Marden’s

Of the various Marden’s locations, this is not the best. BUT if you are looking for flooring, this is the better when compared to Calais and Brewer.
This is a HUGE location and it’s filled to the rafters with stuff. Not all of it is good stuff. Some of it is junk. It is the very antithesis of organized. They make some effort to try to be organized, in that there is a row of sporting goods, one of kitchen goods, and another with other stuff. the goods are basically tossed in each aisle leaving the shopper to fend for themselves.
the only aisles that offer some form of organization are the hardware, fabric, and flooring section. the rest? Not so much.
The fabric section should be mentioned. It’s awesome. Last season’s (or the season before) fabric at low prices. If you quilt or do any sort of fabric craft AT all you can find some amazing deals in Marden’s on fabric. It is also the only area of the store that looks as though it’s cleanish. Where you might unload $ 200 on the same amount of fabric at Joanne’s at mardens you’ll spend a fraction of that. For $ 100 you can get enough fabric to make a good sized quilt.
This location is also beginning to lose it’s shine. After they took over the walmart building it was shiny and new and looked great. The exterior could use a paint job, but I guess they haven’t salvaged the red paint yet… The once well maintained lot is heaved and has pits. The interior could do with the floor being washed and a solid dusting. It’s not filthy just getting there.
Where clothing you’d do yard work in, because you’ll be digging around looking for things and it’s not clean.

Cheap crap, cheap crap, then a Picasso. Come look through the piles of stuff. Just when you are ready to give up — you find a tremendous bargain. It’s a time commitment to find the good stuff. If you are a bargain hunter you’ll love it. I never go looking for something specific. As I am looking, something rises through the the crap like a Phoenix to be cherished.

You can consistently get pretty decent deals on a variety of goods. I have purchased several hand-​knotted rugs from there at great discounts! Can get great deal on shoes as well … but that is hit or miss. Overall, you can always find some deal.

Marden’s: a post-​apocalyptic shopping experience. Ideally, you would visit on a rainy day, wearing old clothes and having nothing particular in mind to purchase. I’ve found the salespeople to be taciturn but pleasant. Unfortunately, they’re of no help in locating merchandise as there is very little consistency in product procurement. Despite what others have said, there is some organization — clothes here, shoes there, furniture grouped toward one side. It’s often good for a laugh or sketch comedy ideas. Once we found an entire semi-​truck load of imitation ancient Egyptian furniture. Maybe from an abandoned Indiana Jones flick? Good finds have included yarn and fabric, kitchenware, tools, planters and the occasional pair of really nice shoes. That being said, it took a lot of time and energy to separate the wheat from the chaff. Never go on a nice day; you should be out enjoying the beautiful Maine scenery!

Marden’s is definitely a bit rougher around the edges than Reny’s and you really need to check out wat you are buying to make sure there are no spots, stains or if it is broken. If you are a bargain shopper, there are some good deals to be had here. It’s very hit or miss though. I’ve walked out with nothing, thinking that it is a total dump or I have visits like yesterday. Yesterday’s haul was a pair of classic black pants from Talbot’s originally priced at $ 99, three winter scarves, three skeins of Red Heart yarn with an original price of $ 6.29 each and a pair of Bates knitting needles, all for $ 37.72.

Marden’s recently moved into the old Walmart and is MUCH nicer than it was before. It can still be hit and miss, but their collection of cookware is awesome. I got a $ 30 Wilton cake pan for SIX BUCKS! I also got a nice set of bamboo bowls and a serving plate for $ 5.
The clothing section isn’t very impressive, but Marden’s is definitely worth a visit.