DETROIT LAKES — Art Materials is set to open this week in downtown Detroit Lakes at 811 Washington Ave. “We’ve had people knocking at the door,” said JoAnn Brown, who owns the store with her husband, Larry, and their son Eric. “We’re happy to see so much interest.” JoAnn said the doors may open as soon as Wednesday, even though they were still stocking the shelves. The art supply store’s regular hours will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store will be closed on Sundays. ADVERTISEMENT The store offers a variety of paints (including their own brand), brushes, clay for sculpting, canvases and sketch pads, spray paint used for mural work, specific paints for shoes and purses, fine writing instruments, teaching materials and more. They also offer framing and matting.
MORE STORIES BY BARBIE PORTER “We’re a hardware store for artists,” Eric said. Should a product not be readily available in the 2,000-square-foot storefront, the Browns order items through their distributors at no cost. Deliveries to the store happen several times a week, so customers can expect to be working on their project within a day or so, in most cases. In addition to Art Materials serving budding and professional artists across all mediums, the company is also a wholesaler serving large corporations, including NASA, Boeing and more. “Art Materials is like a five-legged stool,” Eric explained. “In addition to traditional art supplies and commercial sales, there is custom picture framing, e-commerce, and third-party e-commerce sites, such as Amazon.”
The Browns’ business model was based on a combination of online and brick-and-mortar sales, offering a wide range of art supplies to both individual artists and businesses. They also provided a unique service of delivering art supplies directly to customers’ doorsteps. This model proved successful, allowing them to expand their business and reach a wider audience. The Browns’ success in Fargo led them to expand their operations to Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, in 1994.
He was a freelance photographer and he would travel to different locations, shooting photos of various subjects, and then return home on the Thursday night, after completing his work for the week. This was his typical weekly routine. Eric’s routine was predictable, efficient, and tailored to his freelance photography work. His work allowed him to travel, experience new places, and capture unique perspectives.
The Browns’ search for a new location for their Art Materials business was a multi-faceted process. They considered various factors, including location, size, and rent. They also sought out potential partners and collaborators.
The Browns are hoping to attract customers from the surrounding area, including Detroit Lakes, Moorhead, and Fargo, to their new retail store. They believe that the art supply store will be a valuable asset to the community, providing a one-stop shop for artists of all mediums. The Browns are confident that their store will be a success because they have a strong understanding of the art supply market and a deep understanding of the community.
“We talked Andrew (Sandberg) into coming with us,” she said, noting he brings a wealth of knowledge with him and is a very good artist. Sandberg said his experience with small-town living has been enjoyable and he looks forward to getting involved in the city’s vibrant art community, and potentially offering art classes. Art projects in a box are offered at Art Materials in Detroit Lakes. There are a variety of projects for different ages. Barbie Porter / Detroit Lakes Tribune