Exploring the Midwest Home-Improvement Giant: A Visit to Menards in Milwaukee

Menards, the Midwestern home-improvement chain, has become a household name with its catchy jingle and unique shopping experience. Founded by John Menard Jr., the chain has earned him a staggering $22.2 billion fortune, making him the richest person in Wisconsin.

With over 300 locations across 15 Midwestern states, Menards offers a wide variety of home-improvement tools, building materials, appliances, furniture, and even groceries. Despite its enormous size and selection, Menards stands out from other home-improvement stores with its mail-in rebate system and lack of installation services.

During a recent visit to a Menards store in Milwaukee, I was amazed by the sheer size of the store, spanning over 162,300 square feet. The store even offers pickup trucks for rent to help customers bring home large purchases. Additionally, the store features one-way gates at the entrance to prevent theft, showcasing Menard Jr.’s dedication to security measures.

Inside the store, I found a grocery section with significantly cheaper prices compared to local grocery chains. I also came across unique products like Hydrox sandwich cookies and locally brewed Sprecher root beer, which reflected Menard Jr.’s involvement in racing.

From the lighting section to the lumberyard to the outdoor-living section, Menards truly has a little bit of everything. The store even sells its own swag, inspiring loyalty among customers. One of the standout features of shopping at Menards is its mail-in rebate system, offering customers the opportunity to save even more money.

Overall, my visit to Menards left me impressed by its low prices, vast selection, and unique policies. Even after leaving the store, the iconic “Save big money at Menards” jingle continued to play in my head, solidifying Menards’ status as a beloved Midwestern brand.