CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI
Hardware stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area: 184 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 12-person team.
- Establishments
- 184CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,271mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 4.9U.S. 4.6
- Rank
- 10th of 767areas by count
Hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 184 establishments classified as Hardware Stores (NAICS 444130) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area. They employed 2,271 people in mid-March and paid $64.0 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 10th out of 767 areas with published figures for hardware stores.
Measured against its 3.8 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 4.9 hardware stores per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.6, so Minneapolis, MN-WI is 6.1% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 12.3 employees, compared with 9.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $28,179, 17.5% below the national $34,174.
| Measure | Minneapolis, MN-WI | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 184 | 463 | 15,694 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,271 (moderate noise) | 4,447 (moderate noise) | 153,041 |
| Annual payroll | $63,995,000 | $130,296,000 | $5,229,959,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 12.3 | 9.6 | 9.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $28,179 | $29,300 | $34,174 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 4.9 | 8.0 | 4.6 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI
Of the hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI that had employees in March 2023, 25.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 39.0%). 43.2% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 46 | 25.1% | 39.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 33 | 18.0% | 21.3% |
| 10–19 employees | 70 | 38.3% | 27.7% |
| 20–49 employees | 34 | 18.6% | 10.8% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 1.2% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI
Independent hardware stores answer calls asking whether an item is in stock, often from contractors who need it today. Fast answers keep them coming back. That holds for hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI:
- A contractor calls to ask whether a fitting is in stock.
- The store calls a customer when a special order arrives.
- A customer calls about hours.
Business texting for hardware stores
Stores text special-order arrival notices.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI
The average hardware store in Minneapolis, MN-WI has 12.3 employees, so a 12-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $360.00 a month and 12 on Ooma Office Pro cost $299.40. Callata comes to $239.00 a month for 12 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,452 less than RingCentral for a hardware store in Minneapolis, MN-WI of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $239.00 | $2,868.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $228.00 | $2,736.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $276.00 | $3,312.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $299.40 | $3,592.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $324.00 | $3,888.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $360.00 | $4,320.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Minneapolis, MN-WI
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 651 has the most, with 58 of 263 exchanges (22%). A local number lets customers in Minneapolis, MN-WI call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 651 | 58 | Central | 1998 | none |
| 715 | 57 | Central | 1947 | 534 |
| 763 | 56 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 320 | 52 | Central | 1996 | none |
| 507 | 25 | Central | 1954 | 924 |
| 534 | 9 | Central | 2010 | 715 |
| 952 | 3 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 608 | 3 | Central | 1955 | 353 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What hardware stores in Minneapolis, MN-WI get with Callata
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Minneapolis, MN-WI is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many hardware stores are there in Minneapolis, MN-WI?
Census County Business Patterns counted 184 hardware stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area in 2023. They employed 2,271 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 12-person hardware store?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users cost $360.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $299.40 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $239.00.
What area code should a hardware store in Minneapolis, MN-WI use?
Area code 651 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 715 and 763. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a hardware store?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.