Vermont Best Of· 6 min read

Best Hardware Stores in Vermont

Vermont's hardware scene is one of the things that makes living here different. The big chains exist, but the local hardware stores that have been in business for 80+ years still win for service, selection of weird stuff you actually need for old Vermont homes, and the staff who know what they're talking about.

Independent and regional chains worth knowing

These are the stores Vermont homeowners and contractors actually use. Not exhaustive, but a strong starting point by region.

✓r.k. Miles — Manchester, Bennington, and surrounding southern Vermont. Lumber, building supplies, hardware, paint. Best lumber selection in southern VT.
✓Aubuchon Hardware — multiple Vermont locations including Burlington, Rutland, St. Albans. Regional chain with broad selection. Better service than big-box.
✓Lavalleys Building Supply — multiple Vermont locations. Strong for lumber and contractor supplies. Friendly to homeowner walk-ins despite contractor focus.
✓Allen Lumber — Vermont chain across central and northern VT. Lumber-first but full hardware. Worth knowing for any deck or framing project.
✓Spear Street Hardware — South Burlington. Independent, deep selection of small specialty items.
✓True Value stores — multiple Vermont towns, especially smaller ones. Independent franchise model means quality varies; the good ones are very good.

When the independent beats the big box

Home Depot and Lowe's exist in Vermont (mostly Chittenden County, Rutland, and a few other markets) and they're fine for some things. But for several common Vermont-homeowner tasks, the independent wins:

✓Anything for an old-house project — independent staff have actually worked on similar houses and know what fits a 1920s plaster wall or 1880s lath situation
✓Specialty fasteners and hardware — independents stock the brass screws, square-drive Robertson screws, and odd-size carriage bolts that big boxes don't carry
✓Sharpening, repair, and rental — many independents offer chain saw sharpening, tool repair, and equipment rental that big boxes don't
✓Color matching and paint advice — independent paint counter staff at Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore dealers consistently outperform big-box color matching
✓Quick decisions — you walk in knowing what you need, the staff knows where it is, you're out in 5 minutes. Big-box on a Saturday is a 30-minute commitment.

When the big box wins

There are situations where Home Depot or Lowe's is genuinely the right call.

✓Major appliance purchases with delivery — selection and pricing are competitive
✓Bulk lumber for a large project — pricing can beat independents on volume
✓Sunday afternoon or late-evening purchases — independents are often closed
✓Big-ticket tool purchases with credit financing options

Connecting to Smart Cart guides

Many products in Smart Cart's Buy lists are stocked at the Vermont stores above. Some specific examples:

✓V-strip weatherstripping (windows guide): Aubuchon, r.k. Miles, Allen Lumber all carry the V-strip brands Smart Cart recommends
✓Cabinet hardware (kitchen guide): r.k. Miles and larger Aubuchons carry mid-tier pulls; smaller stores carry decent basic options
✓Dehumidifiers (basement guide): big-box wins on selection here, but Aubuchon and Lavalleys carry mid-size units in season
✓Weather sealant and caulk (multiple guides): every store on the list carries it, often at better prices than big-box during off-season

Get your project shopping list

$19.99. 30-day refund. Smart Cart tells you what to buy, what to skip, and what to wait on — usable at any of the Vermont stores above.

Post Your Project Request →Start Planning First

Frequently Asked Questions

Is True Value in Vermont worth shopping?

Depends on the location. True Value is an independent franchise model — each store is owned and operated separately. The good ones (Brandon, Middlebury, Hardwick, and others) are excellent. Some smaller-town locations have spotty inventory. Ask other locals before relying on any specific one.

Do Vermont hardware stores deliver?

Most regional chains (Aubuchon, Allen, Lavalleys, r.k. Miles) deliver for larger orders, especially lumber and building materials. Smaller items typically require pickup. Confirm before assuming.

Best store for old-house specialty parts?

r.k. Miles in Manchester and several Aubuchon locations have surprisingly good specialty hardware sections. For very specialty items (period-appropriate hardware, old window weight chains, etc.), check Burlington's specialty stores or order online from old-house specialists.

Pricing — independent vs big-box?

Mixed. On commodity items (basic screws, common lumber, paint), big-box often wins on price. On specialty items and contractor-friendly volume orders, independents often match or beat. The independent's real value is service and curation, not always price.

Are these stores good for Smart Cart shopping lists?

Yes — every store on this list carries the mid-tier brands Smart Cart recommends. The independent stores are often better for buying single items quickly; the chains are better for bulk material orders.