Pearl Paint on Market Street in San Francisco closing its doors many more are leaving too.

Pearl Paint is a store where you can find all the Art Material you want and more.

But, what is more you can meet many budding Artists and some famous ones too - that are very friendly. I would always make time to go to this store to buy some materials to keep me busy with my extra-curricula activities - linked to painting, framing, and creating my own art projects. I found joy doing these assignments and got all my Art Material from one single place - Pearl Painting.

Now, I hear Pearl Paint is going to be history. If you care to walk between 5th and Market going toward Sixth Street you will see many stores - shut down, boarded up and this has been the situation for months. What is our Mayor Gavin Newsom doing about this situation - nothing. Do you think this jerk will pay Pearl Painting a visit. I think a Commendation by the City and County of San Francisco must be initiated. At least Chris Daly, the District Six Supervisor, can give Pearl Paint some commendation for a job well done.

Recently, some folks tried to pass a Ballot Measure to cover the outsides of some of these store fronts with some mickey mouse paintings. Some of the projects are complete but many are not. One artist was busy on his project - when some jerks - stabbed him as he was working. Give me a break - why would anyone want to hurt an artist and renowned one at that - too. But, there is a lot going between 7th and Market going towards 5th and Market - the Westfield Shopping Centre.

Pearl Paint had a story some months ago. Store employees have heard strange sounds and believe there is a GHOST in the basement. I too noticed this on one or two occasions mostly in the late evening - before the store was going to close.

Once I picked four frames and then realized I need two more - I had to go all the way to the basement - and as I was walking to the elevator - I heard footsteps - I turned around and there was no one there. I walked again and again - I heard footsteps and turned around and there was nothing there. I thought nothing of it - until I read the story in the paper.

Well, that site is unique over the last 35 years I have paid my visits to buy me art materials and have always found what I wanted. Over the years when some one asked me something and I referred them to this site and Art Store - they would go visit the store get what they wanted - and thank me for it. The only other stores are in the Mission and in the Avenues. You may want to go to Daly City but if you are in a hurry - Pearl Paint came to your rescue, fulfilled your needs, and made you a happy camper.

I remember once a woman that loved sequences and she needed tons of them. Well, she went to Pearl Paint and cleared the supplies of the particular sequences she wanted. When, I saw the end product the dress looked great - but, none of that would have happened had it not been for Pearl Paint.

The employees at Pearl Paint were always nice. Many of them young artists that knew their job well and always - very polite to me.

You could always find the best art materials, the various inks and paper for a special project. Paints of a variety and good quality too. Pens and Paint brushes and I could go on. Go, check the things for yourself they may all be on discount, now.

Recently, I notice the photo frames were not stocked well. I said to myself - " maybe the signs of the times". I was not going to the Avenues but my chance stopped at Office Depot, closer to Third Street and Market and found what I wanted. I got lucky.

At times you could go to Patrick and Company and find what you wanted - things like calendars and note books but when it came to quality Art Material - I found Pearl Art convenient and centralized.

The City and County of San Francisco has been sleeping while many good businesses have left town. Now, the stupid Mayor, Gavin Newsom has awoken up and wants to give breaks to small businesses the man is a Caligula. He has with INTENT done more damage to small businesses then any other single Mayor of San Francisco. The sooner he leaves San Francisco the better.

I will now have to go to the many other Art Stores - far away from my destination - and all this cost time and money. Flex Art Store may provide some recourse but you just cannot find the stuff you really want there all the time as you could at Pearl Paint.

Well, as I said it is the signs of the times.

Personally, I would like to thank Pearl Paint for making my day on many an occasion. I thank you very much, thank you all for serving San Franciscans and the many Artists and other budding Artists - the general constituency and the many other customers that came from far and wide to visit Pearl Paint and the unique service you all provided.

I hope and pray the current employees are taken care of and that they find good jobs. They all were one of a kind and I had one or two that were my favorites but I will not get into that now. Farewell and we all will miss Pearl Paint and the many years of sound and good service you all provided. God Bless You All.


Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy

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