Tai Pan Trading

If you even REMOTELY consider yourself a crafter, please do yourself a favor and check out Tai Pan!
It is sometimes hit and miss as to what you’ll find, and some things can be on the pricey side. This is the best place (that I’ve found) for glassware in Boise. Lots of fun special-​occasion decorations.
The quality is fairly hit and miss, as well. Some things feel sturdy, while others cheap and flimsy. Unless you’ve been in before, plan a little extra time for your visit so you can really check out what they have to offer. There is a ton.
The staff is friendly, but because of the warehouse style setup, you don’t get much contact with them until checkout (unless someone happens to be restocking the floor or something).
I live downtown, and hate making the trip out to Hobby Lobby on Eagle Road, so this is always my first go-​to when I’m on the hunt for something «crafty.»

Would not have been a store I would have sought out as destination as I tend to avoid imports from China when making purchases. Issues of working conditions for the people doing the labor to create the goods and balance of trade lead me to normally look for North American continent, UK or other Western European originators for purchases. That said, I was on the hunt for square baskets for closet shelves in a rental and Tai Pan was next to Cost Plus so in I went. Although it is not a store I would have on my regular rotation, I can see how this would be a good once in a while pop in if one were looking for unique accessories. Were I in the interior designer biz, I would have this on my rotation.
THE BACKSTORY
I learned Tai Pan is an importer that relies on low pricing and touts quality goods. Some items seemd more «trinkets and trash’ than quality goods. And furniture here was a big step below quality from my single look see.
Prices on most items did indeed seem low, and this was marked as «outlet» store so perhaps lower than other Tai Pan locations? Not sure but I learned there are additional stores in Utah (where the business originated in 2005) and two in Southern California.
THE GOODS
For the careful shopper I can see how there could be some very good bargains to be had. For example, large «palace sized» mirrors in a couple of different framing styles at really great prices of under $ 200, always versatile batter bowls in multiple colors for less than three bucks each, garden accessories like big stone mushrooms and ceramic turtles that could double as interior items for a couple of sawbucks and the list goes on and on.
As does the interior of this huge, warehouse feeling space itself. If had I had more time on the day of my visit, I would have wandered longer. I was on a hunting not a gathering mission and that meant on a schedule too. But if you have time to wander around here, I think you’d find something for every room in the house.
THE SERVICE
Maybe because of the discount pricing, warehouse format of the store but service was non existent during shopping. You know the «Are you looking for something in particular? Are you finding what you need? May I answer any questions?» from sales staff. Although the woman at the check out counter was pleasant, in my lone experience here I’d say set your service expectations to the warehouse shopping level and you’ll be good to go.
THIS N THAT:
1) PARKING: Ample lot for the strip mall where this is located.
2) ACCESSIBILITY: Level in and throughout, most aisleways and displays have ample clear floor space.
3) THE PALACE MIRROR «THING»: You really don’t need a huge space to hang one of these huge mirrors. I’ve never used one in my own homes, not a fan of seeing myself in a mirror, but they are a fav of interior designers to help make a space look bigger and grander.
4) DIDN’T KNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR GROAN: With Memorial Day and July 4 on the horizon, I didn’t know whether to laugh or groan that the very first thing to great shoppers in this imported from China goods store was a huge display of red, white and blue Americana items. But if you’re looking for items in that motif, they have them here.

«I love Tai Pan, too!» –me, a year ago
I have gone here several times since they arrived in Boise and purchased SEVERAL adorable, affordable, unique pieces for my home… then I took some time off from Tai Pan… and when I went back (September 2013) it was awful. Prices went by up at least 100% and quality went for a giant nose dive. Wooden furniture was rickety. Jewelry was cheap (!!!), hollow plastic crap, and the sale items were on sale because they were broken. Literally. I was so disappointed with the poor quality and the HIGH prices, I’m not sure I’ll go back again. It’s sad, because I truly used to love this place. :(If they bump the prices back down to where they were and/​or if the prices reflected the quality, I would give a much higher review… but $ 99 for a fake-​wood table that wobbles, is poorly crafted and cheaply painted is not a deal.
«Bye byem Tai Pan.» –me, now

I love Tai Pan! This place is a woman’s dream, they have jewelry, accessories, bags, home décor, holiday décor, glass and glassware, jars, china, bakeware, it just goes on. Everything is either already at a great price or is on sale. You can find some awesome glass jars or pieces for BOGO. The white bakeware section is amazing, you can get housewarming/​hostessing gifts for cheap. They also carry a scentsy-​like brand of wax called Beanie Melts– great scents and long lasting. The people who work there are always friendly.