The entrance to the new 66,000-square-foot Marshall store is at 206 Washington, as 140 West/100 Barclay is also evidently known, but 99% of the store is below ground. The first escalator leads to a small mezzanine, being used today for opening festivities; the second escalator leads to the vast women’s floor; the third leads to the floor with men’s, kids’, home, and pet departments. (Monitors are throughout to deter shoplifters.) The marketing emphasizes the word “surprise,” because the closeout merchandise is always changing. Unlike at Century 21 nearby, the brands top out in the upper midrange. Checkout appears to be limited to one huge line on the women’s floor. [UPDATE: NV commented that there’s one on the lowest floor, too.]

Shoppers today can spin a wheel to win prizes, including cheap swag like branded water bottles and umbrellas, and the store is handing out cookies and totes. The trade-off is that the music and announcements, being made via extra speakers all around the store, are excruciatingly loud.

Marshalls is at 206 Washington (between Barclay and Vesey); 212-587-1901; marshallsonline.com. Store hours are 7 a.m-9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday.

Recent New Kid on the Block / First Impressions articles:
• Canal Street Market Food Hall
• Blue Ribbon Federal Grill
• Kesté
• Ever After
• Humble Fish
• Best Friends Pet Adoption Center
• Ato
• L’Appart
• Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Store
• Antique Garage