ABOUT US

Hardester’s Markets and Hardware is a unique business offering a variety of products from lumber to specialty prepared deli salads.  According to a retail leader, Hardester’s is “sophisticated enough to satisfy a wide range of gourmet shoppers without turning off the rest”.

Since 1943, Hardester’s has been serving customers in the Southern Lake County area of Northern California.

Our three locations provide service to the rural communities of Middletown, Cobb Mountain and Hidden Valley Lake.  The Middletown store is comprised of grocery, deli, bakery, meat and produce departments as well as a full-service Ace Hardware store with the convenience of lumber and equipment rental.  The Cobb Mountain and Hidden Valley Lake stores are full-service grocery stores with the availability of hardware and lumber delivered from Middletown.

Hardester’s was originally known as “The Corner Store” and was located on the corner of Calistoga and Main Streets in Middletown.  The Middletown store expanded and moved in 1960 to its current location at 21088 Calistoga Street.  In was enlarged in 1981 to accommodate the rapidly growing hardware business.  In 2002, the store was enlarged again and a Deli and Bakery were added.  In 2003, a lumber yard expanded the hardware operation. 

For over 65 years,  Hardester's has been providing support to community projects, Hardester’s had been an active partner in a variety of community events.  Support has been provided to many community projects including the Middletown Senior Center, The Middletown Unified School District, Middletown Central Park, The Middletown Area Business Association, Lake County Jr. Livestock Auction, Little League and the South Lake County Fire Department.  Each summer, Hardester’s provides free swim passes to the Middletown community pool.  In 2003, Hardester’s was honored with the Spirit of Lake County awarded for taking on a caretaker role of the local community.