Marc’s

I“m fairly new to the area, so I’m trying to find my «go-​to» stores. Marc’s won’t be one of them. Although they have a huge selection of groceries, it seems like they purposely put roadblocks in every isle, making it almost impossible for two-​way traffic. I like to shop fairly early in the morning. Every time I’ve been in the store, the people stocking the shelves practically run over the customers with their huge carts, and they have absolutely no regard shoppers, blocking large portions of the isle and not offering any help to people trying to reach the shelves they are blocking. While I’ve heard complaints about having to wait in long lines, that has never been my experience, but I will comment that the cashiers are often unfriendly and nasty. I once tried to use the express line. After ringing up my purchases, the cashier noticed I was writing a check and made me use another line, even though it was not posted that checks were not accepted there. If you expect decent customer service or a friendly staff, you probably won’t find it at Marc’s. Shopping there is so frustrating for me, that I am willing to pay a bit more for an easier shopping experience.

Not too impressed with Marcs. The cashiers are often rude, and they don’t thank their customers for shopping at their store. They don’t take Master Card or Visa; and if their excuse is that what keeps their prices down, I question that. I have found prices the same or even less expensive at other stores than Marcs. However, I must say that their closeouts and produce are good.

Flagship store. I still remember my shopping experience back in the late 70s at the first area Marc’s. Since then Marc’s has grown into a formidable force in the wonderful world of grocery stores. The close-​out area is my favorite place to find unexpected bargains. The groceries are mostly name-​brand and at much more reasonable everyday-​low-​prices than just about any other grocery chain. Many Marc’s stores now have a staffed deli-​counter with a variety of meat and cheese items at the best prices anywhere! Marc’s is the only serious competition to Aldi’s when it comes to stretching your groceries dollar. Marc’s has suffered somewhat from their anti-​union stance, paying their workers the bare minimum, which obviously does keep merchandise prices down. Like fast food, textiles and exotic fruit, I’d be willing to pay a little more to assure better conditions and wages for the workers making it all possible. Marc’s employees should be better compensated for their work. That’s the only reason I can’t give a five star rating. Room for improvement!

Birds are awesome

BIRDS.
That’s all I have to say.
No, but seriously. It’s a Marc’s store. It’s got this bizarre, haphazard layout where the aisles are too crowded and there is stuff piled in every nook and cranny of the store. They sell groceries, but I don’t think too many people go there for the groceries (OK– maybe some people do).
At this lovely Marc’s, you will find the following things:
1. A giant scale near the Pharmacy where you can weigh yourself in front of everyone, if that’s your thing.
2. A never-​ending bin of random mis-​printed pens that are like 20 for $ 1.
3. A weird merry-​go-​round thing on the ceiling that has like… one old pony and some other obscure object on it that really makes no sense at all.
4. Occasionally, free animal-​shaped guest soaps that melt when they touch your hands (especially fun if you have kids. note: I only saw this once).
5. Birds in the back. No idea why they are there, but sometimes they yell and whistle at you.
6. Caricatures of Marc Glassman, the owner of Marc’s
7. A food stand where you can get hot dogs, pizza bagels and Icees that are priced so low you actually become a little afraid to eat what you order. We’re talking 50 cents for a bag of popcorn that is bigger than a theater-​sized jumbo bucket.
8. Super, ultra brown bananas for a nickel (must sell today!)
9. Hearing aids at customer service. There is always a line of 95 year olds waiting for them.
10. Really long lines. Always. And someone always insists on writing a check for their groceries there, and then you have to wait like 15 minutes for someone to sign off on said check. Who the heck pays for groceries with checks? What year is this– 1990?

It’s a Marc’s, what do you expect? This is one of the nicer locations in terms of cleanliness and what they have in stock. Produce is hit and miss and I wouldn’t get anything at the deli, but they carry a lot more natural foods than what you would expect (and if you’re gluten-​free, it’s a pretty cheap place to get baking mixes). The past couple times I’ve been here, the cashier has told me all about how much they hate working here, and honestly I have to empathize because retail sucks and working at Marc’s probably sucks more, but thanks for the cheap prices!
They only accept Discover cards.

It’s clean and you are in and out quicker than other places… It’s Marc’s you know…

People either live or die by Marc’s. Some people think it is a zoo and try to avoid it. A lot of those people (mom!) prefer stores like Heinens and take a real stuck up attitude and turn their nose up to Marc’s. I was in the Southland Plaza today and stopped in Marc’s for some living essentials, preparing for my move to a new apartment. Marc’s is great for paper towels, little nick-​nacks and other weird items for your place. People were extremely friendly today. I think a lot of them were because it is Christmas Eve, and others were just naturally inclined to be nice. I thought I was losing my sanity when I heard almost a siren call. Not a beautiful song from a temptress on an island; a deafening screach of terror and alarm. I paid it no mind. I approached the back of the store and saw a sign that said «Birds». This Marc’s has a few beautiful Cockatoos and a Crimson Mackaw! They were saying hello to me and I was entranced for a good 20 minutes. I stood by the beautiful blue bird and shared many exciting and enlightening moments on this beautiful Christmas Eve. I was actually sad when I had to walk away and turn my back on him. He came right up to me and stared into my eyes and said «Hello» in a robotic voice. I found it so odd that these amazing birds were in a Marc’s (see attached). I was intrigued by them and wondered how they felt about being there. They made my experience that much more special. I will try to come out here and visit when I get the time.