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.

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.

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

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.

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

Conveniently located at Hwy 7 & Woodbine (across from Costco), Pointers is a Canadian scrapbooking,…read morestamps and card making store. They have a large retail & online scrapbooking and stamping store featuring many scrapbook and stamp products - w/ tons of different papers, stamps, cardstock, inks, etc. I can easily spend over $100 if I don't stop myself... The store offers many classes throughout the month (jewelry, scrapbooking, great impression cards, etc.) . I especially enjoy Florence's 10 cards in 3 hours class. *Hint: come 15 mins prior to class, do the glueing at home & only finish the essentials in class or you will never leave! Also 15% off on all items you purchase the day you take a class. The store also make gift baskets for all occasions & custom wedding invitations. Pointer also has a reward card program. Everytime you purchase an item you will be able to accumulate & earn $25 reward in products. I joined their VIP Club as I purchased much of my card making items from them. The annual fee is $25. So what do you get?... - 10% off all purchases - 20 % off one entire purchase during birthday month - two friday night crops free - take 3 classes and get one free - special coupon every month (sometimes there are 40% off coupons) - VIP member specials on special events. My fav product from the store would prob. be the Zip Dry Paper Glue. Perfect for paper crafts as the glue will not cause your paper to wrinkle. Stock up if you are an avid scrap/card maker. Lots of parking at the back.

Stop me from coming here. Seriously. I cannot spend more money on craft stuff I don't use!!!…read more Pointers is a scrap booking and paper crafts store and more. They have a lot of variety and choice on papers, stamps, everything. It's a little hard to find when you're not actively looking for it, but it's in a pocket plaza on the side. Working at Michaels, I do quite a few comparisons while shopping at both. - Michaels is a lot more expensive when not using a coupon, while Pointers offers good and affordable deals. There's also a clearance/sales section that is super cool. - Michaels only offers the big name brands and their own line of products. I find that Pointers has a lot more variety in stamps and everything related to scrapbooking - While Michaels is not super modern, I do find that Pointers offers more traditional and "classic" products. Not knocking it down, but I do not like ugly illustrations with curly type that says "you're brighter than a star" on my stamps (I made that one up, but I'm pretty sure I can find something similar to that) I did a lot of comparisons, but I think it is a good way to illustrate that Pointers is an amazing place. I frequently recommend customers here when they can't find what they're looking for at our store. Service is very nice and I notice that they have a lot of classes and loyal customers. Definitely recommended for all your scrapbooking needs.

On Saturday, I wanted to visit a Michaels store. I am inspired to learn how to knit and crochet…read more After doing a quick search, I found this location close to where I was at the time. I didn't know that there is a pocket of stores tucked away on the south side of Kingston Road. This Michaels looks fairly knew compared to my local one in Markham. I parked practically in front of the main doors and walked in. Normally, I get lost in Michaels. I do well finding areas such as jewellery, yarn, and picture frames. I also managed to find the washrooms, which were clean. The best part is that you hit the women's washroom before the men's, which was a nice change. My true test visiting any Michaels store is to find calligraphy pens. I have the worst time finding such a specific, small section. Guess what? I found the section in a heartbeat. It has a decent selection of calligraphy pens with felt nibs that are like markers, pens with nibs that you dip in ink, and pens that you need to refill with ink. I was happy! I had a good time researching what yarns and simple projects I want to learn to do. It's interesting that I am fine with loom and cork knitting, but give me two knitting needles and I need help! This store is bright and clean. Staff were friendly. (193)

My experience working at Michael's was Great, Very Good Company, Friendly Customers and Staff and a…read morenice environment! Would recommend it if you are passionate about arts.

I've been coming to this DeSerres for ages, and the staff are always really kind and knowledgeable…read more The prices are a bit steep, but that's to be expected of good quality art supplies. One thing that annoys me, and the reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5, is that the paint price lists can be a little misleading. They always put the price for series 1 paint (the cheapest) at the top, in a larger font, then all the other (higher prices) are listed underneath. Most of the time they don't organize the paint by series number either, which adds a fun level of tedium to every visit. Besides that, it's a pretty solid establishment, and I'm glad to have a local art supply store.

Please note this store has moved closer to coxwell station: I visit their store fairly frequently…read more I like the new layout of their store. Some of their art supplies could be more competitive with the pricing of the same products from places like office depot, but the staff is quite knowledgeable, and they try to keep up with trends. They've even added supplies for acrylic poured paintings.