly recommend for all your apartment necessities
M
Michael McCortneyLocal Guide · 49 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Michael has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Don't get your keys made there. Dude can't seem to get it right. This was my third set and none of them worked. He did brag about what a good "bar trick" it was to put a color coded ring on the end of the key though. Good job bro, good job.
I
Ingrid VLocal Guide · 22 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Ingrid has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
This store is a little out of my way and not my local ACE, but the staff is 100% awesome! Always super helpful and patient, especially when I have slightly complicated projects that require unconventional solutions. This is my go-to hardware store in Chicago!
