I'm happy to support this local, family-owned business, not only for the aforementioned reasons but…read morealso because their employees are both knowledgeable and helpful. I tend to come in to have prints matted and/or framed. Archival materials are the norm. The staff will also mat to ready-made frame sizes or custom. Their training also makes choosing mats easier. "Do you want bright white or eggshell white?" "Let's look at them together." Additionally, they offer to amend things that I didn't notice. A print I asked to have matted and framed was slightly curved. I was assured the print would be flattened prior to being matted and framed so it would sit more snugly. I'm sure most customers would appreciate that attention to detail. Here's to hoping this establishment continues to provide goods and services to this community for a long time to come.

This store has been around for years and always has a great selection of products. My mom loves…read moreadult coloring books and comes here to stock up on assorted color pencils. They sell the pencils individually so she can selectively restock the ones she runs out of most. Apparently, green is the most frequently used color for all the grass in landscapes so she can buy individual ones here very reasonably instead of buying a whole new package of pencils. They also have a nice selection of gift items like small pouches, reusable bags, socks, cards and assorted small art themed things. The selection of easels is extensive and includes table easels and standing easels. Tons of canvas, paints and paint brushes. Prices are reasonable. I found the staff a little overbearing (they greeted me multiple times) when I entered the store but were friendly at checkout. Highly recommend.

There is nothing wrong with the balloons I ordered online from Michaels. However, DO NOT BUY…read moreBALLOONS THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE! I was told by a salesperson at the store that you can order balloons online at Michaels, and bring them in for inflation with helium. I assumed that Michaels works the same way as a grocery store selling and filling their balloons for the cost of the balloon itself. I thus ordered balloons for a baby shower from the Michaels' website. However, upon bringing them in for inflation, I was told by the manager that Michaels sold this set of 10 mylar heart balloons through a third party. Michaels will only inflate these third-party balloons for $3.00 a piece. This makes a simple mylar balloon cost now $6 each. The Michaels website reads: "Order online and pick up your pre-inflated balloons in store." They do NOT mention that inflation with helium is a hefty separate charge, or let you know that they do NOT inflate for free all of the ones they sell on the Michaels website. To compensate me as this is not a clear policy on their website, they gave me a $15 gift card towards the cost of the $30 helium charge. My advice: save your money and go elsewhere for balloons!

Yesterday I attempted to purchase silk flowers that were clearly marked 80% off -- for all spring…read moreand summer decoration. The register marked them at regular price. The attendant refused to listen, claiming that she couldn't do anything. Two other ladies behind me also carried similar flowers and we all inquired about the misleading signs throughout the store. The attendant refused to call a manager. We all left behind the intended items of purchase. Michael's at Albany is becoming a disappointment of shopping experience. Don't advertise a price you can't honor.

Lots of cool Albany swag. Even if you live here, you'll want a sweatshirt! Or a shot glass with…read moreNipper on it. Lots of unique things too, from body butter to bar tender essentials to books about Albany. Stop by and browse! It's a small boutique located in downtown on Broadway.

While I do understand that the ownership has changed and inevitably will give the store a different…read morevibe, my main issue has been that in the times I have been into this store since the change in ownership and management, the staff has been unpleasant and on one occasion in particular, made my friend and I feel very uncomfortable as she had a loud and extremely personal phone call during the entire time we were in the store without even acknowledging that we were there at all. I do think the selection has always been great, and I appreciate the emphasis on supporting local work, although that also seems to have changed a bit since the change. It is a pricey location for most things, but I do always enjoy seeing what is in the store, the card selection is consistently excellent, and it is a great place to find a gift!

When I walked in, I wasn't greeted, even though staff acknowledged other customers who entered…read moreafter me. I spent about 15 minutes browsing and tried to ask a question about a title I was looking for, but the response I received felt dismissive and rushed. The staff member didn't make eye contact and seemed uninterested in helping. What stood out most to me was the difference in tone and attentiveness shown to other customers compared to my interaction. I left feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome, which was disappointing because I wanted to support a local bookstore.

I have stopped twice while waiting for a patient at the Stram center nearby. The selection is…read morewonderful- books of course, but also lots of gifts! There is jewelry, cards, socks, reusable bags, toys, journals and 3-D flower arrangements (paper). The staff is friendly and helpful. I think I heard them offer to gift wrap! Shopping local is SO much more rewarding than waiting for an Amazon box to arrive.

I have had 20+ pieces framed over the past few years and extremely happy with their work…read more Meticulously created frames, creatively helpful and friendly staff, and fair pricing. Thank you!

Hippie basement. On my visit, their toilet was overflowing poop in the store! Clueless clown sells…read moreoutsourced stuff. Never got a call when my large and pricy order was ready. Review: 1

They did a wonderful job with the silk flowers. Knowledgeable and reasonably priced. I highly…read morerecommend them.

Good selection, comparable to other hobby lobby's I visited…read more I wish, just once, that checking out wasn't a nightmare. It feels like once you're in line they don't care. They had me go to a shorter line, which was for returns, when I had no return. I must have watched 20 customers behind me leave before me. A 15 minute wait for 2 customers ahead of me. I'll admit this seems to be an issue at most locations. I don't think this corporation will ever figure it out, and because of that I generally avoid these stores.

This new Hobby Lobby opened in Aug 2019 and took over the old Toys 'R Us / Babies 'R Us building…read moreafter they had been closed for a while. I wondered at why they opened another one only 5 miles down the road from the one in Latham. The sales associate said it's also smaller by about 10,000 sq ft, but I couldn't tell because it had the same amount of shelf space for the hobbies that I like, so it's no big difference to me. I can't believe that a Hobby Lobby would require more square footage than a Toys 'R Us! If you're a bargain hunter like me, you'll find some gems at steal prices in the clearance section, but since this is a new store, there aren't a lot of marked down stuff yet, as expected. One of my favorite hobbies is model rocketry and HL has a dedicated section stocked with a variety of kits, launchers and engines to outfit your own (scaled down) Cape Canaveral launch site. But alas, they worked out a deal with the manufacturer (Estes) to discount their line and the 40% off coupon can no longer be used on those products ("Your Price," yellow tag). I took home a rocket kit anyway and applied the weekly 40% off coupon to an electric slot car. I'll have to stop in here again in the future, when we're in this area again.

I had an amazing experience at The Pottery Place in Albany, NY! This charming studio offers a…read morefantastic selection of pre-made pottery to paint, along with helpful guidance for beginners. The staff was incredibly friendly and patient, and I ended up having a really great time The atmosphere was so relaxing, and the studio was clean and well-organized. I loved that I could take my time painting my piece, the turn around time for firing and glazing was quite quick--my finished mug turned out even better than I imagined

The people who work there have no idea had to work with older adults or children…read more The explanation of the paints was so fast and not really in a way either group could understand No one offered help or explanation at the tables Obviously these people are burnt out and should get different jobs The expense would be worth it if there was any kind of enthusiasm offered I had the same bag issue but I can live with that My grandkids loved the final product but I would never repeat or recommend this experience