This is one of the biggest and most comprehensive hobby shops I have been to in a long, long time…read more These don't exist anymore in NYC, having gone extinct by lack of interest and internet commerce. Supplying many of these hobbies have been relegated to a few shelves in big-box craft shops like Michaels and Hobby Lobby in the US. Once I found Imperial Hobbies on Yelp during our vacation and it was near our hotel, I made my plans. I dropped my wife off for her spa day and this was going to be my spa day ;) The store is in a group of buildings almost at the end of the runway of Vancouver Airport (YVR). If you hang around, you'll see tons of airliners approaching for landings and roaring off on take offs. I just couldn't believe the selection of plastic models of planes, armor, cars and trucks along with complete selections of paint and finishing materials. It's these types of stores that I would spend hours in as a boy, but could only stare wide-eyed because I never had much money back then. But now as an adult with a job and disposable income, I probably would have gone broke if I didn't have to pack everything into my luggage to fly home. The favorable CAD$ to USD$ exchange rate also helped a lot in my shopping. I ended up with a couple of scale plastic model kits and a flying model rocket that are rare, out of production kits or very hard to find, even on-line.

worker was rude. he couldve said excuse me instead of raising his voice as i walk walking into the…read morestore

I was recently in the market for a good puzzle glue, of all things, and it had to be REALLY good,…read moreas the puzzle in question was very special and pricey (limited edition, and a gift from a dear friend). I am familiar with DeSerres stores as they are a national, high-end arts supply store, and when I used to be a student in design school, we'd often get specialized items here in Montreal, years ago. I went online and saw that they carry not one but TWO good puzzle glues, so off I went, to find this store. I found the place easily, on Grandview, close to the Italian Community Center where I got my COVID booster a while back. And right off the bat, I was impressed that there was a dedicated parking lot for their clients. Free parking? Yes, please! Upon entering the store, a young woman who was manning the cash greeted me, and I asked her where the puzzle glue was. She knew exactly where and told me which aisle. As I walked to the area, I was struck by all the canvases, acrylic paints and brushes. What a great selection, and all of excellent brands. (Not the kind at generic craft stores). I also was struck by all the artsy "toys" - the kinds I've not seen elsewhere. Know a kid who's creative? This truly would be the place to get him or her gifts. I didn't go upstairs, but it was clear there was a second floor. I was amazed at all the puzzles they had. I didn't remember DeSerres having puzzles and toys, only art supplies. And the puzzles they had were excellent quality ones, like Ravensburger, and all depicted scenes and artworks that I've never seen on puzzles before. I don't think you'd have to worry about missing pieces or ill-fitting pieces if you got any of these puzzles. I couldn't find the puzzle glue, but the employee who greeted me came to check on my progress in finding what I came here for, and when I told her there were no glues in the aisle, she said they just got a shipment of stuff "in the back" and she'd go check. So nice! Unfortunately, when she returned she said that no glues were in that shipment and the next shipment isn't for another week or two. Darn it. I had assumed if an item was on their website, it'd be in stock in the store. Next time I'll know to call first to check. The employee suggested I try maybe Michael's or another craft store (I forget the name), and I thanked her for her help. She really tried to help me out and I appreciated it. The prices at this store are not cheap, but we're not dealing with cheap merchandise. Just call first if you're looking for a specialized item.

I am reviewing this based on my experience as a disabled person and also the parent of a child who…read moreuses a wheelchair. This place COULD be accessible but it isn't. The door opens directly on to the sidewalk, but there is no handicapped door opener. They keep sale items upstairs. There is an elevator but a key is needed and it takes you to a staff only area. It's clear that the primary purpose of the elevator is staff moving items and not accessibility for people who can not use stairs. We felt like complete afterthoughts trying to shop here.

First point, the customer service from and staff and ownership is second to none. Theresa and her…read moreshopkeeps are warm, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Secondly, the store is thoroughly stocked with floor to ceiling materials for most any project you could conceive. World renowned artists frequent and are continual attracted to shop here for a reason! Thirdly, Rath also offers local feature window displays, quality handmade items and supports independent artists year round. They have created a beautiful community footprint! And if you don't care about any of that? Just go get your paint and be very happy with your purchase and experience!

Best art store in the city! Don't judge a book by it's cover: This place may be tiny but it has all…read moreyour artsy needs covered! The selection is smaller than Opus or DeSerres, but everything they carry is very high quality, even the things priced on the lower end, and they have some specialty items i've never seen at those other larger stores! I popped in yesterday to grab a new tube of white paint and noticed cans of specialty enamel paint for hand-lettering signs... Coincidentally I have an outdoor sign for a store just waiting to be painted, and after the owner told me the benefits of using that paint rather than plain jane acrylic i was sold! I'm so happy that i can provide one of my clients with better quality work thanks to the advice I got at Rath! Basically one of my favorite things about the place is the staff! If i have a question about anything, i'm always way more confident asking the super friendly, very knowledgeable owner about something than i am any of hired guns at Opus and DeSerres. The only thing: Don't come in here if you're looking for scrap booking supplies, tubes of glitter, jewelery making kits (etc etc!). Rath sells art supplies, plain and simple, so if your creativity falls into the crafting end of the spectrum you're best off going to DeSerres. If you aren't sure if they carry what you're looking for, just give them a call!

I'll preface this with the fact that I'm not a collector or super big into gaming or anime for…read moreawareness. The shop is pretty small but has a lot of models from a variety of games and shows. I was greeted by the empire when I arrived. However they err pretty busy with a customer so I didn't really talk to them. Price wise, I am not the best judge since I don't know how these sort of models typically run for.

An unexpected visit to Kerrisdale led me to this small, collectible store, with an abundance of…read morefigurines, ranging from various Japanese animation series, like One Piece, to Marvel. The prices were reasonable, too, especially when you compare them online, and I was able to pick up a little Funko on my way out. They do sell a lot of Funkos, and I'm usually not the type to collect, but I couldn't resist getting Sanji. I don't see One Piece Funkos often, so I was happy to have stopped by and will likely visit again. I don't agree with the comment below that says that owner was distant/cold, but rather, he was working to display more figurines/merchandise for customers and did greet those who entered.

I like this Michael's location. It is clean and organized inside. The isles are spacious. Plenty of…read moreparking inside. They sell items ranging from t-shirts, art supplies to candies or kitchen items. Prices are not bad when it comes to picture frames. They also offer services on custom frames.

Just before 9:00 pm I scanned my purchase 181.00 - my daughter was having difficulty with her…read morepurchase and the manager was assisting her - I had a question about a price of items I thought were on sale - when the manager came to speak with me it was 9:00pm - we went to look at the sign to see the sale - I was mistaken- I had picked up the wrong items - I said one minute let me pick up the sale items and the manager said I'm sorry - the store is closed - I can put the items on hold for you. I was shocked as the rest of my purchase was already to be paid for - I cancelled the purchase and left - I will not return to that store

I was at the store today to pick up a couple of picture frames ordered online…read more I also purchased more frames and water color pencils when there. Sandra went to great lengths to get me the 40% off coupon. Michaels has the most gorgeous frames. Unfortunately most of the gold ones that I liked were all sold out.

I tried paying for spray paint, was 2nd in line, seconds later I get to pay, however Worker 1 asked…read moreif I could use the machine instead, I mentioned well we're both right here no? He walked away so I used machine, he then just stood there, chatting to coworker, going on phone, and machine was glitching. Worker 2 comes over and I said can I just pay for this? She said yes and said she could help me, then walks to a machine and scans it for me then now I have to sign in, I forgot password, I asked if I could just pay? She said yes then walks away, eventually making her way to her stall, and then asks me to use machine (still can't sign in) I thought I was being punked, absolutely weird experience. I just left the paint. CAN WORKERS JUST ACCEPT PAYMENT PLEASE INSTEAD OF JUST ASKING US TO USE MACHINE WHEN WE ARE RIGHT THERE AT YOUR COUNTER.

This is my new favorite store in Vancouver. I know, I know,…read moreit's not a new store. It's been around a long time. But it's new to me - and I FREAKIN' LOVE IT. I was wandering around Gastown the other day - I'm not often in the area, - and I stumbled upon this fabulous gift and card shop. It's small but wow, it packs a punch. I'm a sucker for stationery stores. I love greeting cards - the wittier, the more twisted, the better. I love funky household gift items (mostly for myself, truth be known!). I love fun tchotchkes that I can collect through the year and then put in my adult kids' Christmas stockings or give to them, out of the blue, to cheer them up. I love fun socks, clever games, colorful jigsaw puzzles, gorgeous wrapping papers and gift bags, Vancouver ornaments and Prosser art canvases. In other words, I love everything this store sells. They have a box that says "FREE" on it and it contains various items - all free. I got a small structured mylar-esque lunchbox that zippers up and has cute graphics of bike riders all over it. Totally new, with tags! I put all my purchases in it and carried it home, planning to give it to a friend who's a big bike enthusiast. SO nice. Another bonus is how incredibly nice the folks are who work here. As soon as I entered this place, I could see it was my kind of store, so I told the guy behind the counter that I love this store and I am going to be here a while (lol). He and I laughed and chatted and I browsed the store for a long, long time, getting a bunch of fun things along the way, chuckling at the funny (and some risqué) cards, admiring all the framing work they do (oh yeah, I should mention that they're essentially a framing shop!), and just loving everything about this fun shop.

What a great shop to find funny/unique cards and small gift items. The staff are wonderful and…read morekindly provided me with a Blue Jays balloon for my son. I come here for all of my birthday and other greeting cards.

Just spent several hours in Michael's frame department getting custom frames done. Lexie and Corina…read morewere amazing and such patience in spending the time with me. You both are such an asset to the store and the department. Thanks very much

This is a fairly large store a diverse selection of crafts & decor. It is always clean and usually…read morestocked well. Most things are overpriced but with their coupons (easily available on their app),they become 'normally' priced. Staffing is alway a bit minimal- not many on the floor and usually need a few more on cash. The fabric section has a lot of licensed prints (ie. Harry Potter, Disney..) BUT.... beware of buying fabric here. Fabric should be cut on the grain -especially for prints and the last time I purchased here the fabric was cut at a terrible angle. I bought & paid for 1.5 meters but in actuality I got 9 cm short. My pattern required a lot of shifting to get it to fit and my daughter's pyjama pants became pj shorts. Not impressed as stores are usually meticulous about cutting accurately and even allowing extra for shrinking.