About Preston Hardware

Preston Hardware Overview

If you think you know Preston Hardware, think again. Preston Hardware is Canada’s largest independent hardware store. We offer the level of customer service you’d come to expect from a family-owned and operated business. Our extensive product selection and price match guarantee makes Preston Hardware the go-to store for commercial customers, painters, contractors, home builders and homeowners alike in the greater Ottawa-Gatineau region.

Located in the heart of Little Italy on Preston Street, we offer nearly 100,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space. You’ll also find over 160,000 products and over 300 trusted brands in-store and online.

Whether you’re an interior decorator buying bathroom accessories, an institutional buyer ordering supplies, or a DIY bargain hunter in search of great deals, we have whatever you are looking for. We can also order most products through our vast network of suppliers and manufacturers. When you come to Preston Hardware, you are getting Ottawa-Gatineau’s best service, selection and value.

Our History

Preston Hardware has been an Ottawa landmark since 1945 when the store’s founders, Angelo Locatelli and William Germain started the business on Preston Street. Eight years later the store was modernized and became Ottawa’s first self-serve hardware store.

The present day ownership group of Mario and Sam Giannetti and their brother-in-law Mario Frangione purchased the store in 1973 and for over forty years have built Preston Hardware into Canada’s largest independent hardware retailer.

Now over seventy years in operation, Preston Hardware is the largest single business in the Preston Street district and proudly anchors Little Italy!

Preston Hardware’s Toolfest launched in 1993 under a large tent in the Preston Hardware parking lot featuring manufacturers from across the country. Originally organized as an event for contractors, the two-day Toolfest event grew and garnered more interest with industrial customers in private and public sectors. Today, Toolfest is attended by tool fans city wide! The event brings together tool enthusiasts, contractors, institutional buyers and do it yourselfers.

Toolfest has grown to be the most renowned tool show in Canada with over 50 different manufacturers. The event provides visitors with one-on-one advice from the industry’s leading experts, a sneak peak of brand new equipment and products, and the opportunity to enjoy the best discounts found in the city!

Our Facilities

With nearly 100,000 square feet of retail and warehouse space, we feature the most extensive and complete product lines for hand tools, power tools, fasteners, paint and sundries, electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, housewares, lawn and garden, automotive and sporting goods. Preston Hardware is also the go-to store for seasonal products like Broil King and Weber BBQs.

The Preston Bath + Kitchen Design Centre is a stunning two-floor 10,000 square foot showroom, housing some of the highest quality luxury bathroom and kitchen products from around the world. Our team of expert sales associates and in-house designers have years of experience helping Ottawa-Gatineau homeowners and professional clients, contractors, interior decorators, architects and renovators find the perfect bathroom or kitchen products and designs that exceed their expectations and meet their budgets. We offer the largest selections of premium bathroom and kitchen products in Ottawa-Gatineau from the top designer brands.

The Preston Bath + Kitchen Design Centre also provides in-store design services to a wide range of professional clients throughout the planning, purchasing and execution phases of their bathroom or kitchen projects.

Whether you’re looking for accent pieces, accessories, replacement products or a complete renovation, Preston Bath + Kitchen Design Centre has the selection to meet and exceed your needs.

Preston Wine is a division of Preston Hardware and offers everything from vine to wine. Preston Wine has been selling winemaking supplies as well as wine juices in season for over thirty years. In season (September to January), we offer one of the largest selections of fresh and frozen grapes, musts and juices in Canada. The carefully selected quality grapes and juices we import are at every price level and can satisfy every winemaking budget.

Our Culture

We believe that offering our customers the service, selection and value they deserve is our number one priority. From our front-of-store staff all the way up to ownership we believe in the highest level of customer service. Our “owner-in-the-store” policy is something we take very seriously. No matter the day, no matter the time, you’ll always find Preston Hardware owners in the store. We empower our staff to provide the best solutions to fit any project, budget and lifestyle. We have the first-hand experience of working with contractors, do it yourselfers and commercial accounts and can show what you need for your project while giving you valuable tips and tricks.

We treat everyone with respect and courtesy and we stand by our products and services. We are fiercely loyal to our customers, suppliers and of course, our community. At Preston Hardware, we believe in giving back and that community is paramount. With the same ownership for over 40 years, we have proudly supported our community for decades. Beyond sponsoring many local charities, Preston Hardware’s staff are encouraged to dedicate their time and energy to many causes including the Relay for Life.