Ben Franklin Crafts & Frames — Attraction in Redmond

I've never been to a Ben Franklin so I was pleasantly stunned by the selection and quality of goods in store. They stock many kinds of art and craft supplies including: woodwork, photo / picture frames (on discount!), sewing, knitting, painting, fabric, decorative paper, origami and chiyogami paper, beads, jewelry, and more. They also have a small furniture / home decor area. Everything is clean, neatly stacked and organized. Nothing smells bad here.

They frequently have discounts on items throughout the store, and many things on clearance. I got a few 8 x 10 frames that cost $6 - 9 each, quite a steal considering the normal prices of $20 - 35 at other stores. Their pricing for paper and stationery supplies is also reasonable, $14 - 25 for packs of Japanese gel pens and other specialty pens / markers. Some paintbrush sets were as low as $7 for a combo, even better than Goodwill for the quantity and quality. Many items are also available in kid size or kid friendly packaging - with prices to match. It's amazing.

Most of all, the service in-store was next level and really makes this place stand out. I was approached by staff at least 5 times during the few hours I shopped, and they genuinely cared about helping or assisting customers. They were very helpful, kind, and professional, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here. I will be back again.

Pretty much the only caveat is that their supplies come from selected brands and not others - for sewing enthusiasts, I did not find any Clover items. For jewellery artists, there was largely Fireline, Darice, and TOHO... Some Artistic Wire but not a lot. So it's definitely a place to check out for many projects, but if you have specific needs, this store may be more of a stand by...

Ben Franklin is a breath of fresh air and reminds me of the good ole days of shopping in stores with great customer service! My experience has been nothing but positive everytime! Most recently, I purchased items for my son's craft project. He couldn't be there with me, so I guessed a bit at what he might need. The customer service associate was so helpful and offered great suggestions, although what he sent me to buy was out of stock since another student purchased everything they had on the shelves for the same project. Needless to say, I left with a lot of options for my son. To my dismay, he couldn't use any of it, mainly because I didn't really understand the project. It was slightly challenging working around our schedule to get back to return the items within 30-days, but I attempted to run in in Sunday evening and arrived a few minutes after they already closed the door and register. As I approached the store and realized it was closed, a dissappointed look on my face, a friendly man held the door open, allowing an employee out of the store and asked what I needed so I explained a return. He asked if I had the receipt, (yes), then said, "Let me see what I can do". He was professional and friendly - very pleasant, and returned the items without hesitation, all the while not making me feel bad about the return or for arriving at closing. His customer service went above my expectations and I left knowing why they are a small business STILL in business. I highly recommend visiting Ben Franklin for your craft needs. They have a great selection, very unique items, and great customer service. What a wonderful...

Barbara needs a serious coaching conversation on how to engage with customers, even when she is assisting another customer, to completely ignore someone’s presence is just unacceptable, a quick “let me finish up and I’ll be right with you” would have been more then sufficient and completely understandable, But I was walking in and had such a quick question, with how the store is laid out and the fact that I am disabled and walk with a cane, I politely asked the first cashier, “excuse me”, so I could get assistance, I thought she didn’t hear me so I said it again, and the customer she was assisting, looked at her name tag and said “Barb I believe this woman is taking to you”, and honest to goodness the rudeness that escaped that woman’s mouth had me just astonished, “I am assisting YOU right now,” said in the most vile tone I have heard in awhile- again completely ignoring my existence, as she spewed that vile tone I’m assuming it was a manager that came over- but I was just so absolutely taken a back at how blatantly Barbara disrespected me and the customer she was assisting that I just simply said “don’t worry about it, but that was unacceptable and left. I love to support local business and crafting is such a huge part of my life as I am unable to participate in much of the “normal” world- sadly with A person Such as Barbara working there I no longer feel comfortable in your sore and will not be able to come back and take my business...