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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 JA N UA R Y 8 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S E C O N O M I C F O R E C A S T R E TA I L At Marden's, optimism going into 2024 B y A l e x i s W e l l s A s Marden's Surplus & Salvage, a Winslow-based discounter, enters its 60th year, the owners are feeling opti- mistic about the merchandise it has to offer to customers coming into 2024. Andrew Marden, one of the prin- cipal owners, considers many macro- economic factors out of his control. "While we are not a department store that always has specific items, Mainers know it is worth a trip and if they find what they are looking for it will be a true deal," says Marden. He cites the Marden's motto: "I should have bought it when I saw it at Mardens." Marden's sells clothing, footwear, hardware, tools, flooring, furniture and fabric. It was started in 1964 by Harold "Mickey" Marden. e com- pany employs around 700 people and has annual sales of $140 million. While Marden's has no expansion plans at this time, the retailer covers a vast geographic footprint north to south — from Sanford in York County to Madawaska in Aroostook County. Like many retailers, Marden's has worked diligently on hiring over the past year. e labor needs vary by store, but the retailer says it has had to operate more efficiently to compen- sate for worker shortages. "e hiring needs are differ- ent from location to location, we see a much tighter labor market in the southern part of the state, and we have a couple of locations that are staffed well below the level that we feel is adequate," says Marden. "With the labor shortages over the past few years, we have been forced to do a lot of things differently and more efficiently, which we feel we have made many great strides over the past few years." " The City of Brewer has helped us locate and secure the right resources to enable us to thrive and grow in Maine. Brewer is centrally located, making it a great home for Troy Industrial!" Bre MacLean General Manager of Troy Industrial Solutions D'arcy Main-Boyington Economic Development Director ecdev@brewermaine.gov / 207-989-7500 W W W. B R E W E R M A I N E . G O V/ B I Z Find out what doing business in Brewer can mean for you. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » Andrew Marden, left, with Harold "Ham" Marden, principals at Marden's Surplus & Salvage. P ROV I D E D P H O T O