Lots of cool Albany swag. Even if you live here, you'll want a sweatshirt! Or a shot glass with…read moreNipper on it. Lots of unique things too, from body butter to bar tender essentials to books about Albany. Stop by and browse! It's a small boutique located in downtown on Broadway.

While I do understand that the ownership has changed and inevitably will give the store a different…read morevibe, my main issue has been that in the times I have been into this store since the change in ownership and management, the staff has been unpleasant and on one occasion in particular, made my friend and I feel very uncomfortable as she had a loud and extremely personal phone call during the entire time we were in the store without even acknowledging that we were there at all. I do think the selection has always been great, and I appreciate the emphasis on supporting local work, although that also seems to have changed a bit since the change. It is a pricey location for most things, but I do always enjoy seeing what is in the store, the card selection is consistently excellent, and it is a great place to find a gift!

Neat furniture and home store. Their decor for the Christmas holiday, is green, red and beige…read morecolored. Their displays are nicely placed around the store, which seems an industrial relic with metal beams in the middle. They offer items one would search for a while, like beds with top posts, chandeliers, very nice bar ware and lounges, a couch section and settees. Their wood furniture is large. Excellent variations on cloth, towels, XL carpets, mats, pillows and lounge seats. Their kitchen items are near the cash register. Review: 4

Maybe it's my own fault, but I signed up for an event at this store called Design Class: How to…read moreStyle your Tree & Mantel and was shocked at how bad it was. I really enjoy home decorating, and as a busy full-time working mom, I thought this would be a fun Saturday morning self care activity and hoped to pick up a couple new tips for my holiday decor. I arrived a few minutes early and waited in the cold (in full view of the staff) until they unlocked the door. I was told to put my stuff down and do a little "pre-shop" before they got started. Then the "teacher" basically asked what we (myself and 3 older ladies who came as a group) wanted to learn. I explained why I signed up and she started walking us around the store suggesting items we could buy. I gave her a few minutes, but after a while I explained I wasn't there just to shop, and asked if she would be teaching any design tips. She acted like she had no idea what I was talking about, so I showed her the class description. She was still confused so then she asked another employee to help me, as if I was asking for something special. I finally left because clearly they had no knowledge to share and I had just wasted my precious little free time. Calling this a class is comical. It was a total disappointment!

One of the worst customer receiving store in Crossgates mall.! A lady from the counter walked to us…read moreand asked not to touch the display pieces.! How would a customer buy anything if they don't let them touch, feel and check a piece of art.! She was rude and swiftly took the piece from our hands and walked away.! 0 stars out of 5 for the customer receiving and service.

I peeked into West Africa Treasures at Crossgates Mall and was immediately drawn in by the colorful…read morewoven baskets. Was I looking for something in particular ?No. But there in front of me was a lovely little handmade basket with handles that could double as a tote bag. It was speaking to me. I checked the price. It was affordable especially when you considered the workmanship. Sold! The owner of the business, Justine, welcomed me and asked me if I needed any gifts. She showed me some beautiful handmade cloth tote bags which fold into zippered clutches. They came in stunning colors and would make awesome gifts for about $20 apiece. I bought two. That was fast. I gave them away as soon as I got home so I have nothing to show. They received rave reviews. Though my shopping experience began with gifting a basket to myself, I've since found reasons to return to West Africa Treasures to make more purchases for friends and family. There's a great deal of variety, including jewelry, housewares, drums, sculptures and personal care products. Justine has a second store at Colonie Center. Her prices are reasonable. I think many of the handmade items are classy. There's also online sales which can be done through the West Africa Treasures website. I bought some earrings online to give as gifts. Justine takes great care in providing excellent customer service. After I made the online purchase, she followed up to let me know when to expect the package. The earrings arrived on time and looked wonderful. They were exactly as pictured! They made great Christmas presents. Thanks, West Africa Treasures!

online purchase lies and more lies…read moreit will be there before Christmas it's not our fault it's the shippers fault never left your facility until the 23rd? ordered on 15th it will be there lies all lies factory made goods not a hand made item in the warehouse. COMPLETE WAST OF MONEY AND TIME YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. NEVER AGAIN. Trash customer service

Ten Thousand Tstotschkes. A store whose concept I like in principle - provide a market for…read moreindividual craftsmen throughout the world for some kind of reasonable compensation, thereby preventing industrialization, loss of native heritage skills, and stimulating development. So if you want to pay $80 for a cotton print tablecloth, in theory you can be helping the world out. Oh, the problems in execution, though. They can't really tell you how much of the money goes back to the native craftspeople, nor much about the sourcing or labor conditions. It's like Fair Trade coffee - you have to take somebody's word for it, and the word is passed along by the telephone game. I'd actually be willing to do this on faith if the crafts and items here were really unique or even to my taste, but they seem a bit mass-produced to me and without the hallmarks of individual craftsmen, so I'm not only not terribly interested in the goods but I'm highly suspicious of the general claims. This may seem a bit scroogey of me, but I think on the whole if I want to stimulate development in the third world I'll extend a microloan over the internet (very direct and very cost-effective) or buy somebody a share of a goat. I would normally just settle on the usual three stars, given my cynical skepticism above, but the hideously steep prices push it from "would go back and check it out occasionally" to "not going to bother" territory.

They no longer have a storefront locations which made it convenient for replacement beads.read more

Booboo (the bear) often complained about Yogi BO. I can't see why though. They have good yogurt…read more This is a super cute furniture and Home Decor store which also has some really lovely animals hanging in the window. The stuffed animals are what drew Barbie to the store. And these stuffed toy animals are so cute and the people are so friendly that despite the really high prices on most of the goods in here, I can't give them less than 4 stars - and you should definitely check them out when in the mall in Albany.

3 cute small dogs are shop pets running through the store. Beautiful selection of decor, ceramics,…read moretea sets, and sculptures! Definitely pricy but quality materials and loads of hand made unique pieces. Tons to inspire you! No one said hi to us we said hi to the employees first and no one asked us if we needed help which all considered certainly did not make us feel welcomed, that was the only con. A bit of snobbery lol

Consistent quality and gorgeous floral arrangements for all occasions…read more The staff are accommodating and exceed expectations. No other florist comes close to the service and excellence that is renaissance

Fantastic store for dudes. Friendly staff. It had a large assortment of clothing. The best part was…read morethe easy layout. Fun corner store!! Review: 5

They have fabric but it's a pretty crappy selection very basic stuff. Very limited colors and…read morefabric makes. It's sad. As for their non sewing stuff saw a lot of stuff some of it's just junky.

Great place !! All of it friendly people! We have stores with no more help on the floor takes to…read morelong so I avoid those stores or not speaking English! Hate seeing a lot of stores closing! Rose