Lester's Hardware Company and Rental Center is a fantastic hardware store and a hidden gem located in downtown Kinston, NC. It is described as the last real hardware store, a personal tool store, and a cross between a farmer’s paradise and a Southern superhero supply shop. The store is stocked like Noah’s Ark with a wide variety of items; if they have it, they have loads of it, including parts the big box stores don't carry. They have most of anything you might need, from pole beans and paint to tools and pesticides. The staff provides great service and is attentive, knowledgeable, quick to help, and sweet. They are also incredibly helpful, with several people noted for their deep product knowledge. For contractors and do-it-yourselfers, the store offers a wide variety of tool rentals at affordable prices, with a great experience and better prices than other area places. The process of renting could be made more clear, but overall the experience is excellent. Customers highly recommend trying this local place first, praising it as the most helpful hardware store in the area and a shrine of Southern sanity where you leave with what you need and a heart full of happiness.
Lester's has quality products and too of the line plants and flowers. And, the customer service is outstanding...they make you feel welcome and appreciated...Thanks Lester's for my great plants...Archie Ray was right again...You do have the best..😊
April 2026
They are very helpful with cutting and programming keys and pricing is VERY reasonable. The jeep dealership wanted 250.00+. And they couldn't even program the key. Lesters cut and programmed my key for $100. I will be going back for all of my key programming needs. Thanks guys.
June 2025
This is a fantastic hardware store. I called dozens of places trying to find the key blanks for a 1980s GM car, and no one had them, but this store had loads of these keys, plus many others. Great service too!
