Mardel Christian & Education

As a teacher, Mardel is my best friend during the month of August when I need classroom décor or supplemental academic materials. Mardel is primarily a Christian store with a wide array of Bibles, biblical books, and other Christian paraphernalia. Then if you walk to the middle to the back of the store it is a teacher’s dream. There are motivational posters, trim for bulletin boards, themed decorations, curriculum materials, and so much more. The prices are for the most part reasonable, although some items err on the side of a bit overpriced. If you ever find your classroom or lessons in need of a pick me up, Mardel is the place for you. Incredible selection and great customer service as well.

I was in need of a new Bible and got way more selection that I knew what to do with. Sarah, the saleslady was super helpful and gave me the rundown of each of the translations and helped me sift through a mountain of styles and sizes. It’s rare to find someone that is actually helpful and not either too pushy or indifferent.
After finding my bible I walked around and lost track of time in their gigantic selection. Tons of music, books, cards, gifts etc.
The prices were reasonable and the atmosphere was more than just quiet, it felt like I was in some kind of spiritual womb or something. Ok, that sounds weird, but when I walked out the door it felt like getting out of bed on a cold morning.
Great experience! I know where I’m going when I need some more soul food.

I’m from Maryland and we don’t have anything like Mardel’s. So when I walked in I was like a kid in a candy store. I felt like I was in a Christian Walmart, lol! They have so much stuff, it was awesome! I came here with a friend to study and purchase a new study Bible. They have areas for you to read and study. Not sure if they have WiFi but I have my own hot-​spot so it worked just fine for me.
I found the Bible I wanted (advertised for $ 80), Bible case and chapter tabs. I go to the register prepared to break $ 100+ for everything but, to my surprise my total for everything was $ 64!!! The Bible was 50% off, talk about blessing! I had to praise God in that moment, I was so happy! Bonus: Since I bought a Bible I was able to get free engraving for it! I was so over joyed! Their complimentary Heavenly roast coffee was the icing on the cake for me. :-)
The staff was very friendly and went out of their way to help me with all my questions and locating books, offering to order the ones they didn’t have. The prices here are great, compared to what we pay up north.
Overall I had a great experience with everyone I came across here.

Try to return something here without receipt and pretty much get treated like a criminal. Not very «Christian-​like» attitudes of sales people. Prices are also inflated and coupons are not often or substantial.

Really good selection of goods in a nice, comfortable atmosphere.

I really enjoyed this place, it’s great for finding gifts. I bought a shirt and some office supplies and their book selection is quite expansive so they pretty much have it all.

If you want a good engraving on your bible, be cautious about coming to this Mardel’s to get it done. In general, not only is the engraving $ 8 instead of $ 5 compared to Lifeway or Family Christian Bookstore, but the placing and type skills of the man (possibly manager?) of this Mardel’s are pretty much either a hit or a miss. At least with their engraving system they can pretty much engrave on any bible, not just the ones that they sell in case of misprints or typos (like Lifeway’s policy), but I ended up at this Mardel’s because the other two in that area were closed down.
Regarding the engraving skills, my sister purchased a brand-​new bible and got her first and last name engraved in the bottom right corner. It looks perfect. The problem with mine that I brought in for engraving is that it is clearly off center and slightly crooked. There wasn’t anything he was able to add to my name to center it out with, like a pretty cross or some sort of abstract symbol, and it didn’t seem like he was too concerned about making sure that I was happy with it when I asked him if there was anything he could do about it. I think he felt bad and was perhaps slightly embarassed, but I do understand. couldn’t really fix my bible after it had been done. No refund offered either.
I know that maybe not as many people are as detail-​oriented or nitpicky as I am, but if we clarified before the engraving that I wanted my full name on the cover, in the center, then the least that I would expect for my full $ 8 is that exactly. I know people make mistakes, and I’m not trying to chew him out or say anything bad about the place, but just be cautious when considering if you want your bible engraved. Maybe they should add the $ 5 rule on only bibles they sell because of «misprints.» Good environment, cheap deals on good bibles, ($ 10 pocket NIVs!), but I wish mine had been done the way I wanted it.