Mardens

It’s a little dirty, but you can always find something to buy here. Today I found dog toys and cleaning supplies. Seasonal bargains and fabric are the best here.

Cheap stuff.
This chain of stores is known for its bargains. I guess a lot of it is salvage & leftover odds & ends. I think this is the last stop on the discount rounds before the stuff gets shipped off to a 3^rd world country.
Personally, I think the best thing they have going is the carpeting, flooring, appliances, furniture & random household items. I’m not a big fan of hunting for bargains or wading through piles and piles of stuff to get what I want. I wouldn’t go here if you are doing normal shopping… like for food or clothes. A lot of it is junk. Great for random needs like dish towels or gardening gloves that you don’t want to spend a lot of cash on. And the clothes/​shoes are pretty beat and tired looking even though they’re not used… this is the end of the line after all… They’ve made their rounds through many hands by the time they get to Mardens. If you were looking for sweat pants from Target that you saw 9 years ago, this if your spot.
Mardens does have great deals on larger, durable home goods like appliances, furniture and flooring. If you have a very specific look, style or brand you are searching for then this is not for you. But if you are looking for something tolerable and at a discounted price then try it out. We bought a a reasonable looking sofa for $ 600. We needed something in a flash that would be cheap, last at least a year and preferably not ugly or used. Our needs were met.
Marden’s also has great deals on flooring. Again, you can’t get your first choice but if you’re looking for something neutral and fairly durable, this will work great. Cheap prices on carpeting and installation.
Pros: Appliances, flooring, open fairly late (for Maine), lots of parking, install help available, cheap garden tools
Cons: No delivery (you will need to bring a truck)
I’m not into it generally but if you’re all about the thrill of the hunt when it comes to shopping, this place is for you! But I will be back for appliances, furniture or flooring.

another place to find a bargain. The stock changes with the wind so regular visits are needed. Sometimes there is quality merchandise and others just the usual junk at similar stores. They have a wider variety of useful items than similar stores. Always worth a peek in even if you don’t need anything. Prices competitive with others of this level like Ocean State Job Lots and Big Lots.

I don’t have a lot of time to devote to shopping and hunting for items, so this store does not work for me. I also don’t have time to return items because of defects. Most of the stuff is unnecessary items with a price «too good to resist.» Lots of seconds and expired items. Good for those who don’t mind pawing through yard sales.

Yes, Marden’s looks really ickky from the road. And inside isn’t much better looking.
But… HELLO… they sell salvage!
It’s not Filene’s. This is a place for bargain hunters! You won’t find what you want every week (it’s just not that kind of place). But, if you sign up for their emails and check the fliers you would be surprised at the occasional treasures to be had. Recently they had a shipment of ‘Maine Cottage Furniture’. Occasionally some great name clothing (I have purchased some lovely Talbots things there, Bob Mackey too. Joan and David, Bjorn, and Rockport shoes,
Mainly, though, I shoot down to the back right corner of the store where the fabric department is. Again, it’s a hit-​or-​miss hunt, but the upholstery fabric is always a great bargain! Over $ 50 to $ 100+ dollar-​a-​yard fabric for $ 8 per yard (example). And once in a while the most exquisite trims! (I’d love to know where they came from). On another visit, I was thrilled with a find of clasps, rings and pre-​cut leather pieces used to make purses, and that is exactly what I did with them. It’s a great place for quilting fabric too. A really large selection with much better prices than, say, JoAnn’s Fabric (whose prices seem to have gone through the roof, and quality through the floor).
When you go to Marden’s, keep an open mind about shopping. Some days are triumphant and others a bust.
…but…
Isn’t that what a treasure hunt should be?
P. S. I haven’t shopped the other locations, but am told that the merchandise is actually better at the other stores (particularly Portland). I will trek up there one day soon.

Marden’s has made me kind of sad face in recent years. I’m not saying that this surplus and salvage store ever blew my doors off, but they seem to have taken a ring-​of-​fire nose dive within the past cinqo anos.
Given that some of this stuff is hauled out of fire damaged buildings, and that some of it is the last bottom scraps from the barrel of fashion, it is highly unlikely that you’re going to find an heirloom from the haus of prada to bestow upon your grandchildren.
That said, if you need: a can opener, a half present knife set, a patriots jersey, some wedge heels with scuff marks, or some books by Joel Olsteen, you can probably get it at Marden’s for less than a coffee at Dunkin Donuts.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t go here, you should… just don’t expect it to rock your retail world.
Also thanks to Frances’s kind review and assumption that I’m a tourist. :)