Construction starts on new Menards

We live in Columbus and have a NEW Menards store and it is HUGE. Almost too big, but yet is VERY, VERY NICE. You will enjoy having your new MENARDS in 2010.

hopefully it will give some competition to christensen lumber. its about time we get a full service lumber yard here besides fremont lumber to give christensen a run for their money.

Its about time this would have been doen years ago if it wasn't for the city jerking them around.

Too bad Menards is not involved with the community.

Hey, Bus Driver:
I agree. Too bad Menard's is only going to give people jobs. Too bad they took a risk developing land that otherwise employed 1 farmer. Too bad they're adding to the tax base. It would serve them right if Fremonters boycotted them, the ingrates. That is, after all, the "Fremont Way".

Hey Bobo,

You are making too much sense. Why would we want to have more jobs and tax money brought to our city while adding competition which could benefit the consumer? You obviously do not fit the Fremont mentality.

Bobo, you have a gift of "cutting through the meadow muffins." I don't always agree with you, (although this time I do) but I always appreciate your comments and your sense of humor. Keep up the good work!

Glad to see this going on. I love Menards and go to no other home store. Even make that 30 minute drive to Columbus to shop at thier Menards as they have so much more stuff than the Fremont one. Now can shave off some miles and go to the Fremont one when it is finished. Might even apply for a job as there will be a few available.

Hey bus driver I agree, big companies only help if it is a tax benifit to them they don't get involved the way small businesses do, and it is not any more expensive to buy Christensens products than menards expensive lines just see how much business Christensens does in Omaha people there want quality

really 90 percent Fremont labor? Why don't I believe that.
the dirt work is not local
the electrical is not local
the construction work is not local
is the concrete work local?
is the plumbing local?
is the store fixture installation local?
The electrical alone is at least 15% of the total cost, that went to an out of town-state company so how can that be 90% local.
I buy everything I can at C-Lumber. At least they care about Fremont

Hey Boobo,

You made some good points, however how many FT people will they employ? In the big picture, Mendards will take more than give. At least Christensen Lumber is truly vested in the Fremont Community!

The merchandise at Menards is low quality compared to Christensen Lumber's. It might be the same name brand of merchandise, but the items made for Menards is made different and cheaper. Go to a local plumbing store and get a Model number/ Serial number of a particular item and then try to get it out at Menards. It won't happen it might look the same, but not the same quality. The merchandise is made specially for Menards so it can be cheaper. Power tools are the same go to Fastenal and buy a dewalt or other name brand power tool. Then try to buy the same tool at Menards they wont have access to that Model number? Wonder why? So all of you that have contractors building your houses and they purchase items from Menards remember you are getting subpar merchandise. And for all of you that say Christensen Lumber needs a competitor so there prices fall. Have you bought anything from there lately it is cheaper for the most part and you get knowledgable help there and not just a "dear in the head lights look." Also how many of you have kids that polay sports? Do you think Menards will donate money to the YMCA or other orginizations like Christensen's have and do? One more point. Will Menards try to sell the building they are currently in at a fair price or will they just sit on it, because they want to high of a price and Fremont will have another vacant building. That looks real impresive for prospective companies and for people driving through Fremont, but they devoloped that land that one farmer farmed so that is ok. People that are local and own buildings and then expand usually fill there buildings after they moved to a new location. Look at all the vacant property! Can't Fremont before allowing future expansions have the owner present plans on what there intent for the old property before allowing them to build new? I believe Fremont had a candidate for mayor that had an idea along those lines. Oh, but he didn't win.

Yeah Bus Driver, those evil Capitalists trying to make money for themselves....How dare they make money and create only so many jobs for Fremonters...LOL, that is an argument?

Contractor,

Menards leases the store they currently use in Fremont. The company, much like Walgreens, has been moving to owning the property and buildings instead of leasing them.

Fat Check, I understand that and I was just going on a rant and of the subject. I agree about Walgreens, Goodwill,and Charlestons Supply, Walmart.

I like Menards,but we do need an update. I think most of us are aware of the quality/price differences. I still like the store because there is not just "wood" there.Their seasonal departments are great. Almost all of their products that are featured at the local box store and Menards are cheaper in Menards.

Hoping we could get another Big Lots or something nice in the old Menards store.

So is this store going to be similar to the one in Elkhorn? That is one big store, will be nice to have something like that even closer. I do fear for some of the smaller stores, like Ace, etc.

How many complaints have I heard about Fremont having no jobs, no one has any money here, if this is true who is going to shop at a giant Menards and support it? Even Walmart sales are down with the low wages here. Christensen lumber has been very generous to a local group I work with, Menards has not. Try and support your locally owned stores, Fremont.

to mike:
i agree with you somewhat. i would support our local stores like ace if their prices were not so high. most business in fremont (local owned that is) have been sticking it to the people for many many years and thats why they have been fighting anyone and everyone who wants to give them any competition. i will gladly shop at menards rather than the "other" lumber yards in fremont just for that reason. maybe (although i doubt it) these fremont companies will wake up and be more price competitive.

To Fremonter, part of the higher cost at the locally owned smaller shops is the cost of inventory. Menards at the like order so much that they can thngs made to their specifcations, including the cost of the item. Locall sotes have to buy in much smaller quantity and from wholesalers, who have already raised the price from the manufactuer. Plus you have the convienece of a smaller store, you can get in and out faster. Customer service is usually better the the big stores. All of these things cost money to provide. I don't like paying a little more either, but I like walking around those giant stores even less.