Love this store. Always willing to help and I love that they are locally owned and operate.

Arabesque is a dancewear store located in the back of the Thornebrook Village Shopping Center off of 43rd Street in northwest Gainesville. While most people who need to know about it probably already do, I am reviewing Arabesque here because it's a fine little store run by a very charming lady who obviously cares very much about dance in our town. Expectedly, most of the stock is dancewear and shoes geared towards girls and young women because that's the lion's share of who buys dancewear in Gainesville and who takes dance lessons. However, both UF and Santa Fe have good dance programs and there's a number of men and women therefore into dance--to say nothing of the professional dance and theatre activities going on in town. What really makes Arabesque is the owner: she's a sweet, charming, woman very interested in the business she runs. I went in looking for a rather specialized article of clothing that she didn't have (a mesh top) and she made every effort to try to track down something to suit my needs. I finally found just the thing by American Apparel, but her willingness to help and friendly approach will bring me back to her store should I ever have need to buy anything they might sell. read more

This is a well stocked dance store with fair prices. Service, however, appears to be selective. Several years ago, I purchased dance wear and shoes for my oldest daughter and the experience was unremarkable. Today, I went with my younger daughter, who takes lessons next door at Doxa, and had a very uncomfortable encounter. We deliberately arrived early and parked outside their door to browse before class - I was excited to show my daughter the world of dance items, such as pointe shoes and tutus. My daughter thought everything was beautiful and she found several things for her Christmas list. It was a good, positive moment and I was looking forward to going back to Arabesque in the future. After class, we had to walk back through because our car was located right outside their door to the parking lot. As soon as I opened the door, a worker/owner (?) approached me and said that it was OK *this once* to walk through their store, since she'd seen me earlier, but to please not do it again because of the fine fabric. I felt awkward and embarrassed, that I would be seen as perhaps dirty or not the kind of shopper that they wished in their store. My daughter was extremely well behaved, did not have sticky hands so I don't know why we sent up red flags, enough to be confronted at the store. Arabesque must be doing extremely well in order to be able to turn away potential customers. I would think that a normal store would welcome any customer, especially those affiliated with the dance studio next door (my daughter was in a leotard), since foot traffic is one way to ensure sales. Its really a quandary because I want to support locally owned stores, but I won't take the chance of visiting Arabesque, only to be singled out again as the type of customer they want to keep out. Really disappointed. read more

Arabesque is a very well kept dance store in Thornebrooke Village, the owner is very nice, polite, and willing to help. She has pretty much everything a female dancer will ever need in her shop, which is very convenient. I will definitely go back. read more

I have been shopping at Arabesque for several years. It's a great local company that goes above an beyond to meet my needs for dance wear in the dance studio, on stage, and in musical theatre. It's been a delight to watch this little company grow, and expand through the years! The owner is personable, knowledgeable, and extremely accommodating. The staff members have always been obliging and sweet. They have outfitted me with shoes, and dance wear through the many stages of my ever changing figure, too! I've ranged from a size 18 to a size 6 (in street clothes,) and they've always been able to help me. They offer a wide variety of styles, colors, and cuts. This is a professional, competitive business with a gentle, friendly staff and atmosphere. I love being able to support a local Gainesville business while also getting the variety I would find in a larger corporation! I highly recommend visiting the store for any dance supply needs you may have. Of course, they'll continue getting my business! Thanks, Shay S read more

The woman who runs the store was very rude when my friend & I came into the store and did not find what we were looking for. At first she was concerned of why we didn't find what we wanted, but as soon we explained our situation she said that we "insulted" her and "cut her from a living" then gestured us out of her store. Truth is: it was way cheaper to order online compared to her overpricing.She def knew it as well, thats why she took offense. No customer service or respect. Even if things do not work out in your favor, you are suppose to keep your attitudes towards the customer positive. The Customer is ALWAYS right. Who knows, I could have been sent there to do an undercover survey for her store; if so she probably would have been out of business because of this act. You never know. read more

I would highly recommend Arabesque to any dancer. The store owner, Jacquie, is absolutely delightful and full of knowledge. She, among many others things, caters specifically for the dance companies in the area so you should be able to find whatever your child or yourself need for your dance company in the area; and if you're from out of town and in need of pointe shoes look no further. Arabesque has everything you need and the owner makes it all that more fabulous. read more

Rude. Rude. Rude. Look elsewhere for your child's dance clothing. The owner has a poor concept of customer service and does nothing to generate a customer's good will. There is a ten dollar "fee for their time" for sizing ballet slippers and a twenty dollar "fee" for sizing pointe shoes if the shoes are not purchased when sized. We were also explicitly instructed not to walk through the store to the adjacent dance studio, even though we had no intention of doing so. The younger woman is nice, the older woman (the owner) should stay away from customers entirely. read more