The Source

we love the source! best store ever! it has everything you need or might need, household products, stationery, art supplies, great gift and cards, pharmaceuticals, fantastic for browsing last minute gifts etc… its the little things too… good friendly service!

Well for starters, it’s 9:10 am and there’s no one here, store is closed. The phone number just goes to a regular answering machine– not helpful at all. Really disappointed

I have been going to this store for basics such as paper towel, laundry liquid and birthday cards for the last 6 months since moving to the neighborhood. They have reasonable prices and a good range. My 3 star review is not for the goods but for the customer service. I finally decided to write the review today as the owner finally crossed the line to the point where I will never go back again. I usually get bad service; i’m used to having to wait ages to get served, I never get offered assistance, staff have no idea what’s in stock and are usually nowhere to be seen, unless the owner is in and in that case he is always standing around outside, often blocking the doorway. They also refuse to get items out of the window for you if its the last one of something that you really want or need. Today I went there to buy a shower curtain which cost $ 5 plus tax. I only had $ 4 in cash and wanted to used card. The owner asked me if I had cash and I said no, so he put it through on card for me anyway, but I saw when I signed the docket that he had added an extra $ 0.50! I assumed this was the fee for such a small transaction. He didn’t say a word about it, probably just hoped I wouldn’t notice. Well I certainly did, but rather than call him on it, I’m simply not going back. Shame for me and him.

The Source & it’s business owner — Steven — saved my life last night! I stumbled into The Source shortly after visiting the store State News last night (which was already closed at 8:30pm on a Thursday night). I was desperately looking for birthday balloons to buy for my friend’s birthday to bring to work with me the next day & knew I wouldn’t make it to Party City on time. I was upset at myself for putting off this important errand that I had meant to take care of hours earlier when I tried my luck by stopping into The Source. I walked in, a bit reluctant & unconvinced I could find what I was looking for, but Steven immediately brought me to the vast selection of balloons. Girly balloons, classic balloons & balloons of cool shapes & sizes: I was impressed, and lucky. My favorite balloon: Keep Calm It’s Your Birthday.
To my advantage, Steven had kept his shop open a bit later than anticipated last night (at this point it was closer to 9pm). He revealed that Unilocal customers have been changing the hours on his business Unilocal page constantly without his consent & despite him trying to fix it, us Unilocalers continue to make our own changes (sorry Steve!). He told me he typically liked to keep his store open until at least 8pm on week nights, but said he’d be happy to keep his store open later if there were customers; so he often keeps it open until 9pm when it’s busy. *** Note: If you’re unsure, I suggest strongly to call before coming here just to make sure the shop is still open.
I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and selection that this store had, not only of balloons, but of party supplies (paper plates /​cups /​tiaras & crowns /​confetti). They carry cute stationary & notecards, small coin purses, toiletries, small gifts, etc. The Source is a great spot to make a last minute quick gift purchase. Steven is extremely personable & enjoys helping his customers find what they are looking for. Prices for certain items are pretty comparable but obviously mark-​ups for novelty products are higher (you pay for convenience right?). Average sized helium balloons went for about $ 3.50/each & girly tiaras & crowns: $ 4−6/each.
So happy to have discovered this not-​so-​hidden gem on 3^rd Avenue — right under my nose. Steven’s response after I thanked him profusely for saving my life? «I always love to help a Damsel In Distress»!!! Classic. Thanks Steve!

The Source has lovely cards and reasonably priced (though not cheap) stationery. There is a decent selection of health and beauty products although some seem pricey.
However I was annoyed last time I went there as I purchased some individual note cards with historic New Yorker covers on the front. The cashier rang each of the cards up based on the price of the NEW YORKER cover (as listed on the illustration on the front of each card) rather than the price of the card itself.
When I tried to explain that it didn’t make sense, ie the card featuring a 1970s New Yorker design cost $ 1.99 whilst the newer ones cost over $ 4, the cashier insisted and said she knew how to ring the cards up and those were the right prices.
That was pretty ridiculous.

I can’t walk by this store hand-​in-​hand with my 4 year old without him pulling me in! He refers to it as his «favorite store» and we’ve gotten great things there. It is my go-​to card store and while my kid is shopping around in the toy section, I can get some drugstore necessities and cards for myself.

The Source is certainly no Nexus where one can obtain many wonders for gifts, party supplies, journals, pen refills, and novelties. It is a step above your typical CVS, Rite Aid, Duane Reade pharmacies. Surprising they do carry Clairefontaine notebooks, but a very limited Moleskine like a wannabe Hallmark. Clairefontaine notebooks are nearly impossible to access and a good selection available at The Source. Semikon and Peter Pauper Press journals are also available at a good price. How does one vanquish The Source as they do not carry A2, A6, A7, A8 plain cardstock of 80 lbs. where this paper princess conjure personalized greeting cards? There is a stuff animal/​toy department for children’s gifts, amid the disappointment for the lack thereof teddy bears.
The ignorance of spelling usage as depicted in their sales receipt for STATIONARY (immobile) vs. STATIONERY (paper) exposes the lack of attention to detail and the sour education downgrade.
It does not make a power impact to incarcerate a return visit. The Nexus does not dwell here for Dark Forces.

I don’t often write reviews, but thank goodness for the source! It has an amazing gift selection for every age. I’ve purchased gifts for newborns and 100 year olds here! Their card selection is as good as it gets.
What’s great about this place is that it’s not overwhelming. They have what you need without feeling like you’re in a supermarket. The store owner, Steve, is a nice guy who will help you with whatever you need.
Amazingly, their selection of health and bueaty aids is just right, and their prices are cheaper than Duane Reade or Rite Aid.
Don’t pass up this mom-​and-​pop store, skip the big chains!
By the way, the store has moved across the street from it’s old location (its now on the west side of 3^rd avenue between 80^th and 81^st streets).

A great store to wander into, and then spend an hour inside buying gifts for everyone you know! Really fun merchandise. Good selection of essential health and beauty products. Good cards, balloons and party supplies. And a great stuffed animal selection!

Good place. Higher quality stuff than you will find at the drugstore. Good for last minute children’s birthday party gifts. Also good for helium balloons.