This is a lovely little store, and I first started poking my head in about a year ago. The staff there is outgoing and welcoming. They are more than happy to let you browse but also are completely friendly and more than happy to help - just ask. By far, the staff sets it apart, and that says something when you realize just how much value is in this store!
For comparison, this is not Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or Joanns. This is a tiny little store - but for the size, it comes PACKED with goodness. If you are a serious artist or are serious about supplies, this is the store you need to come to. If you go into those other stores, the associates that are serious about art may tell you the same (which is how I was originally referred to Blick!)
First of all, the value in this store is simply awesome. If you aren't familiar with art stores - you are paying for an art supply, not a bulk #2 pencil. Items are going to cost a little bit - and that'll be true if you go to the aforementioned stores as well. You'll pay a similar price whether you go here or anywhere else.
What you can expect from the supplies here is different. The 'low end' items in this store are on par with the mid to high end items at other 'craft' stores. This is because Blick specializes in art supplies. For example - Prismacolor is typically a high end colored pencil brand at other stores - here, it is the entry level of what they offer. They also offer the In-Store Brand Blick pencils, which are a softer alternative - but have their own unique properties (and arguably more consistent lightfastness). Blick features almost all of this information directly on their website.
Try to find something about lightfastness with the store brands of other 'craft stores' - that's not even something that their corporate can look up for you.
Blick doesn't provide this quality for just pencils - they do it for pastels, markers, paints (oil, acrylic, watercolor) - you are going to get quality when you come to this store. You can do additional research and decide what type of quality you want - Prismacolors aren't rated 100 year lightfast, but Blick carries supplies that are.
No matter who you are, no matter what your experience level is with art, if you are SERIOUS about getting into your art - if you are serious about getting supplies that suit your needs, this is the place to come. Not all supplies are the same. Some pencil brands are softer, some are harder - you can get a feel for that by coming here and you can pick out the supplies that best fit you. You will walk out of this store feeling more confident, and you won't be going home to 'try out' your supplies - because you'll already have done that at the store.
So yes, they have a website, and you can order off of that. The store will match any of the website deals and can have lower prices - at the store, you get the lower of those two prices. For me, the website is a great reference for properties, and for planning colors and lightfastness. But if the supplies don't feel right at the store, I can always get something that matches me better.
Keep in mind, you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to get art supplies. Blick does have specials, but their prices are always reasonable and don't require coupons. They do offer some regular price savings and you can get these by ordering their catalog.
You can walk out with a set of colored pencils for under $10 - and the difference between these and your back typical to school set is immediately noticeable. If you want to support your young kid's interest in art, this is a good way to show it!
The best part though, is getting to support a local business - and getting to support this business. I appreciate being able to support the staff of this store and having a store like this in our community, and I hope that it will be here for a long time to come.
This is a little store that grows on you.
Go here, you will get quality.
Go here, you will get friendly service.
Go here, you will find what you need to fall in love with...
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