Its a lovely little store that embodies the phrase One mans trash is another mans treasure. As a kid I found a pulley that I loved, and as an adult I find little pins, useful household items, and countless gizmos I never knew I needed (or wanted, I realize, as I convince myself NOT to buy a giant letter e). Its lovely and even if you dont end up getting anything its quite pleasant to just look around.
I love the concept of this store, but at least one particular cashier seemed to discriminate against customers based on race, on multiple occasions telling me at checkout that my items are mislabeled and making me pay more. I have witnessed this same cashier allowing a Caucasian gentleman to purchase a mislabeled item at the incorrect, much lower price after jovially bantering with him. Going by other reviews it appears I am not the only reviewer who experienced this kind of discrimination. Despite what I look like, I am a lawful US citizen and a member of this community, and I shouldnt have to disclose that to get fair treatment at a place of business. I have emailed the business about this and received no reply, which is why one star is the highest rating I can possibly give.
Before you look for a basic art supply, check out the IDEA Store. It might save you a little expense (or a lot; Ive been able to get some pretty nice tech pen sets from there for much less than retail or wholesale--a few missing nibs is not a bad trade-off for a great price overall). Their inventory is a paradise for crafters, makers, artists, textile crafters, collectors, re-purposers, and anyone who wants to let their mind wander through associations with a near past.
Great place to go for any random project you might have. The have everything from buttons to chess pieces to bottles to bolts of cloth to sewing machines to magnets to cds to cardboard tubes to baseball cards even antique slides for an old school projector.
Quirky, weird, artistic, and queer. This is the place to be if you need a little bit of everything or nothing at all. Paper, journals, cardboard, nails, rocks, straws, old photographs, cheap frames, CD cases, vinyl records, if you can make art with it you can find it here.
They have everything you never knew you needed, plus a TON of stuff youre looking for. Great staff, clean shop, always recommend!! 👍👍
The most unique thrift store Ive ever visited!
Could spend hours here. Never know what youll find
I dont think Ive been to a better store, absolutely incredible how the staff was so eager and ready to answer any and all questions, treasure finds were very cheap (please dont resell people, use and reuse!), and the atmosphere was unlike any other! I love this place
Love this place. Always a good time.
I am so grateful for the person that opened the IDEA store. It’s environment- friendly, it’s cheap. I believe so many people are also very very happy that this store exists. Send love to the owner and all the great volunteers working there
What a cool craft store! Just about anything you want can be found here, and a lot of surprising things as well. My favorite thing was all of the old photos. Staff is friendly and helpful. They respect social distancing and masks, only allowing a limited number of people at a time. Wait is usually short but worth it.
Interesting place with a lot of neat items and materials.
Over priced on alot of THINGS 4 JUNK ESPECIALLY. Not a good addition to Lincoln Square EITHER. HILTON would have been WAY BETTER!
Huge variety of art supplies and vintage knick knacks at great prices! I look forward to coming back!
Favorite place in the entire world....
Treasures! Much great things aplenty!
Great store with a lot of recycled craft work, art, supplies, and some eccentric stuff, too!
Great fun.
A wide variety of items to help stimulate the mind for either your next project or to break through the creators block of your current project
Probably one of my favorite places in the world. There are so many treasures here to discover!!
Great stuff, better deals--going to IDEA is always a good idea.
This a wonderful place to find the right pieces for your crafting ideas and such a great way to recycle some stuff that can be used in the art of crafting :) there should be more stores like this one.
I love donating and shopping at this community upcycle store. Their inventory depends on what people donate so it is always different. Perfect place to shop for costume materials, containers and school projects. I’m a quilter and love buying pieces of fabric by the pound. Love, love, love!!!
I like old stuff people donated! I usually find something to do arts and crafts there
I once overheard two people in the store complaining that it just looked like a bunch of random junk.The poor fools..., I thought to myself. For those with an imagination, this store is a diamond mine. I can walk in here with $5 and walk out with materials to construct myriad artistic devices and inventions with my three daughters.I love it.
Seems snooty fussy people but lots of great stuff...
LOVE this place for all my random art needs. Im a teacher and its perfect for finding random materials, teaching supports, and storage.
An amazing array of goods, fun and funky things, art supplies, and nearly anything you can think of. If youre doing an art project, or need some supplies, check them out. You wont be disappointed. Its cool.
Hard to explain this store LOL but just go there! And if you dont like it the first time, try again! Its so great! Ive bought so much from there, the kids too. Kids are crafty and it lets them open their mind and be creative. And its all SO cheap!
Nice people
Love this place! So many great finds and generally friendly and helpful staff and volunteers. My only suggestion is that prices should be more clearly stated for many bulk items and more clear what you are being charged on receipts. I go here often and never leave empty-handed!!
I really enjoy going here to see what new and interesting things they have in stock. Of youre into any sort of crafting / cosplaying / or tinkering of any kind, this should be your first stop. Ive also found great props and ideas to use for Halloween costumes as well.
Love it in its original place, love it here. Great concept, good execution, great for projects. Best part is that you are reusing and recycling. Definitely recommend to anyone who is in town.
Its like a thrift store but for stuff. If you are an artist or if you make crafts, every project should start at the idea store. Knitting supplies are so cheap. Ive filled 2 shopping bags full with fabrics and yarn and needles and thread and walked out paying less than $10. If you love to paint, make sculptures, just build things or take things apart to see how things work, go to the idea store. I promise you that they have something you can use and it will barely cost you any money. If you ever need to replace a button, I have never not been able to find a perfect match here. They have everything!
Great deals and people. Find all your creative resources. Has both fine art and craft supplies.
This is one of my favorite places in our community. What a great concept! I have two elementary-aged kids and Im a crafty person, so this store is a lifesaver. We get supplies for all of our projects here: fabric, yarn, patterns, jewelry findings, buttons, thread, wood scraps, wallpaper scraps, glue sticks, markers, stamps... the list could go on and on. They also have other great items often; just yesterday, I picked up a vintage childrens microscope set (came with the microscope, slides, tweezers, pipette, and a few other things) for $2.50. It really works, and my daughter spent the entire evening finding things to look at and sketching the cells in her notebook. I also found several skeins of unopened baby alpaca yarn last week (retails for $9+ each) for about $1.20. The staff are positive, friendly, and deeply passionate in their cause, and at birthday parties, they are absolutely wonderful at leading the activities. I love coming here!
This place is absolutely incredible. They have so much stuff and it is all so inexpensive. I was able to get a 12x18in piece of aida for 40 cents. Thats insane.
Amazing ideas for all crafters. Give yourself time to look
One of my favorite places. super useful and you never know what youre going to find. its extremely affordable !
You just never know what you will find there I like going there
Well organized and a friendly atmosphere. A great place for artists or anyone looking for fun pieces
I love this store. They take my money, spend it on my favourite things, and I get stuff I need. The only drawback is theyre open too few hours.
Prices are great and you can find anything you could possibly need for projects. I bought 80% of the materials I needed for my wedding projects here. And only spent 38 dollars.. and we expect 200 people so not a small project.
If youre an artist of any type from paint, metal, wood, crafts, anything for school projects, go here first to save yourself money. Youll be surprised at what youll find. They have needle art supplies as well. Its a thrift art supply store :)
What an amazing place for students, artists, and crafty folks. Cheap prices on recycled goods that support local schools. Win - Win - Win!Staff is kind volunteers that will help you uncover treasures at every visit!
I love going here looking for one specific item and being able to find it at a fraction of the cost you would pay at a craft store. It makes it so much more cost effective for me to stock up on supplies!
Great place to get all sorts of inspiration for art projects, super cheap school supplies, vintage jewelry, or to donate old odds and ends that you dont need anymore!
This is an awesome treasure chest of goodies! You never know what they will have so it’s a new surprise every visit. The staff are super engaging and nice. Can’t find this stuff any cheaper elsewhere
The most unique store Ive ever been to! It has everything from license plates to mannequins!
Nice store for craftsman and ideas. You come here to get inspired and I guarantee youll leave with items that you felt you couldnt buy anywhere and the limited availability will make you wish you would have paid more. I love this place. Ironically, the star off is only because they have soooo many items, that you may need assistance and their is usually only one staff member available and they are handling the register.
The IDEA Store is an amazing art supply store. People donate supplies (sometimes very high end) and they are available for ridiculously low prices. Im saying you MUST go. Youll love it!
A wonderful place to find all kinds of craft materials and some used office materials if you are lucky.
Great place for craft people and kids making items.
SO COOL! And aptly named--walk in here with a creative block, and youll leave with a dozen great ideas for art and craft projects. Prices are very reasonable, and the options are vast. The aesthetic of the place is perfect too: on the shabby second floor of an obscure old lot of local shops, with the smell of dust, wood, and grandparents attic.
Such a great place to find crafting and office/school supplies! My daughter loves to find little things there that fill her big imagination.I love that I can collect random things for their wish list and keep them out of landfills, while helping our local educational systems.
If you are into creating things from whatever, this is the place for you. Very well organized, considering they have a little bit of everything.
My grandson fun place, he loves it and now I love taking him there ..My nephews love it as well .
Good place to in things but the customer service needs some improvement
Like this store a lot!!! Lots of second hand craft supplies in good shape! Friendly atmosphere!
Love this place which is now in Lincoln Square Village Mall where Art Mart used to be. I volunteered today cleaning up the former location on Springfield. Crafters, teachers and artists can all find affordable recycled, repurposed and some new items. Buttons by the pound!
Visiting from out of town and found the store online. Just the coolest place for recycled art pieces. My diy pinterest account basically exploded as soon as I walked in there. I would give it a zillion stars if possible. Good vibes, bottle caps and good music too. I dont know if I have a hot glue gun that could handle it. Will be back and I might even drive the six hours just for the store.
Best place to spend 40 dollars and walk out with five bags of art stuff that will have you crafting for days
Beautiful store for someone who has a DIY attitude. Theres literally tons of things, knick knacks and random bits all around the store, sorted into material and purpose based groups. Has fabric, paper, wood, metal, picture frames, glass and a host of other curiosities.
What a great organization that gives back to the community in so many ways
This place is a treasure chest of objects, materials, and other idea-inspiring fare. If you enjoy getting crafty, you should stop in here. Where else are you going to find tubs of random scrabble tiles, various yarn and thread, empty medicine bottles, random frames, buttons, and wine corks?
If you are DIY person and love craft that is a place for you to go.
Its a good store
Great concept with a large diverse selection of things!
Great place to find the things you need
Worth the trip to Urbana. Reasonably priced. People are super nice. Wide selection for crafters.
Love this place. Can always find something creative to use.
Great place for Crafters and anyone that can use random items and shapes for their creations.
Always find something unique. Its my go to place to get random craft supplies.
So fun to shop with kids for craft projects
Its great for projects where you arent exactly sure what you need. They have lots of odds and ends!
All kinds of things to your creative juices flowing.
Is you like recycled cool stuff, this is THE place!
Amazing place. Seems like a small shop, but there is so much in it! Great place to buy items for a classroom, Halloween costume, arts/crafts project, etc. New items /stock frequently added and you cant beat the prices.
Always an aray of goodies to find to start or finish a crafty project.
Great knick knack shop with bobs, buttons, trinkets, and more that have been saved from the landfill and put to reuse. A crafters and parents paradise! Prices are mostly by the pound, and the items are more than fairly priced. If you are looking to do a little good in the world, buy your crafting and school supplies here, donate your items that may normally hit the trash or recycling bin, and tell others about this unique and incredibly useful shop!
As an early childhood educator, I love shopping here for my classroon!
Literally the coolest place I have ever been to in my life. The name is fitting because I left with dozens of new ideas.
Well organized selection of second hand stuff, art supplies fabric flowers.
Found some great Prisma pencils for my daughter. Have found so many cool things here over the years.
They charged me for a glitter but did not put it in the bag. I am starting to think whether the girl at the front desk did this intentionally. I do not know why everyone keeps saying the people working here are friendly, because they are really rude to me. Maybe it is because this store is merely not Asian friendly.
Never been there before! It had all kinds of things and definitely gave me ideas!
Love this place! Odds and ends, a arts and crafters paradise. Great resource for teachers at a fabulous price.
Great place get stuff model rail roading .
A great place for buildings projects and finding school supplies
Im always inspired when I stop in, and always leave with treasures!
Had a great time exploring their many items to craft new ideas. Great selections of materials and fabrics and very nice staff.
For the DIY crafter, this is the best place to look for supplies!
My first stop when looking for art/craft supplies. Always nice to see whats new, and I love having a place to bring the things Im not going to find a use for
Everyone is nice and helpful. I love going to the Idea Store, I always find something new to use. Thank you😃😃😃😃😃
Found great wallpaper fir my house surprize
- Address:125 Lincoln Square, Urbana, IL 61801, United States
- Site:http://the-idea-store.org/
- Phone:+1 217-352-7878
- Art supply store
- Craft store
- Collectibles store
- Community center
- Educational supply store
- Environmental program
- Non-profit organization
- Monday:12–6PM
- Tuesday:12–6PM
- Wednesday:10AM–4PM
- Thursday:Closed
- Friday:Closed
- Saturday:12–6PM
- Sunday:12–6PM
- Wheelchair accessible entrance:Yes
- Quick visit:Yes
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