Lewiscraft closing - for good

[uftaki]

For those of you who don't know, Lewiscraft is a chain of entry-level craft supply stores. They stock absolutely everything there, that people might and would need for all sorts of various projects.

String, yarn, wool, felt, foam, styrofoam, inexpensive paints, feathers, beads, clay, FIMO, needles, velcro, glue, wax, etc.

It was a place where you could go to buy entry-level craft projects, to see if this would be something you were interested in, or for school/camp crafts, etc. Crafts such as: embroidery, knitting, paint-by-number, beading, doll-making, stained-glass-window painting, wood-painting, clay sculpture, pottery/flower arrangements, suncatchers, etc.

It also always had seasonal crafts too... special things for Halloween, Easter, Christmas and the like.

And now all the chains have been bought out by another company, and all stores are closing. The stores were bought -- apparantly -- for liquidation. As far as I know, they won't be opening again.

So WHERE, pray tell... are we supposed to go NOW for all our craft needs?! Where are students supposed to go, to get supplies for their school projects? Where are people who are curious in trying a new craft supposed to find afforable entries into those fields?

Oh, sure... YES there are a couple special art stores scattered around the Lower Mainland that I know of, but they are specialty art stores. They stock the high-quality stuff... for the serious artists. They don't stock anything like Lewiscraft used to stock.

Lewiscraft was -- to the best of my knowledge -- the ONLY arts & crafts supply store of it's kind around. Okay, I didn't have a membership, and didn't shop there ALL the time... but I certainly DID make frequent use out of it! And I KNOW a lot of other people did too. A lot of people who -- like me -- are now asking "what do we do now?"

I don't know where else to go, to find all the sorts of things Lewiscraft used to stock. Neither do many others.

A lot of people are now left hanging, directionless... out of luck when it comes to arts and crafts.

Thanks a lot, corporate greed. I know I don't know much behind the story, but one of my neighbours did work for Lewiscraft... and from the sounds of it... the only reason Lewiscraft was bought out was for liquidation... extra cash in their pockets. XP

I'm bummed by this news... I just hope that SOMEONE will establish a new chain of arts & crafts supply stores in Lewiscraft's place. Because this is definately going to leave a void....

Comments

[uneide.livejournal.com]

Well, there's Michaels... for somethings I found they were actually cheaper than LC... oh! Actually, we were plannign an afternoon trip next week to the craft warehouse we used to get things for our wedding, mostly to see if its still there. Wanna come with? Then we can go out for your bday ?:)

[uneide.livejournal.com]

*cough* and this time, I promise -not- to drive? ^_^;;

[uftaki.livejournal.com]

*lol* Perhaps... There's nothing I need now, actually.... I was just thinking in the long run. There aren't many Michaels about... :/ At least Lewiscraft was wide-spread, and easy to get to.

That sounds like it might be a fun thing to do, though... if just to look around. :3 Hopefully my cough'll be all gone by that point. *lol*

[ice-kitten.livejournal.com]

gaaaaaaah they're closing?! -_-!!!!!!!!!!

[katsuyakaiba.livejournal.com]

Awwww....I'm sorry man.

[rill.livejournal.com]

There are actually quite a few. Like Apis said Michaels. There's also Canada Crafts which has a huuuuuuuuuuge warehouse of stuff out in Burnaby near the SilverCity and also a 2 story biiiiig space downtown as well. I think they probably have other locations and they have lots of stuff like Michaels. Same thing can be said of Loomis. I personally haven't shopped at Lewiscraft in over 3 years....

Other than that there are typically smaller more specialized stores depending on the craft, as well as art specialty stores.

[uftaki.livejournal.com]

hmm.... I haven't heard of that one (Canada Crafts). o.o; Where in Burnaby is this? I should check them out.

I'm just a little disappointed, since Lewiscraft was so prominent, and easy-to-get to for a lot of people. That there ARE alternatives lifts my spirits up... ^.^