The Paper Mouse — Local services in Newton

With everyone shopping online or at giant chain retailers, and the steady decline of the love for the written letter, it's become quite difficult to find a half-decent stationery store. Add to that a place the specializes in fountain pens, has an awesome backstory, and collaborates with local, independent artists and you get this amazing gem of a shop.

The decor is very warm and welcoming - you want to look at every shelf, stand, display. They carry some really amazing, hard-to-find stationery goods - I'm not even sure where to start.

Let's start with their in house brand. The Paper Mouse (go check out their website, their back story is cute!) art is adorable and so well done. They have a great selection of art prints, greeting cards, postcards, vinyl stickers, gift wrap, and even a fashionable tote bag!

Fountain pens. I am a fountain pen ... enthusiast? Whenever I travel, I always have to hunt down local fountain pens shops, and I'm part of a community where we will travel across the country (and often internationally) to attend pen shows (yes, there are pen shows). The Paper Mouse has a really nice selections of fountain pens ranging from beginner pens like $30 Lamy and Kaweco entry pens to a bit higher range like Sailors ($$$). They have a great little pen bar for you to see and test out their pens, and they seem to really know their stuff. They also have a very nice selection of fountain pen inks - they offer an incredible selection of ink samples for purchase as well. Whether you're interested in your first ever fountain pen, or you're a long time user like myself, I really think this is a great shop to check out.

Paper goods. They have an entire second room dedicated to just paper goods. They have a lovely wall of greeting cards, postcards, and art prints (I own several) to cover whatever occasion you can think of. I love that they collaborate with independent artists. Beyond this wall, they have an extensive selection of notebooks, especially if you're looking for something that's fountain pen friendly for that new pen you just bought!

They also have some very unique home goods that would make perfect housewarming gifts.

I can't say enough good things about this place - or the staff! Everyone I've encountered here is friendly and knowledgable. Whether you spend $0 or $300, they are always quick to help. This is probably my favorite stationery shop in the Boston area, even if they aren't the biggest. I always walk...

The Paper Mouse is an absolute gem for anyone who loves stationery. Their selection of fountain pens and calligraphy inks is second to none, with unique finds like the gorgeous Polar Lights ink you won’t see anywhere else. They’ve also got an incredible array of high-end pencils and a fantastic collection of specialty paper and crafting supplies. This isn’t just a store; it’s a creative haven, complete with weekly events that make it a hub for people passionate about writing, art, and crafting. Every corner of the shop feels thoughtfully curated, making it the kind of place you never want to leave.

Even if you don’t live nearby, The Paper Mouse makes it easy to shop with their $6 shipping rate across the U.S., but trust me, it’s worth the trip to visit in person. There’s something so warm and welcoming about the shop that keeps me coming back, even if it’s a bit out of the way. The unique products, the community vibe, and the attention to detail make it a truly special place. I honestly can’t recommend it enough—it’s one of those rare stores that’s as inspiring as it is practical.

Thank you, Jenny and Victor, for creating this wonderful...

When I was a child, I loved to walk around office supply stores: try all the pens, look at the notebooks and paper, enjoy the sights and smells. These stores showed me that there are beautiful ways to communicate.

The Paper Mouse takes that childhood joy, distills it (removing all of the quotidian stuff), and curates all the remaining items, resulting in an impossible store: a store that brings joy.

They stock items that are thoughtfully selected, whether ink, notebooks, cards, pens, or other items. It's hard to go wrong (in fact, we asked them to surprise us with items and were so happy with the result).

They are open online, and I can't recommend them more highly for a gift for...