I'm attracted by the weather-beaten sign at Masters Building Supply on Woodbury Road in Altadena. This is another of those places that doesn't have a web presence--unless you count Ace Hardware's website, which I don't. Masters may be an Ace affiliate, but it looks like a hometown Altadena business to me.I don't mind a place that doesn't have a web presence. That says "small town" to me, and Altadena is a small town. (It's officially not even a town.) Parts of Pasadena have that feel, too. That's one of the reasons I like it here.
Have you been to Masters? What's your review? I found one five-star review of Masters on line, but there are two problems with it: one is that from the description I don't think the reviewer meant to give it five stars, and the other is that I'm not going to base my opinion on a single review.
Where do you go in the Pasadena area for hardware?
17 comments:
Nice information here !!Would come back !!
hee hee
«Louis» WOULD NOT go to Home Depot! He would opt for the weather-beaten Masters...
If I have to go a hardware store in Pasadena, I head over to the east side. The one on Altadena Ave above the 210. They have a reputation for having everything. They also have a reputation for nasty customer service. Otherwise the hardware store on Colorado in Eaglerock, which is treasured by the arts community
Thank you, Unseen.
Louis, we don't have Home Depot, Lowe's, WalMart or Costco within the Pasadena city limits. That isn't to say those establishments don't have their functions (well, not WalMart, but don't get me started). I'm sure Pasadena citizens occasionally drive to the other 'burbs to shop at those places, but I'm glad we don't have them here. We do have OSH and they do a brisk business. But so do the smaller hardware stores.
PA, I've never been to that one, just driven by. Is their reputation earned? That one in Eagle Rock sounds worth checking out just for the experience. Like the Eagle Rock version of Crown City Hardware on Allen.
Not sure how I'd feel about a hardware store "treasured by the arts community." I'd rather patronize one treasured by weathered men with housepaint on their clothes, calloused hands, and some dirt that just won't come off.
I've been to Masters, but can't say that I've bought anything there because they didn't have what I wanted at the time. But it has brooms and buckets and paintbrushes and lumber, and reminds me of the hardware stores in my small town youth.
I love hardware stores -- this photo is just great.
I always go to OSH on Fair Oaks in South Pas. They're really helpful there, the nursery is excellent and they let you use the bathrooms.
In my part of the world, Culver City is the place that has something like a small town feel to it.
As for hardware stores, they all have a comfortable feel to them. You walk in with a problem and there's at least the possibility that a solution is somewhere on one of the shelves.
Nevertheless, Tim, PA's description of the Eagle Rock place is a temptation for me. Although I love Altadena Hardware madly, the place you describe sounds like the terrific Virgil's in Glendale.
I haven't been to the OSH in South Pas, Laurie. Ours is nice, but too clean for a hardware store, really. You could practically sell groceries there, you know what I mean? It's just not manly.
I like the way you put it, Kevin. The good ones have that feeling.
I approve of the sign at least. :)
I think Laura M. beats everyone today....but the tomato tower is not bad either.
I look forward to your review on the software....which I adore.
Thanks, Amy.
Anonymous, you continue to astound me.
I've passed it many times but have never been inside. It's definitely a fixture in the neighborhood -- next door to the complex where our KPAS studio and offices are.
I have been to Masters numerous times. I live about 3 minutes away and while it's not my first choice, it's the fastest choice.
Yes, Home Depot has just about anything you need to build a house, but when you've got your bathroom plumbing apart on a Saturday and need just a simple sewer trap or washers, you can't beat the convenience.
Their prices are a little on the high side for what you get but to me, worth not having to drive to Monrovia for a simple item.
On a related note, does anyone know if this location used to be a Market Basket ? The sign structure is similar to Big Lots (Claremont and Lake - used to be an MB) and Ralphs in Altadena (Another MB at one time).
- Steve
Steve, I think Market Basket was before my time in this area, but if you google it (my search string was 'market basket san gabriel valley') you'll find some interesting stuff.
Hi Petrea, Berg Hardware on Altadena Dr. / Villa the best hardware store in Pasadena. Have all sorts of tools & fasteners for projects & folks there are the best in helping find all sorts of doodads.
Others say the same:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/berg-hardware-pasadena
Can't wait to check out offerings of the coming/returning Ganahl Lumber at 3003 E. Colorado Boulevard, if all goes according plan:
http://moourl.com/ksjmh
http://www.ganahl.com/products.htm
Thanks, David! I'll go by your review and PA's (though I don't use the Yelp ones anymore, as they're being sued for extortion!) Thanks for your links about Ganahl, we'll check that out.
Post a Comment