Abandoned Lisa Frank Warehouse Factory – Tucson, Arizona
On a recent visit to Tucson, Arizona, I learned that there was this abandoned Lisa Frank factory near my hotel. Being that I love abandoned buildings and loved Lisa Frank stationary back in the day, I had to pay it a visit. So in this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know if you want to visit the abandoned Lisa Frank warehouse in person.
The warehouse itself is everything you’d expect a Lisa Frank warehouse to be! It has a whimsical exterior, with brightly colored hearts, music notes and stars painted on the side, a garish purple fence, a silver unicorn statue and a rainbow-colored loading dock area.
I had great timing too, because just prior to my visit in mid December 2023, the factory received a new coat of paint. And, the official Lisa Frank TikTok account posted a video filmed outside the warehouse saying “We’re bacckkkk!
So what happened with Lisa Frank?
If you grew up in the 80s and 90s, you couldn’t walk into an elementary or middle school without seeing every other child using obnoxiously colorful Lisa Frank folders, notepads, pencils and other stationery.
Related: Going to Arizona? Check out all my Arizona posts!
So for those who might need a refresher, Lisa Frank was the queen of all things whimsical and cutesy in the stationary world. Think unicorns prancing through cosmic landscapes, dolphins splashing amidst neon waves, and puppies wearing sunglasses against backdrops of psychedelic swirls. A Lisa Frank world was a magical kaleidoscope you could dive into whenever you cracked open a notebook or peeled off a sticker.
So, what happened to this technicolor wonderland? Well, over the years, the company hit some rough patches. Despite being a staple of childhood for many of us, Lisa Frank struggled to keep up with the changing trends and preferences of younger generations. As the digital age took over in the 2000s, kids became more enamored with screens than with the tangible joy of Lisa Frank’s rainbow-colored products.
Additionally, there were some business missteps along the way. The company faced legal battles and financial woes, which undoubtedly took a toll on its once-vibrant empire. As consumer tastes evolved, Lisa Frank’s presence began to fade from the spotlight it once illuminated so brightly.
There is a lot of drama surrounding the downfall of Lisa Frank, and I’m not going to get into it here, but if you’re interested in going down that rabbit hole, I’d start here. It’s pretty wild! Additionally, there is a pretty good documentary streaming on Amazon Prime called Glitter and Greed.
Lisa Frank Factory History
The Lisa Frank warehouse opened its doors in 1996 and eventually shut down in 2013. It has been abandoned ever since, with no signs of life until recently via TikTok. However, the property is still for sale and you can see some photos of its interior here.
Where is the abandoned Lisa Frank warehouse factory?
The Lisa Frank factory is located near the Tucson International Airport, in an industrial park. The address is:
6760 Lisa Frank Ave, Tucson, AZ 85756
Visiting the Abandoned Lisa Frank Warehouse
The entire factory is fenced off, with a colorful purple fence surrounding the entire compound. So, no, you cannot go inside and the factory, as of Jan. 2025, is still abandoned and is still for sale.
I visited in mid-December 2023, and the brightly colored building had been given a fresh coat of paint. It looks so cute!
All of my photos were taken outside the fenced area, and if you are going to visit, make sure to respect the fencing. Because the company is frequently posting on their TikTok several times a week, with most videos filmed at the warehouse, someone is stirring inside there! And I’m sure there are lots of cameras around.
UPDATE 2025: The Lisa Frank tiktok is still around but it’s not nearly as active as it was in 2023. What does this mean for a revival? I have no clue, but here we are, a year later after I visited the factory and there is still no update.
Will we see a Lisa Frank revival?
Too soon to tell, I guess! But it’s nice to see signs of life from the technicolor empire — I even spotted Lisa Frank cookies at my grocery store. Maybe one day, we’ll see a full-on Lisa Frank revival, bringing back the rainbow-infused joy to a whole new generation. But until then, keep an eye on their social media accounts!
Have you visited the abandoned Lisa Frank warehouse in Tucson? Are you hoping for a Lisa Frank revival?
