Ben Franklin is indeed an odd name for an arts and crafts supply store, yet here we are. True the name was selected in honor of the man himself (the eletricity guy) but each Ben Franklin store is independently owned and operated. It is however, the closest that I have ever come to when it comes to searching for a mom and pop craft store operation.
The website is not recommended. Not one bit, it's awful. The only use for it is to find out what is on sale that week and find a store near you. It's a nightmare and reminds me of a website built in 1999. Get in, find your local store and get out.
Now, the actual store itself. I love wandering all up and down through every department thoroughly. The amount of product that a Ben Franklin offers is astounding as they seem to touch upon every department in the known crafting world. Many of my epiphanies have come while wandering those aisles, inspired by a craft on display. Lots of examples, do it yourself and instructional help, ideas and more abound for show in the store or from a helpful associate. I have yet to meet one surly teenager or angry lady who would rather be watching The Wheel. It is clear that whatever Ben Franklin is doing, keeps the employees happy and productive. I highly recommend checking one out near you.
Tags: crafts, craft+supplies, craft+vendors, ben+frankling, glue+gun+crafts, crafting
It is necessary to remember that Ben Franklin did not begin as a crafts supply outlet.
It used to be much more like F. W. Woolworth Company, complete with soda and malt fountains. During 80's and 90's, as shopping malls became more dominant and Main Streets across America began boarding their windows, Ben Franklin began shifting to their top selling merchandise, the stuff you could not find at the mall.
I do not know if the decision to focus on crafts supplies was strategic or if one day the CEO walked into a store and said, "Wholly xxxx! We sure have a lot of glue guns and knitting needles." But somewhere along the way the transition became official.