Menards

I do a lot of repair/​renovation/​improvement stuff even on an extreme level. I am also quite picky with building materials. I like Menards a lot. It is a step better than other big box hardware stores. Often better selection and quality at a reasonable price. They also have more domestic manufactured stock which I generally prefer. However dont expect miracles in that sense since most stuff has been outsourced for years now. Selections of hardwoods and non standard lumber is good too. Some standard lumber like kiln dried 2x4s are not so great though. But that is true most everywhere now.

Wide selection funny people slightly higher than normal price but good store all and all

I used to like this store alot more… it seems to get worse and worse as time passes. Terrible merchandising, stuff just random everywhere. Prices not particularly low or even competitive. Low quality goods for cheap shoppers trying to do projects themselves… is what I’m seeing. Home Depot and Lowes offer more quality and are more focused on home improvement.

I’m a Lowe’s girl, but the staff at Menards really impressed me today. We were asked several times by different associates we walked by if we needed help with anything or if we were finding everything okay. Everyone was extremely helpful and seemed equally knowledgable on their products. I really liked the outdoor gardening section in particular this year. We walked out with more flowers than we needed because the cost was just too much of a bargain.
One particular worker saw us looking at patio furniture, asked if we needed help, and returned with the set we needed in less than five minutes, escorted us to check out, helped us locate the rebate section, and loaded everything into our car with a smile on his face and hardworking attitude. It made what is usually a trip I dread (hardware stores/​furniture stores in general) easy and enjoyable.
I’ll be choosing Menards from now on. They sold me on that change today. AND they sell a mansion worth of candy! Who knew?

Decent store. Decent staff. I found the lamp I needed and nabbed a couple other home items. However, they didn’t have the upholstery cleaner I needed and the lady we asked about it wasn’t abundantly helpful — she pointed us in the right direction but did not walk us there or help us find the item, so if they had it we weren’t able to locate it.

What the hell doesn’t Menards have? It’s like a clean full price flea market, where you can find lots of home stuff and sometimes just random weird stuff that you think you’re gonna use, but just end up giving to your grandma.
I specifically shop at Menards for home improvement/​craft stuff — they have a good variety of spray paint and other finishes and other essentials like nails, tape, glues, etc. If I can’t find what I need at Home Depot, I’m heading over the Menards.