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Do you need a brick and mortar store to buy pens?

2/21/2016

3 Comments

 
Where do you buy your pens? Online, at pen shows, estate sales, or do you patronize a brick-and-mortar pen shop? Perhaps you use a combination of all of these?
 
I have a couple of favorite stores that I patronize when I am in Boston, Washington and New York. I also do purchase both modern and vintage pens online.  I love the real shops, and I always learn something from the wonderful staff that I talk to there. It’s also fun to interact with other pen aficionados who shop in the same places. But – is this necessary?
 
Many pen shops around the U.S. have closed in the past 5-7 years. Perhaps some have simply lost their lease like Art Brown in NYC, or made poor business decisions. But is there a cultural trend going on here? Are these shops doomed due to succumb to online alternatives?
 
Let’s hope not. Thoughts?
 
3 Comments
Zoe
2/21/2016 03:52:56 pm

My first fountain pens came from the Fountain Pen Hospital and Amazon. Now I buy from Goulet Pens. There isn't a pen store anywhere near me. If there was I would probably be there a lot, at least to talk and look. I eat up a lot of online content, and I'm so grateful for everything that is posted in this community. I also love talking to people in person. If there was a store nearby, I think it would be cool if there were writing events or events that talk about new products or just give info on pens. It would be fun to get together. I'm looking forward to when I can get to my first fp show.

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Neil J Lander link
2/22/2016 04:13:24 pm

Hi - a couple of things to consider: 1. See if there is a local pen club in your area. There are 30 pen clubs in North America. 2. Join the Pen Collectors of America. It is $40 for the year and they publish a great magazine 3 times during the year. There is a lot of good information in the journal and on their website. It is certainly easy to buy via the web, however, it does lack the human touch. I hope this helps and would encourage you to keep the dialogue going. Thanks for the post! Neil

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Victoria link
2/22/2016 04:57:38 pm

I've been wondering why so many pen shops around the US have gone out of business in the last few years. Is it because people just want to buy online without human interaction? However, as you say, Zoe, it's still fun to look and talk in person.

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