Workingman's Headquarters

This more than a store. This is a pocket dimension filled with tools run by an ancient craftsman who I would be unsurprised to find was the last of some forgotten race of smiths. When you walk in, you're instantly struck by several notable things: The first of which is the chaos. Tools are everywhere, lining shelves and tables in complete disarray; sawblades, next to sandpaper, next to powertools, next to objects for jobs I have never contemplated. The second is the blaring classical music. In the Mission there are two types of stores, those that play mariachi and those that play the latest underground indie band you've never heard of. It's awesome to walk in and hear a Fugue. The third is the dark. The lights were off in the back of the store when I walked in, and I couldn't see back into the depths, as far as I know, it's like that, tools, back into oblivion. The final thing you notice is the Proprietor. There is no better term for him than "Wizened" a hunched but proud man, fiddling with some set of tools or another. His old man's hands look big and strong, and his clear eyes peek up at you from hunched shoulders. I told him what job I was attempting to do, and he waved to the end of the counter "I'm not sure whatcha had in mind, but this is probably what you want." It was exactly what I wanted, I didn't even know it was what I wanted. The price was excellent, more reminiscent of the prices for my hometown hardware store than for the middle of the Mission in San Francisco. In and out in under 5 minutes, and I couldn't wait to get home and finish my project, if for no other reason than to start a new one and get a chance to go back...
Jun 26th, 2019

Closed when I arrived at 2:15pm. No note or anything on the door. I have never been there before and understand this business is family owned, I hope all is well with the man mentioned so kindly in previous reviews.
Jan 25th, 2016

My experience: two, not one hard-of-hearing gentlemen of a certain age. They were impressively quick to find me a test wire and test light in the jumble, after I made clear to the much younger assistant (also hearing impaired?) that I was after a test wire not a test pliers. This place is across from the Mission Culteral Center and very close to Sr Pollo and Diandra's
May 13th, 2014

I needed 6 keys copied and wandered into this shop after seeing the KEYS sign in the front. The place is delightfully disorganized and charming, with classical music playing. The owner is a quiet (and slightly deaf?) old gentleman who shuffles around the store and knows where everything is in the chaos. It is chaos. Don't try to find anything yourself. This is what your tool room would look like if it had been your grandfather's, passed to your father's, who let your older brother used it, and now it is yours. Prices were good and service was prompt. 6 keys took about 5 minutes, and cost $13. Tested them at home - they all work no problems.
Apr 20th, 2012

I had an urgent need for pliers and found this place via Google- what a gem! The other reviews made me smile, but nothing prepared me for such an Aladin's cave. I think they have everything here. I remembered that I needed a long-handled screwdriver and the guy found me a perfectly decent second hand one for only a dollar or so. Will make up a good excuse to visit again soon.
Jan 21st, 2012