Victoria Hurley-Schubert

By: centraljersey.com
In it’s first year in downtown Princeton, Paper Source, a specialty paper and gift retailer, has developed a dedicated and creative clientele. Unique quality paper products and a wide selection of items from across the globe have kept customers coming in.
"I like the papers because of the color and weight selection," said Karen Kutzman, a Morristown wedding invitation designer, who shops at the Nassau Street shop. "The way it prints digitally is nice."
"I love it," added her friend and fellow invitation designer and Howell resident Lisa Purcell. "I come here for ideas and inspiration."
The specialty paper store’s mission is to inspire our customers to "do something creative every day," said Carolyn Agnew, public relations specialist at Chicago- based Paper Source. The store stocks more than half the items unique to it’s brand, including custom color palettes of envelopes and cardstock, and their own designs of wrap, stationery and calendars. Hundreds of fine papers from all over the world including Japan, Nepal, India are on display along with cards, rubber stamps, stickers, labels and other embellishments.
A selection of quirky gift items such as aprons, lunch totes, bags and eco-friendly cups are on display.
"I’m happy they have almost everything and I can come to one store," said Catherine Hrung of Princeton during a recent project night at the store. Project nights are held at least once a month and are open to the public.
"It’s so exciting to see what other people can do with our products," said Christina Hummell, a shift manager at the store.
"When a customer works on an invitation, they bring them back and share it with us; it comes full circle," added Melissa Cookman.
Princeton customers have been very receptive to the workshops offered at the store, with "Rookie Rubberstamping" and card making classes as the most popular, said Ms. Agnew.
The privately held company chose the Nassau Street location "for its dynamic streetscape which characterizes many of our store locations, as well as its proximity to Princeton University," said Ms. Agnew. The average price point of an item in the store is $8, but there is a large product range, from a single greeting card to a hand-bound wedding album.
With 35 stores nationwide, the company competes against chain retailers like A.C. Moore and Michael’s by offering unique products, service and classes. "What sets us apart is our distinctive assortment, distinctive aesthetic and personal service that is very difficult to find in big-box (store) formats," said Ms. Agnew.
"The quality of the paper and designs you can’t find in Michael’s," said Carol Lipson of Pennington as she took a class Thursday night. "Everyone here is really nice and they like paper too!"
Hours for the store located at 82 Nassau St. are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; and 10 a.m. to 7 pm. Wednesday through Saturday.
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