Pen Point stationery shop ends 64-year run dowtown

Similar to many mothers of brides going back three generations, Pam Massey turned to Pen Point Paperie when she needed stationery for her daughter Sarah’s wedding in 2008.
But last week, after 64 years of providing such niceties as wedding invitations, thank-you cards and high-quality pens for graduates, the downtown retail icon closed, and Massey said she was sorry to see it go.
“They were just always extremely helpful,” Massey said. “Such beautiful designs, beautiful paper. It was always a pleasure to go in there and work with them.”
A 75-percent-off sale on everything in the store signaled the closing weekend for Pen Point Paperie, originally opened as The Pen Point in 1946.
When it opened, The Pen Point sold pens and pen accessories. During the years, it evolved in a variety of ways and focused to varying degrees on pens, paper and gifts.
Veronica Kramer purchased the store and changed the name to Pen Point Paperie in 2007. At that time, according to media accounts, Kramer said she had no plans to make “drastic changes” in the store. During the past three years, she made subtle changes, such as adding high-end note cards designed by Vera Wang to her inventory and hiring an in-house designer to expand custom invitation offerings.
“When the economy first did what it did, the custom business really pulled us through,” she said.

Kramer is quick to say the recession that officially started in December 2007 was not the primary reason for the store’s closing.
“The economy has a little bit to do with it, but I think probably the biggest impact is the change in the times,” she said. “People aren’t writing as much. They are going online to do their invitations, having their friends do their invitations.”
“I think weddings are down this year,” she said. “At least it feels that way because we are seeing more calls for weddings being planned for next year.”
Kramer said the store employed an average of two to three part-time employees, usually students.
Now that the store is closing, Kramer said she is exploring jobs at the university. “I’m kind of excited about going to 8 to 5 for a while,” she said.
Holly Burgess’ parents bought the store in 1967, and she took it over until selling it to Kramer.
“I’m very sad for Veronica that she had to close the store,” she said. “But I’m also proud of her to make the smart business decision to let it go when she needed to. She’s a smart and talented girl, and she’ll go on to bigger and better things.”