“We’re excited to bring this to the Detroit Lakes community.”
The store will offer a wide variety of art materials, from beginner-friendly supplies to professional-grade tools. They will also offer classes and workshops for all skill levels. Art Materials is a family-owned and operated business, with a deep commitment to the community.
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 was successful, and they expanded their operations to include a retail store in Fargo. The Browns’ success in Fargo led them to open a second retail store in Detroit Lakes in 1997. This expansion was driven by the strong demand for art supplies in the area.
ADVERTISEMENT “I would commute down Sunday night and I would stay until Thursday night. And I would drive back,” Eric explained. “And they would stay through Friday night and come back.” Larry Brown, who co-owns Art Materials in Detroit Lakes, explained paint pens offer artists acrylic paint in a pen, which is often used to create art on glassware or other surfaces. Barbie Porter / Detroit Lakes Tribune Because the store was a staple in the Minneapolis neighborhood along Lyndale Avenue, they didn’t want to move, initially. In time, the dynamics of the neighborhood had shifted from retail to entertainment, such as restaurants and bars. By late 2022, the Browns considered moving the business to Detroit Lakes.
The Browns’ search for a new location for their business was a long and arduous process. They considered various options, including a storefront in a shopping mall, a standalone building, and even a warehouse. They ultimately decided on a standalone building with a large storefront. The Browns’ decision to purchase the Becker Pet & Garden store was a strategic move.
Art Materials, a new retail store in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, is aiming to become a one-stop shop for artists of all mediums. The store offers a wide range of art materials, from pens and pencils to canvases and paints. Art Materials is targeting a specific demographic: artists in the region.
“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
