Oregon Art Supply — Attraction in Eugene

I'm a painter, and I've went to Oregon Art Supply for years now, but I hadn't visited in months until today. The new(ish) layout of the store, at least for me, is deeply unpleasant. It felt like I was purchasing from a dispensary - - paints behind the counter, not allowed to look or touch them, only allowed to flip through a book of swatches. I liked to read the tubes, examine and run my finger over the painted swatches on them, hold them together to see what a certain color palette may look like...you can't do any of that now, due to issues with theft they said they've been having. One wonders how much it would cost to hire a single security guard instead of perpetually having two people staff the store and introducing this horribly soulless (and likely expensive) glass-cabinet purchasing method.

Additionally, the prices (if you go by the booklet you're given), have all gone up sharply. But! The prices in the book aren't accurate, because there are price tag stickers that you cannot see because you cannot look at the tubes (!!).

It's not like they're mixing it in the back themselves - when the experience is identical to purchasing it online, and it is SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper (2-4 dollars less per 2oz tube of GOLDEN acrylics) to purchase it online, I find it hard to justify continuing shopping at a local favorite. Unfortunately, won't be coming back anymore, which makes me pretty sad. It once was really cool, and perhaps it still is for non-painters.

It's just not...

We stopped off to look for a very specific art supply. They are stringent about following covid mask/social distancing protocol. There were three of us waiting outside to go in and they were going to allow only two. As long as my spouse stuck with me they allowed all three of us to go in. The staff were very helpful and pointed me in the right direction for what I was looking for. I love art supply shops and enjoy supporting local owned shops whenever I visit different cities. No one enjoys having to wear a mask or wait their turn outside, but the staff are wonderful and want to make sure you are a getting all the...

I love local business. I love art. I love when the two come together. There was a lot in the store despite being so small. And, surprisingly the space was VERY well used. Usually small stores are a bit of an issue for my wheelchair... But I had only I minor issue when going by the framing section and some display chairs were haphazardly set in half of the turning space. (Literally cutting the corner).

And, I was a bit upset about how things that really didn't need to be tamper-proof were wrapped in plastic... Like drawing boards and sealed bottles.

But all in all I really like the place and will...