Menard’s

I mean, they have a lot of stuff, but the store layout is utterly incomprehensible. For example, for some reason the fire starter logs are in the plumbing section. It doesn’t even seem like the workers know where things are. It seems like I have to ask a minimum of two people where something is before I find it.

Ok, so I LOVE Menards! I am in the contractor program due to rentals I have and I can’t seem to NOT remodel the houses I buy. It really helped throughout our LARGE and very expensive remodel and earned me as a very frequent customer. That was the old location on Marketplace Drive in Springfield (now closed and everyone came to this store). I would have thought that this store would be the same because all my favorite staff came here (Mike, Bob, Ashley, etc.) but it has been disappointing.
The staff I consider our «favorite» are just as efficient and effective but they know us by name and so we may garner a bit more attention than what others get, so I didn’t calculate them into this review.
We have been in 3 times since it opened (not counting the contractor open– those are always wrought with over-​service). Each time there are limited staff and long lines… but not long lines because of more customers (although they probably do have more going there). I will give an example of the last time.
I went to buy a patio set, new weed eater, and a new self-​propelled mower. My wife and I found everything we wanted and then it was my job to buy everything and get it home while she went shopping. The patio set was out of stock. I offered to pay full price for the floor model but the dept. manager said I could not (I didn’t press it other than to ask a second time and explain the wife dilemma). Ultimately I was told they had to take their time to assemble it and they would want it there for when more stock came in next week. They suggested I go to the N. Dirksen Pkwy store. Yep… that’s right… they sent me to a different store to spend about $ 700.
I went to the N. Dirksen Pkwy store and, interestingly, they were also out of stock on the complete patio set. However, the dept mgr. there offered me the display model and even discounted the price! I ended up spending much more and have driven the extra 10 miles to go there since. When more remodeling comes my way I will probably use the closer location, due to the millwork and plumbings staff, but not for my general purchases.