Help please! What do I need to know about Menards?

[xufan]

OK...odd thread title??? Maybe!! But here's the story:

Last night, at my SIL's house, one of my BILs walked in, carrying an ad from Menard's. I had seen the name of the store, in the "forum" column, when I'm browsing "new posts". But...since I've never heard of the store, I figured it was a grocery or drug store that wasn't in my area...so I never read the threads...or thread titles.

Anyway, the guys all hovered around it, looking at lumber for decks, mulch prices, etc. (It's been a long winter...and this was a sign of hope for spring for most of them!!). So, being the bargain hunter I am...I asked if this was a new store around here. One of the BILs told me that it's new, but it's about 45 mins from our house.

Now...we've got every store you can imagine within a 10 minute drive from my house...Kroger, Meijer, Target, KMart, WalMart, CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens, Lowes, Home Depot...and much more!!!

Will it be worth a 45 min drive to check this store out?
Is it a place that I'll want to go instead another store...or just to pick up random sale items?
Anything else you can tell me would be highly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

[klh4]

They have FAR rebate items there but they come back in the form of a Menards Check that you have to use at Menards. Before we moved I really got some good deals there but I dont know its worth a 45 min drive.

[mama537]

Our Menard's started out similar to Lowe's and Home Depot. But with the addition of selling mattresses, and talk of selling groceries, I'm not sure who they are marketing to anymore.

Our house, unfortunately ;) , is a "work in progress", so we shop all 3 stores fairly regularly. As far as everyday items, I don't see much savings unless it's a FAR deal.

Quality on some of their products have been disappointing as well. One thing we have noticed is that they sometimes seem to be "seconds". (roofing shingles come to mind) But experiences have varied from store to store and item to item. We have 3 Menard's in our area. Two are reg. size and the 3rd is smaller and doesn't carry appliances, etc. It is more like a typical hardware store.

All that said, DH may have a different take on Menard's all together.....

I hope this helps you some.