I went in with no intention of buying anything. But knowing I would spend money. I have a…read morecompulsion of spending money at craft stores, but can't help myself. I've never been here before, and just wanted to check it out. There was a great selection of pens, markers, pencils, paper. Jelly cats lol I had been wanting a fountain pen for a long time but never bought one. Perfect timing I guess? The JT? TJ? Super knowledgeable about the products on hand, and even the ones they didn't have on hand. I'm excited for the Lamy pen, and sailor ink I purchased. The price of the pen was comparable to what I've seen online, so I'm glad I was able to shop local. I also ended up getting some cute stickers and washi tape.

Got an email that the Oakland location will close soon. Stopped by to get pen refills for my…read moreforeign pens. Cruised around the store, picked up a few calligraphy pens and a 2026 calendar. The pen Manager explained the specific refills in detail. Bonus, she wrote down the details of each model on the back of her business card. She was very helpful and detailed oriented and a pleasure to converse with. We'll definitely miss Flax, but in the meantime, we'll make sure all of the items we need, we get 'em here. The staff that we interacted with were friendly, professional and very helpful. Super bonus = off-street parking lot in rear of store

I love blick. this location is great in particular and in a great spot. I like how they said "good…read moreluck on your project" when I checked out. I really needed that luck

They have everything one needs to complete their artistic endeavors. I use acrylic paints…read more Obviously much easier to use than oil paints. And, they have every color imaginable. I also appreciate their sales force. Their associates are very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Don't need to look anywhere else.

Service selection and value..? they have it all and sparkling personalities too! Variety ....lots…read moreto see there!

The BEST place to buy yarn in the bay are! And the people that run it are so nice and knowledgeableread more

We went into the Michaels at 5:45 PM. They were open with customers. We had a shopping cart full of…read moreitems and were getting ready to check out but needed to use the restroom. I asked an older female employee if I could use the restroom prior to checking out and she said "no" that the restroom was closed for the evening for customers and told me to walk across the parking lot to the Safeway. Note that it was raining at the time. This was extremely unprofessional, and we left without purchasing any items and will not be returning. I would have been a paying paying customer and there is no reason unless it was out of service that I should Not have been allowed to use the restroom that is designated for customers. They even had the restroom area barricaded so you could not get to it. The female employee did not say the restrooms were broken she simply said they were closed for the evening, Yet they were open for at least another hour. I hope Management addresses this matter. I understand having to monitor the restrooms in stores due to People that misuse them but that's not me. I should Not be prohibited because of those that do. I am very Disappointed with Michael's in Alameda as this has not been an issue in any of the other Michael's I frequent.

You can sign up for free rewards account from Michaels. They pretty frequently will send you a 30%…read moreor 40% off regular price item coupon. This can be a good or bad thing, depending on if you're prone to impulse shopping. I appreciate that they have self checkout and they have a bathroom that doesn't require a code or talking to an employee to access. There are frequently some items on sale. I was surprised that it's end of August but they already supposedly have some Halloween decor on sale. I was able to buy a large quantity of stickers and then apply a discount code so that it was fairly inexpensive. They often sell candles at a pretty cheap price, compared to other places. A friendly store employee at the checkout checked in on me just to make sure everything was okay and let me know to ask them if I had any questions. There's plenty of parking in this plaza, but also a couple of AC Transit bus stops within 5 mins walking.

Came in looking for a specific piece of HDPE plastic, company had great customer service, I…read morestrongly recommend this place.

My dad recommended this spot when I was looking for a durable seating option to add to a wicker…read morechair we have at home. We needed something tough and practical, and this place had exactly what we were looking for. I provided the measurements to the staff, and they recommended a sturdy material designed to support heavy weight. When we brought it home, it fit our wicker chair perfectly. I highly recommend TAP Plastics - what a local gem!

I have been a customer of Rubars for a very long time, especially with the former owner but since…read morethen too. I've stopped going. It's the clerk who does the actual customer interaction. First, one calls to be sure that they're open (hours before closing time) only to hear the woman say that she is going to leave soon. This is a common experience according ot others I've spoken with. Next, the stock on hand is pathetic -- maybe 4 or 6 canvases to buy, not like they're trying to sell anything anymore. Last, I ordered well over a thousand dollars of stretched canvases months in advance of needing them for a major show. When I called after they were due I was told that they hadn't been made... even tho they had my credit card AND phone number. No reason, just didn't feel like it. Rude too. My fantasy is that the clerk is a relative and wants out of the job... I'd love to tell the owner that SHE's my reason for never returning! Because it's a buzz you in business, no chance of getting to tell the guy in the back what's going on. Such a pity. I am sorry to see this once prosperous and wonderful company be driven out of business just because they don't know about that clerk. When you can get one of their stretched canvases, they're great!

Great stretchers, using heavy duty materials and good attention to detail. They are a bit old…read moreschool - writing all receipts by hand, and they have pretty ridiculous hours (I think 11 am - 3 pm) especially for their clientele (artists). I tried to get them to deliver a very large panel that I had made, but they obviously don't like being asked that! They also don't like changes to orders. Oh well. But with all the quirks, at least their location is easy to find and they sure know how to make stretcher bars and panels, as they have been making them for ages.

Great collection of art supplies, fabric, yarn, office supplies, teachers classroom materials,…read moretoys, books and jewelry. The staff are very helpful, just ask for what you are looking for and if they have it they will find it. Please review donation guidelines before packaging up you things, sometimes they are overstocked in certain items and they give a detailed list just like other thrifts do. Also, you can call and talk to the donation supervisor to make special arrangements.

THE Place for materials for Bay Area Artists & Teachers!…read more Everything creative, at rock-bottom prices. Stock changes briskly!

Whales & Friends in a woman-owned gift shop that offers a variety of treasures not available in…read morebig-box stores. It carries hand made jewelry, women's clothing, soaps & lotions, fun socks, cards, books, and one-of-a-kind specialties. It has been located in Alameda for decades and I hope it stays forever in the Island City.

Whenever I enter this shop, the staff ask "can I help you?", with disdain…read more Whoever manages this place- teach your staff to never say this? It's retail 101. Try being friendlier, offering to assist or answer questions. Plus they snark amongst themselves & come off as mean elders. Nice merchandise but refuse to purchase anything because they are so horrid.

If you're in a RUSH and have NO IDEA what you are looking for be PATIENT. They don't have a lot of…read moreemployees so helping clients can be time consuming. I call this place a ONE STOP SHOP! Find everything you need and then some! There's a saying in Spanish that saids "Bueno, Bonito y Barrato" which means great value for your money!! Have fun & imagine all that you CAN DO

I love coming to this place. I went to do my one stop shop. I'm appointed godmother to a baby, and…read moreI had to get all his stuff in under 2 weeks to prepare I came here. -Got ideas for favors -Bought his bible and candle -Ordered his personalized ribbon for his favors I spent under $50.00 They speak English and Spanish. So dont feel like an outcast, people here are real friendly

Absolutely one of the best stores in Oakland. Super friendly lots of help great fabric anything you…read morewant you can get it there.

Discovered this place walking on International, what a gem. Great selection of hand crafted items,…read moreOaxacan embroidered garments, Milagros. Gentleman in the shop was lovely. Places like this are so important, will definitely be back to holiday shop.