In late September, I had a Tuesday off from work. I was doing a craft project that involved getting…read morea pair of scalloped-cut scissors to cut through fabric. I thought that I'd give Michaels a try. Markham lost its store several years ago. I remembered this one at Kennedy Commons. It's my closest one from home. It's also a store that I hadn't set foot until this visit. There was lots of parking available. I parked a couple of rows away from the main entrance and walked in. It is a large store. Halloween items were out in full swing, from purple cats, to headbands with bats on them. I went to the sewing section. I didn't see the pair of scissors that I was looking for. In the paper crafting section, I did find a pair of scalloped-cut scissors. I'm not sure whether this pair would cut through the fabric that I had in mind, so I passed on that experiment. I loved being in the sewing section. I am used to a tomato pin cushion. I've never seen a flower one that you wear on your wrist. It's a great idea. Knowing me, I'd be so comfortable wearing it like a watch that I'd go out with it on. I enjoyed checking out the calligraphy section. I'm content with the pens that I currently have, so I didn't pick up anything here. There were plushies near the cashout area. So deadly! I bought an item from the sewing section. I had a woman at the cashout enter my phone number to find me in the system. I paid for my item with a debit card. It was a straightforward, smooth transaction. I passed on getting a plastic bag. I thanked the woman and left the store carrying my small item to my car. I like this store. It didn't have the scissors that I was looking for. However, I enjoyed perusing, ultimately purchasing an item for my sewing project. (410)

the store manager should be fired... I usually enjoy going to Michae. I was the store for 30 min…read moreand I listened to that women berate her employees Multiple time. She is condescending and a blunt... never going to that store again

Super nice man working here…read more There are many different brands of paint. I was able to find da vinci watercolour paint here!

This place is a treasure trove, a bit of an Old Curiosity Shoppe for artists. Jay, the owner, is…read morevery knowledgeable and friendly. Prices are very reasonable. Paints, paper, canvases, easels, you name it, he has it. A bit out of the way for Torontonians, but worth the trip.

Rude and racist owner…read more Been here for few times previously. Prices are not the best in town, the Michael's just a few blocks down the street has things cheaper but I thought it's a small business I could support. However, the most recent trip made me definitely not wanna go back. I walked in to a customer talking to the owner at the checkout counter. I didn't pay much attention to them as my mind was fixed on getting the supplies I needed for my project. The conversation got heated and both parties raised their voices so I stopped to take a look. I saw the owner pointed his hand toward the door and said "out, out!" and she angrily left. When I was done with my shopping and came to the counter to pay, he smiled and said, in his very limited English: "black people, trouble trouble right?" It's bad enough yelling at a customer, it's entirely another level of rudeness to make racist comment to another customer. Am I apparently better than the other lady just because the colour of my skin?

Called to inquire about their stock of some Golden acrylic colors. The person answering the phone…read moreseemed to be annoyed by the questions. He constantly reminded that I could have gone online to do it. I explained that I wanted to confirm and place a hold before coming to the store. When I asked about the difference between the heavy body and the open lines, that seemed to set him off. He angrily shouted "Google it" then hung up on me. Won't ever deal with this store again.

There was a greeter right inside the entrance and she inquired if I needed any assistance. I was…read morelooking for paint and she pointed me in the right direction. However, once I got to that section there was more than 1 aisle and I wasn't sure what I needed. Another staff asked for someone over their walkie talkie system to meet me in a certain aisle. I explained what I needed and he was able to point out exactly which type of paint I should get. There wasn't much selection left but I was able to get the colours I wanted. The line to pay had physical distancing stickers on the floor and only every other cash register was open to adhere to physical distancing for the staff.

Every micheals you go to basically is the same. The only difference is the size of the store and…read moresometimes the sections are flipped. Location: In a smart centre area so there's lots of other stores around. Parking: All the parking you can need. The goods: Typical micheals stuff. Yarn, candles, craft stuff, etc The store: Clean, well laid out. It's laid out a bit different than bigger stores, its sort of flipped. Its a smaller store, but it works very well Staff: Nice. I only ever really interact with the cashiers I like coming here it's clean

Really, really disappointed with Midoco right now. I bought a fine-tipped marker that was a shade…read moretoo blue for a project and brought it back a day later (unused) and they refused to let me exchange it for another shade (of the same brand). Midoco, it's not underwear, it's a marker and unused. I don't care what your "policy" says, I returned it a day and a half later and this is how you treat your customers? Do yourself a favour and walk another few minutes West of the Midoco on Queen. Go to Above Ground, they're 100x better in terms of stock and prices. I wish I had gone there first too, would've saved myself a lot of hassle and bad feelings over one blue marker.

This is the only place in T.O. that I have seen stocking Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks and that alone…read moreis worth the trek out to The Beach. These notebooks are like "tricked out" Moleskines. They rock numbered pages, are available in grid, graph, lined and blank, have stickers to help organize, have a table of contents page and feature high quality paper (though less impressive than Rhodia). Leuchtturm's website shows no international distributors outside Europe[1] and you can't even find a mention of Leuchtturm on Midoco's website. But none of this matters, because I am telling you: you can find these fine notebooks here. Get one. They also stock a wide array of other (lesser) notebooks, pens, craft paper, markers, art supplies for adults and children and creative gifts for the hard-to-shop-for in your life. If this store has a failing, it's the cramped layout. They have placed all the desireable items (including the Leuchtturms) within 12 feet of the cash register. There's always a gaggle of people near the entrance. Expect to find yourself apologizing and saying "excuse me" a lot when you visit. But also expect to find some cool stuff, and possibly spend way too long here. Obligatory Title Pun: It's OKEY, MI-DOKEY. (So lame, I know.) Menu Readability: I really don't care for rounded sans-serif ultra-modern lettering, and the Midoco wordmark is no exception. Need to mention: This store is superior to the Bloor street store. What this place teaches me about myself: I'm obsessed with notebooks. Help me, please. _____ [1] I hear they are distributed by Kikkerland in the U.S. I don't think this is the case in Canada or we would have seen more of these notebooks by now.

I have been here many times in the past year. The store is divided into 3 sections/areas (arts and…read morecrafts, equipment (like drawing tools, different kinds of paper and paint) and framing). The people working there are very nice. It's appearance on the inside can give a little bit of sensory overload (in terms of the colors in different areas in the store). However, they carry varying amounts of supplies so you might have to go online to buy them if items are not available in store. BTW 1) They have a point card where you could get 10% off each time you purchase something and collect the amount you paid (ex. Pay $15 = 15 points). 2) When you are shopping online, you will get free shipping if you buy things that add up to $39 or more.

My absolute favourite art supplies store of all time. First of all, the staff are amazing. They've…read morebeen consistently helpful and friendly since I started going there in 2002. Obviously a change in staff, but the manager has been around for a long time and a couple staff members had stayed and have been amazing and funny! Seriously, I used to just hang out here as a kid because it's an art store, I'm an artist and the staff is great. It's a very clean store. They always have what I need and things I didn't know I needed. The prices are far superior to Michael's and better than Curry's. Plus the discounts are great and the rewards program is solid too. Oh and did I mention it's animal friendly? I can take my dog for walks in Petsmart and Deserres, Oh and also the customer bathroom is pretty cool. And free bags, who needs to pay a nickel for a bag? All in all, it's a great store. One of my favourite hangout spots, I can test my markers and pencils and all that and talk to awesome staff.

I'd give a five-start rating to the very nice young man who helped me, except that he was loudly…read moreadmonished to "return to the cash register" by the manager, as I presume the manager felt he had spent too much time helping me, and of course, we cannot miss a sale, can we. What a turn-off! No one feels valued as a customer in such a situation, and I sure as hell will never go back. I can just as easily get what I want online without having to put up with dismissive behaviour. These types of stores are like dinosaurs, without the recognition that art supplies are very easily available in the much more extensive and often more affordable digital marketplace. I've had it with retail in Toronto. And yes, a three-star rating is MORE than fair.

Alan Stiers provides horrid customer service, and he is the manager. He will ignore and refuse to…read morehelp you. I get that this place offers occasional student pricing that fits into student budgets however, it is not okay to sell paints and supplies way past its expiration date. They also reuse cardboard packaging that they send out to customers in the mail, disguised as "eco-friendly," but in reality, you are getting a really unsanitary used box. All in all, very scummy experience and also, he is very unfriendly to BIPOC! Stay Away, and buyers beware.

Let me tell you about the unsung hero of my adult life: Staples in Red Maple. This place is like…read morethe Batcave for office warriors--minus the bats, plus a surprisingly efficient Amazon pickup window. ‍ Amazon Pickup: Faster Than a Caffeinated Squirrel I don't know what kind of sorcery they're using, but the Amazon pickup process here is smoother than jazz on a Sunday morning. I walked in, blinked, and my package was already in my hand. I half expected confetti and a marching band. No fuss, no drama--just grab and go like a ninja with a Prime membership. Office Chairs: Built Like a Tank, Feels Like a Cloud I bought an office chair here over four years ago. It's still going strong. No squeaks, no sagging, no mysterious stains from unknown snack-related incidents. I've spilled coffee, cried into it during tax season, and spun in it during Zoom calls like a caffeinated toddler--it's unfazed. If this chair were a person, it'd be a stoic monk with a black belt in comfort. Supplies: Reasonably Priced, Surprisingly Fun Staples has everything from pens that glide like Olympic figure skaters to paper that makes you feel like your printer finally respects you. Prices are fair, and the selection is solid. I once walked in for a stapler and left with a whiteboard, three packs of sticky notes, and a renewed sense of purpose. ‍ Staff: Chill, Helpful, and Not at All Judgy The team here is consistently friendly and helpful. They don't hover like confused pigeons, but they're always around when you need them. I once asked where the laminators were and got a full breakdown of features like I was buying a sports car. Respect. Final Verdict: Staples Red Maple Is My Spirit Animal If office supplies were a lifestyle, this Staples would be my guru. Efficient, affordable, and weirdly comforting. I go in stressed and come out with a binder and inner peace.-Zuk

Their business center is great because you can drop off Amazon packages, plus all other courier…read moreexcept Canada Post. Their printing service (across Staples) sucks. It takes so long for prints to come in to the store and so many mistakes. I use to print here pretty often but moved my business to TPH and UPS nearby.