POST BY ANNE JOHNSON
Pearl Paint on Canal. Image via: Anne Johnson
The self-proclaimed World’s Largest Discount Art Supplier, Pearl Paint is closing up shop around the country. Of the two Manhattan locations, both on Lispenard Street, the framing shop is in the process of closing and surplus products have been making their way over to the main store across the street. Other stores have already closed. As of today, the Web site lists only six locations – two in Manhattan, one in Paramus, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, as well as two others in Florida. (The corporate offices are located in Fort Lauderdale.) The large Chicago store, which was once rated the best art supply store by New City.com, closed down last week, with the San Francisco and Iselin, New Jersey locations following suit this week.
Given the number of 40 percent off sticks at the main New York store, it’s no wonder bankruptcy rumors surrounding the consecutive closings have been circulating. Company executives did not respond to my inquiries on this subject, though one employee told me the Canal Street location would “absolutely remain open” when I visited the store yesterday. He could not offer any insights into the future of other stores.
Declared the Best Place to Fantasize About Your Rightful Place in the Whitney Biennial by the Village Voice in 2006, Pearl Paint has been an art supply institution since 1933, catering to the needs and dreams of students, artists, and craft-enthusiasts. After opening their doors as a house paint merchant on Chambers Street, the company quickly switched to the art supply industry when moving to their present location on 308 Canal Street. Today, the stagnant trade of art supplies threatens to end the Pearl Paint dynasty.
{ 34 comments }
Wait. When did they close Cambridge, MA location???
Wait. When did they close Cambridge, MA location???
Well, I guess Utrecht is the new “it” spot to get all my art supplies!
Well, I guess Utrecht is the new “it” spot to get all my art supplies!
The San Francisco location is closing according to this article:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-02-03/business/17842672_1_art-supplies-seven-other-stores-store-for-four-years
The San Francisco location is closing according to this article:
http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-02-03/business/17842672_1_art-supplies-seven-other-stores-store-for-four-years
This is a straight up shame. I grew up near the Islin location and I can tell you its the only serious art supply store in that area. This recession sucks!
This is a straight up shame. I grew up near the Islin location and I can tell you its the only serious art supply store in that area. This recession sucks!
Somewhere Martin Wong is weeping.
Somewhere Martin Wong is weeping.
Somewhere Martin Wong is weeping.
Somewhere Martin Wong is weeping.
Utrecht is doing almost as bad as Pearl The place to go is Blick Art. Locations in San Francisco, New York, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, and 32 other locations across the country, with 5 more stores opening up in 2010. While Pearl and Utrecht die, Blick is moving up.
Utrecht is doing almost as bad as Pearl The place to go is Blick Art. Locations in San Francisco, New York, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, and 32 other locations across the country, with 5 more stores opening up in 2010. While Pearl and Utrecht die, Blick is moving up.
Utrecht is doing almost as bad as Pearl The place to go is Blick Art. Locations in San Francisco, New York, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, and 32 other locations across the country, with 5 more stores opening up in 2010. While Pearl and Utrecht die, Blick is moving up.
Utrecht is doing almost as bad as Pearl The place to go is Blick Art. Locations in San Francisco, New York, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, and 32 other locations across the country, with 5 more stores opening up in 2010. While Pearl and Utrecht die, Blick is moving up.
Utrecht is doing almost as bad as Pearl The place to go is Blick Art. Locations in San Francisco, New York, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, and 32 other locations across the country, with 5 more stores opening up in 2010. While Pearl and Utrecht die, Blick is moving up.
I was devestated to hear that Pearl Paint has filed chapter 11 today. A couple of months ago I noticed that they had l
a lower amount of supplies than usual and about a year ago I noticed that the store in NJ also had fewer items in it than years ago. I was hoping that it was just because so many people in this country have been doing more art and that tons of people just hit the store. Pearl’s has always been a supply shop that if you needed something and couldn’t find it anywhere they would have it. There service was excellent and employees showed great pride in working for them. I am sad that this is happening. It’s a recesseion when it effects everyone else but when it affects you directly it’s a depression. Next our suppliers won’t be able to produce. This has to change.
I was devestated to hear that Pearl Paint has filed chapter 11 today. A couple of months ago I noticed that they had l
a lower amount of supplies than usual and about a year ago I noticed that the store in NJ also had fewer items in it than years ago. I was hoping that it was just because so many people in this country have been doing more art and that tons of people just hit the store. Pearl’s has always been a supply shop that if you needed something and couldn’t find it anywhere they would have it. There service was excellent and employees showed great pride in working for them. I am sad that this is happening. It’s a recesseion when it effects everyone else but when it affects you directly it’s a depression. Next our suppliers won’t be able to produce. This has to change.
I was devestated to hear that Pearl Paint has filed chapter 11 today. A couple of months ago I noticed that they had l
a lower amount of supplies than usual and about a year ago I noticed that the store in NJ also had fewer items in it than years ago. I was hoping that it was just because so many people in this country have been doing more art and that tons of people just hit the store. Pearl’s has always been a supply shop that if you needed something and couldn’t find it anywhere they would have it. There service was excellent and employees showed great pride in working for them. I am sad that this is happening. It’s a recesseion when it effects everyone else but when it affects you directly it’s a depression. Next our suppliers won’t be able to produce. This has to change.
I was devestated to hear that Pearl Paint has filed chapter 11 today. A couple of months ago I noticed that they had l
a lower amount of supplies than usual and about a year ago I noticed that the store in NJ also had fewer items in it than years ago. I was hoping that it was just because so many people in this country have been doing more art and that tons of people just hit the store. Pearl’s has always been a supply shop that if you needed something and couldn’t find it anywhere they would have it. There service was excellent and employees showed great pride in working for them. I am sad that this is happening. It’s a recesseion when it effects everyone else but when it affects you directly it’s a depression. Next our suppliers won’t be able to produce. This has to change.
I was devestated to hear that Pearl Paint has filed chapter 11 today. A couple of months ago I noticed that they had l
a lower amount of supplies than usual and about a year ago I noticed that the store in NJ also had fewer items in it than years ago. I was hoping that it was just because so many people in this country have been doing more art and that tons of people just hit the store. Pearl’s has always been a supply shop that if you needed something and couldn’t find it anywhere they would have it. There service was excellent and employees showed great pride in working for them. I am sad that this is happening. It’s a recesseion when it effects everyone else but when it affects you directly it’s a depression. Next our suppliers won’t be able to produce. This has to change.
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Well, I lived in San Francisco for about 10 years. The store that was located on Market street was truly amazing. It allow me to create wonderful things. It had just about everything I could imagine. The store was very important to San Francisco. Therefore they should have demanded a Government Bailout.
Well, I lived in San Francisco for about 10 years. The store that was located on Market street was truly amazing. It allow me to create wonderful things. It had just about everything I could imagine. The store was very important to San Francisco. Therefore they should have demanded a Government Bailout.
Well, I lived in San Francisco for about 10 years. The store that was located on Market street was truly amazing. It allow me to create wonderful things. It had just about everything I could imagine. The store was very important to San Francisco. Therefore they should have demanded a Government Bailout.
Well, I lived in San Francisco for about 10 years. The store that was located on Market street was truly amazing. It allow me to create wonderful things. It had just about everything I could imagine. The store was very important to San Francisco. Therefore they should have demanded a Government Bailout.
Well, I lived in San Francisco for about 10 years. The store that was located on Market street was truly amazing. It allow me to create wonderful things. It had just about everything I could imagine. The store was very important to San Francisco. Therefore they should have demanded a Government Bailout.
This is such a shame, so many small businesses are shutting down.
Starvin’ Artist in Chicago 1-800- 4artist
651 Graceland Des Plaines, Il 60016
802 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, Il 60304
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