Paper Trail

This place is badass.
1. Awesome Cards
2. Awesome Cookbooks
3. Awesome Knick Knacks
I got a gift bag here for a friend (so cute) and I almost purchased a cookbook that was dedicated to recipes for Pot Pies (it can’t get any better than a pot pie, really), but I shall have to go back another time.
This place is fun and kind of whimsical. Awesome stuff.

Too cute! Love the cards, nice selection of invitations, and fun paper goods presents. Their selection of handmade papers is wonderful!
I will be back!

The cards are too expensive, the help is too rude. Although they do have a nice selection of cards, you’ll pay upwards of $ 10 for your piece of card-​stock. And if you do want to get one of the less expensive cards, you’re barred from using a a credit card, for which there is a $ 5 minimum. Did I mention the fellow behind the counter is an asshole?
Avoid.

I am giving a single star for a single experience I found to be appalling.
I’ve been a customer at this store for over two years; since I moved in around the corner, I loved to frequent this shop for clever cards and decorative paper whenever I had the occasion to give a gift. The customer service has never been phenomenal but that never particularly bothered me.
However. On New Year’s Eve, I flew back to Chicago after being away for six weeks. The same afternoon, I was beyond elated to be back in Andersonville and was on a warm-​and-​fuzzy happy-​to-​be-​home high as I took a stroll along Clark St, to do errands with my tiny (10 lb) dog. I am extremely sensitive about what businesses I take my dog into; I always hold him in my arms if he is with me inside a store (never a food store, of course), and usually ask as I cross the threshold if it is okay to have him with me. Perhaps I’ve become spoiled by the extremely dog-​friendly nature of most Andersonville businesses, or perhaps I was still glowing from the incredibly warm reception we had JUST experienced in Brimfield’s, Women and Children First Bookstore and the T-​Shirt Deli. Regardless, for whatever reason, I did not assume the need to draw attention to my dog, where he was perched calmly in my arms, as I walked into the Paper Trail.
Not that this mattered, because neither or the two employees working at the time paid any mind to me as I walked in– not so much as a sidelong glance or they would have clearly seen my flamboyantly plaid-​bedecked pooch in my arms. I was there for wrapping paper, a card, and scotch tape to prepare a belated Christmas gift, and I quickly circulated through the store, gathering up the items in question. I couldn’t find the tape so I approached the counter to inquire with a smile, still excited despite myself to see familiar faces after so long away.
Before I uttered a single word, the eyes of the owner darted to my dog and he met my gaze with a scowl and a forceful ‘Um, You CAN’T have a dog in here,’ spoken in a deeply patronizing tone of indignation as if my dog had just pooped on his floor. Meanwhile, the other man working beside him was literally rolling his eyes and shaking his head at me. Flustered and embarrassed, I apologized and rushed to return my items to their original places, before hurrying out, my joyful mood sufficiently squashed.
SERIOUSLY, you guys, why so rude? Yes, I had a dog in one arm, but guess what was in the other arm? An arm-​full of merchandise I was ready to purchase. I understand a business-owner’s right not to allow animals in their store, but at least be polite about it. If I had been treated differently, I would have gladly tied my dog outside and returned to finish the transaction. And maybe consider some signage on the door about NO PETS ALLOWED if the sight of a tiny animal makes you feel so put-​out.

After many attempts of trying to see what the Paper Trail had to offer I realized that they were closed on Mondays.
Whoops…
I love this shop, They have unique and beautiful cards for all of your needs. I do however wish they had more LGBT friendly cards for anniversary’s and such. I ended up finding the perfect card for an anniversary that was blank on the inside and did not have a heterosexual couple on the front. Success.
They have little «present stuffers» which was fun. Things like candles, soap, wallets, eco-​friendly, cookbooks etc. The prices were average but worth it.
I like supporting little shops over chains. I’ll be coming here from now on for sure.

Found a wide selection of cards, wrapping paper, and charming little gifts. Any place that has a wide selection of novelties from Knock Knock is alright by me.
Also, I have to confess that when I came in, it was a hot day, and maybe I cooled myself off, Marilyn Monroe-​style, by standing over a vent and just letting the cool air shoot up my skirt. Nobody seemed to notice and if they didn’t, they didn’t seem to mind.

Went to look at wedding invitations, they have their own back room for them and they are well organized. The sales clerk also took the time to explain the different binders and options.
We bought xmas cards there, very cute and very Chicago. They have several cards specific to Chicago and pretty MOMA cards… but they are a bit pricey… but I think they’re worth the investment. I used to send out cards I found on sale before… but they’re just not as pretty.
Their loose paper stock is also great. Makes me want to be a crafty artist. Again… a bit on the pricey side… and they have no craft punchers.
Oh, and their window displays are super pretty and seasonal… they have birch trees right now that make me smile. =)

Paper Trail is absolutely adorable. You can find gifts for anyone here or a little something for yourself. They have great cook books, gag gifts, stationary, thank you notes, etc.
I always like to stop in here when I am in Andersonville just to see some of the new things they have. One definitely needs to peak in when in the neighborhood.

Even as a child, it was required to send a proper «Thank You» note to every single person who sent a gift or a check. My mother did not care if I had Barbies to play or The Brady Bunch to watch, and for this, I thank her.
Looking for a place with funny, elegant, stylish and hip greeting cards that aren’t going to blend in with the crowd? Paper Trail is the place. Need a little gag gift to add to the package, Paper Trail is the place. Are you as obsessed with flowing ink pens in random colors as I am? Paper Trail has them!
I often spend hours in here when looking for the perfect card to make someone laugh, smile or pee their pants. Or when it strikes my fancy to make some one get a little misty or out right cry like a baby. This is my go to for all thoughts conveyed via greeting cards, stationary or marginally inappropriate gifts. Great wrapping paper and giftbags to choose from. This is not a Hallmark store by any stretch of the imagination, and for that I thank you Paper Trail!

I looove the almost lost art of writing! Here, I can find fine writing instruments (pens), awesome stationary, amazing cards for all occasions (gay/​lesbian, holidays, funny, raunchy, just plan offensive, etc), etc.
They also have a good little section of amusing books, fine papers, soaps, little gifty items, etc. The service has always been awesome, and I always end up buying something when I come here. I think they also have a wedding section in the back. This is a good place to stop by if you’re in the Andersonville area.

If you are like me and still believe in the art of letter writing, then this is a great place to get your fancy stationary, pens, and other wonderful things to send to friends and family.
I also think they have the best selection of unique holiday cards outside of your typical card store. They have everything from Chicago themed cards, MOMA cards, and down right dirty cards to send to the fam this time of year.
Everyone is very friendly here, my song was playing while I was shopping (Heidi-​idie-​idie-​iiii) and I left with a box of Christmas cards for my mom seeing she cant get out to buy her own cards this year.
Happy Writing!

Your one stop shop for foofy, high-​end Cranes Classic Crest occasional notes. LOVE that there is a shop like this in the ‘hood where you can get custom stationery, fountain pens and other gifty, well-​designed type things. Get a card for the fag in your life — I say that with love, by the way. You can even find a card for your mom in here, as well as wrapping paper, gift books and decorations.

I am bummed to have to write this review, but I have given many, many chances to make it better and it just has not happened for me. I enjoy doing crafty things like making my own wedding shower invitations and often go to paper stores to find fun prints and pretty paper. I want to love Paper Trail because it is easily the closet store of this nature to my house (literally 4 blocks) but the staff makes me feel so incredibly unwelcome. I have never, not once, received a hello from the man who is working (I assume he may be the owner?) and also never get a suggestion of help. I agree with previous posters that the store is unorganized and it seems that I always have to come back and wait for another shipment to get everything that I need.
It kills me to say it but I will drive WAY out of my way to hit up Paper Source to get what I need with an attitude that makes me feel welcome. I am done trying Paper Trail :(

Listen, either you offer kid-​friendly items or you have nearly pornographic images scattered everywhere… pick one and stick to it.
I was there with a friend who was looking for a card. While he was over analyzing the selection, my four year old son and I wondered around the store. I felt it a bit disorganized, which is a really large fault when you have children’s novelty books located directly across from nude photo cards.
I am not a naïve mother that believes all places should be kid-​friendly. No, there is certainly a time and a place for all sorts of sex jokes. I happen to be a fan of a hilariously inappropriate card from time to time. But if you want to go beyond that market and offer child-​friendly items, you have to put more thought into children entering your store. I feel it is entirely possible to house both genres in the same space but it has to be done with tact. For example, they could isolate the inappropriate-​yet-​fun materials in one section or maybe keep the majority out of the eye level of kids.
Putting that aspect aside, I do feel the store needs more organization in general. Sections were not labeled and finding the kind of card you need can be a bit of a challenge.

Great products, no doubt about that. And I don’t mind paying $ 8 – 12 for a lovely handcrafted card; after all, my friends don’t have babies that often.
But I don’t understand the organizational principle in this store. Even just some labels would have made a world of difference. Maybe I’m too much of a freak in that direction, but this really frustrated me. I was looking for baby-​congratulation cards but I could not find a section of those the entire twenty minutes that I was in the store. None of the sections were labelled but close scansion of the shelves revealed a large birthday wall, a smaller wall of wedding-​congratulations, notecards and stationery to the side, Easter cards up front by the door, and invitations in the back room. No baby cards. The rest of the cards are on standalone racks, each devoted to a single vendor. That’s where I found my baby card, and I had a hard time choosing between three or four, but compared to the wedding and Easter selections (who sends Easter cards anyway?), it was really limiting.
It’s possible that I am a blind dumbass who couldn’t find the baby section, but I swear that I scoured the entire store inch-​by-​inch several times. Anyway, they have cute cards with all sorts of sentiments from naughty to humorous to warm to profound, as well as fun books and magnets and other whatnots – basically something for ALMOST every occasion.

Beautiful selection of cards and gifts. I’ve bought my letterpress notecards here as well as many nice wedding, birthday and just because cards. They have a really nice mix of funny cards as well as the $ 5+ boutique cards.
Love the selection of cookbooks they carry as well as small gifts. Definitely worth a visit next time your in Andersonville.

I first started going here, when I realized I needed some writing paper a few years ago.
This place was closer to my house than any where else, so I went in.
The first thing, and I hate to say this (and I take away a star) is that it kind of smells like a port a john in here. Maybe the business is on top of a sewer line, I don’t know.
That aside, they sell LOTS of great stationery, cards (for all occasions), fine writing instruments, and lots of gay & lesbian pulp paraphernalia. (magnets, journals, buttons, etc.) They make perfect birthday presents for all your gay or lesbian friends.
I hope you buy your friends presents. It would be way sad if you didn’t. Like if I invited you to my birthday party and you were all «I didn’t buy you a gift. Hope you don’t mind.»
I’d be all «OK, come in. I don’t have enough wine for you. Hope you don’t mind.»
The sales staff is friendly, and are always willing to help.
This is a great place to buy a gay or lesbian wedding card.
You could easily browse the store selection for a few hours!
OH! And they always have great window displays. Check it out next time your in the hood!

Another Unilocaler once asked me for a suggestion on where to find a card for a lesbian wedding. I pointed her this way and, to my surprise, realized I hadn’t yet written a review. With the holiday season approaching more rapidly than I care to admit, I suppose no time is better than now.
Last winter, I found one of my favorite decorations here, the «Grow-​your-​own Bumble». The Bumble, two martini glasses, and me equal hours of endless entertainment. I’m sad to report that the martinis in my glass disappeared much faster than the Bumble growing in the other glass. Maybe this year will be different.
In addition to great window displays, they also have lots of other cute things. Yes, I said cute. I can always count on a laugh or two and manage to even find the perfect card for whatever the occasion. Need a card for your best friend Steve that just broke up with his boyfriend? How about an old-​fashioned style birthday card for your grandmother? This place has just about everything, and then some.
The prices may be a bit high, but no higher than I’d expect from a small, neighborhood store. Shop local, whether you’re headed to a lesbian wedding or home for the holidays. I’m sure you’ll find something to fill your stockings, or at least a martini glass or two.

I always seem to find what I’m looking for here, even if it is a little light on traditional stationery supplies. Are only a few people writing letters or something?
The card selection is superb, for both singles and sets. There are some really beautiful postcard books tucked here and there, too. It really helps that the staff is always pleasant and helpful.
I’m a huge fan of stickers, and they usually do me right with a quirky assortment. I’m also a fan of giving my mom inappropriate (i.e. sexually explicit) greeting cards, and there are plenty of quality to choose from here.
Gifty stuff abounds. While I find some quite pricey, there are finds for good value.

While walking down Clark St., en route to another destination, I was seduced into Paper Trail by their window display of postcard books (one of which I already had and thus recognized). I cannot resist stationery, so I had to check it out.
Cute place, but I noticed a lot of cards that I’ve seen before at Borders etc. They don’t seem to have nearly as many letterpress cards, which I find in abundance at my favorite stationery shop, Paper Boy, on Belmont.
Still, I managed to find 2 birthday cards (one mass-​produced, one letterpress), and a blank card as well, so I was satisfied.
One issue, though, is the layout in the store: the birthday card area (needless to say, one of the busiest sections) is along one long side wall, with a display table running to your back if you’re facing said wall; when I was there looking, three people were in that section, and there was very little room for movement, much less browsing, with the table hemming everyone in.
Paper Trail has not supplanted Paper Boy in my affections, but it’s a serviceable shop if you’re looking for cards on Clark.