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Paper Source

4 star rating
based on 22 reviews

Category: Cards & Stationery  [Edit]

1109 Lake St
(between Illinois Route 43 & Marion St)
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 445-7700
Nearest Transit:

Harlem (Green)

Price Range:
$$$
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
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22 reviews for Paper Source

Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of Kate P.

Elite '09

273

206

Kate P.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
3/21/2009

I love making things either to give to other people or keep for myself and Paper Source is my one stop shopping center for all of my DIY crafts.  

I stopped here this afternoon while waiting for my boyfiend to pick me up after his meeting.  I ended up buying some very nice writing papers and a "real" writers pen, since it was 50% off.  The chatty woman at the counter said I had come in at just the right time to make such a purchase because after they sell out their stock, they will be discontinuing the sales of pens.  I thought it was a shame, but at the same time I totally scored!

As a friend of mine said every writer and writer in the making should have one really nice pen and today was my day to make that purchase. Thank you Paper Source, I'll probably be back soon to get the supplies I need to make a new journal.

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Photo of Hannah Y.

Elite '09

38

1237

Hannah Y.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
9/22/2009

Paper Source usually has friendly service, helpful staff members, and a good collection of handmade as well as unique cards for every occasions.  Don't forget to check out their clearance section since it's quite a haven for scrapbookers on their usually-pricey paper and other accessories.  Much better than Fitzgerald's down on Marion.

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Photo of Ruthie H.

 

12

49

Ruthie H.

Crystal Lake, IL

3 star rating
5/19/2009

The paper source is a great place to go when you know you need to create something, and you have no idea how to go about it.  I usually get pretty inspired just wondering around the place.  I love the staff...they are very friendly and knowledgeable.   I have learned all sorts of fun and crafty techniques from them.  The only reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 5 is because it is SUPER expensive.

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Photo of Ellen M.

Elite '09

316

1100

Ellen M.

Oak Park, IL

3 star rating
8/9/2006

This store is lovely.  But fuck it's expensive.  I've been wanting to get personal stationery, but I can't see spending a minimum of $300 for 100 cards/envelopes (the small ones) - I only want to show off a little, you know, give that impression that I'm on it.  Organized.  Writing thank you notes is just part of my daily routine.  But no, for that price, I'd hesitate to thank anyone in writing.  I'd save the really good paper for those thank-you emergencies - not healthy.

I would recommed the store for stampers and scrapbookers.  I'd even recommend it for people who want high-quality and creative business cards and stationery and can afford to shell out serious green for that sort of trifle.  It's a wonderful alternative to Hallmark for basic cards and very pretty.  I'm just not girly enough to buy it.

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Photo of David G.

 

6

30

David G.

Oak Park, IL

4 star rating
9/22/2008

Well, I'm a paper/crafts junkie... so I freakin' love the place. But it is pricey. I can walk in and drop way too much, way too fast on paper, art supplies, etc. The Oak Park store is not quite as big as the store in Chicago (on Chicago Ave) but it's not bad, and the staff are friendly and helpful.

Just don't go in looking for a deal, because it's not a place for bargain shopping...

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Photo of Becky S.

 

52

129

Becky S.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
6/29/2007

If I had any willpower whatsoever, I would be able to walk into this store without spending money.  Moreover, I would be able to escape in less than a half an hour.

But I don't.  As such, I have a stockpile of thank you notes, blank cards, and birthday cards, as well as some random things, like Teaberry gum and a pencil that looks like a cigarette, at my desk at work.

I found perfectly adorable blank notecards that were like, $5.50 for 10.  Not bad.  Do you want to know how cute they are?  I wrote a friend of mine a thank you note using one of said notecards, and she sent me a thank you note thanking me for my thank you note.  Vomit.

Yes, pricey..  but can you put a price on adoration?  I didn't think so.

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Photo of Sam S.

Elite '09

75

108

Sam S.

River Forest, IL

4 star rating
2/22/2008

Cute little store with nice, unconventional selection of cards and toys and baby books. Their greeting cards aren't your everyday Hallmark cards. Some are actually funny. Those I saw were printed either in the US or UK or Japan. Yes, Japan. They even carry those little Japanese dinosaur toys. What's up with that? I asked the storekeeper about that and she told me this store actually started out as specialty store selling items from foreign countries like Japan. Those dinosaur toys have serious markup - it says 395 yen (less than $4) on the box but it's priced at $13. Some expensive jet fuel.

By the way, it's a Chicago chain headquartered in downtown.

The staff is quick and courteous. I'll be back for cards and papers, or when I'm in the mood for little Japanese toys.

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Photo of Mariel L.

 

5

18

Mariel L.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
6/19/2007

Adorable little shop, friendly staff, excellent quality paper and envelopes (it had better be, for the price you'll pay!), but what's really cool about this place is some of the unique finds - VERY funny, sometimes risque cofee table books, bind-your-own-book kits, Chinese-takeout-style boxes in various colors and sizes, kitschy wrapping paper, cartoon and superhero fold-and-mail stationery, rubber stamps, witty notepads (such as the Sh*t To Do list), and more.  Some items are only marginally pricey.  You can get a premade stationery set, a small plain journal, a stack of 25 blank cards and envelopes, greeting cards, or some of the novelty books for a fair price.  Some other things, however - their wrapping papers, custom stationery - obnoxiously expensive.  Obnoxiously.  Did I mention it's expensive?  Because it is.

Still, I love to wander around in here, and think about how I want to buy almost each and every thing in the store.  It's a must-visit for any papercrafter, letter-writing afficionado or scrapbooker, a great place to "treat" yourself if you're into these sorts of things.

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Photo of Bex M.

 

7

72

Bex M.

Oak Park, IL

5 star rating
3/11/2007

The Cadillac of stationery stores! If you make paper crafts, there is simply nowhere else to walk in that offers up a massive selection of quality paper products in sizes, shapes and colors for every occasion!

This isn't Michael's or Jo-Ann's--this is a store for paper aficionados.

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Photo of Stacey D.

 

10

159

Stacey D.

Schaumburg, IL

4 star rating
2/17/2008

I had heard about this place when planning my wedding, they have a good variety of items for wedding invitations. They also have a nice selection of stationery, scrapbook paper, cards, ribbons, and other paper goods.

I went specifically for an eraser that says Shit! (on their website). Bummer, they were out. I settled for an "oops" one instead. The staff was pretty helpful in offering to look in back and in their inventory for another one, but no luck.

I was disappointed by their lack of office supplies, I expected more cutesy file folders, hanging folders, magazine files, etc. Borders has more than they did, but I guess that's not what they target.

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Photo of Jen H.

Elite '09

1

78

Jen H.

Rochelle, IL

4 star rating
10/23/2008

I love Paper-Source!  I drove over an hour to come here.  I usually order online.  However, for my wedding invitations, I knew I had to hand pick them.  The service is good.

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Photo of Mischa D.

 

32

37

Mischa D.

Oak Park, IL

4 star rating
10/27/2008

Paper source is a great place to pick up cards, make invitations or get your gifts wrapped. Its a bit on the pricey side, but its worth the variety of uber cute cards and handmade wrapping papers.

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Photo of Cynthia G.

 

6

50

Cynthia G.

Forest Park, IL

4 star rating
4/28/2008

This place has very cute stationary and paper products.  As the other reviewers mentioned it is expensive, but it's a nice place to get cards for a special occasion. Also, they have some very pretty single sheet paper that you could buy and actually frame for some inexpensive artwork.  On a final note, there seems to be some sort of peaceful zen-like vibe going on with the staff here that is very calming.

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Photo of leslie h.

 

0

6

leslie h.

Oak Park, IL

5 star rating
5/4/2009

The wonderful staff here makes every single time I visit a joy.  Friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.  Ten thumbs up.

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Photo of Tanya S.

 

0

76

Tanya S.

Wood Dale, IL

4 star rating
8/21/2007

Lots of creativity in this store. I bought DIY invitation and they were a nice alternative to the standard wedding invites everyone sends out. Unfortunately, it's VERY difficult to cut the invites on inkjet paper down to size! I tried three cutters and none worked. In the end I had to have the actual invite printed, but I assembled as per package and they still look original. Beautiful papers in store.

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Photo of Annie S.

 

3

11

Annie S.

Oak Park, IL

4 star rating
4/21/2006

Paper Source is an awesome store! They have really nice handmade wrapping paper with beautiful designs. They have everything you need to make cards for any occasion. Also, they have a huge selection of stamps and stationary. Make sure you at least sign up to get their catalog because I love browsing through it every time it comes.

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Photo of Lisa B.

Elite '09

179

281

Lisa B.

Oak Park, IL

2 star rating
4/12/2007

A beautiful store, but I'm not impressed with their service. I was hanging around the DIY invitations, and when someone finally came to ask if I needed help, I asked if they had samples of Bar Mitzvah invitations.  He said yes, then another customer came up and asked him for acid-free paper.  Off he went with her, completely ignoring me.  Well, I guess I'll just take my business elsewhere, you big anti-Semite.

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Photo of Michael R.

Elite '09

7

38

Michael R.

Wheaton, IL

3 star rating
1/29/2007

Nice scrapbooking selection. Rubber stamps and design books are a highlight. The cramped layout and balmy temperatures are a lowlight. The staff is knowledgable and friendly to help balance the high prices. The handmade paper selection is excellent.

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Photo of Patricia B.

 

183

629

Patricia B.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
8/29/2005 1 photo

Their window display is filled with giant, paper sunflowers.  (They are my fave flower so I was instantly drawn to this store).  They have everything you can think of that is, well, paper.  Think great stationery and so much more!

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Photo of Gary K.

 

6

75

Gary K.

Harker Heights, TX

4 star rating
8/18/2005

This place was great for picking out papers, stamps, and misc attachments for making our Wedding announcements.  Again, a specialty store in its greatest sense, but it your looking for any kind of paper product chances are you'll find it here.

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Photo of Ren H.

 

57

1224

Ren H.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/12/2005 2 photos

This is a great place for stationary and scrapbooking materials!  It has definitely come in handy with a lot of my arts and crafts ventures!

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Photo of Valerie S.

 

4

378

Valerie S.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/14/2005 1 photo

I love this place for picking up great scrapbook stuff.  They have all sorts of colors, designs, textures, etc to choose from.

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