Pearl Art and Craft Supply
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Art supplies) |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Founder | Robert Perlmutter |
| Defunct | 2014-08-26 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy and closure |
| Headquarters | Fort Lauderdale , United States |
Area served | New Jersey, Florida, New York, Massachusetts |
Key people | Robert Perlmutter (founder), Spencer Perlmutter (owner) |
| Products | Art supplies (colored pencils, paints, sketching pencils, etc.) |
Pearl Art and Craft Supply—previously recognized as Pearl Paint—was a network of art supply retail outlets. Established in 1933 by Robert Perlmutter and later owned by Spencer Perlmutter, the company was based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its stores operated across various states including New Jersey, Florida, New York, and Massachusetts.
At its peak, the chain encompassed up to 18 locations. Following 81 years of operation, the discovery of a cash skimming scheme led to bankruptcy proceedings. This financial turmoil initiated store closures starting in 2010 and ultimately resulted in the shutdown of the Fort Lauderdale headquarters on August 26, 2014.
History
Before expanding into a retail chain, Pearl Paint’s New York store on Canal Street in lower Manhattan served professional artists and trade clients for many years. The store played a key role in establishing the area as a hub for artists. Positioned within this vibrant art district, it benefited from its proximity to numerous artist studios, galleries, art supply vendors, and educational institutions. The neighborhood attracted tourists, gallery attendees, and curious visitors alike. The multi-level store offered an extensive inventory with a wide array of products, contributing to the eclectic character of nearby specialty retailers. Being close to other major art suppliers such as New York Central Supply, Utrecht Linens, and David Davis helped transform the district into a regional center for professional art materials. Educational institutions like NYU, Cooper Union, The School of Visual Arts, Parsons School of Design, and Fashion Institute of Technology further anchored this creative identity well before the growth of Tribeca, SoHo, and Chelsea neighborhoods in the late 20th century. Marketing efforts for proposed renovations of the building have leveraged this historic and cultural significance.
The decline of Pearl Paint began in 1996 when a shipment handled by UPS was found to contain a box filled with cash that had spilled open. This discovery triggered an investigation revealing systematic daily skimming from store receipts. The resulting legal consequences included prison time for Robert Perlmutter and led to management being transferred outside the family as well as eventual bankruptcy. Additional factors noted during a 2017 interview with family members included waning interest in the art supply sector, sales drops following the September 11 attacks, health challenges, and restrictions imposed on Robert Perlmutter preventing him from participating in company management or decision-making.
The closing sequence culminated with the shutdown of the South Miami branch on July 20, 2014, followed by the closure of their iconic New York City flagship store on April 17, 2014. Pearl Art offered a variety of artist materials including colored pencils, paints, sketching pencils, and more.