We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mary-Ellen Long a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mary-Ellen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

So far (knock on wood) the greatest and most unexpected problem we’ve faced has been Covid-19. We were still in our infancy phase at the end of 2019 when rumors of the disease began surfacing. As 2020 began, our in-store classes started getting cancelled, vendors were starting to short ship orders, and then all at once everything was locked down. Along with the entire world, we had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next. We had tried to stay open as usual for as long as possible, requiring all customers to wear masks, social distance, etc. Our commitment to our community (and to one another) was to be as careful and sensible as possible. Many of our customers were supportive and understanding of our procedures in place, but unfortunately, not all our patrons were as like-minded. We had more than our fair share of vocally frustrated clients that felt that we were being overly cautious, swearing to never shop with us again. Days like that were especially difficult. When the Mayor issued the first stay-at-home order, we furloughed all our employees, locked our shop’s doors, and ran Sam Flax with just two people. We did not have an online shop, we did not have cordless phones. Every day, seven days a week, we sprinted from one end of the store to the other, frantically trying to answer phones, return messages, take payment over the phone, and leave orders outside for curbside pickup. More than once, a brazen customer jumped the barriers we had placed at the doors and attempted to enter the store. For three months we carried on this way, not sure if our business would survive.

It’s difficult to say that we’ve “resolved” this issue. The reality is that Covid was a universal trauma that, in a way, united us. The silver lining in all of this was that we saw strengthened relationships with many of our vendors, customers, and community that were dedicated to our survival. We fought tooth and nail to keep ourselves afloat, and often look back at this time and laugh (and cry) at how emotionally and physically draining this time was.

Mary-Ellen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

We’re Sam Flax Atlanta! Sam Flax was a real person, starting his first art supply store ‘Sam Flax’ in New York in 1919. From there, he and his family continued to establish Flax supply stores around the country. Sam Flax Atlanta was founded in 1973, making this year our 50th anniversary in ATL. In 2018, due to growing age and skyrocketing rent prices, the then-owner Leonard Flax proposed to close the Sam Flax Atlanta location. After months of debate, my business partner Sophia Bowman-Albirt and I decided to purchase the business and continue operating under the same name.

What we do is what ‘Sam Flax’ has always done: provide high-quality art materials and services for the creative community of all aspirations. Under this new ownership, we’ve embraced our new identity as a small, independently owned business operated entirely by employees. I think what sets us apart from other art supply stores is the general atmosphere and attitude we offer to anyone that walks through our doors. Whether you’ve been working creatively your entire life, or are just beginning, or literally just need some posterboard for your kid’s school project, our commitment is to ensure that no one ever feels overwhelmed or doubtful about their ability to see their ideas come to fruition. Our shop’s walls are covered with murals and artwork from artists from all around Atlanta, from all walks of life. Inside our shop, you’ll find a huge variety of painting supplies, canvases, stationery, fine pens, substrates, and so much more. We have an unbelievably talented staff that can walk you through any project, whether it’s getting something printed or framed, or attempting your first drawing.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

[Sophia] I was living in Hawaii at the time, working remotely for Sam Flax Atlanta as the buyer. It was 2014? [Mary-Ellen] And I was living and working in Orlando, at Sam Flax Orlando. (This is back when the Atlanta and Orlando stores were part of the same corporation.)
[Sophia] We had emailed each other several times but we had never met in person, never spoken on the phone.
[Mary-Ellen] Oh my god that first phone call.
[Sophia] I remember I was living at the jungle house. I only had satellite internet and had to hang over the edge of the lanai to try and get service. I was walking around holding the phone up in the air trying to get a connection.
[Mary-Ellen] You talked so fast. I couldn’t believe how fast you were talking.
[Sophia] I’m sure it was an inventory question…I can’t really remember.
[Mary-Ellen] No, like seriously, so fast. My brain could not comprehend how quickly the words were coming out of your mouth.
[Sophia] Oh! I think it was a report that had to do with negative margins or something.
[Mary-Ellen] Talked…so…fast…
[Sophia] I mean…
[Mary-Ellen] And then we met in person in Atlanta and you told me you were surprised how small I was!
[Sophia] In my defense, you are small, and your emails made you sound like you were at least 6’4”
[Mary-Ellen] I think the first time we actually spent time together was in Orlando for physical inventory. We stayed at that Airbnb together for the weekend.
[Sophia] Yeah I think it was at that time we really started to bond over our ideas and mutual grievances and excitements within the company. I remember feeling really relieved that you were smart and knew what you were doing. I was grateful knowing that you were handling the financial side of the company.
[Mary-Ellen] And then you moved to Portland, and what, two years later is when closing Sam Flax Atlanta was proposed?
[Sophia] Exactly. I was frequently travelling back and forth from Portland to Atlanta trying to get the company’s affairs in order. Was not remotely close to considering buying the store at that point.
[Mary-Ellen] Neither was I! That year was so stressful, trying to figure out how to keep everything together but knowing that it was inevitably going to close. I can’t imagine the success of the company’s survival without Sophia’s brain.
[Sophia] We make a good team.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

We’re incredibly lucky to have been able to witness the ever-growing film industry in Atlanta. Since we’re one of the only shops in town that offer supplies like foamboard, gatorboard, backdrop paper, model-making supplies, and delivery on top of that, we’ve been able to cultivate meaningful relationships with many of the production companies here in ATL. Since many art directors and coordinators work from production to production, once you have established a relationship with them you become the one that they look for during their next shoot. On top of that, our central-midtown location sandwiches us between Georgia Tech, SCAD, Kennesaw and many other schools. Additionally, there are so many amazing galleries and professional artists here in Atlanta that choose us over our competitors because of our discount programs, and the fact that our shelves are always stocked with the supplies they need.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.samflaxatlanta.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samflax
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamFlaxArtAndDesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sam-flax-art-&-design-store
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/samflax
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@samflaxartdesignatlanta7073
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sam-flax-art-and-design-store-atlanta
• Other: https://www.gayborhood.com/b/32181/sam-flax-art-design-store

Image Credits
M. M. Miller