"In this digital age, the world has expressed mixed opinions about paper. It wasn't long ago that trend watchers were predicting the coming of a paperless workplace. Thankfully for some Lexington businesses, that prediction has not come to pass, and local consumers still maintain a fond appreciation for a handy desk calendar or a fine specimen of textured stationery. It's especially true during this season, when many are making plans to tackle the fresh New Year like a clean sheet of paper.
When the Paperweight opened in April 1979, its stock was limited to stationery and invitations from Crane and two other companies, plus paper plates and napkins. Owner Julie Young started small, plowed her profits back into the business, and gradually expanded.
Customers can still buy fine stationery and invitations from Paperweight's flagship brand Crane, but now the shop sells much more. Over 70 hardbound sample books show an amazing variety of styles in wedding and party invitations and personal stationery. William Arthur, Embossed Graphics, Carlson Craft, Caspari and Rytex are among the other brands carried. Two newer lines are Vera Wang for Crane and Kate Spade for William Arthur.
Young has also added nonstationery items, such as photograph albums, baby books, recipe books and boxes, cards, and wrapping papers. What she calls "pick up things" are items customers buy on impulse or for gifts. They include stick-on notes with single initials, picture frames, and this year's hot item: bunny slippers. Of the cute warm slippers, Young said, "I have reordered four times!"
Another change is the store's in-house printing. Using Inscribe software designed for stationery stores, Young and her five employees can print invitations and stationery on the premises, saving customers time. They can't do engraving, embossing, or thermography, but regular printing means that Paperweight can turn out classy invitations in only a day or two. Young predicted "more and more specialization in design" of stationery and invitations.
Julie Young took a roundabout way into owning a local business. After working in data processing in Dallas, she ran an airport limousine service for her uncle, the late W. T. Young. The long hours of managing the limousine service "taught me that I liked being my own person," she said.
Young had always liked writing papers and greeting cards, but she didn't want to own a franchised store. "I'm a little bit of an independent person," she explained, adding that she wanted to be free to choose the merchandise.
Researching the local market, she discovered that only Morris Book Store carried Crane's stationery and just as a sideline. Young took classes at the Small Business Administration, met with Crane's representatives, and was soon in business. Two years later, she bought out her partner and was on her way to building a successful specialty business.
What's the best part of owning such a shop? "Oh, the customers!" said Young enthusiastically. "I enjoy the interaction with them and I'm glad I have a product people like." The downside for her is "the constant supervision - it never goes away. You take it home with you." Young, who serves on the boards of Hospice and LexArts, enjoys volunteering, but is often "juggling my other commitments" to find the time to do so.
Paperweight, at 109 Clay Avenue, is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. The Web site is www.paperweight.invitations.com.
This is peak season for sales of calendars and planners at Hurst Office Suppliers. While Hurst sells some scenic wall calendars, most business customers choose more utilitarian styles. Hope Hurst Lanham, accounting director, is the third generation to work in her family's business. The store's bestseller, Lanham said, is "the large desk pad that lays on the desk."
There's a good selection and Hurst can order additional calendars and planners from its wholesalers, if they are still in stock. Lanham suggested, though, that customers buy as early as possible. Prices range from $2 for basic refills to more than $100 for planners with deluxe binders.
Desk calendars are more popular with Hurst customers than wall calendars, according to Lanham. There are also fewer designs of business calendars than in years past, she said, because one large company, At-A-Glance, has bought other companies (Visual, DayRunners, Franklin Covey) and eliminated similar styles.
Women customers like the Quick Notes, a planner book that combines calendar with space for notes. New this year is Outlink, "a product that integrates paper and electronic planning," Lanham said. The binder lets a customer carry both a PDA and paper copy.
For customers who have trouble choosing, Hurst gives them a flyer that helps them determine what type of planner will work best for them.
Hurst Office Suppliers, 257 East Short Street, is open from Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The Hurst Web site is www.hurstgroup.net.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers sells many photographic calendars and engagement books. Tiffany Isaac, of the company's merchandising team, said that their bestsellers are by James Archambeault, Doug Prather, and the Lang folk art/Americana calendars. Who buys the most calendars? "Definitely women," Isaac said, even if the calendars are on subjects appealing to men.
Calendars related to books, such as Sudoki, Bad Cats, and You: the Owner's Manual, always sell well. Animal calendars are popular. Isaac rated the all Yellow Labrador Retrievers and the all Jack Russell Terriers calendars as the top animal sellers. The Woodford County Humane Society calendar is one "we always sell out of," she noted.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington Green, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. The Web site is www.josephbeth.com.
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