Hippo Hardware & Trading Co
Secondhand store in Southeast Portland
Closed · opens 10 am today1040 E Burnside St · map ↓
Hippo Hardware & Trading Co reviews
Huge three-story architectural salvage shop for old-house restoration, with knowledgeable staff, a vast stock of lighting, doors and hardware, and repairs. Prices divide opinion.
210 written reviews · 82% five-star · 6% one or two stars · owner replies to 51% · 33 in the past year · reviewed since 2009
- 30Friendly staffStaff are friendly, helpful and happy to answer questions.
- 9Wide varietyDoors, windows, plumbing fixtures, lighting and cabinet hardware spread over several floors.
- 8One-of-a-kind findsUnusual, one-of-a-kind pieces like stained glass pendant lights and prop-house style items.
- 4Prices seen as highSeveral shoppers call it too expensive or way overpriced, though still worth a visit for rare items.
Selling or donating here
Its website and business listing don’t say whether it buys from the public, takes consignments or accepts donations. Ask before you bring anything in.
Call (503) 231-1444What shoppers mention
Themes from 210 written reviews, counted and summed up by us. One review can mention several.
What they like
- Friendly staff30 reviewsStaff are friendly, helpful and happy to answer questions.
- Wide variety9 reviewsDoors, windows, plumbing fixtures, lighting and cabinet hardware spread over several floors.
- One-of-a-kind finds8 reviewsUnusual, one-of-a-kind pieces like stained glass pendant lights and prop-house style items.
- Knowledgeable owners7 reviewsStaff really know their stuff and are enthusiastic about it.
- Big store4 reviewsA large building with three levels to wander.
- Fun to browse3 reviewsFun to browse for restoration or just for treasures.
Prices & deals
- Fair prices5 reviewsOthers find prices fair, especially compared with online retailers.
- Open to haggling2 reviewsShoppers disagree: one says prices are often negotiable, another says take it or leave it.
Shopping there
- Easy to lose hours4 reviewsEasy to lose hours wandering among the finds.
Common gripes
- Prices seen as high4 reviewsSeveral shoppers call it too expensive or way overpriced, though still worth a visit for rare items.
- Cluttered aisles3 reviewsJam-packed and a bit cluttered, but fun.
Known for
- Architectural salvage: doors, windows, plumbing fixtures 3 shoppers
- Antique lighting and fixtures 3 shoppers
- Hardware repair, restoration and rewiring 4 shoppers
- Hard-to-find door and cabinet hardware 3 shoppers
A good fit for
From written reviews on its business listing, up to 29 Sep 2026. We check every theme against the reviews before we show it.
How it compares in Portland
Each dot is one of 127 Portland stores with 20+ written reviews. The big dot is Hippo Hardware & Trading Co.
When shoppers are unhappy
We read all 4 of its one- and two-star written reviews since Oct 2023 and sorted them by reason. One review can give several.
- Rude or unhelpful staff2 in the last 12 months3
- Prices too high1 in the last 12 months2
- Price changed at the register or items unpriced1 in the last 12 months2
What it sells
- Home decor and housewaresShoppers mention it
Mixed views. Split: some call it overpriced, others fair versus online. One knob repair cost $43.
Hours & getting there
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 10 am–5 pm |
- Access
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Good to know
- Ask staff for help finding parts; they search stock and show options. Tip from 3 shoppers
- Bring broken hardware or fixtures; they repair, match and rewire. Tip from 3 shoppers
- Allow plenty of time, since it is easy to get lost for hours. Tip from 3 shoppers
- Many shoppers find prices too high for what is sold. Raised by 3 shoppers
- Prices are not marked and get set at the counter. Raised by 2 shoppers
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Listed hours
- Open Sundays, 10 am–5 pm. Listed hours
When it’s busy
Busiest on Saturdays around 1 pm. Quietest day: Friday. The first hour after opening is usually the calmest. Weekends are noticeably busier than weekdays.
Typical visits by hour from its business listing, compared with the store’s own busiest hour.
In its own words
Specializing in antique, used, and reproduction lighting, hardware, architecture, and plumbing. We also offer lighting repair, mortise lock repair, and antique faucet repair. We are recycling the past to make a more livable future.
Its own business descriptionSimilar in Portland
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Questions
Does Hippo Hardware & Trading Co buy secondhand items?
Its website and business listing don’t say. Call (503) 231-1444 to ask. Nearby, OURstore Vintage, Wannabe Vintage and Thee Lucky Bastard Antiquities & Desirables buy from the public.
Does Hippo Hardware & Trading Co take donations?
Its website and business listing don’t say. Call (503) 231-1444 to ask. Nearby, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette, Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette and Goodwill Industries of the Columbia Willamette take donations.
What are Hippo Hardware & Trading Co’s opening hours?
Closed Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday to Sunday 10 am–5 pm (Portland time).
Sources and dates
Its business listing and written reviews · its website (hippohardware.com) · last updated 4 Oct 2026