The move marks the end of an era for the neighborhood's artistic community, which has relied on the store's vast selection for over four decades. But this isn't a goodbye - rather, a relocation to a fresh canvas in North Park, where Blick aims to continue its legacy.
The store is shifting from its current spot at 1844 India Street in Little Italy to a new home at 3974 30th Street in North Park, sited between Bivouac and Leila restaurants, with the transition slated for around June 2025. The decision comes as the Little Italy site faces demolition to make way for a new development.
Blick's relocation stems from a major construction project: a 28-story mixed-use tower approved by the City of San Diego. This development will replace the existing site with 176 residential units, 9,282 square feet of retail space, and 309 parking spaces across an 18,226-square-foot lot on the south side of West Fir Street, between Kettner Boulevard and India Street. The tower, rising in the heart of Little Italy within Council District 3's Downtown Community Plan area, reflects the neighborhood’s shift toward high-density urban growth, forcing Blick to seek new digs.
Blick's departure will close a chapter that began over 40 years ago, when the space first housed HG Daniels, a local art supply retailer. It later became The Art Store before transitioning to Dick Blick Art in the early 2000s, rebranding to Blick Art Materials around two decades ago following corporate expansions.
Blick's history stretches back to 1911, when Dick and Grace Blick founded the company in Galesburg, Illinois, as a mail-order business. Over the decades, it grew into one of the nation's largest art supply chains, now boasting over 65 stores. The San Diego location joined this legacy, converting from the acquisition of The Art Store in 2004.
In Little Italy, Blick became more than just a store - it was a lifeline for San Diego’s creatives, nestled among the neighborhood’s Italian eateries and galleries. Its 10,000-square-foot space - massive by art store standards - housed a dizzying array of supplies, from bulk canvases to rare dyes, earning praise for selection and staff expertise. For decades, the space has supported local artists, educators, and hobbyists, often partnering with community events to bolster the city's art scene.
The move to North Park's 30th Street, a corridor known for its eclectic vibe and growing artistic pulse, signals a strategic pivot. While details on the new store's layout or enhancements remain sparse, Blick’s website promises continuity of its core offerings - quality supplies, competitive prices, and a welcoming atmosphere. The relocation aligns with North Park’s rise as a cultural hotspot, potentially drawing a new wave of customers while testing the loyalty of Little Italy regulars.
As Little Italy braces for construction cranes, Blick’s exit underscores the tension between preservation and progress in San Diego’s urban core. The store’s 40-year run on the corner of India & Fir Streets leaves a legacy of inspiration, soon to be rekindled a few miles east. For now, artists can stock up before the June move - or start plotting their trips to North Park.
For more information on Blick Art Materials, visit dickblick.com/stores/california/san-diego.
Blick's departure will close a chapter that began over 40 years ago, when the space first housed HG Daniels, a local art supply retailer. It later became The Art Store before transitioning to Dick Blick Art in the early 2000s, rebranding to Blick Art Materials around two decades ago following corporate expansions.
Blick's history stretches back to 1911, when Dick and Grace Blick founded the company in Galesburg, Illinois, as a mail-order business. Over the decades, it grew into one of the nation's largest art supply chains, now boasting over 65 stores. The San Diego location joined this legacy, converting from the acquisition of The Art Store in 2004.
In Little Italy, Blick became more than just a store - it was a lifeline for San Diego’s creatives, nestled among the neighborhood’s Italian eateries and galleries. Its 10,000-square-foot space - massive by art store standards - housed a dizzying array of supplies, from bulk canvases to rare dyes, earning praise for selection and staff expertise. For decades, the space has supported local artists, educators, and hobbyists, often partnering with community events to bolster the city's art scene.
The move to North Park's 30th Street, a corridor known for its eclectic vibe and growing artistic pulse, signals a strategic pivot. While details on the new store's layout or enhancements remain sparse, Blick’s website promises continuity of its core offerings - quality supplies, competitive prices, and a welcoming atmosphere. The relocation aligns with North Park’s rise as a cultural hotspot, potentially drawing a new wave of customers while testing the loyalty of Little Italy regulars.
As Little Italy braces for construction cranes, Blick’s exit underscores the tension between preservation and progress in San Diego’s urban core. The store’s 40-year run on the corner of India & Fir Streets leaves a legacy of inspiration, soon to be rekindled a few miles east. For now, artists can stock up before the June move - or start plotting their trips to North Park.
For more information on Blick Art Materials, visit dickblick.com/stores/california/san-diego.
Originally published on March 21, 2025.
