Jerry's Artarama of CT — Attraction in West Hartford

It had been years since I walked in this place, so long in fact that I don't even remember it at all, and I am the furthest thing from an artist although I hold art and artist in high regard. This place was so cool that after spending 20 min or so perusing around I found myself so inspired I ended up buying a sketch book and several quality drawing pens should inspiration to doodle ever strike... I have no idea if the prices and selection are good, but I do know that most of the stuff inside are things I haven't seen for sale anywhere else in terms of brick and mortar retail. Also, definitely got the vibe like all the staff were VERY knowledgeable, I'm sure each with a different area of expertise. I can't imagine even the owner having the capability to know every item on sale in detail. The selection is simply to vast. Will I be back for absolutely no good reason besides this place is cool and they have a quaint little smoke shop next door, 💯% I get the feeling like this place is similar to a great museum in the sense that you could probably spend 3 hours or more inside and still not have enough time to "geek out" on all the neat stuff for sale, and again, I'm not...

My wife and I came into the store on 2/3/17. My wife has a pocketbook that crosses her torso as if it was a messenger bag. When we walked in we were explained the store policy of no backpacks or messenger bags, but they said don’t worry about it. Another customer commented to the store clerk that my wife’s bag was a pocketbook and not a messenger bag. The store clerk then said ok and let us begin to shop with the bag on my wife’s shoulder. As soon as the other customer left the store they approached my wife and I and asked for her bag.

In my opinion this is a ridiculous policy. If you can obviously see that the bag is neither a messenger bag nor a backpack to the point where other customers agree that it’s neither then it isn’t one. At the same time to say it’s ok go ahead and shop, but when the other customer leaves approach people again and ask for the bag is not only rude and inconsiderate it also extremely unprofessional. If the policy is what the policy is then fine but don’t be wishy washy about it like it was done today.

We will NOT be...

I've been shopping here for years and for years the staff have been very friendly. I never once had to deal with racism and discrimination especially after paying a couple hundred. All over a bag a paper bag. While I was paying for my items the couple (of white in complexion) next to me were being rung out after they paid they were offered a bag the cashier didn't ask for payment so the bag. The couple took their items with the bag. After the cashier rang me out no bag was offered so I asked politely for one and her response was I would have to charge you. When I never been charged for a bag. It's not the point of paying for a bag but of why they gave a white couple a free bag and wanted to charge a person of color...