MENARDS is coming to my backyard. Photos from inside the new MENARDS. 🚂

Lucky you. I'd probably buy more if I was that close. ( actually It probably get me in trouble lol ) 

How fortuitous! I'm jealous 

Sounds dangerous. 

I dunno, but as it's a new store, I'd guess there's probably a fair chance you won't be able to check out any model train stuff until they start bringing in their first batches of Christmas stuff for the season (maybe in October? or November?).    

I have 2  new stores nearby and the ship to store works all too easily

VistaDomeScott posted:

I have 2  new stores nearby and the ship to store works all too easily

Yeah, but do they have any O-gauge stuff in stock right now you can look at?

I wish we had one. I would just enjoy looking at their train items.

The countdown is on: For the Opening of the New MENARDS

Here is an example of a MENARDS model train structure on my layout. Red Owl stores used to be in northern Michigan. Gary 🚂

Gary

Don't get your hopes up too high for finding trains on the shelves year round. Both times I've wanted something train related, I've had to order online and get it sent to the store. I'm not really into most of Menard's train stuff, because it isn't scale, and I don't have room for a lot of structures.

On the other hand, I do need to stop there this afternoon for some hardware for the layout. I would say that about 80% of my layout materials came from Menards, and about 20% of my house too.

I was into Menards way before they were into trains! I actually have two stores within a five mile radius. I was born on Menards turf.

Gary,

Why don't you drop in every so often when its convenient and just see what they have, if they have anything. If they do, post a report on what you saw. I, for one, would be curious. I do not have Menard's in my area, so, I have never set foot in one in my life, but I am still curious about it. Thanks in advance.

tncentrr posted:

Gary,

Why don't you drop in every so often when its convenient and just see what they have, if they have anything. If they do, post a report on what you saw. I, for one, would be curious. I do not have Menard's in my area, so, I have never set foot in one in my life, but I am still curious about it. Thanks in advance.

Hi tncentrr: I will be going to MENARDS tomorrow. I will take some photos with my iPhone & post them on this thread. 

Gary

Going to the new MENARDS tomorrow, here is a map and location. The new MENARDS is located within a thousand feet of Home Depot and Lowes.  I see a little advantage to the new MENARDS location, there is a brand new traffic light in front of MENARDS for easy in and out on S. Telegraph Road. (US 24)

Gary

trainroomgary posted:

Going to the new MENARDS tomorrow, here is a map and location. The new MENARDS is located within a thousand feet of Home Depot and Lowes.  I see a little advantage to the new MENARDS location, there is a brand new traffic light in front of MENARDS for easy in and out on S. Telegraph Road. (US 24)

Gary

Well, somebody wants to pick a fight, opening right on top of the competition. One of the things I love about Menards is they have very consistent store layouts. They have two basic designs, a single level which is quite sprawling, and a more compact design with an upper level and a smaller footprint.

Getting to the upper level is kind of cool, because right in the middle of the store they have an inclined moving walkway, which you take your shopping cart onto, and somehow it grabs the wheels and locks them onto the walkway and holds the cart firmly in place. Then they release as you get to the top or bottom.

The two stores near me are both single level. I was in the Hudson, WI store last week, and the Oak Park Heights, MN store today. Both times I needed hardware, and just walked right to the correct aisle, nearly forgetting which store I was in.

Gary, looks like you have a double level store. I could see the lighting department in the upper window. Grab a cart and go upstairs!

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

 

Getting to the upper level is kind of cool, because right in the middle of the store they have an inclined moving walkway, which you take your shopping cart onto, and somehow it grabs the wheels and locks them onto the walkway and holds the cart firmly in place. Then they release as you get to the top or bottom.

The carts have a friction brake on the rear wheels that engages the grooves on the walkway belt.  They also occasionally get caught on the grout grooves on the main floor.

Rusty

Interesting Rusty. I've only been in the two level stores a few times, so I haven't experienced that one yet.

I have been in both model stores. Before they built the store two miles from me I was making a 30 mile trip to the closest one near me. And I will say once I went the first time it was well worth the trip. Especially their wood selection. I did not have to go through the pile to get good pieces that were straight. Then I discovered their trains and was having them shipped to the store. I actually never bought train stuff in the store. I always ordered on line. Now the store in Cuyahoga falls has two levels but it still is a pretty good size footprint. When it is not Christmas the trains can be found on the second floor mezanine with the seasonal stuff. But they don't stock a lot of trains............Paul 2

I hadn't seen a ramp /escalator yet. I've been in quite a few when I was working, and 3 recent and local.  2cnd floor is more like a catwalk set up every time I needed it; steps to go up. I think there was an elevator at one (freight/pass. combo type)... it might get overlooked as for employees only, but Menard's seems to invite you everywhere but behind a register... old school refreshing.

    It's "upstairs seasonal storage" you are welcome to browse. Holidays it's mostly downstairs. When stores are new, both floors had a bit (newest buildings only on 1st floor, some rolling stock and older items upstairs)  Holidays the broken/scuff stuff goes upstairs. ( I once assembled a few good for myself and fixed some for you guys to find too from the many store abused junkers up there)

  Not changing the store layout every time a new suit with something to prove lands a job is refreshing.  Consistently Menards  had the best floor help around as far as friendly and eager goes; every store I was in (more than a doz.)

HD was doing well there too for a while, but they seriously dropped the ball again many years ago and I've seen little change since. One more reason I'm happy their toes are being squished like they squished the lumber yards and frirndly little private hardware stores that a trip to Menard's reminds me of... Trains; just another bonus

Here's me stopping at what was probably your former closest store in Wixom. This was taken in Aug. 2017. I found my way to the upstairs and the secret train hideout. This store was built on the former Lincoln/Thunderbird assembly plant. Since I live in Tucson Az. it wasn't very convenient for me.  LOL

In the early 1970's I worked on the north side of Pontiac and drove past this new store location everyday. I see the motorcycle shop up the street is now, Motor City Power Sports. Back then it was Anderson Honda, the largest Honda Motorcycle dealer in the U.S..

Inside the new MENARDs & Lunch at Hunter House. The  Hunter House is on my bucket list for a model train structure.

1 - No train stuff in stock. The sales associate check his computer and it shows train stuff as seasonal and will be in the store in September.

2 - Took the shopping cart to the second floor via a ramp - escalator.

3 - This is kind of cool. Took the ramp - escalator to the second floor and the shopping cart comes along for the ride.

4 - Took the elevator back to the first floor & the outdoor lumber yard / landscaping supplies.

5 - If you like M&M’s like I do, check this out.

6 - This is also very cool, need lumber for your model train bench work. Place your order inside the yard & pay. Next drive your vehicle into the yard and the MENARDS associates load your vehicle. Cool.

7 - Entrance to the order pickup, this is how lumber yards used to be back in the day. You may have something like this on your layout. Outdoor lumber yard.

After hanging out at MENARDS, had lunch at Hunter House Hamburgers. Where the rich & famous from Metro Detroit go for lunch.

8 - Voted the #1 Hamburger in Michigan. 35075 Woodward Ave. Birmingham, Michigan 48009 / I do agree.

9 - Reading the menu board.

10 - Order please. 2 sliders, small fry & large coke.

What’s next at this new MENARDS. Grand Opening: Sunday July 7th., 2019  &  Winning Indy 500 Car and Driver Simon Pagenaud on location Wednesday July 10th with a presentation starting at Noon followed by autograph signing.

Gary

trainroomgary posted:

 

1 - No train stuff in stock. The sales associate check his computer and it shows train stuff as seasonal and will be in the store in September.

I highly suspected that would be the deal with a NEW store.  About a month or so after Christmas, whatever unsold model train stock is left over, it will be moved to the second floor and stored with other seasonal merchandise.  You can still buy it, of course.  And you can order anything all year long and have it shipped to the store for pick up, too (no shipping charges that way).  I've done that myself.  Pretty good deal anyway you look at it. 

Congratulations on your new store.  Just got easier to have more fun! 

trainroomgary posted:

Inside the new MENARDs & Lunch at Hunter House. The  Hunter House is on my bucket list for a 

8 - Voted the #1 Hamburger in Michigan. 35075 Woodward Ave. Birmingham, Michigan 48009 / I do agree.

9 - Reading the menu board.

10 - Order please. 2 sliders, small fry & large coke.

What’s next at this new MENARDS. Grand Opening: Sunday July 7th., 2019  &  Winning Indy 500 Car and Driver Simon Pagenaud on location Wednesday July 10th with a presentation starting at Noon followed by autograph signing.

Gary

Gary,

Glad to hear you now have a Menard’s close by. We have a bunch over here...Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Lansing both have 2 each...they have become my go to store for just about everything! 

BUT HUNTER HOUSE!!! When I was in high school, back in the 50’s and 60’s, I worked at Peabody’s Market which was located on Hunter Blvd. just south of Maple. The Hunter House had the best burgers back then too!!! Don’t ask me how know and how many I ate...Just Sayin...

Don’t get back to that area very often, but the next time I do, I’m going try to stop there again...looks pretty much the same as I remember.

I just looked it up. The nearest one of these is in Gillette, WY. That's 865 miles from my front door.

Yep, not going to be a regular customer like that.

Still, most of what they sell is related to 3-rail or modern era stuff. I model narrow gauge taking place in the 1940s, so a lot of what they sell wouldn't be of any use for me anyway.

That said, I'd like to be able to walk around one as you just never know what might be useful...

PDDMI posted:

 

Gary,

Glad to hear you now have a Menard’s close by. We have a bunch over here...Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Lansing both have 2 each...they have become my go to store for just about everything! 

BUT HUNTER HOUSE!!! When I was in high school, back in the 50’s and 60’s, I worked at Peabody’s Market which was located on Hunter Blvd. just south of Maple. The Hunter House had the best burgers back then too!!! Don’t ask me how know and how many I ate...Just Sayin...

Don’t get back to that area very often, but the next time I do, I’m going try to stop there again...looks pretty much the same as I remember.

Hi Paul

The Hunter House Hamburger restaurant may be torn down.

To learn more and watch a video from Channel 4 Detroit.

Click here.

Gary

We have nothing in Southwest Michigan especially in my town. I'm trying to get Culver's to open here and Menards would be about a mile from there.

I picked up my second ship to store items at the brand new Cleveland store. The employees at Menards are always top notch and this visit was no different.   The gentleman helping me was surprised at the small size of my order as I watched refrigerators and fence sections being wheeled out.  I told him what the item was and he was happily surprised that Menards offered these train items and proceeded to tell me about his brothers Lionel layout.  I told him that this fall he will see the Menards train products.   It is so refreshing to find employees that are interested in courtesy,  service, and show interest in their companys products.  Rare in retail today!  Not at Menards! 

  I picked up an Erie Lackawanna hopper this visit.  I was impressed by the trucks and coupler release.  The Erie Lackawanna logo is not applied exactly level as it should be but its not bad enough to complain.  Could be something in reality as the railroad paint shops didnt always get it right.

If this were perfect though I would buy a few more.  Menards, later runs of these should be corrected.