hardware store

A hardware store is a shop or large store specializing in tools and supplies used in various types of handiwork, such as gardening, furniture repair, painting, home improvement, and so on.

This does not include home improvement stores, which tend to be much larger and include heavier-duty building supplies and a greater variety of products.

The focus is tools and supplies for handiwork. The broader, heavier building-supply range of a home improvement store establishes the separate use described there.