My usual Menards closed and was replaced with a new store this week. I stopped in for some paint today and it already has a train aisle set up!
They had intermodal cars with and without containers, autoracks, ore cars, and a few others. There was a Christmas boxcar as well. They also had a nice selection of buildings.
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Lucky you. The products that Menards has turned out lately look very good.
The one that I go to in Chillecothe, OH when passing through on my way to Springfield, OH:
@Ross posted:They had intermodal cars with and without containers, autoracks, ore cars, and a few others. There was a Christmas boxcar as well. They also had a nice selection of buildings.
I'd love to see the Christmas boxcar! Guess I'll have to wait. Are they the red boxcars in the upper right of your photo?
Yes Ron they are.
Menard's issues Christmas boxcars? Is this in-store only? I don't ever recall seeing them online.
Thank the Lord there is not aMenard's in the Washington DC area! I would be in big trouble as it would put a hurting on my York Meet funds!
I went to the local Menards yesterday and they had just started setting out Halloween stuff.
Steve
My local Menards removes the train stock right after Christmas. What's left is put on the second floor with other seasonal items. It seems they get one Christmas shipment and don't restock.
@BwanaBob posted:Menard's issues Christmas boxcars? Is this in-store only? I don't recall seeing them online.
This would be the first year for them. I expect they will soon be officially announced like a typical release. Folks have been suggesting a Christmas boxcar to them for a couple years
@Jim 1939 posted:My local Menards removes the train stock right after Christmas. What's left is put on the second floor with other seasonal items. It seems they get one Christmas shipment and don't restock.
Jim,
This is nothing new. All of their seasonal items come in in one shipment. If you don't get there immediately after it arrives you risk missing out on the hottest stuff. This is true for trains just like it's true for Christmas Trees, holiday lighting and decorations, and even the storage containers to put it all in when you dismantle after the holidays. And, except for the trains part of it it's also true for Walmart, Home Depot and Lowe's.
At Menards, unlike the others, anything that just happens to be left after the holiday season, trains as well as the other holiday stuff, gets moved as you say to the mid-store, mid-level mezzanine storage and display area for the rest of the year. At least it's still accessible, even though it's not quite as easy to get to.
Mike
I am more impressed with the fact that Ross (the OP) spelled “aisle” correctly!
Most people today don’t know the difference between “aisle” and “isle” and inevitably use the wrong word.
@Rich Melvin Thanks Rich! I guess those many years of school weren't a complete waste of time! Of course these days the problem is likely more of making sure whatever spell check is in use doesn't grab the wrong word!
Wish there were Menard's stores on the west coast. They'd be getting a lot of business from me. Have ordered from them on-line previously but I can't use their rebates and the processing fees seem excessive.
@Rich Melvin posted:...snip... Most people today don’t know the difference between “aisle” and “isle” and inevitably use the wrong word.
Well, the train aisle is sort of an isle in the middle of the Menard Ocean. 
Was in Menards earlier this week. No trains yet (I looked), but the Halloween stuff was already out... 2-1/2 months before the holiday!
@PRRMP54 posted:Well, the train aisle is sort of an isle in the middle of the Menard Ocean.
Yep...you could say that.
Most of the Menards train stock comes in one shipment coinciding with the merchandising of the seasonal toy department in early October. However, certain new releases have been added to the shelf mid-season in the past.
At my local store, the Halloween department shares space with the Christmas seasonal department. Again, the trains share space with the seasonal toy department. So one has no bearing on the other.
Also, as for the timing of the Halloween department, retailers are well aware of effective retail strategies on when to start the sale seasons. Halloween seasonal retailers that rent strip mall space usually start Sept. 1. Hobby Lobby has had their fall line out since July. Why? Because that’s when people start buying. By early to mid-October, Menards will be sold out of all the popular merchandise, with the Halloween seasonal section taken over almost completely by Christmas merchandise.
I expect to see the Christmas trees rise close to Oct. 1.
Thanks for the picture! Cute, but I think I'll pass. Too bad they didn't do an M&Ms Christmas car!
Closest store is 360 miles away. 😞
6.5 hours and 425 miles.......from Lawn-gisleand......
I wonder how often I'd go to get something for a project and come home with a train instead?
But I'm 15 minutes form Trainland and Nassau Hobby so it's not all bad. 
Bob
As I have bought train stuff from Menards over the past few years I have been submitting my rebate forms. I am saving them for the day that Menards hopefully opens a store close to me in North Carolina. As of now, the nearest Menards is almost 300 miles away in West Virginia. 
Do you have to purchase at a store? I can't find a Christmas car on their website. Dave
@Dave Nichols posted:Do you have to purchase at a store? I can't find a Christmas car on their website. Dave
This is a very odd situation. The new store obviously didn’t want to stock the seasonal pool supplies section, which usually goes on clearance in August, and jumped ahead to a fall seasonal setup that includes trains. But I think someone goofed. I’m guessing the earlier-than-normal shipment was intended to hold off on the sale of that Christmas car until late September, but someone didn’t read the fine print and stocked the shelves fully.
Anyway, it’s obvious the car is ready and likely is in Menards’ warehouses awaiting distribution. But, no, it’s not “available in stores” anywhere else yet, nor does Menards do store exclusives for its train line.
It must be neat to find train stuff at the home & lumber yard...nothing like seeing items in person IMO.
@Rich Melvin posted:I am more impressed with the fact that Ross (the OP) spelled “aisle” correctly!
Most people today don’t know the difference between “aisle” and “isle” and inevitably use the wrong word.
Some would argue that you should have used brackets instead of parentheses...
@VinceL posted:As I have bought train stuff from Menards over the past few years I have been submitting my rebate forms. I am saving them for the day that Menards hopefully opens a store close to me in North Carolina. As of now, the nearest Menards is almost 300 miles away in West Virginia.
I got a rebate when I purchased the Rocket accessory. Since there are no Menards near me I gave away the rebate form to the first person who replied on another forum I participate in. I posted my offer here but the post was removed so I must have inadvertently violated a policy.
@Dave Nichols posted:Do you have to purchase at a store? I can't find a Christmas car on their website. Dave
Dave, did you see the discussion/explanation earlier up in the thread? 
Radio Ron, from Jim R. Yes I did
I am happy they keep the train stuff out, even if its up a flight of stairs. Never know when you might need track for a project or layout expansion. Now if they would just keep the F3 diesels in stock for more than a couple hours it takes to sell them out every darn time. I still want to see a plated body Warbonnet to match the chrome plated pilot and trucks/fuel tank. I think it would look really sharp, especially running under the tree. AD
I was kind of excited for a Christmas boxcar from them, but not so much since I found that they made it kind of an ad for the store.
Until we get a Menard's in Maryland, I will mail my rebates to my sister-in-law in Indiana.
I've been to Menards when I visited my son in the midwest, really like them. I understand there have been issues with the owner and his employees, but I wish they cam as far as NC as Lowe's and Home Depot could use some competition around here.
@VinceL posted:As I have bought train stuff from Menards over the past few years I have been submitting my rebate forms. I am saving them for the day that Menards hopefully opens a store close to me in North Carolina. As of now, the nearest Menards is almost 300 miles away in West Virginia.
Don't make the trip......The two in WV I live near have disappointing train isles. Building one 5 mins from my house so I'm hopeful this one is better.
@LT1Poncho posted:Don't make the trip......The two in WV I live near have disappointing train isles. Building one 5 mins from my house so I'm hopeful this one is better.
Where is Menards building their new store?
My local Menards has all the Halloween garb out. I have rebate forms burning a hole in my pocket.
@VinceL posted:Where is Menards building their new store?
Bridgeport, WV
@LT1Poncho posted:Don't make the trip......The two in WV I live near have disappointing train isles. Building one 5 mins from my house so I'm hopeful this one is better.
I would expect all Menards locations to have "disappointing" train aisles about now since the holiday season isn't here yet and these are holiday items. And, the leftovers consolidated over the least year, and usually located in the mezzanine until they come back out for another shot during the next holiday season, have probably been picked clean during the off season. (They are accessible to the die-hards, who take the time to hunt them down inside the store, all year long.)
We all just need a little patience.
The goodies will be here soon.
Mike
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