OK, sporting goods are not hardware. But if Dick's is opening in Houston this weekend, why not Menards? Fourth largest metro area in the nation. Near a major port. And have a place to pick up train stuff......
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I'm sure the folks in the Menards boardroom are well aware of where their business opportunities lie.
Rusty
Some companies would rather stay in their home areas. That's why you don't see Fred Meyer in the Midwest and Belk's in NYC.
Overexpansion can be poison for a company. I used to fly a nice little airline out of Chicago called Midway Airlines. It was hubbed at Midway Airport. Great schedules, nice planes, friendly people, and it flew everywhere I had to go for business. Then the Board got the bright idea to expand its operations by setting up a second hub in Philly. You know, "greed". It tanked within a couple years after that.
Menards seems to be run by competent, considered management, and, although they are not physically in every market, I hope any expansion they engage in" in futuro" doesn't kill the "Golden Goose". That wouldn't benefit anyone. Times are tough for big box stores.
I need to say this one more time, also. We are extremely benefited by the fact that any home improvement store would venture into reasonably priced O (and now HO} rolling stock, buildings and vehicles AT ALL, whether or not an occasional 11% walk-in rebate is available to everyone all the time. Count our hobby "blessings".
Just stating my opinion, of course.
Oh my, my, my, that over expansion syndrome. Similar to, why isn't the York train show in my town also, or why don't you make this engine in my local short line roadname.
I remember a little fast food chain named Carl's Jr. Opened up 9 locations in the 11th largest city in the US. Lost all of them very quickly. Retreated back to their home state and finally returned 25yrs later, one location at a time. Menard's seems to be a successful business so far.
Sometimes business decisions are best left to those responsible for the results, and even that is no guarantee.
If they opened in Houston they would then have to figure out how economically supply the store with there products from there warehouses. That's why you don't see any stores beyond a certain point as at some point it doesn't make sense. believe me I would love to see a Menards in S.C. but know it's never going to happen in next 10 years anyway. Menards would have to develop another distribution center and that may be a answer in the future move the present one to it's most southern area and grow south from there.
aussteve posted:Oh my, my, my, that over expansion syndrome. Similar to, why isn't the York train show in my town also, or why don't you make this engine in my local short line roadname.
I remember a little fast food chain named Carl's Jr. Opened up 9 locations in the 11th largest city in the US. Lost all of them very quickly. Retreated back to their home state and finally returned 25yrs later, one location at a time. Menard's seems to be a successful business so far.
Sometimes business decisions are best left to those responsible for the results, and even that is no guarantee.
The same thing happened to the "Sonic" fast food chain, which was comfortably situated in Missouri and adjacent states, but then decided to move into the Chicago market. Many of their stores here have now gone "poof", and the best locations are now Dairy Queens. Neither is very good for one's health, of course.
Dominic Mazoch posted:OK, sporting goods are not hardware. But if Dick's is opening in Houston this weekend, why not Menards? Fourth largest metro area in the nation. Near a major port. And have a place to pick up train stuff......
Sorry Dom, you just live too far south. Menards is a regional company based in Eau Claire Wisconsin. While they are expanding in all directions, they are doing it very slowly. Probably a good business plan. Right now the east limit is in Ohio, the south limit is in Missouri, and the west limit is in Wyoming. It looks like they are setting up to hit the Denver market next.
"you just live too far south"
Now, really, how could that be possible?
Dominic Mazoch posted:OK, sporting goods are not hardware. But if Dick's is opening in Houston this weekend, why not Menards? Fourth largest metro area in the nation. Near a major port. And have a place to pick up train stuff......
Dick's is just opening in Houston? We have had one 200 miles to the west for several years. Result of Dick's taking over bankrupt Sporting Authority, which succeeded Oshman's that was founded in Houston? I did make it a point to stop by Bass Pro Shop on the Katy Freeway (where I used to watch the MKT when I lived there to keep this train-related) before we had one 200 miles to the west, but that must have been almost 15 years ago. Now Bass Pro Shop is taking over Cabela's, so you will have it all - except Menard's! Maybe when Sears implodes ...
yardlet6 posted:Some companies would rather stay in their home areas. That's why you don't see Fred Meyer in the Midwest and Belk's in NYC.
Actually, I have seen "Fred Meyer" on a pharmacy bag fro KROGER'S! Now I don't know if it is the FM in the Midwest and/or in the Pacific NW!
hobby-go-lucky posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:OK, sporting goods are not hardware. But if Dick's is opening in Houston this weekend, why not Menards? Fourth largest metro area in the nation. Near a major port. And have a place to pick up train stuff......
Dick's is just opening in Houston? We have had one 200 miles to the west for several years. Result of Dick's taking over bankrupt Sporting Authority, which succeeded Oshman's that was founded in Houston? I did make it a point to stop by Bass Pro Shop on the Katy Freeway (where I used to watch the MKT when I lived there to keep this train-related) before we had one 200 miles to the west, but that must have been almost 15 years ago. Now Bass Pro Shop is taking over Cabela's, so you will have it all - except Menard's! Maybe when Sears implodes ...
Yes, Oshman's did start in Houston.
The nearest new Dick's to me will be Willowbrook Mall. BNSF runs in the back of the mall....
I think Menard's needs to open in my town......but I bet a big metro city of over 100 people is not on their radar.....wishful thinking!
Dominic Mazoch posted:The nearest new Dick's to me will be Willowbrook Mall. BNSF runs in the back of the mall....
That's near where I lived, but the area still was transitioning from rural to suburban. Only cows, deer, jackrabbits and commuters watched the Rock Island trains roll into Houston.
When will the museum open in Tomball?
D500 posted:"you just live too far south"
Now, really, how could that be possible?
If Menards can't sell you snow blowers and shovels, then you live too far south. 
hobby-go-lucky posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:The nearest new Dick's to me will be Willowbrook Mall. BNSF runs in the back of the mall....
That's near where I lived, but the area still was transitioning from rural to suburban. Only cows, deer, jackrabbits and commuters watched the Rock Island trains roll into Houston.
When will the museum open in Tomball?
Which one? I don't know when the one moving from Mesa Road is going to open.
If only they'd open a store in S.E. PA / N.J. area! Wishful thinking since they'd face competition from Lowe's and Home Depot - but selfishly wishing it would still happen since L's and HD don't sell train items and this year have even cut back on ceramic buildings holiday offerings.
ogaugeguy posted:If only they'd open a store in S.E. PA / N.J. area! Wishful thinking since they'd face competition from Lowe's and Home Depot - but selfishly wishing it would still happen since L's and HD don't sell train items and this year have even cut back on ceramic buildings holiday offerings.
They go head to head with HD and Lowes here in Chicagoland, and seem to be doing as well, if not better.
As for ceramic buildings, I have been finding quite a few at resale shops. For instance, I have found some good ones at our local Goodwill stores, including better ones such as Dept. 56 and Lemax. I think the downsizing/ retiring phenomenon is affecting ceramic buildings as well as model trains.
Menard's has no issue competing with the other home stores. Been in a store once....they have a LOT of stuff others do not carry.......much of it train layout usable.
Museum in Tomball is not even really under construction. I live a few miles away. Meanwhile a bunch a O scale stuff was donated to the city for use, but is all piled into the Caboose. You can see Lionel boxes through the windows. I worry that either A) weather will damage the items due to the heat and/or water leaking into the caboose or B) someone will break in and steel the items. I don't hold out much hope, as the model rr setup inside the depot is in a sad state as it is.
I would love the get involved with it if they build an O Scale layout, but not sure who to talk to.
As for Dick's, I don't hold my breath. I don't think any of them can compete in our market with Academy. Oshmann's was good, unfortunately Sport's Authority ruined them.
