Best Hardware Stores in North Carolina
49 stores compared · avg 4.4★ · 52,555 reviews · updated May 2026
North Carolina has 21 locally-owned and franchise hardware stores plus 28 big-box locations across 3 national chains (Lowe's, Home Depot, Harbor Freight). Together they hold an average Google rating of 4.4 stars from 52,555 customer reviews. The highest-rated locally-owned option is Blackhawk Hardware.
Local & Specialty Hardware Stores in North Carolina
Independently-owned hardware stores and co-op franchises (Ace, True Value, etc.) — the places with unique inventory and local know-how.
| Store | Rating | Reviews | City | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackhawk Hardware | 4.7★ | 1,069 | Charlotte | Visit | View → |
| Mitchell Hardware | 4.9★ | 694 | New Bern | Visit | View → |
| Little Hardware | 4.7★ | 681 | Charlotte | Visit | View → |
| Elder's Ace Hardware - Halls | 4.6★ | 767 | Knoxville | Visit | View → |
| Elder's Ace Hardware | 4.7★ | 601 | Knoxville | Visit | View → |
| Ace Hardware | 4.6★ | 642 | Knoxville | Visit | View → |
| Ace Hardware | 4.6★ | 510 | Asheville | Visit | View → |
| Ace Hardware | 4.7★ | 397 | Durham | Visit | View → |
| Hudson's Hardware & Outdoor Equipment | 4.5★ | 518 | Garner | Visit | View → |
| Westlake Ace Hardware | 4.5★ | 467 | Raleigh | Visit | View → |
| Ace Hardware | 4.5★ | 373 | Raleigh | Visit | View → |
| Madden Ace Hardware | 4.5★ | 302 | Asheville | Visit | View → |
| Westlake Ace Hardware | 4.4★ | 285 | Cary | Visit | View → |
| Elizabethton Lumber & Hardware | 4.6★ | 159 | Elizabethton | Visit | View → |
| Ace Hardware | 4.4★ | 189 | New Bern | Visit | View → |
All Local & Specialty Stores
Blackhawk Hardware
4.7★ · 1,069 reviews · Charlotte
Mitchell Hardware
4.9★ · 694 reviews · New Bern
Little Hardware
4.7★ · 681 reviews · Charlotte
Elder's Ace Hardware - Halls
4.6★ · 767 reviews · Knoxville
Elder's Ace Hardware
4.7★ · 601 reviews · Knoxville
Ace Hardware
4.6★ · 642 reviews · Knoxville
Ace Hardware
4.6★ · 510 reviews · Asheville
Ace Hardware
4.7★ · 397 reviews · Durham
Hudson's Hardware & Outdoor Equipment
4.5★ · 518 reviews · Garner
Westlake Ace Hardware
4.5★ · 467 reviews · Raleigh
Ace Hardware
4.5★ · 373 reviews · Raleigh
Madden Ace Hardware
4.5★ · 302 reviews · Asheville
Westlake Ace Hardware
4.4★ · 285 reviews · Cary
Elizabethton Lumber & Hardware
4.6★ · 159 reviews · Elizabethton
Ace Hardware
4.4★ · 189 reviews · New Bern
Fitch Lumber & Hardware
4.5★ · 163 reviews · Carrboro
Town & Country Hardware
4.5★ · 109 reviews · Cary
Burgin Hardware
4.6★ · 85 reviews · Marion
Ace Hardware
4.7★ · 73 reviews · Elizabethton
Town & Country Hardware
4.5★ · 83 reviews · Chapel Hill
Lake Boone Ace Hardware
4.7★ · 40 reviews · Raleigh
Big-Box Hardware Chains in North Carolina
National chains with multiple locations across North Carolina. One row per brand — click the top-rated location for details.
| Brand | Locations | Avg Rating | Total Reviews | Top-rated location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe's | 13 | 4.1★ | 27,100 | Lowe's, Knoxville · 4.2★ → |
| Home Depot | 7 | 4.2★ | 10,156 | The Home Depot, Cary · 4.2★ → |
| Harbor Freight | 8 | 4.5★ | 7,092 | Harbor Freight Tools, Knoxville · 4.4★ → |
Hardware Stores in Nearby Cities in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hardware stores are in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 21 locally-owned and franchise hardware stores plus 28 big-box locations across 3 national chains (Lowe's, Home Depot, Harbor Freight), with an average Google rating of 4.4 stars.
What is the top-rated locally-owned hardware store in North Carolina?
Blackhawk Hardware in Charlotte is currently the highest-rated locally-owned or franchise hardware store in North Carolina, at 4.7 stars from 1069 reviews.
Which big-box hardware chains operate in North Carolina?
Lowe's (13 locations), Home Depot (7 locations), Harbor Freight (8 locations).