Ch-ch-changes
A Shakeup in the Art Supply World…
and What It Means for River’s Edge Art Supplies
As we work to bring River’s Edge Art Supplies to life, we’ve run into an unexpected challenge shaking up the entire art supply industry.
Several weeks ago, MacPherson’s — North America’s largest wholesale distributor of art materials — announced it was closing its doors for good. For decades, MacPherson’s was the main distributor of high-quality materials and trusted brands like Sennelier, Fabriano, Raphael, Stabilo to independent art shops. But in a swift move, Blick, the biggest art retailer in North America, purchased MacPherson’s inventory and intellectual property. That means that several of those brands may now be available only through Blick.
Why does that matter to a small, local art store like ours that hasn’t even opened yet?
As both a retailer and (now) a distributor, Blick is positioned to gain exclusivity on certain brands and could control prices and access in ways that make it harder for independent stores to compete — or even get off the ground. It’s like trying to open a coffee shop when Starbucks just bought all the coffee beans.
River’s Edge Art Supplies is joining the call alongside other independent shops across North America, urging manufacturers to avoid exclusive distribution deals with any one company — especially a company that’s also a competitor. Independent shops deserve a fair shot, and local artists deserve access to the tools that inspire them.
We’re also actively working with other suppliers and speaking directly with manufacturers to ensure we’re still able to stock a carefully curated, high-quality inventory that reflects your creative needs — not just what’s cheapest or most convenient. We’re committed to building relationships that reflect our values: community over corporate, quality over quantity, and people over profit.
So, when we open our doors, we hope you’ll walk through them knowing that this is your space — a space built with love, intention, and a belief that art belongs to everyone, not just the biggest players in the game.
Thanks for believing in us as we start our journey.
— River’s Edge Art Supplies
