Art Gecko State — Local services in Madison

I’ve been in a few times and enjoyed the products, but the employees’ behavior is a little concerning. There is one employee who, whenever I see them in the State location, is talking (loudly) about their romantic partners and intimate experiences in graphic detail. I don’t want to include any explicit language that might get this review censored but trust, I know WAY more about this person than I ever cared to. During one visit I overheard them shouting across the store with somebody (employee? Customer? Unclear) about their intimate partners, their “performances”, and various intimacy products they had purchased/gotten through brand sponsorships, along with their very graphic reviews of said products. I’d like to emphasize that they were holding this conversation for the entire ~20min I was in the store, and it showed no signs of stopping when I fled the shop. I initially wrote it off as a crazy one-off experience that would be funny to share with friends- maybe they just HAD to tell a friend about the details of their most recent hookup/relationship, and I was just the unfortunate soul that was present to bear witness. However, it has now happened several times, always with the same employee. Literally, every. Single. Time. I’ve started avoiding the State location because I’m not interested in hearing about this individual’s adventures in the bedroom, and if I enter while they’re in shop, I turn tail and leave ASAP. TLDR: sells cool stuff, but I prefer other businesses on State where the staff has boundaries and some semblance of...

I walked into Art Gecko, today, to look around. There were young women, working behind the counter, who were incredibly loud and obnoxious. One of them was preoccupied with trying on rings. Two of the women carried on, loudly shouting absurd things out loud to each other and getting carried away, like they were not at work. It was incredibly odd and immature. I was wondering who was in charge.

No one offered to show me anything in the case because no one cared about making sales for the store. I was looking at the pendants and that was when I noticed one of the young women trying on 2 rings... I don't know how they make sales, with that kind of service. With self-absorbed/focused employees, that seems nearly impossible. In addition to the noisy women was the loud music, blaring from the speakers. Not to mention, their prices are high. The ambiance was absolutely bogus, for a rock shop. This place used to be better. Then again, every pendant I've bought that was stamped or claimed to be 925 sterling silver has tarnished like it was something other than silver. How would I know? I couldn't polish the silver back to it's shiny, light silver state. The metal changed colors, completely. I left the State Street Art Gecko feeling really annoyed after my...

This was one of the kindest, welcoming places I have ever worked at. The owner took me in during a really hard time and showed me some of the most genuine kindness I have received in Madison. They are extremely LGBT+ friendly, and I’ve never had people respect my non-binary pronouns like them. Their products are quite unique and a result of the dedication and love the Owner has for her work and the relationships she invests in - not only in her community, but oversees. The staff is spunky, individual, and unique. & extremely well educated on the products and are more than enthusiastic to give you opinions on what they love on you! The store radiates an energy you can’t find most places. This store will always have a special place in my heart and stand out on State...