Mass Merchandise is the closest you can come to a sweatshop without actually being inside of a sweatshop. This place can singly support the Chinese economy with all of the imports under its hole-ridden, decomposing roof.
But here's the upshot: it's good for a laugh. What else can you expect from an indoor flea market? I'm only going to passingly mention the crush of generic trinket stores that fill Mass Merch. They're a waste of space. The remainder of the stores are glorified gypsy tents. That car audio store? A mark-up haven! Take 75% off their asking price and they're still asking too much. The equipment is both inferior and overpriced. Does it even work out-the-door? I wouldn't risk it.
The furniture store, which replaced a general store that was there back in the day (these stores operate on a carousel and have a dumb-high turnaround rate), is extremely overpriced. It's like Bob's Furniture, but more expensive with no guarantee that they will honor your warranty at any point.
Oh, the furniture store also replaced a noble arcade that once lay claim to these grounds. I would subtract a star for that, but sadly, I have no stars left to deduct. Watching that arcade shrink was one of the saddest montage's of my life.
Apparently, with the closure of Building 19, Mass Merch is looking to expand. Who am I to judge, right? I can only imagine what awaits visitors in that new space (please note I'm being literal because I will never step inside this place again, barring a miracle).
The only positive thing I can say about Mass Merch is the stalwart Japanese/knife store. I don't like guns, but I'm all for stabbing. And they have a bunch of diverse tools that you can stab with. I can spend a solid 10 minutes in here wasting time. But this orange is not worth the squeeze given its surroundings. Oh, and they sell karaoke machines. Which makes perfect sense in Mass Merch world.
Unless you have a disease that compels you to buy things made of plastic, from China, and of a generally shoddy quality, stay far away from here. And if you do have this disease, go to a dollar star. It's quicker and less painful. read more