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Building 19
Rating Details »
Categories: Department Stores, Carpeting, Mattresses [Edit]
1450 Providence HwyWalpole, MA 02081
(781) 769-3700
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
11 reviews for Building 19
Yes it's a mess, but you aren't in here for the decor. I've bought GAP jeans that retail for $50 for $4.99 here. Books for $1. Jones New York tops for $7. If you take the time to really, really dig through the crap you will find amazing deals. Once, I got a Delonghi coffee maker for $20 that still retails for over $150. I also got a Tommy Bahama wind breaker a couple years ago for around $30...a week later saw the same one in Nordstroms for $110! Ok, enough ratting off prices and on to the review...
The entire deal with Building 19 is that they swoop in on stores that are closing or warehouses that have had fire or water damage and buy the undamaged goods. The insurance company has paid the retailer for the entire warehouse contents anyways, so they're basically getting paid twice for whatever was not damaged. This leads to ridiculously low prices that Building 19 negotiates on a bulk basis. The savings are then passed on to the consumer.
After Katrina hit (and please don't yell at me, I know that was a tragedy, but the warehouse goods down there DID go somewhere), Bldg 19 got truckloads of Ethan Allen furniture for a song. If I didn't live so far away, I would have taken some of it home with me.
Recently, they seem to have a relationship with LG, as they have had a bunch of high end appliances for sale that are either pristine, scratch 'n ding or used floor sample.
Don't expect particularly knowledgeable staff, as the goods are constantly changing and moving around the store to boot. They are, however, unfailing nice and willing to help you if they can. If you live reasonably close by, swing in often to keep an eye on the ever-changing merchandise.
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It is all that it claims to be, nothing more, and definitley nothing less.
Great place to browse if your into thrift, and the furniture selection is fantastic. Some friends think it's too dingy to go through, butI find that in business, the less you put into overhead, the more you can lower prices.
Great for:
Books
Stationary
Furniture
and Home accessories
Bobby of Boston (see my review) told me he used to buy Levi's by the boatload there 25 or so years ago!
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I hate digging through crap to get what I want or need and, even though Building 19 probably has whatever it is, I'd have to spend time in this messy, dirty, disorganized place to get it.
That said, in times of need I've saved tons... so it's 5 stars when I'm poor and 1 star when I'm in the black. I'll round to 3.
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The building is really homely. Sections range anywhere from slightly to moderately disorganized. The important thing to remember is that whatever you're looking for, if it's here it's gonna be freakishly cheap.
My S/O and I bought about a dozen 3.5E "Dungeons and Dragons" books* here for $7 each. They usually retail for about $30. Yoink!
*Yes I'm a geek.
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I want to mention some key things that aren't in any of the other reviews here, helpful...eh....useful? meh.....funny, you be the judge. I'm already amused.
See, my significant other is from Mass uh chussets, and I've heard some amazing stories about this place. First and foremost, the name of this place in Walpole is Building 19 and 3 Quarters. Like, a fraction. What the? How can that be! I love it -it's only part of a building!
The next point of interest, free coffee! Great for the old timers!
Also, Charlie (the BF'ers gramps) bought many a velcro secured shoe here, which is also awesome- where else can you find those things these days?
AND they have many items that they call "Tools" in big bins, with no obvious corrolary. Awesome! Great for kids!
In conclusion, I love places like this. The funny guy on the price tags, the blaring signs announcing Good Stuff Cheap. I also found this:
http://www.youtube.com...
(ok, and I haven't actually been there, but I get really excited just thinking about it, and can't wait to go someday!)
Anyone who posts that building 19 is a mess is right, but that does come withthe $$$-saving territory as it defines this place and all branches. ive gotten books on cd for the car, school stuff, misc. clothes (from department store buyouts), books, and a ittle bit of everything at building 19 for a small percentage of original cost. don't expect a lovely atmosphere when the bottom line is saving $$$
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This is probably the only place that is as much fun as I remember it being when I was a kid. Or actually, more fun, because of how cheap it is. There are some great deals, especially on clothes, shoes, and furniture. This was my first stop when I had to furnish my first apartment. I've also seen prices here that are lower than at the salvation army down the road. That's what I call cheap. Be warned; the sign on the wall says "suffer a little, save a lot" and they mean it. It's not well organized, but digging through the piles is part of the fun. The coffee's not bad and even the weekly circular (in the Sunday Globe) is funny.
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a place that is always messed up but has cheap stuff
If you're looking for something cheap, come here and look. Its like a giant warehouse, and everything is semi-arranged by cagetory (clothes, books, picture frames, etc) but then again, not really either. Make sure you have time to look around. Lots of trinkets and other things. Some things look brand new, others look like they've had other owners. Sometimes you can find good deals on things like luggage and sporting equiptment. Its worth a look.
Cheap Cheap Cheap! I always find great deals on : books, carpets, furniture, office supplies, outerwear and kitchen items! they have many locations in MA and RI just look them up.
I still remember the first time I ever ventured into a Building 19. I was about 8 and was completely amazed by the plentitude of random cheap stuff. It was kind of like being at a yard sale, but inside a big warehouse, and everything was on a hanger and had a pricetag. 20 years later I still appreciate the majesty of Building 19. Be forewarned that the place is pretty crappy. It's hard to compare it to other actual stores. If you know Zapatos in the South End, it's like that, on a masive scale. It is discount, but not in the sense of Marshall's or TJ Maxx or even the original downtown crossing Filene's basement. Think of a yard sale or a flea market set up like a retail store. There are also weird hand-made signs all over the place, kind of like you might make for a yard sale if you got really bored sitting on your lounge chair all day. About the stuff: they have pretty much everything. Tons of random party supplies. Good deals on napkins, paper plates and paper cups. Lots of books, but probably nothing you'd actually want to read. Tons of kitchen and home decor goods, but you might be able to get kitchen stuff cheaper at Christmas Tree Shops or IKEA. The clothes are perhaps the most interesting to browse and offer the best deals. Everything's pretty well organized and you can occasionally find something name-brand for next to nothing. I got a sweet pair of shorts from Express the last time I was here. Also loads of cheap tee-shirts and work out clothes. Don't go here if you don't appreciate bargain hunting or would be weirded out by going to a flea market or yard sale. Like Esther mentioned, some of the stuff looks like it's been used or at least been around a bit.
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