We are a team of passionate and dedicated retail professionals committed to delivering to you an experience second to none. From our superb location, we offer the finest selection of social stationery and related products combined with attentive service in a spacious and luxurious retail environment.
Our Story
It’s Started in the 80s
In 1982, at the age of 25, I introduced Ottawa to the finest papers, writing instruments and design ideas from around the world. With an extensive history in fine art and an abundance of creative energy, I felt a passion for collecting and displaying together in one exciting retail environment the newest design trends which I imported from New York and London. These were heady times in the retail industry as the more is more attitude of the eighties drove customers to enthusiastically embrace all that glittered, all that was new.
Into the 90s
This was a period of challenge and change as the business environment shifted to adjust to new economic realities. The 1990s heralded a new age in business that required a fresh perspective and approach that ultimately led to the move to a large and spacious new location at 18 Clarence Street in 2003.
A New Millenium
With double the floor space, our new location afforded me the ability to expand our inventory selection and to increase our display areas in order to better showcase our product. Drawing inspiration from the grand retail environments of New York and London, I created a shopping experience here in Ottawa that continues to adjust organically to the demands of the customer and to the creative trends of the moment. As radical shifts take place in the retail industry, my response has been to respond to the needs of the customer with an eye to providing outstanding customer service along with a product mix that remains original and relevant.
The Twenty Tens
Interpreting the now popular trend of “concept retailing” has proven to be a successful roadmap as Paper Papier moves through its third decade in business. Our floral division, Fleurissant, was launched in 2014 and has been enthusiastically received by our customers. Importing fresh flowers twice weekly from Holland, we are a well known source for floral creations for local hotels, restaurants and individuals.
We are the largest retailer of fine writing instruments in Ottawa, we display exquisite papers from Japan, Italy, France and we are famous for our vast selection of greeting cards.
All of this is made possible by the loyal support of our customers who for 35 plus years have come out in the cold, rain, snow, wind and heat to support a local brick and mortar shop called Paper Papier. For this my partner Gary Stern and I are profoundly grateful and hope to continue to evolve to meet the needs of our valued customers.
Welcome to Paper Papier!
