The Idea Store

this has been my favorite place on earth for several years, there's never a dull moment here; it takes a bit of searching but there are tons of treasures to be found

also: this is probably not the place for you IF...
1. You're not really artsy
2. You can't overcome functional fixedness
3. You can't wait in line for more than a few minutes
4. You don't think employees shouldn't take a well earned break
5. You expect to see new items for sale constantly in a typical consumerist fashion

their slogan is "make art, not trash" for a reason! Just saying...

ok so I have been going to the idea since I moved here 2years ago I have bought some great things a a great price but the prices have went up lately I get that it's because of rent increases employees pay but everything is donated I hope that it stays open

This shop is so eclectic!! It is very difficult to describe what the store has to offer. You really need to check it out for yourself! I like to shop for buttons, fabric, and sewing supplies. You never know what you will find! My teenage granddaughters shop for items for crafts. There is really something for everyone. The prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend the Idea store!!

What a special store this is. The concept and mindfulness from this store is very lovely.

You can get reused items that can be repurposed at a student friendly price.

I've gotten a jar for my utensils, post cards, and even sand paper.

Update: Got a call from the store to apologize and to let us know our stuffs are still there. I appreciate their response and do hope they will train their staffs about how to better communicate with their customers.

A week ago, their credit card machine was down and a lady helped us hold our stuffs and said we could pick up anytime. Today we went there, another lady with short hair and glasses, who was rude, impatient, and impolite, claimed they would never hold stuffs for customers, and even asking the other guy who would say that to the customers. The lady didn't even want to put her things down and spend a minute to check for us. I would appreciate if they can have a more friendly staff for such a cute store in our nice town. Very bad experience today. The lady has ruined all our good experience with this store from the past.

Jan. 2021 Update: A very belated update! Their "new" location in Lincoln Square Mall is wonderful. Much more accessible to those with mobility issues (compared to their old location, which was upstairs). Everything is most as beautifully organized as ever. They've remained safety-conscious during the pandemic - providing hand sanitizer, limiting the number of customers, and even waving their $5 minimum for card purchases.

This place used to be really cool. However, they are so overflowing with the junk in their storage room that they refuse to sell, that the place is looking pretty weak. They would rather have pop up sales then actually sell merchandise that the customers want. Pricing is erratic and the people are a little bit creepy.

Also don't bother trying to donate to them they just tell you no.

This is always my first stop whenever I do a creative project. There is a huge selection of art and craft supplies--some ordinary and some deliciously offbeat. Some of their offerings include vintage photographs and slides, game pieces and playing cards, yarns and fabrics, pretty papers, crafting tools, tins and spools, and some fabulous ephemera. All of it donated / recycled so it has the ambiance of a really awesome upscale garage sale.

The prices are shocking in a good way ("Seriously? Just two dollars for all of THAT?") and all the money earned benefits the local school system, so you can feel good about that as well.

The only negatives are the limited hours and the fact that it can be a bit confusing for a new buyer to understand how the items are priced. (Many items are sold by weight.)

They also host some events now and then, which are specialized sales of an extra roomful of specific items (camera equipment, fabrics, jewelry, etc.)

If you want to donate things, be sure to check out their online information (website, Facebook) beforehand. There are specific items they take and others they don't, plus lately there are some time frames -- maybe a couple of weeks at a time --where they are just processing previous donations and not taking any new ones.

I've made everything from a poster for a student organization to room decor from supplies I've found here. If you're a swing dancer, raid the fake flowers for hair accessories. I also tend to find old map paper and photos for fun decorations.

They sell everything by the pound here, for mere cents and dollars. I think the most expensive thing I bought was two dollars at most. Keep an open mind, and this place is your oyster.

Let your imagination go wild.
This place is a treasure chest for vintage items, arranged in a random assortment alongside other unique items and scrap parts. Their stock ranges from small envelopes and post cards to plastic and rubber materials. Prices are more than reasonable. Can't wait to go back!