A very unique Durham space for thrifters and crafters. The Scrap exchange is one of the few Durham…read morestaples that I really haven't seen anything like it in other cities. It's a very good, very cool store. Its current location which is located in old renovated movie theater offers a wide variety of things from craft supplies of all sorts to thrifting finds. It's a space that feels like a school art room where anything is possible with just a little creativity applied. You never know what you'll find from old magazines to old family photos to empty 35mm film canisters to old laboratory supplies. Their official thrift store is located in eye sight close by to if you want browse those offerings. This place is a true Durham staple since I was a kid and it was located in Northgate Mall and remains a Durham staple now (sigh... - because I'm older now too) many years later.

This is a very, very, very cool store. I can understand why I've heard so many awesome things about…read moreit. It's actually rather large inside and not exactly what I was expecting. There's so many different sections and they're all arranged very neatly. Creativity just oozes out of this building pores. I didn't buy anything at this time because I was slightly overwhelmed. But now I know where to go when the creative bug bites! There are sections for fabric, for art supplies, for any craft imaginable. I would definitely check this place out if you are sick of Michaels.

These types of antique stores are always hit or miss. We popped in on a whim even though we weren't…read morelooking for anything in particular. They had a selection of large and small pieces of furniture, plus a little adjacent art gallery. You can tell this place has been here a long time and will probably still be here for a long time.

Lots of great items at very reasonable prices. It's a fun store to stroll through to find a hidden…read moregem. The owner Blake was friendly and helpful.

A cute LITTLE shop around the corner from Durham Central Park. They've got some amazing pieces made…read morein shop as well as showcase some local artists. Great jewelry pieces, lawn furniture and even light posts. The metal working is beautiful, even if I won't be able to afford it for another 10+ years. Vegas Metals is regularly open during the Farmers Market and the Arts and Food Truck Market and is a nice (quick) stop for any metal or art appreciative. I stopped by during the Durham Art Walk Spring Market when they were handing out a beautiful metal ornament! I felt like it was definitely my lucky day and I see from Christina G.'s review that this is an annual thing--definitely put Vega on your list during the Art Walk!

Tiny, but cute little gift shop right near Central Park and the Farmers Market. Vega Metals is…read moreespecially notable for the Durham Art Walk annual ornaments they create. There are several cool garden statues and pieces for sale, as well as a few laser-cut jewelry items. Again -- small -- but definitely worth a visit should you find yourself in the area. Good for a local, and uncommon, gift.

Beautiful gallery! We loved wandering through the multiple rooms taking in the paintings,…read moreglasswork, pottery, etc. Look forward to returning when we visit Hillsborough.

We stopped in on a Wednesday late afternoon just to browse. This is the type of artsy store that we…read morelike but we weren't looking for anything particular. There were plenty of paintings, wood pieces, sculptures, glass objects, and more. They even had cheaper options like postcards if you just want a little item. All of the work seems to be from local artists, so that is always a plus with us. We'd stop in again the next time we're in town.

Crazy Alan's has pretty much everything you could want if you're buying school supplies for your…read morekids: notebooks, pens, pencils, refills, art supplies, markers, and more. If you're into all things fountain pens, you're good here too. They have fountain pens such as Kaweco, LAMY, TWSBI, Cross, Sailor, Pilot, BENU, and many more. They also stock fountain pen ink and rollerball refills. They also have postcards, notepads, binders, stickers, and so much school stuff! Regardless of what you're looking for, there's a great selection of analog writing supplies here. The owners and employees are very nice and helpful, and the prices are great. We came here on a recent Saturday when there was a mini-pen show happening. If you want to go to a big/regular pen show, look for info about the Triangle Pen Show online.

It's the kind of store where some of us (who me ;) could go broke! Stationary gore! All the brands…read moreyou haven't in years too like Rhoia. Fountain pens that are $150 & up I just love this place I come on once a . If you love pop up cards like I do they always have them as well. The pens will go dry before I can ever use all of them that I have purchased here. Please check it out & find things you didn't even know you needed or existed even!

MY UNBIASED OPINION -…read more This place was great. I love galleries that feature local artist. Everyone was nice. They had a few refreshments. The spirits were a low cost. They have events often. You can also rent this space out for events. This would be an awesome place to come. It's a cute date night as well. Walk about the city and stop in for a nice art experience. (Don't forget about the small upstairs gallery) Parking is on the street or in a nearby parking deck.

Note: this place is now called 5 Points Gallery. We've been visiting here ever since they opened…read moreand have even gotten to know some of the artists and have purchased several pieces in various sizes and price points. It's not a large space by any means (especially during the pandemic) but they feature all local art from paintings to multimedia, fused glass, and sculptures. When Durham used to have (and will have again one day) the Third Friday Art Walks, this was one of our regular stops. The art is mostly modern and lively. Tip: see if the upstairs gallery is open as well.

I was exploring downtown today and stumbled upon the cutest little artist shop. This place is…read morefilled with candles, clothing, nicknecks, jewelry and so much more. I was in awe checking out everything! Although they have a lot of unique things customer service was lacking. I wasn't greeted or spoken to the entire time I was there.

This is a little open-air arts market on Foster Street in Durham. I don't know what their regular…read morehours are but we know they are definitely open during the Durham Farmers Market nearby on Saturday mornings. They feature several artists and craftspersons, a woodworker, some CBD products, and a haberdasher who sells original bowties. This time of year, they have various Christmas-related items. On our last trip, we did peruse some of the holiday items and purchased a very nice handmade card. I will definitely support local artists and crafstspeople ahead of the mall or places that sell mass-produced items made cheaply overseas.

The lady that owns this place is so terribly rude. We came in to window shop and saw a sign about…read moreselling gold in the front. I haven't ever seen someone get so defensive, abrasive and unpleasant over a singular question before, especially one that is directly related to her "we buy gold" sign out front. If you're reading this lady - take a day off or hire someone to do customer service, because the vibe you're bringing is ugly.

We made the mistake of visiting this shop over the weekend after attending the Scottish Festival…read more The store was cute with interesting jewelry and a nice young guy working the counter. The owner/manager (not sure who she was) was awful! She did not treat the young guy with respect and honestly made me feel like a hostage. The young guy saw me looking at a bracelet and overheard me comment that I wished it were just a little bit different. He was super nice and offered to restring the bracelet to my liking. So kind! The older woman BURST out of the back room and started LOUDLY telling everyone in the shop that she had been in a meeting and started asking people how she could help them. The young guy had been calmly helping everyone before her chaotic vibes burst into the room. She took over helping me and talked super fast and really loud and kept telling me it would take a long time to restring the bracelet and she acted like I was a huge inconvenience. I kept saying not to worry about it and I would look around the shop some more. She would not allow that. She was beyond worried about it. She was so abrasive. She kept commanding the young guy to go in the back room and look for some special bowl of beads. He went back twice but could not find what she was asking for. He looked terrified to tell her that he could not find her special bowl. Why didn't she just go get it herself? Why would she not allow me to look around the store? Why is she so loud and abrasive? She finally went to the back room to search for her special bowl and my friends and I bolted out of the store so fast. When we were passing through the threshold of the door to outside I could hear the woman YELLING from the back room for us not to leave!! It was so scary for me and I am sure every day working there is scary for the young guy. I sure hope he gets a job working somewhere else. If she was not the owner, I sure hope the owner takes this review into consideration. The shop itself and the items being sold were great, but I honestly am afraid to ever go there again because of that woman.