• Austin Events Calendar
  • Giveaways
  • Sponsor
  • Invite
  • Write
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Pulp and Fiction Mingle at Paper Place

January 19, 2016 by Judy Rae Merhar Leave a Comment

Paper Place Austin

Paper Place in Austin’s Central Park on N. Lamar

“The word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains.” -Anonymous

It’s the time of year when chocolate and roses replace eggnog and pine needles. Grade-schoolers are giving empty shoe boxes second life, sprucing them up with glitter, stickers and cutout hearts. This cardboard box becomes a whimsical vessel carrying notes more precious than any pair of patent leather Mary Janes.

Handwritten notes and letters have become rare objects in the 21st century. But old and young, regardless of race or nationality, enjoy being on the receiving end of a letter. Thankfully, Austin is home to Paper Place, a local institution since 1979. Inside, you’ll find a treasure trove of pulp to satisfy those who appreciate the art of letters.

Paper Peddlers

Paper Place Cards and Stationary

Cards and calligraphy at Paper Place

Paper Place owners Molly Smith and Suzy Ranney are as happy and approachable as their first names suggest. Their passion for paper is obvious, as they eagerly scurry to a filing cabinet to retrieve a ziplock bag containing remnants of times past. One piece of parchment is cream with a black border from 1903. Inside the baggie is another tiny envelope with a stork carrying the announcement of a baby girl, from 1930.

Smith and Ranney are quick to share memorable moments that have transpired over paper. Ranney smiles recalling the day a young customer came into the store and shared a new goal. She wanted to begin sending her father a handwritten letter every month. Smith’s eyes grow bright and her smile widens as she remembers an afternoon of laughter with her son, when he stumbled upon a collection of old love letters she had saved from previous boyfriends. The two laughed themselves silly reading the terms of endearment from Smith’s past.

Smith and Ranney are paper peddlers who understand the value of letters. Letters are artifacts capable of causing a mixed cocktail of emotions: laughter, joy, regret, melancholy and nostalgia. These tangible objects are snapshots of our history. For such lightweights, letters carry a significant and powerful purpose, to let the receiver know they’re not forgotten.

Something for Everyone at Paper Place

Colored Pens Paper Place Austin

Paper Place’s pen collection

If your heart swoons hearing the words postal carrier, gel pens, parchment and mailboxes, you’ll be delighted to know Paper Place lives up to its name. It’s a pulp utopia that knows the express route to your heart’s delight. And they’re ready to sign, seal and deliver happiness to the heartbeats who cherish the art of letters.

In addition to stationery, Paper Place sells journals, unique puzzles, fiction and nonfiction books, party supplies, picture frames, soaps and fragrances…and everything you need to decorate that shoe box!

“Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company.” -Lord Byron

4001 N. Lamar Blvd. #540 – Website

 

@judymerhar wants to know: 

How often do you send handwritten letters or cards?

***
We always have unique content on the Austinot, and we love to give things away. You know, like CDs, event tickets and other cool stuff. We only send out our Best of the Austinot newsletter two times/month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of the Austinot here!

Filed Under: Discoveries, Local Business

Sign up for a chance at Austin giveaways via our fun newsletter


Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Latest Tweets

  • Hamilton Pool! ...but not. Killen Falls outside Brisbane, Australia has the same striking features as Hamilton Poo… https://t.co/5EhkvT10e5 Yesterday at 2:05 pm
  • Giveaway! Win 2 Central Texas filets mignons from @rossoflynn! 🥩 Sign up now for your opportunity to win:… https://t.co/afbYmrYW84 February 14, 2019 6:50 pm
  • NEW - The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: Feb. 15-16, 2019 🎸 https://t.co/lViB1GpIF8 ✅ exceptional rock guitarist… https://t.co/TiqdSzAIHC February 14, 2019 2:05 pm
  • Giveaway! Win 2 pasture-raised filets mignons from @rossoflynn! 🥩 Sign up now for your opportunity to win:… https://t.co/ddOhObfIb2 February 13, 2019 11:10 pm
  • Follow @theAustinot

Get to Know Us

  • Austin Events Calendar
  • Giveaways
  • Sponsor
  • Invite
  • Write
  • About
  • Contact

Welcome to The Austinot!

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We'll respond if you comment. Heck, we'll probably invite you to come and hang out with us.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

  • The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: Feb. 15-16, 2019
  • Heartsong Music Bridges Generational Gap With the Joy of Song
  • Artistic Imagination Roams Freely at Indra’s Awarehouse in Austin
  • Oz. Tap House Adds Clever Twist to Craft Beer Bar Concept With Self-service Tap Wall
  • 5 of Austin’s Most Coveted Nail Salons (Plus Tips for Getting in)

Copyright © 2019 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in