Forget Molinari’s. City Lights who? The real North Beach attraction is this new Cole Hardware that opened up in the former Piazza Market space at 627 Vallejo a couple of years ago. “We’re excited to be among the many other iconic businesses in North Beach and hope to fill the niche that’s been vacant since Figoni Hardware on Grant Avenue closed years ago,” said Cole Hardware shortly after opening.

Stunning facade notwithstanding, here you’ll find everything you need to get your home up to speed: plants, paint, keys, screws, nails, toilet brushes, shelving, and so much more.

It’s also a UPS access point and you can buy your Clipper cards here.

This Cow Hollow staple has served the neighborhood since 1906. The staff and service here is topnotch.

Bonus points for its adorable cat, Pepper, who calls the hardware store home! (Psst: Pepper has her own Instagram account too.)

An ideal spot for grabbing home items during one’s lunch house, this hardware store can be found in the heart of the Financial District. While not big in size, its staff is super helpful. If the store doesn’t carry an item you’re looking for, the employees will help you find it elsewhere.

Editor’s choice alert! This SoMa hardware store, located next to Trader Joe’s and across the street from Target, is a must. Two floors of pure hardware store bliss, featuring everything from the usual staples to plants to space heaters to messenger bags. It really does have it all. And with a staff this friendly and knowledgeable, there’s no reason to head to the aforementioned Target.

Also of note: Cole-Fox Hardware’s window displays are criminally underrated, featuring some of the best staging and art direction this side of Hollywood. Cliff’s Variety couldn’t even.

While SoMa has seen most of its retail business crash and burn (especially along Folsom, which has turned into a wasteland), the new-ish Cole Hardware on Ninth Street is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Here you’ll find all of the hardware staples and home goods you need, including pots for plants, paint, ladders, toilet stuff, and more.

This hardware store is, like many others, also a paint store. This place carries a large selection of paint supplies to help you complete any project. It also provides free parking for those of you who need to haul items homes.

Located in the Inner Sunset since 1948, this spot is open seven days a week and offers automotive items, household appliances, lawn and gardens accessories, and more. Though under teh Ace Hardware umbrella, it’s still an independent store.

Look for the giant red awning.

An icon. A legend. A moment. This hardware store in the heart of the Castro is full of friendly LGBTQ people and staff more than willing to help you find what you need to beautify your home and your life. Expect the unexpected here; in addition to the usual home-goods products, you can find wigs, feather boas, makeup, and more in case you need a new look.

It’s a major chain, yes. But it also has everything. And if you have a car, there’s plenty of parking.

A fine family-owned shop that went above beyond the call of duty stocking N95 masks during the 2018 Butte County fire, which saw San Francisco covered in smoke for days. Amazing customer service. Great items. Helpful beyond words. In a word, excellent.

This petite but mighty hardware store in Chinatown offers many household items you’ll need, plus a large array of bowls and dish ware. “Never fails to have in stock whatever quirky product I happen to need,” said on Yelp reviews.

This small Nob Hill hardware store offers many tools and treasures for the home, like furniture protectors, shoe racks, desk lamps, furniture mineral oil, and more. Also, according to one beaming Yelp review, “the people who work there are exceptionally helpful, knowledgeable and courteous.”