About Pini Ace Hardware

Henry Pini, the founder of Pini Hardware, immigrated from Switzerland in 1906. Beginning in 1918, Pini founded his first store on East Grant Ave. in the Verissimo Building between Reichert and Sherman Avenues. Pini set up his store as a small grocery store, selling produce that he and his wife raised on their land, in addition to selling dry goods.

In 1923, Pini moved further down the street on East Grant at the Sherman intersection and expanded to sell items such as hay, grain, coal, clothes, fresh meat, and of course, hardware.

In 1929, Pini acquired the land where the Novato Theatre site now stands on Grant between Machin and Redwood where he constructed a modern store, with the old Community House used as a warehouse for larger items. At this time, Pini Hardware was one of the largest employers in the City of Novato.

In 1942, Henry Pini passed away and his widow, Mary, sold the business and rights to use the Pini name to Douglas Phillips, Baxter Hovis, and Clarance Nelson. Unfortunately, in 1944, a large fire destroyed the establishment.

Through thick and thin, Pini Hardware has thrived through many other tough historical times including both World War I and World War II, and the Great Depression. Despite these various setbacks, in 1945, Pini Hardware was resurrected at 1107 Grant Avenue, with the building donning the famous neon hammer sign where it proudly hangs in the center of its current location at 1535 South Novato Blvd Ste A in the Nave Shopping Center.

In 1968, Ben and Ellarene Young, and Tiernan and Florance Saunders purchased the store. Through this partnership, Pini Hardware joined the Ace Hardware Co-Op in 1970. Later, in 1983, Charles Young and Steve Saunders purchased the store from their parents.

In January 2004, Pini Hardware moved to its current location, 1535 South Novato Blvd Ste A in the Nave Shopping Center, a much larger space with more parking. Not only did the increased square footage allow for more merchandise, but it also allows for greater customer service overall, a staple of the Pini Hardware experience.

In 2015, Steve Saunders sold his share of the business to Charles Young, with Young being sole owner of Pini Hardware from 2016-2017. In late 2017, Charles Young announced his retirement and turned over ownership to his sons, Tom, Russell, and David Young.

Current owners, Tom, Russell, and David Young are looking to the future with the opening of a 2nd location in the San Marin Plaza in Novato, a milestone in the expansion of the Pini enterprise. The San Marin location offers a convenience style hardware and home goods store. With two convenient locations, Pini Hardware Inc. is thriving in the modern era, while embracing its heritage.