Cottin's Hardware & Rental - Store Info

Cottin’s Hardware & Rental is proud to be Lawrence, Kansas’s trusted hardware store, a place where community, craftsmanship, and genuine customer care come together under one roof. As the only locally owned hardware store in Lawrence, Cottin’s has deep roots in the community and an even deeper commitment to serving every neighbor who walks through our doors. We believe people deserve more than products; they deserve guidance, respect, and real human support, and that belief defines everything we do.

Our story began long before the modern hardware store era. The business started in 1888 as the Pieratt Blacksmith Shop, serving local families, farmers, and tradespeople. In 1946, it officially transitioned into a hardware store, marking the beginning of a tradition built on hard work and community service. Bob and Barb Zimmerman stewarded the store for decades before passing the torch to Tom and Linda Cottin in 1992. Today, Cottin’s Hardware & Rental continues to carry that vision forward, proudly operating as a family-owned business that values history, integrity, and long-lasting relationships.

As a full-service hardware store in Lawrence, KS, we stock a comprehensive selection of hardware supplies, paint, plumbing and electrical materials, lawn and garden essentials, tools, housewares, pet supplies, brewing equipment, beekeeping supplies and much more. If we do not have an item in stock, we will gladly order it or help locate it elsewhere. Our customer-first approach has made us a go-to hardware store for homeowners, contractors, DIY creators, students, and local professionals throughout Lawrence, Douglas County, and surrounding areas.

Cottin’s Hardware is more than just a hardware store; it is a gathering place. Every Thursday at 4:00 pm, we host the Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market, featuring local produce, baked goods, pastured meats, honey, tamales, and a variety of home-grown, chemical-free products. We proudly support sustainable agriculture and local vendors, and our outdoor nursery is filled with organic, pesticide-free plants sourced from Vinland Valley Nursery. We believe that a hardware store should strengthen its community, and our weekly events, building murals created by Lawrence artists, an outdoor public piano, bike nights for kids, and seasonal activities reflect that mission.

Our team is known for personal guidance and expert knowledge. We offer specialized services, including window and screen repair, pipe threading, mower maintenance, lock rekeying, lamp repair, key cutting, chain and blade sharpening, and custom paint mixing. Whether you are in a hurry or you have time to browse, our friendly, experienced staff is here to help you find exactly what you need.

For more than seventy-five years, Cottin’s Hardware & Rental has been a dependable resource and a welcoming community hub. Located at 1832 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS, we are honored to be known by our customers as the best hardware store in Lawrence, and we work every day to live up to that reputation.

Visit us, say hello, and experience a hardware store where people come first. At Cottin’s Hardware & Rental, you are always part of the family.