Top Notch Art Supply

It's hit or miss. Sometimes they have supplies I need and sometimes not. A lot of the things they carry are overpriced.
I would never pay to have framework done because it's outrageous.
I mean I guess if you need a quick canvas or tube of oil paint you're good to go. Most items have to be ordered.
Customer service is also hit or miss. Sometimes it's on and sometimes it's not. Depends on the mood of the store clerks on any given day I suppose.

Horrible customer service. Good thing they're closing. Manager is awful and rude to paying customers. Will not be returning.

When I was a student not too long ago, I would always stop at Top Notch to pick up my art supplies before going anywhere else. Top Notch Art Centre is a small fine art supplies store with most of the standard art supplies (and more) that you could ask for, especially for drawing and painting. They also do custom framing and have some art prints for sale.

In truth there were a couple times that I couldn't find some supplies I needed, but that didn't matter. While the sales associates were helpful and friendly, the main reason I kept coming back to the store was because of their unbeatable back to school/start of the term sales.

After the start of the fall and spring terms, Top Notch has a 40% off everything sale. One year, it lasted a week or two... another year it was over a few weekends. Be on the lookout for flyers around campus (especially in the art buildings) that advertise these sales. Also, if you happen to miss the 40% off sale, you can save 20% off your total purchase everyday if you're a student. (I had a little card that I kept on my keyring.) The semester I took a drawing class, I bought a large portfolio bag... the original price was around $40. I also picked up all sorts of pencils, paper pad(s) and miscellaneous art supplies that day. Guess what? I ended up paying only $40 and getting all of the pencils, paper and supplies for FREE because of the 40% off sale!!! If that's not cool, I don't know what is.

Oh yeah and even if you don't go during the back to school sale or if you aren't a student and can't get that 20% discount, Top Notch has some pretty good prices and lots of things on sale/clearance all the time anyway!

It's a shame one of the other reviewers had a poor experience at Top Notch, but I've been shopping there fairly frequently in the past year and I've always had a pleasant experience.

I'll admit that I don't shop around too much for art supply prices, but I can say with confidence that the majority (if not all) of their items are more affordable than what you'd find at a university book store, especially considering that they have a huge sale at the beginning of each semester as well as a year-round student discount. In my experience, they have a wider variety of products as well, at varying price points, just in case you can't afford top of the line, professional quality supplies.

I've always been able to find everything I need there and the staff is friendly and helpful. The fact that it is within walking distance from my campus is a HUGE plus.

I've had many prior good experiences with this store and it's staff, but the 'manager' I dealt with today was insulting, rude, and defensive, and she should not be dealing with the public. She may have been under stress, but no excuse. Good thing the store is going out of business. Hopefully manager's next job is not in customer service.

Top Notch is an ok art store in the heart of Craig Street in Oakland. They specialize in art and craft supplies as well as in framing.

Their art supply selection is ok, but expensive and not comprehensive. The layout and vibe of the store is kind of awkward: skinny aisles with too-tall shelves and bad yellow fluorescent lighting. This is mostly good in a pinch if you need something basic.

They almost always have what I need and if they don't they either order it or tell me where to find it. I know paint brushes are expensive but they're not too bad here.
Very friendly staff.

I had a great experience here- found what I needed and the guys that were there were super friendly. Was comparison shopping on Amazon while I was looking for the supplies I needed - the prices were comparable and the back to school sale made it even better.

I signed up for Yelp today just to give this review. That is how miffed I am about my experience at this store.

This place completely sucks.

They have a very poor selection of art supplies and they are overpriced.

I went in today to ask about framing prices, and the staff person was a complete jerk to me. She was not helpful in the least, would not give me any information at all, and was completely unfriendly and lazy. I will NEVER go this store again. I hope they go out of business. If they treat their customers this way, they should expect to.

Go to Artist and Craftsman Supply on Wightman instead and support a small business that is actually run by good people who are helpful and knowledgeable. Don't go to Top Notch. Ever.

I am a professional artist. Every time I have been in this store, 4 times total, I thought I was completely inconveniencing them. A few times I had a question about a new project and supplies, other times I knew exactly what I needed and could get in and out.

The second to last time I was told they were closing in 5 minutes and I could not shop. I needed 2 things and would have been out of the store in 4 minutes.

The staff is not friendly AT ALL. Its a shame, it is a cool space that could really have a great vibe instead of poor lighting and a horrible attitude!