CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) — You're going to want to jot this down! Stationery Store Day is this Saturday, and one Andersonville shop is helping Chicago celebrate in style.
Paper & Pencil, an LGBTQ+-owned stationery store at 1480 W. Berwyn Ave., is one of seven Chicagoland shops taking part in the annual celebration of all things analog.
Much like Record Store Day or Independent Bookstore Day, Stationery Store Day highlights the charm and creativity of small specialty retailers filled with pens, paper, postcards and personality.
"We, of course, are passionate about stationery," said co-owner Tyler McCall, who opened the store in 2023 with his husband, Eric Campbell. "We think it's an incredible way for folks to deepen their connection with others through letter writing, snail mail and postcards,but also a really powerful tool for deepening your connection with yourself through creative expression, journaling, using a planner or keeping a diary."
As part of this year's festivities, shoppers can pick up a free Stationery Passport at any participating store. Each stop earns a stamp and the more stamps you collect, the more chances you have to win curated gift baskets packed with paper goods and writing supplies.
Tyler McCall
At Paper & Pencil, customers will find limited-edition merchandise designed specifically for the holiday including stickers, greeting cards and washi tape – plus freebies like a postcard and sticker with every purchase.
"Whether you've drunk the Kool-Aid and you're part of the stationery community or you're just curious, we'd love to have you come by and check us out," McCall said.
Most of Paper & Pencil's inventory is sourced from women-, LGBTQ+- or minority-owned businesses, with a large selection of imports from Japan and Taiwan.
And while the couple owns a pair of giant pencil and paper costumes as seen on social media, McCall joked they may erase the idea of wearing them this year – "it's just too dang hot."
Paper & Pencil co-owners Tyler McCall and Eric Campbell don their stationery costumes to promote Stationery Store DayTyler McCall
Paper & Pencil will be open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
