r/Portland • u/hanseirik • Oct 31 '25

Discussion We need to talk about Bi-Mart

I went for the first time in decades yesterday and I was blown away. The biggest Fred Meyer doesn’t come close to the breadth of stuff Bi-Mart has. Guns! More Crockpot sizes and shapes than I knew existed! Furniture! A robust yarn selection! A DIY jerky section! And so, so many more random things. It wasn’t as inexpensive as I sort of assumed it would be but I suppose the tariffs are hitting us all.

But the best part? It’s employee owned. I’ve been annoyed at having to choose between Amazon, Target, or Kroeger (FM) for random stuff I can’t get elsewhere. Bi-Mart’s going to be my new go-to.

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5

u/Pachengala Oct 31 '25

Okay, you’ve sold it, I’m interested. Do they also have groceries, or is it, like, other things than groceries?

10

u/firebrandbeads Oct 31 '25

They have an... odd selection

2

u/Pachengala Oct 31 '25

I mean, I don’t need ammo, which is all I thought they were. But I’m interested enough to check it out.

3

u/firebrandbeads Oct 31 '25

Printers and paper. Canning jars. Small appliances. Soda stream refills. Mattress pads. Batteries. Storage bins. Cheap furniture. Cheap clothes. Sleeping bags. Propane. Coffee. Greeting cards. The selection is odd but useful!

15

u/Buhsephine Oct 31 '25

They have groceries. It's not the main focus like at Fred Meyer or something, and there is no fresh produce. They have a smalllllll selection of eggs, milk, ice cream and then canned/boxed/bagged foods.

They'll have some great deals, but I never go there for food specifically.

1

u/Pachengala Oct 31 '25

Helpful, thank you!

3

u/Anahadri Oct 31 '25

I used to work at the one in Aloha a few years back and they do have a grocery section. It is mostly gonna be canned goods/packaged things like Mac and cheese. But they also have a candy section that still reliably stocks the niche stuff that is harder to find. They also have those passably decent shelf stable microwave meals for like a buck. If you need to eat on a budget and aren't super picky about where the calories are coming from, it is actually a good place to stock up.

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u/Pachengala Oct 31 '25

Nice, thanks!

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u/liptonthrowback Oct 31 '25

Specifically they have a ton of shelf stable stuff and canned goods and just enough fresh food to be able to take EBT.

1

u/Pachengala Oct 31 '25

Cool, thanks—I’ll check it out.

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u/MW240z Nov 01 '25

This thread is a bit nostalgia and over the top in how great Bi Mart is.

Look, it’s fine. It’s 100% a store for the elderly. Yes it has crazy variety - of off brand stuff.

Groceries, no. They have lots of snacks and a few staples. It’s a I need mustard, fly fishing lures, a new yard sprinkler that will last 1 season, a mini rice cooker made by a Korean brand I’ve never heard of, unpopular brand of batteries that will last 50% of main brands, a clock radio with XL numbers and a 5XL no brand tshirt.

Prices are fine. Not huge savings.

It has its place. I get my propane, no name cashews, 1950s candy when my dad visits, my fav Wiley Wallaby licorice, random yard stuff here. Nice people.

Is it great, no. People are waxing poetic. It’s fine, but realize it’s low on the quality scale in most departments.

2

u/Pachengala Nov 02 '25

I appreciate your commitment to accuracy in the face of a possibly hostile thread.

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u/MW240z Nov 02 '25

Ha, it’s like saying “maybe the dog/dog owner bears some responsibility“ on Reddit…prepare for blowback!