Blick Art Materials — Attraction in Santa Monica

Not a bash on the Store Brand but the general service they have recruited for the santa Monica location. When I was denied utilization of the restroom, I asked what they (employees) do for a restroom, they frankly said "we have our own". I was a paying customer, with purchase in hand, at the counter, supporting their business, thus support their lively hood. Yet, i'm generalized and placed into the category of just a random person off the street not looking to make a purchase while using their resources. Yeah, ultimately, thats the management of that location that makes the call. Im quite sure this denial of a restroom isn't in the BLick employee on boarding handbook. In-turn this is the culture they are cultivating for their team and even the area, the environment around them. Its the "I just don't want to deal with it". Next time I will re-consider about using Amazon for certain supplies instead of driving 30 miles to support the business. Yeah after this, I'm more inclined to start looking and experimenting with another brand of paint than be denied relief in person. Again not a bash on Blick but the staff...

I don't know what's it's like there on a day-in, day-out basis, but on this day, they were unprepared for the first day of school business, using only one of three registers, and customers were quite angry at the wait times to check out. Which wasn't helped by the manager responding to them in a pretty curt manner. It's a premium-priced store, like most in Santa Monica, and locals expect premium customer service. In my case, I was helped by a short, hip-looking young lady who expertly knew the store's products and layout and basically acted as my own personal shopper. She rapidly helped me fill my list, after I had spent much time unable to find almost everything on the list. So I personally was thrilled, but I overheard the manager telling employees not to help customers with lists, anymore. I presumed that was to better staff the registers, but they still only...

This is hands down one of the best art stores I have seen. I am an artist, so always on a hunt for a great one. This one is! It has huuuge size paper, foam boards, canvases etc. Ver approachable, engaging & helpful staff - at least 3-4 people asked me if I needed any help, in the ~30min I was there. I did need advice & got it, most time before even getting the chance to start looking for staff. I did not like that the markers were locked, but being right on the cusp of Venice & Santa Monica, on Lincoln Blvd, I am sure they get stolen blind, so I did not mind. Plus the girl apologized for the procedure, which did make a difference to me. I also found professional clear sleeves for all sizes of artwork, professional archival presentation boards, a lot of treasures, I think this is my new...