stationery in new york city!

December 17, 2006 8:58 AM

hey folks! I'm a new to New York-er (the city, that is), and have done some serious googling and asking around in the "real life" and have not had any luck finding smallish stationery/gifty stores that carry paper goods-- along the lines of what are fairly common on the west coast where I'm from. a little bit..

Some examples of what I have in mind:
http://www.littleotsu.com/, http://portland.citysearch.com/profile/8470316/portland_or/greg_s.html (sorry, this link is not very descriptive)

Basically stores that have a DIY aesthetic or independent artists/publishers' creations, that sort of thing. I'm aware of giant robot and kate's, but does anyone have any other suggestions in the locality? Even craft fairs, that kind of thing would be helpful. Many thanks, mefites!

posted by ethel to shopping (9 comments total)

Not sure if this might fall under what you are looking for, as it's not a gift-type store, but...

As far as stationary stuff goes, you might want to look at Richard Meneely; he's an independent printer who does anything hand-made letterpress that you want! He primarily does business on weekends at the Columbus Ave Flea Market (~77th Street) on Sundays, as well as out of his own studio on weekdays.

I love genuine letterpress printing and have gotten things from him in the past. He will often make stuff for you right there while you wait, or you can order stuff through his web site (http://www.usbcards.net/) and he will email you proofs, etc.

His booth is definitely worth a visit; you'll get to see all of the different types of things he does (cards/stationary/unique papers), and watch him do it!

I think he takes a break from the Flea Market from Jan to April, but he's there now and always does weekday business out of his own studio as well.
posted by Dr. Sam at 9:29 AM on December 17, 2006 [1 favorite]

There's a designer fair every Saturday in Soho in an old Church but for the life of me, can't find the info now.

I highly recommend you take a trip out to Brooklyn, I know a walk down 7th or 5th in Park Slope has lots of these shops, there's also thi, Brooklyn Indie Market.
posted by lannanh at 9:58 AM on December 17, 2006

I just visited Greenwich Letterpress this week for the first time - great little store and it seems like just what you are looking for
posted by extrabox at 9:59 AM on December 17, 2006

A ha! I found it, it's the Young Designers Market in Nolita (I was close).

As for places in Park Slope, I'd def recommend Bird on 7th and Cog and Pearl and 3R (which focuses on green products) on 5th.
posted by lannanh at 10:15 AM on December 17, 2006

You need to check out Printed Matter.
posted by lovejones at 10:15 AM on December 17, 2006

In Park Slope:
Lion in the Sun
Scaredy Kat

In Manhattan there are several good paper stores on 17th St between 5th and 6th Avenues, but I can't think of their names off the top of my head.

Also if you're just looking for envelopes, JAM Envelopes on 6th ave has basically everything.
posted by np312 at 10:34 AM on December 17, 2006

Kate's paperie is world famous, and rightly so. you'll keep going back.
http://www.katespaperie.com/store/productView.php

numerous locations; i've been to the one in the village.
http://www.katespaperie.com/store/store_locations.php
posted by jak68 at 1:26 PM on December 17, 2006

I second going back to Kate's as the selection there changes frequently. I also like House of Cards and Curiousities a lot for greeting cards (23 8th Ave, Between Jane Street and W 12th Street). Nearby there's also Mxyplyzyk at 125 Greenwich Ave., which also sells good stuff. And as long as you're in the Village, head over to Hudson Street Papers on 357 Bleecker St.

Delphinium Incorporated (358 W 47th) and Alphabets, despite their sometimes cheesy gag gift nature, will have nice paper goods. Exit 9 (64 Avenue A) is along similar lines. I've also heard that Cursive @ ABC Carpet and Home (888 Broadway) carries a lot of paper goods, but I've never been.

In terms of book stores, check out Kinokuniya near Rockefeller Center for Japanese paper goods, and Posman Books in Grand Central for other stuff.

My friend Rena also runs an awesome store out in Park Slope called Rare Device that rules; she doesn't have a huge selection of paper goods but almost everything is very, very good.

Keep your eye out for the Renegade Craft Fair in the summer; the Puck building (95 Lafayette Street) often has various craft and art fairs.

Another easy way to find stores is to look at the web sites of card-makers. Often times they will have a directory of retail stores that carry their line of goods, which is a good jumping off point.
posted by kathryn at 3:25 PM on December 17, 2006

gee, thanks everybody! this is all so helpful.
also, in case anyone is interested in letterpress in other parts of the country, i discovered these two great shops this summer while living down south (forgot to refer to them in my original post):
http://www.yeehawindustries.com/
and
(a part of the country music hall of fame)
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/experience-hatch.aspx

cheers!
posted by ethel at 3:43 PM on December 17, 2006