Minnesota store question

[annie*]

I have shopped at the Anchor Paper Plymouth store for years. Sometime last year there was a clearance of ink pads and at the time I questioned if they were not selling ink pads any longer. I was told they just had way too many ink pads and brands of inks so they were going to reduce that section.

In January of this year I visited the store and noticed inventory store-wide was noticeably reduced. I questioned if the store was closing but was told they were just clearing out some inventory to be able to buy different inventory.


Late last week I went to the store and read on the outside of the door that they were not closing the store and were in transition to a better store. The inside of the store was mostly empty. I didn't see anyone restocking or moving inventory. There were no customers in the store.


Does anyone know what is really going on with this store? It is not worth returning if the changes don't start getting better. It has now been 5 months of decline and no improvement, that I can see. Are they going out of business but just don't want to admit it? I don't have a Facebook account, so perhaps there has been an explanation there? Please share any information you might have on this store.

[annie*]

Sorry! I meant to post this to the General stamping section, not Mission Organization.

[fun4gwen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by annie*

I have shopped at the Anchor Paper Plymouth store for years. Sometime last year there was a clearance of ink pads and at the time I questioned if they were not selling ink pads any longer. I was told they just had way too many ink pads and brands of inks so they were going to reduce that section.

In January of this year I visited the store and noticed inventory store-wide was noticeably reduced. I questioned if the store was closing but was told they were just clearing out some inventory to be able to buy different inventory.


Late last week I went to the store and read on the outside of the door that they were not closing the store and were in transition to a better store. The inside of the store was mostly empty. I didn't see anyone restocking or moving inventory. There were no customers in the store.


Does anyone know what is really going on with this store? It is not worth returning if the changes don't start getting better. It has now been 5 months of decline and no improvement, that I can see. Are they going out of business but just don't want to admit it? I don't have a Facebook account, so perhaps there has been an explanation there? Please share any information you might have on this store.

I have shopped there for years and really don't believe they are going out. They maybe getting out of the stamping and scrapbooking. But I do know they do a ton of paper business. I agree with you. Been very slim pickings on product.

[annie*]

I hope they keep their stamping supplies. There are very few stores left in Minnesota that sell supplies. Thanks for your reply.

[HoosierMama]

They have just been in the process of reorganizing. I was in there on Saturday and it is completely stocked. I took a fun class and am looking forward to taking more. I just moved to Minnesota a few months ago and was bummed because I didn't think there were any stores - I'm so happy I discovered the Anchor store! I haven't been but there is a stamp club that meets and other regular events.

[annie*]

Fantastic news!! Thank you for sharing.

Welcome to Minnesota! There are very few stores in Minnesota, but you can find a couple of great ones if you are willing to travel a little. There is Fond Memories in Walnut Grove, the Pine City Scrapbook store in Pine City, the Big Lake stamp store (small family owned with mostly their own stamps), one near the airport and I am completely forgetting their name right now, and Crafts Direct in St.Cloud. There may be some other hidden gems, but I haven't found them yet.


Thanks again for sharing the news about Anchor. It was frustrating to keep going there and finding less inventory every time. It is good to know it would be worth taking the time to go there again.

[JBgreendawn]

crafts direct is absolutely worth the drive if you are going to MN or live far away from St. Cloud. ( they even have a coffee shop )

[prairiecrafter]

Pay a visit to Fond Memories and while in Walnut Grove visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.

[snowcountry311]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairiecrafter

Pay a visit to Fond Memories and while in Walnut Grove visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.

we toured all of her locations while visiting family

[HoosierMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairiecrafter

Pay a visit to Fond Memories and while in Walnut Grove visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.

yes! My mom is going to be here in a couple weeks and I'm really looking forward to taking her to Walnut Grove. We visited De Smet a couple years ago and it was such a lovely thing to do - the Little House books were an important part of my child. Plus, I get to visit a crafty shop!

[HoosierMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBgreendawn

crafts direct is absolutely worth the drive if you are going to MN or live far away from St. Cloud. ( they even have a coffee shop )

I live in Maple Grove, so I don't think St. Cloud is too bad a drive for me. Thanks for the tip!

[HoosierMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by annie*

Fantastic news!! Thank you for sharing.

Welcome to Minnesota! There are very few stores in Minnesota, but you can find a couple of great ones if you are willing to travel a little. There is Fond Memories in Walnut Grove, the Pine City Scrapbook store in Pine City, the Big Lake stamp store (small family owned with mostly their own stamps), one near the airport and I am completely forgetting their name right now, and Crafts Direct in St.Cloud. There may be some other hidden gems, but I haven't found them yet.


Thanks again for sharing the news about Anchor. It was frustrating to keep going there and finding less inventory every time. It is good to know it would be worth taking the time to go there again.

Annie - is the one near the airport Crafter's Haven? I did visit their last week.

[JBgreendawn]

My Mama retired "up north" to McGregor... so, it took a while to drive to St. Cloud from her house, it was all county highways I think if I remember right, no freeways.

another place she took me when I was there last was some kind of outlet store. It was in the middle of nowhere... but, I bought big packs of like 12" cardstock for dirt cheap, pads of designer paper ( for cheap ) stuff like that. ( I had to ship boxes home to my self because, we ended up buying another suitcase and checking bags too )

[annie*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoosierMama

Annie - is the one near the airport Crafter's Haven? I did visit their last week.

Yes, that is correct! I've only been there one time and couldn't remember the name.

[annie*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBgreendawn

My Mama retired "up north" to McGregor... so, it took a while to drive to St. Cloud from her house, it was all county highways I think if I remember right, no freeways.

another place she took me when I was there last was some kind of outlet store. It was in the middle of nowhere... but, I bought big packs of like 12" cardstock for dirt cheap, pads of designer paper ( for cheap ) stuff like that. ( I had to ship boxes home to my self because, we ended up buying another suitcase and checking bags too )

Hmmm, this outlet store sounds interesting. Do you remember where it was located?

[JBgreendawn]

on an access street next to a highway between McGregor & St. Cloud.

I checked one of the boxes of cardstock thinking the pricetags might have a store name on them but, they are just bright orange and the cardstock was from a co. called American Crafts. ( its similar in texture to the original Bazzill but, feels thinner to the touch/fold)

( I will ask my mom)

[canada goose]

I am not sure if this store is still open. It is in Moorhead North Dakota and is called K and Krafts. It is large it's lots of variety. I have only been twice with a friend who always parks in back, I think it's in a strip mall. Can anyone confirm if it still open?

[canada goose]

Quote:

Originally Posted by canada goose

I am not sure if this store is still open. It is in Moorhead North Dakota and is called K and Krafts. It is large it's lots of variety. I have only been twice with a friend who always parks in back, I think it's in a strip mall. Can anyone confirm if it still open?

Just a correction. Moorhead is in Minnisota . Fargo in North Dakota and Moorhead Minnesota just a ride across the bridge.

I had a very brief stop at Anchor Paper in Plymouth last year, and hope to get back.another kudo to Crafts Direct in St. Cloud Minnesota.

[sthoeny]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBgreendawn

on an access street next to a highway between McGregor & St. Cloud.

I checked one of the boxes of cardstock thinking the pricetags might have a store name on them but, they are just bright orange and the cardstock was from a co. called American Crafts. ( its similar in texture to the original Bazzill but, feels thinner to the touch/fold)

( I will ask my mom)

Was it the Milaca Unclaimed Freight, it's off Hwy 169 north of Milaca? Or, if you were going from St. Cloud to McGregor, my guess is you went Hwy 23 east to Mora, then Hwy 65 north. There's also Mora Unclaimed Freight. Both Unclaimed Freight stores have aisles of paper crafting.

[sthoeny]

I live in central MN. Pine City is a fabulous store, they even have a retreat center, so you could come up for a weekend. They also have a monthly card class that's worth the $15. The Pine City Scrapbooking Co.

Crafts Direct in St. Cloud is another favorite, FYI for a $1 donation per coupon to their charity of the month, you can use 40 and 50% off coupons from Joanns, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby. Crafts Direct

[HoosierMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by canada goose

I am not sure if this store is still open. It is in Moorhead North Dakota and is called K and Krafts. It is large it's lots of variety. I have only been twice with a friend who always parks in back, I think it's in a strip mall. Can anyone confirm if it still open?

I googled it and based on their Facebook page it's still open. I'll be near Fargo this summer, will check it out!

[NicholeC]

I was in the Anchor Paper in Plymouth about 6 weeks ago and was SO disappointed - there was pretty much nothing there!! No product, stamps, sample cards, not even colored paper! I bought a box of envelopes (Christmas isn't that far away), but that was it. Glad to hear they aren't closing, although it might be years before I get back up there.

What about the Roseville store - is that still open? I've never been to that store, only the Mpls one before they moved to Roseville.

[Rebali]

I highly recommend the Crafter's Haven craft store in Minneapolis near the airport. The owner is wonderful and the supplies up to date and wonderful. There are many classes offered too. Lots of friendly people go there!

[angelglass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by canada goose

I am not sure if this store is still open. It is in Moorhead North Dakota and is called K and Krafts. It is large it's lots of variety. I have only been twice with a friend who always parks in back, I think it's in a strip mall. Can anyone confirm if it still open?

I was there for the first time last weekend and it is a great store.