University Art

I love this store. It has great sales, helpful staff, and easy parking. It is full of great supplies and it is convenient when I need something last minute for class.

What happened to this once charming art store? When they were in Palo Alto, I always had good luck finding what I was looking for. The inventory was set apart from other stores. Never had any problem spending money in this store. So, you moved to a new location with a new attitude. Let’s not help anyone in the store. I am shocked at the level of customer service this store does not have. 5 people standing around, one asking the other did you take your break and checking her iPhone. Two others wandering aimlessly around the store by no means asking anyone for help. The inventory is not the same. The people not the same. NO ONE wants to do anything. Let me help myself.

I’ve been to this store a few times now and not once has any staff person acknowledged that I was there, I’ve wandered aimlessly not knowing the location of what I was looking for and staff have walked right by me and not even made eye contact. The last time I was there, there were a few people waiting to make purchases but only one cashier, other staff were standing near by but no one bothered to open another register. When it came to my turn, the cashier barely acknowledged me other than to ring up my items. Customer service is seriously lacking at this store.

I called to find out if they had something in stock a few minutes to 4 pm on a Sunday and they told me they had it in stock without bothering to tell me they were closing. Who closes at 4 pm n Sunday??? Made a trip for nothing!

I needed some odly-​shaped art framed, and I was on a budget. When I first walked in, I was totally lost and didn’t know what type of frames to consider. Within a minute or two, Kacie approached me and asked if she could help. She was so knowledgeable about the inventory in the store – she picked out some really wonderful options for me to compare. My mom has been bringing me along to University Art for as long as I can remember, and now that I’m adult, I really appreciate their excellent customer service and high quality products.

I walked into the new location a few weeks after the move. I didn’t like it. The empty space feel, grey square building lacks character on so many levels.
I also couldn’t hide around browsing through stuff like i could at the Palo Alto location.
I was easily spotted here and no «Where’s Waldo» was I anymore.
The staff is okay. I didn’t find the service to be appalling nor uncomfortable. Just ok.
Overall most things I found are expensive, so being particular does pay off.
Im really sad that they relocated.
However, if you are not fussed with your environment and wonderfully practical in what you want, this is a great place.
I am personally drawn to a charming environment, a sweet service and multitude of options galore. You will step in and cry on the inside and think to yourself, wow, this place got the life sucked out if it, well im here now, might as well.
You will walk out of here thinking, it’s alright or ugh, inconvenient service, options lacking, um ok and of course with a subpar service we become easily critical.
What this shop needs is Travelocity gnomes, happy consumers, regular sales, balloons, free cake and water and an art contest.
Colour the walls, add some decal, roll out a nice rug from the door and eat something healthy like mushrooms.
Bet you anything you will start to see colours again and grey shall be a thing of the past, well, at least here.

I shopped here a few times, mainly for some general art supplies for painting and illustrating. The store is well stocked with student grade and some professional grade art supplies. However they did not carry some of the higher grade paper that FLAX carried. I also had one of my paintings framed – they did a great job. The only complaint here is that it took forever – almost six weeks!
All in all, a pleasant experience with friendly staff and a large inventory of art supplies.

I came here at my teacher’s recommendation for presentation boards for my intro to interior design class. They have their own private parking lot with plenty of spaces, which is nice because they are located on El Camino, a busy street.
I didn’t browse the store too much since I was focused on getting materials for my final project. I found that the staff was very friendly and helpful. When I was walking around all the poster boards trying to figure out what to get, someone approached me to ask if I needed help. I found that I was in the wrong section and he directed me to the exact place where I could find the boards I needed. I don’t purchase art supplies too often, so I’m not sure how the prices compare, but it didn’t seem to be too ridiculous. I paid a little over $ 4 for each presentation board and then a little over $ 3 for some double sided tape. As for the tape, I wasn’t sure if I needed mounting tape for the materials that I would be putting on my board — so I was going to ask the guy at the checkout stand. However, someone actually approached me before I even made it! She was very nice and seemed very honest about what I should get. Not trying to get me to just buy the most expensive thing. I felt that overall, everyone was very helpful and kind.
One thing to note is that if you need any of the boards cut to size, they can do it but not on Sundays (which is when I came). But they did say if I needed it that I could leave it and they would do it first thing Monday (they don’t cut on Sundays because they’re short staffed).

The building lacks charm — it is a large metal shed. I can handle that — what I have a real problem with is… I have been there three times and purchased items. All three times the prices rang up incorrectly and I was treated like it was my fault. The cashier has a very bad attitude. If she doesn’t like her job she needs to find a new one and stop making paying customers feel like they are doing something wrong. This retail establishment has been around for a long time and they need to get their act together. Items scanning at the wrong price is not cool or good for business.

It really is a bummer that a single landlord in palo alto was able to uproot this local establishment… (and then leave that building abandoned…)
With that being said, their new location is amazing and spacious. It flows better than before, and has plenty of items in stock. Everyone working there is enjoyable, and talkative.
They are even holding art classes at their new location! Check them out!
p. s. last time i stopped by they had a candy bowl as you walked out :)

Well I was hopeful with a new location and a sparkling new space there might be some new enthusiasm and customer oriented service improvements. Well, forget that. Same old «how can’t I help you» attitude.
«We don’t do that on Sundays,» «We’re too busy to help you with that,» «we don’t do that,» «we’ve never done that.»
Sure, nice to have an art supply store in the area, but Aaron Brothers does a pretty good job of stocking some supplies and really treats it’s customers well. At a fraction of the cost and none of the attitude.
My vote: stay away from University Arts unless you desperately need something right now. I’ll vote with my pocket book to stay away from the over priced stock and rude attitudes…

Great addition to Redwood City, which has been scarce on art supplies, card shops and gift stores. Now we’ve a one-​stop-​shop for all! Convenient free parking lot behind the store. All-​around, an inspiring place!

great new addition to rwc! lucky for me, it’s just a couple of blocks away from my house so i don’t even need to drive! greeting cards, small gifts, art supplies, photo frames and more all at my fingertips. the new space is great, much bigger than the storefront in downtown palo alto, with dedicated parking. easy access to highway 84 & 101.