Ran over here after calling to check hours - Got there to find They were closed 45 minutes before closing time . Staff in the store waved me away... no signage about early hours, or extenuating circumstances. Spoke to a guy off-site on the phone who was super apologetic and nice, tried to offer to call the store and get me what I needed, but we had a few things we wanted to browse for - caught a staff member on the way out who didn't want to talk, but she eventually just said "we always close early" I think this stores main clientele are businesses in the area, not retail walk-ins, so cater your expectations... my only expectation was that they were open, since their phone system said so... read more

As another yelper said... Columbia is a hot mess... and I won't deny it... it IS. So if your running short on time, this won't be the place for you! But... if you're just browsing around looking for something... but you're not quite sure what... you just might find the perfect thing here! I went in looking for a nice scrapbook/photo album for a baby and found the perfect one!! It was special and unique. It also has everything you'd need in one spot... If you can find it... But if you can't ... Ask someone... And unfortunately if you think they're wrong... Ask them again or ask someone else. That's what I had to do because I wanted extra pages to my album ! If you can stand the chaos and are up for browsing... Go check it out! I bet you'll come out with something! :) read more

Columbia Omnicorp - Art Supplies Near Me - New York, New York

This place was awesome when it was on 33rd. Now the people are so rude. You don't feel like you can even walk around. The second you walk in they basically ask why you are there. I used to walk in all the time when it was on 33rd and there were actual costumers. It was a cool place to browse. Now you walk into a ghost town with people rudely asking what you need. read more

This is a large art supply store that carries tons of things most crafters and hobbyist writers/sketchers/painters/scrapbookers would need. Somewhat dark inside and rather poorly organized, walking into this store is a bit like walking into a funhouse: you have no idea what sort of surprise, possibly scary, lurks around the corner (like the spying counter-girl, who followed me. I didn't know I looked like a shoplifter...). Anyway, I came out with two journals, two notepads (one for purse, one for office), and a very nice fine point ink pen for writing. Writers and drawers will find a large selection of notebooks, including brands like Moleskin. Prices are what you'd expect at any art supply store. Paint, colored pens, paper, scrapbooking supplies, and framing supplies also available. read more

Situation: The windows caught my eye while passing through. My initial impression was that it was a party supplies store, but upon closer inspection I discovered it was in fact that they sold primarily art supplies. PROS -Lots and lots and lots of notebooks. Big, small, modern, vintage, the whole shebang. Being the stationary junkie that I am who keeps collecting notebooks just because they are pretty is very pleased about this. -Interesting assortment: There's a hodgepodge of art supplies as well as some vaguely art-related stuff here. Sketchbooks. Scrapbook paper. Posterboard. Colouring utensils (e.g. artist-grade coloured pencils). General office stationary. Mini organizing drawers. Paper lanterns. Boxed greeting cards. A section of kids toys/gifts. Novelty & gag gifts. Pretentious fancy soaps. Books ranging from recently published stuff to stuff that looks like something the owner found it in his grandmother's untouched basement. Glass cases filled with (antique?) knick-knacks and expensive pens. CONS -Their hours are a little bizarre, I must admit (closed on the weekends??). So keep that in mind if you're planning a visit. -Crowded with merchandise and a little topsy-turvy: This place doesn't exactly have aisles. More like...lots of nooks and crannies. Don't bring a bulky handbag or anything like that if you plan to shop here-- you'll quickly create an avalanche O.o -Questionable prices: While most of the things I looked at seemed to be reasonably priced, there were a few items that made me raise my eyebrows. In a nutshell... Forget all notions you have of what an art supplies shop should look like. Go in with an open mind and when you have some time to leisurely peruse. It's a treasure hunt! read more

What a hot mess. Columbia Omnicorp has tons of art supplies, but it looks like the owners are compulsive hoarders and then a tornado went through their store. Supplies are stacked on top of each other and in every nook and cranny, and aisles can only fit one person at a time. There are signs all over the store that say if you need assistance finding something, ask the register. Like a man who refuses to ask for directions, I rarely like to ask for help to find what I need because I'm stubborn -- I can do it myself. But ... when I went, I rushed to get there after work and arrived about 15 minutes before closing, so I wanted to get everything I needed ASAP, so I wouldn't have to make a second trip. I went to the register twice to find out if they had what I needed, and the register said they didn't have it. However, after some rummaging on my own, I was able to find what I need. You're better off just looking for what you need yourself. If I was back home in the suburbs, it would be so much easier just to drive to an A.C. Moore, Michael's, or Jo-Ann Fabrics, but I don't have that option or convenience in the city. There are very few arts stores in the city, and they are spread out wide and far and all like to close very early for the working individual. They are all pretty expensive as well, but you've gotta accept it because there are few other options. I was debating whether to give this place 2 or 3 stars (2.5 would've been good), but I ultimately decided on the former. Is it really that hard to organize things in neat stacks? This place would make an excellent spot for hide and seek or a scavenger hunt. read more

Good grief, where do I begin. I came into this store and first off there was a strange stench to greet me. Then I realized that this entire store is pretty much just piles and piles of things stacked up onto each other, it was the worst organization I have ever seen in a store, and I've been to a lot of stores. Things are literally pouring out from the shelves, stacked in piles, jumbled in measly dirty containers and pretty much gather into a huge disarray. I came looking to get some red pencil lead refill and I had to push aside some hanging accessories before I could find the section that was partially hidden on a lower shelf. Even after all that effort to find it, they didn't have it! So I ended up having to settle on a red pencil that was one of the several mismatched pencils in buckets. The whole place is an eyesore, and there was even a strange office that was in the back of the store? Where people were answering phone calls and conversing as I was sifting through these art supplies. I'd definitely just wait to go to a Utretcht or a Blick rather than trying to find things in this mess of a store. read more

I love this place. I was confused at first because it's such a mess, but they have a ridiculous amount of items in their shop. It reminded me of a vintage shop you'd find but art supplies and random other finds. Shop is best experienced when you aren't in a hurry so you can really pick through read more

I live in midtown and had been trekking downtown to Utrect, Dickblick, etc. One day, I went to the Staples near my midtown apt, and was referred to Columbia to get something I couldn't find at Staples. Until then I had no idea there was an art supply store so close to me. So I walked over, and realized I had walked by it before thinking it was a sportswear store. Anyway, the store is large and messy. Supplies stacked to the ceiling and behind bookcases - but they have EVERYTHING and the salesperson who helped me knew the store inside/out. Prices are comparable and they have a 20% (!) student discount. I called them a few weeks later for something and their service was great on the phone too. This is going to be my new go-to art store! P.S. Why does Yelp classify this as an office supply store? It's definitely falls more into the art supply category. read more

Finding an art supply store in Midtown is almost like finding a needle in a haystack. There used to be a few small shops scattered about, but many have since closed. Columbia may look in a complete disarray, but they pretty much have all the essentials from journals to portfolios to paint and photo albums. This place is pretty old-fashioned, and you need to look in every corner to find more. Great place if you are not in a rush and really need something - it could get a little frustrating to find specific products. read more

They are in the midst of moving to a new location, which may explain the chaotic disorganization throughout the store. But holy moly the cashier working there today (May 22nd at 1:30pm) was extremely rude. I've met some not so friendly customer service people but this woman takes the cake. I don't know how management doesn't notice her crude behavior or perhaps they just don't care? She should be fired immediately and maybe your customers will come back but there's no way she's adding any value to your already struggling business. read more

The experience is really really awful especially the cashier is rude and never willing to help out... won'T ge there coz Amazon is better ... read more

3.5 stars. Yes, it's pretty cluttered and feels a little crazy in here but I feel like they have anything you can possibly want. I found the staff to be pretty nice (although I didn't ask for help with anything). And as I was checking out the cashier asked me if I was a student. If you have an ID you get 20% off:) the prices for the pens I was looking at were pretty reasonable and with 20% off comparable to amazon. read more

Cashier was not nice and not helpful at all. Seemed to be the only one working. There were plenty of shoppers who needed help and he sat behind the counter ignoring everyone with an occasional 1-word reply. Couldn't find what I was looking for and left because there was no help available. read more

Great art supplies, right in the heart of NYC! Just can't get better than this.

I rarely write reviews because I am usually not put in such emotional upheaval (whether good or bad) after using a service to do so. However, this place has provided me, on two occasions, with the worst possible service I have ever encountered. Aside from the fact that the place looks like it should have a film crew documenting some poor hoarder living amongst the rubble - the lady at the front desk refused to even look up from her two (yes - two) cell phones to answer my simple question about where I could find binder inserts. Fast forward 25 minutes later of me sifting through piles of crap later, I find something that I decide might work (read; I can't stand to be there any longer) and make my way to the register to pay - where again, completely immersed in both cell phones leaves me paying a robot basically. I hate myself for even having stepped foot in this place. read more

Really just awful, not product wise, but employee wise. The Asian lady who sometimes sits up front shouts at her staff, ignores customers & is one of the rudest people I have ever encountered. Why is she working here if she is so miserable, it's unnerving, let it go lady. I have to shop here weekly due to my companies paper and art needs, bur for anything personal, my staff & I go to Staples. The rest of the staff seems ok, (poor people, they have to deal with her all day!) but basic CS is non existent. They care about the back of the house, where all the printing is done i assume, but the from of the store has no assistance and that woman is the worst. read more

I have to say - glad i ignored the yelpers on this one. Sure, they have a lot of stuff, but that's actually a good thing. Staff was super friendly - over the top so. I needed an obscure business form that they produced immediately and I was on my way. read more