Beloved art store paints grim portrait
ALBANY —Donna Garramone has been at the helm of Arlene’s Artist Materials for nearly 20 years, continuing a legacy that began in 1970. Nestled on Fuller Road, the shop has long been a cornerstone of the local arts community.
But last week, Garramone took an unconventional step—she reached out to her community through social media, asking for help in keeping the business afloat amidst rising costs and the increasing competition from online retailers.
“It wasn’t easy,” Garramone admits, sitting behind her desk surrounded by shelves of art supplies that range from student-grade materials to professional-quality products. “I had to set my pride aside. We’ve been in business for over 60 years, and it’s not just the loss of customers to online shopping—it’s everything. Brick-and-mortar expenses are skyrocketing, from taxes and insurance to the costs of maintaining the building.”…