08/02/2008

First, I have to admit that I'm ashamed.  I don't know when this store opened -- my memory tells me that it's been there for a while -- and I can't believe I'd never entered. After joining Yelp and seeing all the rave reviews, I had to check it out.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I entered the store.

The store gets five stars on selection of product alone. You could wander the ATL and have to hit at least ten stores to combine the variety that this store offers under one roof: art supplies, scrapbook supplies, office supplies and furniture, printing services, inspirational design books, exotic wrapping paper, custom frames, portfolios ...

Everything I could think of, it had. I picked up a 2007 Logo library book for some inspiration when my freelance clients start bugging me. I wanted to bring home some sheets of papyrus, but I wasn't sure what I would do with them other than attempt to donate them to a local Gwinnett museum (surely they hadn't actually seen papyrus this far out in the burbs).  I happily showed off the same Aeron chairs that we have in our Turner offices to my wife and she complained about her office ... we spent two hours just walking around the store and looking at everything.

Of course, extra star for the staff -- for being so obviously out of our depth, they were very helpful and asked us if they could be of assistance numerous times.  Maybe it was just our blank, awed stares, but it was appreciated given how busy the store was on a Saturday afternoon.

I can't draw -- I'm a computer-aided design type of guy -- but this store made me wish I could.