Artifacts Gallery — Local services in Athens

Decided to give this place a shot despite all the warnings I had heard. Even if you do agree with the controversy surrounding this store (I do not, but try not to hold political grudges) you will not feel welcome. Was in there for around five minutes, nothing but rude stares from the person working the whole time. The energy only became worse the longer I browsed merchandise. Very uncomfortable experience and the merchandise was not very good quality at all. I recommend import house, the new shop next to ROAR, or any of the other hippy-like shops in the area. This is a shame because I see a lot of promise in this location.

Edit: I highly encourage you to read owners responses to any sort of negative review to understand the negative energy and anger I felt radiated towards me. After further review of some of these reviews, most of the positive reviews are from people that live nowhere near the Athens area and they all just seem to promote the political ideology instead of the state of the shop itself, do with that information as you choose. Edit 2: Owners response only further pushes my review. Please steer clear, having spoken to my friends, conservative and liberal, they have had similar...

Great little shop, unique selection of items, jewelry. She's being targeted by transactivists because she believes women are entitled to female-only spaces. I'll continue to shop at Artifacts, as I have for the past 20 years.

I wish I could "like" the owners responses to these deceitful reviews. I have been in her shop, and I've witnessed the antagonistic, mean-spirited behaviors directed at her. The attempts to intimidate and bully undermine the claims made by her detractors that they are kind, understanding, and tolerant. Clearly, diversity of thought isn't welcome and the message these activists are sending is that people with differing opinions should expect--and deserve the hatred and violence that's been directed toward this reputable small-business owner. That's not a good look for any movement, especially one begging for inclusivity.

It's shocking to me the city and the nearby university haven't made good-faith efforts to protect free speech and real inclusion.

I'll continue to spend money in this store every single time I'm in town because like the store owner, I value free speech, diversity of opinion, debate, and the...

i went around a month ago with my partner & i was definitely getting vibes that were strange. the male cashier commented that they thought we were 16 years old? i’m 20. the comment was off putting at the time but i didn’t think much of it. looking back they definitely paid more attention to me (a cis-gendered woman mostly) & less to my partner who does not adhere to the binary. to think that i supported this business that would possibly have kicked my partner or i out if they “found out” about us being a queer couple or outside of the binary is terrifying. athens is already unsafe in some areas if you don’t “look” cis. there are many better businesses that are lgbtq friendly. goodbye artifacts!

UPDATE: AFTER SPEAKING WITH MY PARTNER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE MALE CASHIER ACCUSED THEM OF STEALING & THEY WERE CONSTANTLY EXCHANGING LOOKS REGARDING MY PARTNER WHILE I WAS AWAY FROM THEM.

to the owner, i hope the career you have “to fall back on” accepts blatant transphobia. your actions will follow you when you go out...