A locally owned Ace Hardware with a slide inside has been on our list for a while, and we finally crossed it off after a morning at Tarkington Park. Benge’s Ace Hardware sits directly across Illinois Street from the park in Butler-Tarkington, so when Ellie was done at the playground, we took the 20-second walk over to see the slide we had heard about.
Small thing, but worth noting: I love when a regular errand can become part of the outing instead of the thing everyone has to survive after the outing. If you are already at one of our favorite Indianapolis playgrounds, this is an easy little detour to add.
The Slide Is the First Thing You See
We showed up early on a weekday and were probably one of the first customers of the day, which meant the place was quiet and the slide was wide open. You cannot miss it. It is basically the first thing that greets you when you walk in, unless a friendly employee gets to you first.
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Ellie went down about five times in a row before I could even start shopping. It is a real spiral slide built into the store, and when we visited, it was completely free for customers to use. That is probably not how most people expect a hardware store visit to begin, but it is exactly the kind of tiny Indianapolis detail that makes running errands with kids more interesting.
Free Popcorn and Staff Who Actually Seem Happy You’re There
If the slide is not enough of a draw, Benge’s also had freshly popped popcorn bagged and ready for customers. We did a little shopping while we were there, and the staff went out of their way the whole time, insisting on more popcorn and another trip down the slide.
When I asked one of the employees about the slide, he said the idea was for the store to feel like a continuation of Tarkington Park, a way to bring a little of the park inside. That tracks. It is the rare hardware store visit my kid asked to repeat.
Worth the Stop, Not Just for the Slide
A quick note, because it matters: this is a small, locally owned business, not a free attraction. The slide and the popcorn are genuinely nice touches, and they make a hardware run something kids can look forward to. But the best way to enjoy them is to also pick up the light bulbs, batteries, screws or one small house thing you actually need while you are there.
We left wishing we lived close enough to make this our everyday hardware store. For a neighborhood that lost its longtime hardware shop a few years back, this is a good thing to have back.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide to Indianapolis-Area Playgrounds
For more small outings around the city, check out our guide to things to do in Indianapolis with kids.
Know Before You Go
- Address: 3902 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN 46208
- Neighborhood: Butler-Tarkington
- Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily
- Cost: The slide and popcorn were free for customers when we visited. It is a hardware store, so bring your shopping list.
- Best paired with: A visit to Tarkington Park, directly across Illinois Street
- Good to know: This is an active hardware store, so keep kids close while shopping and treat the slide as a fun bonus to the visit.
- Website: bengesace.com
