Have you ever visited a paper store? I hadn’t had that option until recently. I live in a small town with very limited shopping options. I have always loved pretty papers-and yes, sometimes even hoarded them. I have shelves full of papers in my studio. But I also lust for more. For the past two weeks I have been teaching spirelli classes at a Chautauqua community on Lake Erie called Lakeside. One of the joys of this community is a collection of small unique shops. To my delight, one of the new shops this year is a paper store.
The store is housed in a little cottage, and although they have a traditional sign the local custom is to paint one’s name on a rock.This rock under the hydrangeas blooming beside the front steps. I love the name-Fond Regards.
Inside the store I found a buffet of paper products. Anyone who loves paper will understand what a feast such as store as this is. The colors, the textures, the feel, the smell- all a delight to the senses.
Store owner Carol Wise has an inspiring selection of products including papers, ribbons,journals,books, writing instruments, wrapping papers, gifts, cards, and other delights. Fond Regards specializes in personalizing your selections. This week, the store hosted a special event featuring silhouettes. Unfortunately, I was too late to participate in the event, but there was a wonderful display as shown here.
While I was in the store, someone came in and placed an order for birthday invitations with a silhouette of the birthday girl on the front! What a great idea, and how unique! Her order was going to be ready in just a few days.
Here is a photo of the inside of the store.
And here is the rack of handmade papers. Many of the papers were “green” being made from environmentally friendly products and produced in ways friendly to our planet.
Of course, if we’re making things of paper, we need ribbon! This photo shows the ribbon selection.
Carol has several special events planned for the summer. One of them will find participants on the front porch of the store, making envelopes from magazine pages.
I was especially impressed with the way paper was used in so many different ways in the store, including these embellishments on the front door.
A wonderful merchandise mix, an inviting interior and a friendly proprietor assure that I will be returning to Fond Regards on Third Street in Lakeside, Ohio.
