Paper Boy
Category: Cards & Stationery [Edit]
Neighborhood: Lakeview1351 W Belmont Ave
(between Lakewood Ave & Southport Ave)
Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 388-8811
- Nearest Transit:
Southport (Brown)
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sat 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Sun 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
10 reviews
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
"What a wonderful store! Beautiful letterpress cards.... really inspires you to send a handwritten note instead of an email the next time…" read more »
51 Reviews for Paper Boy
I could spend hours in here. There are so many things to look at and play with! I'm not even a big greeting card person, but I love buying the little packs of letters there.
But what sets this place apart is the really nice people. We went in recently to get ideas for our wedding invitations and they helped us out a lot, with different ideas and pricing.
But then if you're in the mood to browse, they're not going to breathe down your neck.
Hoorah for Paper Boy.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I adore this place! It's located around the corner from my apartment, so I end up there often. Far from merely an excellent stationary store; this place is stoked with gifts, costume jewelry, crafts, and other neat things.
Often stores like Paperboy, employs workers who huddle over you, offer you assistance many times over, and do not give you room to breathe. On the contrary, this is a small boutique that allows its customers breathing room.
Ever since Ive kicked the crack addiction, I found a new one, greeting cards!!! I love this place. I have spent hours in here trying to read all the cards. I love them. I always have the unique card that people save. I put a lot of effort into these cards and Im so happy I found this place. They have things that match my bizzare and at many times innappropriate sense of humor. I really got some tasty ones for Valentines Days for my now ex boyfriend that werent the cheesy "im so glad you are in my life and the birds sing when our eyes meet" type of things, I couldnt pull that shit off. These put in words and on beautiful paper how I feel. Great Place. And the staff here is so friendly. They dont bother you unless you need help and they are very helpful when you do.
I will note however, that these are a little pricier than the last minute 99 cent thing s you can get at walgreens, but they are worth it.
shake shake shake
On a sidenote, Ive never had a crack addiction. I just thought it would make me sound like a badass, in hindsight, not so much.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
So, what's not to like?
1. They sell jewelry and junk like a weird store in a mall.
2. It can be pricey, but, it's a good place.
So, your love is special and unique and you want to express it in a card.... but, not any old card, your love is just too special for that.
Come here. They have so many funny, cute, lovey cards, you won't know what to do with yourself. Also, if you have a special kind of hate for someone, don't worry, they have cards for that too.
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (3)
Cool (3)
Fabulous selection of cards! Thus far this is the best I have found in the city. So many different letter press companies and other small stationers are represented. I bought a number of cards at the Renegade Handmade Street Fair in the summer and was thrilled to find so many of the artists sold here (a few are sold at the Renegade store, but not nearly all).
Plus Uncle Fun is right across the street (Paper Boy is part of the Uncle Fun Empire). What more could you ask for?
It's a pleasure when you get exactly what you ask for from a merchant or service provider. That's what I got at Paper Boy.
I had no personal stationery and wanted some for a very specific reason. Usually I just use tasteful cards, but I had something come up for which only personal stationery would do. And, I had a deadline.
After the pain in the neck of parking on Belmont, I wandered in and on my own could not find what I had in mind. So, I asked for help. I told Rebecca that I wanted very simple and understated personal stationery; probably something of the ilk that few people who shop here would want. She listened, showed me a handful of various paper and size possibilities, all of which were generally what I had in mind, and she gave me a typeface book.
It took me less than three minutes to devise what I wanted from what she showed me. She faxed me proofs within a day. I made a few subtle changes, and they were made correctly the first time. I picked up my stationery within two hours of approving the final proofs.
Only one complaint (otherwise 5 stars): it wasn't until I went to pick up the final product that I saw a rather small sign on their front door that said there was parking in the rear for Paper Boy customers. MAKE THE SIGN BIGGER; PARKING ON BELMONT NEAR SOUTHPORT IS A MAJOR AGGRAVATION.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (1)
Paper, paper everywhere
Though I try to pass myself off as wickedly cool and hip, I have a very dorky mother side (ironically I don't plan on ever reproducing). Cooking, knitting, and grocery shopping are amongst my favorite past times, but what trumps them all is my obsession with greeting cards. Thankfully, my card haven Paper Boy makes me feel neat-o when I'm buying funny cards for no specific reason. Every last inch of wall and floor space is filled with cards, stationary, wrapping paper, photo albums and other unique paper goods. I often get sucked into the Paper Boy abyss for hours on end, but never leave unsatisfied. Best finds; an oversized pattern purse with dusty gold accents (I've been stopped numerous times to be complimented).
Bottom Line: If you love off-the-wall cards, unique stationary and such - Paper Boy kicks ass (I never thought I would refer to a stationary store as 'kick ass.' Man, I really am lame).
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (1)
This is one of my favorite gems around. I come here often to restock my card selection. They have the BEST birthday cards, the best sticky note pads and unique items around. The wrapping paper is too cute. I buy it and never want to wrap anything with it!
The staff here has always been great.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Such a little gem you are, sweet Paper Boy.
Vast selection of kitschy toys, stationery and other cool trinkets. Helpful staff. Parking is usually pretty decent.
Prices are on par with competition. Great place to get ideas, browse, kill an hour, and dream up ways to communicate in style.
All the style of Armitage Ave (ie PaperSource, etc), with none of the congestion...
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
...every day the paper boy brings more. I Love this little spot. I can float threw the isles like a spirit roaming a well haunted house. This place has so many things and every time I go back I see something I missed or is new. One of my fetishes paper and writing materials. Cards and trinkets. This place is to me, as a bottle of rum washing up on an island you have been stranded upon for weeks. Opening the door and placing my eyes upon the various routes that I may use to pa rouse the isles. The same way you are trying to figure out how to open that bottle of rum with out spilling a drop. Go, Look and I bet you too will find more than one item.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I could spend all day here! In fact, a couple weeks ago, I did. Well, not all day, but a couple of hours, for sure. They have tons of stuff, more than just paper, so I was able to get holiday gifts for several people in one stop, plus cards and other cool stuff. They have fancy soaps, jewelry, scarves, a million 1" buttons, plus the requisite paper store things. Everyone that works there, at least when I've been there, is really helpful but also pretty hands off. Their selection is also many times better than that of a Papyrus or Paper Source or what-have-you. It's also really nice to go into a local store and be able to buy stuff made by local artists (although they do have other stuff if you hate supporting local people).
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
There's a little saying around Southport/Belmont... Paper Boy is the place to go "where the papers hot and the girls are too".
There are gifts for everyone here (even yourself). The prices are really low too. The days following holidays there are super sales. Since I'm a cheapskate, that's when I bulk up... on paper and eye-candy!
My favorite year-round items are the root-beer scented pencils, fruity scented candles and dirty-message cards.
Get ready to spend $$$!
I always end up spending at least $25 during each trip!
It's a very girly store, and they have an excellent selection of cards here for every holiday and special occasion.
Another thing I love about this store is that they have an awesome selection of ribbons for gift wrapping that they sell by the foot. Pretty presents are the best!
The staff is very helpful and friendly.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I was planning on coming here anyways, but was under the impression it was primarily cards and stationary. There's definitely a great deal of that here; what I was unaware of was the incredible selection of nice jewelry for absolutely rock bottom prices.
Combine the incredible jewelry with filthy, cursing buttons and they have a new lifelong customer in me. We popped in the other day and came home with so much amazingly unique stuff...how did I not know about this store???!
I love Paper Boy! If you need a unique gift, accessory, greeting card...this is the place to go. The selection is great and they offer items that you just cannot find other places. I am a huge fan of Knock Knock items and they carry the whole line! A few times a year they will have big sidewalk sales where you can get really cute cards for $1 each. I always load up for weddings and special occasions at these sales. I'm looking forward to heading over there soon to check out what they have for the Holidays.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
THE best stationery store--not just in Chicago--but in the US. Paper Boy has a great selection of handcrafted papers, cards, wrapping paper, and a small selection of unique gifts. They also do custom invitations. I buy my Christmas cards here each year because they have a great selection.
I don't think I've ever bought anything in here but I love just looking around. If we weren't in such a digital age, I would definitely buy some stationary. I've bought cards and a journal at Fly Paper, which I'm pretty sure is a sister store to this place and Uncle Fun.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
One of my favorite shops in Chicago, this place gets my whole-hearted business anytime I need a card for.. anything. Stupid "eighth grade graduation"? Check. "Your Welcome"? Check. Random card with profanity in really pretty script? Check. A gorgeous hand-pressed card for my grandma? Check.
Now, I may not be a card connoisseur, but I only spend money on four things: living expenses, food, music, and stationary. Because of all the time [and money...] I've invested in the hunt for really great cards, I'm especially thrilled that Paper Boy carries most of my favorite brands, including the hard-to-find Squibnocket, the ever-sarcastic/perfect uncooked, the beautifully letterpressed sarcastic creations of Smudge Ink, Quiplip, Nightfire Press, and Seraph, and the recent favorite, Selfish Kitty. I only wish they carried Just B and eEvil Ink. Then I'd be in true heaven [but would have little reason to go to my other favorite card shops].
Oh! Added bonus? They have great notepads and random gifty things along one wall, AND free wrapping. Despite my annual effort to get a birthday gift out to my penpal in California, I have never succeeded in doing so BEFORE her actual birthday. ...until I found Paper Boy, that is. *insert cheesy "Thanks, Paper Boy!" here*
Yes, it's true. I spend entirely too much money here.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
When it was time to order rehearsal dinner invitations for our wedding my fiance and I went to Paper Boy. They have such great merchandise. My favorite was the big note pad titled "things you do to piss me off" or "things you need to do to make me happy" For some reason he didn't find it as hysterical as I did when I verbally checked off everything that related to him...haha
He quickly focused me back on the reason we were there. I let him pick out the invitations and thankfully (and surprisingly) he picked out 3 that I really liked. After we got it all figure out and ordered I went back the next day to approve the proof and they told me it would be a week turn around. Well, I got a call the next day that the invitations were ready. Wow! They put a really nice hand written note inside telling us to have a great dinner. I thought that was a great touch.
When it came time to buy paper for our wedding programs I went back there because they had the best selection and the best price. I bought 100 sheets and they gave me a discount. That was a really nice surprise.
So I debated whether or not I should let the women of Chicago in on my little secret. Sigh. I cannot hold it back - I HEART Paper Boy! This is my #1 "go-to" spot for funky bags, great jewelry, cards that make you laugh out loud, and cool gifts for those hard-to-shop-for friends. And even though stationary can be a little spendy, I think the prices here are more reasonable than most other paper stores in the city.
Check it out! (but save some jewelry for me!)
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (1)
Fun! I've always liked this place but haven't been back in a while. I stopped in after eating lunch at Schuba's around the corner, and left with a wallet $38 lighter and a sack full of goodies, which I felt was a terrific deal!
They had a table full of $3-$5 earrings, bracelets, and headbands, so I grabbed up two pairs of feather earrings (yes, I said Feather Earrings, a la B.A. Baracus, but for girls, like Cindi Lauper, and...me!), cherry earrings, plastic hearts, two headbands, a Father's Day card, a shopping list notebook (to fit in your wallet for on-the-fly lists!) and a little wooden ring. Whew.
And I'll be going back to check out their wedding invitation books sometime soon--they don't require an appointment, which is very nice.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
Everytime I go here, I end up spending over $100 because they just have the best cards around. Very original and unique.
They also have fun stuff like preprinted notepads titled "shitlist" with appropriate boxes to check for length of time you'll hold your grudge and what offense was committed (for all those relationship scorekeepers out there).
Waaaaaay too easy to spend too much money at Paper Boy. I barely write real letters anymore, yet here I am with 5 packs of stationery or cute note cards at the register, piled next to those sheets of bacon wrapping paper and the cool jewelry that has no business being next to the cash register, testing my budget mettle.
I really do love this place, it's just hard to keep the impulsive buying to a minimum with such cute invitations and cards and wacky wrapping paper around. What can I say? I have a weakness for Paper Boy.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Really cute cards and stationary....a huge selection of engagement, shower and wedding related items. A unique array of accessories (headbands, hairclips and purses) that are reasonably priced to pick from as well, are stashed away in the back.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
If you're picky about your paper stores, THIS IS YOUR PLACE. I don't allow myself in here often, since I can't spend less than $50 anytime I go.
Cards: 1.5 walls of greeting card selections. Most places I'm struggling to find one worthy of the recipient. Here there are so many beautiful paper pressed pieces and quirky silly choices that I'm always trying to narrow down between three. Additional full tables of boxed blank notecards and lovely little invites that they can personalize and print for you.
Wrapping paper: At least two boxes of stunning prints and great selection of sheets. Insane collection at the holidays, coupled with their gorgeous ribbons help me to hide the crappy gifts I'm giving. I've been there near closing time, frantically digging through boxes, and a kind salesgirl helped to sift through them and pick out her favorites, and assisted me in my indecisiveness over ribbon choices.
Journals: Decent selection of journals and blank sketchbooks has been bolstered by the addition of the moleskin collection.
Photo albums: They regularly stock Pulp albums (http://www.pulpproduct...) with refill pages and photo dots.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This store is the devil. I could easily spend a whole paycheck here on gorgeous little cards and papers I don't have anybody to send to because people don't write letters anymore. What I really wish is that I had a pen pal who shopped at a place like this.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I went today for the first time and found some great paper goods. I love that they carry local artists, I want more more more! (how'd ya like me, how'd like ya like me..)
I can spend hours in here. The cards and stationary and other assorted whatnot don't come cheap, but if you want something better than Hallmark, this is your place. Not a bad place to search for the gifts to go with the cards as well, if you're into kitsch.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Very reliable- they have a big selection of cards or gifts for any event (birthday, wedding, baby...) and a broad selection of fun and stylish wrapping papers.
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
I made my baby shower invites here. Lots of cute stuff, helpful staff and always a good art display.
Its a stationary store with so much more journals and jewelry wrapping paper and writing supplies stack the shelves at Paper Boy. A complete Paper Boy addict when I lived in Chicago, it was guaranteed that on payday portion of my check would be passed over to Paper Boys proprietor. Considering that my bank was a block or so away I am surprised I didnt spend more. The staff is friendly and super creative . They make many of the cards they sell here. Those cards are often featured near the cash register. My two favorite Paper Boy purchases- an orange leather passport cover and the Nancy Drew book turned journal that I gave my best friend for Christmas last year. Paper Boy is my pick to inspire anyone to write more letters. With the luscious paper they sell, who could resist writing?
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
I've purchased some amazing cards here, including a $7 just because card for my boyfriend. I love love it but try to limit my visits.
This store has a card for any occasion. The prices are a bit on the higher side, but the uniqueness of the cards are worth the extra buck!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Am I the only one who thinks spending $7 on a greeting card is crazy?
People thought this was:
Funny (1)
Paper Boy is *fantastic*! I started going in so regularly that the staff began to know me - and I them. (It's all very "Cheers"-like and cool.) What I noticed is that they have a lot of fun things on the cheap - wallets, totes, etc. Another brilliant slant is that the staff actually makes some of the cards they sell. (One of my favorite stationary makers (and people) is Amber Favorite who goes by "A. Favorite" on her work.
I'm a complete stationary store goof; you know the type: likes to buy cards in advance, buys stationary and cards just because they're funny or clever. And Paper Boy never disappoints me. Of course they carry Crane and Mara Mi and other high-end lines but most of their stuff, like their sister stores Uncle Fun and Flypaper, carry unbelievably fun and inventive items.
For the reviewer who found the staff aloof: I feel bad because you must've caught everyone on an off day. They're amazing women (and one guy!) and they always make my day whether I splurge or just go in looking. It's worth the trek to Belmont and Southport!
x0x0 to PB.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Excellent selection of cards, tags, wrapping papers, ribbons, small gifts.
VERY COURTEOUS staff!
I like this store a lot. It's close to my job to run over and pick up a last minute card and wrapping paper. At first it seems like it's a bit expensive, but when you go to other paper specialty stores and compare - it's pretty fairly priced.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
This is a good place to find unique greeting cards, wrapping papers, and some small gifts. Their card selection for holidays tends to be not terribly large but they have lots of stuff for year-round occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc. In recent years they seem to have expanded their selection/services related to stationeries and custom cards/invitations for weddings, etc.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
this is my favorite store in the city. it makes me happy everytime i go in there! they have great cards and candles and the people behind the counter are easy-going and fun! check out fly paper, too, it's tiny but it's like paper boy's naughty sibling.
People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...
Related Lists
-
I buy two cards - one to…
Some people collect stamps; I collect cards. No,… -
These are a few of my…
Restaurants? Check. Events? Got 'em.… -
a fond farewell to…
i'm moving out-but these are the places that i… -
Four Years Worth of…
As I move to Los Angeles, here's what I'll miss… -
Make Her Happy
Every so often, a little something from one of… -
Pleasing Paper
Places to find unique wrapping paper, cards and… -
Tomboy - History Geek…
Oh no, you're thinking, another Yelper getting… -
I heart Paper
I love cards, stationary, and anything paper…
Hot and New
- Violet
34 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
- Southport Grocery & Cafe
132 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview
- Sweet Occasions and More!
88 reviews
Neighborhood: Andersonville
- Star Lounge Cafe
37 reviews
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park
- Cafe Furaibo
28 reviews
Neighborhood: Lakeview