Artistea — Restaurant in Duluth

TL;DR - unique concept, didn’t live up to expectations, lots of waiting and chaos, room to improve.

Don’t recommend going on the weekend due to the volume & subsequently unideal staff:patron ratio. Unsure about weekday volumes.

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Came here with my buddy after:

(1) seeing a TikTok featuring how cute everything seemed (keyword!), and

(2) a cursory glance at the 4.8 (I now see 4.7) average rating on Google.

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Expectation: Process to make your stuffie is “straightforward” — selecting fabric, cutting against your desired template, stitching, stuffing, decorating.

Reality: — Line to select materials and line to get on the waitlist converge… inevitably jumbling further with staff/patrons weaving in/out of said “lines” — if you can even call it that. They get confused with which people they’ve already helped as multiple staff members might ask you the same stuff (redundant work).

— Also, many fellow patrons are inconsiderate about how much time they spend at the “materials selection” station… perhaps they should expand/multiply this station on busier days, as it can be frustrating to wait around for 15 mins as people pick out eyeballs, change their mind, rinse+repeat.

— As some have mentioned, staff can be borderline rude or even flat-out inattentive in helping you out with each step (even the managers). So at some points, you’re either rushed or left in a limbo state for 15 or more mins… But if you came in while it’s busy, and your helper seems disengaged or rude — I would first chalk it up to all the stressors of a typical customer service job, in conjunction with having to manage the chaos of 8+ tables being at various stages/skill levels. Much of the staff were jumping between the register duties and instructor duties. (Better division of labor would be beneficial here.)

— This all happens while the typical café chatter/music/hustle+bustle goes on. Personally it was a sensory nightmare, coupled with the harsh lights and the toy fabric fuzz flying everywhere like cat hair and tumbleweed. So be prepared if you know you’d be bothered by...

I had a pretty okay time. This was a fun day time group activity that will appeal to those inclined towards the cute and crafty.

Pros: This plush sewing experience is a little more hands on than Build-a-Bear since you have to sew your own plush. There is a wide variety of soft fabrics, doll patterns (i.e. cats, rabbits, bears, and lop-eared dogs), and cute accessories/add ons. The establishment was clean, well-lit, and had a well-curated, relaxing playlist. If you have a crafty person in your life (or you are a crafty person) they will get a lot of enjoyment from this.

Cons: I mean this without exaggeration: every staff member on the craft floor touched my project against my will or offered unhelpful assistance that bordered on annoying. Some hovered while I completed stitches, some chastised my stitchwork, and others snatched my project out of my hands while I was still holding the needle.

I recognize there is no neon sign on my head that says “I have worked with a sewing needle before” and this is a relatively new, novel craft. But the amount of “help” I got while the couple next to me received very little attention was less than ideal.

(Poor boyfriend looked bored out his gourd while his girlfriend looked around for help with next steps to no avail.)

Consider: A stoplight system with color coordinated cards to indicate to staff whether a customer needs help. Green = “I’m doing fine”/ “No help needed” Yellow = “Ready for the next step” / “I have a question” Red = “I need hands-on help” / “I’m struggling” / “Something went very wrong”

Perhaps a system like the above will help staff recognize and focus on those that need more guided help vs those that feel confident to proceed independently.

I do like the concept and with a few modifications to ease points of friction, I believe this will be an activity that customers of all skill levels can...

I loved the atmosphere at Artistea! I went during their grand opening, and the workers were so helpful and friendly. I chose to make a bear, and they had so many fabric options and charms to pick from. If you’re not sure what to make, they even provide templates to trace and create your own design. My project included fabric, 5 charms, and an outfit for my bear, which was such a great value. They also sell drinks, which made it even more fun and relaxing. Even if you don’t know how to sew, the staff walk you through each step so you never feel lost. I’ve already recommended this place to all my friends, and if you’re interested in creative, hands-on experiences, I totally recommend...