Penning it: Bangalore City’s stationery shops

There’s something about stationery shops that is ineffable. From hole-in-the-wall outlets to assigned corners in lifestyle stores to a full-fledged plush stationery empire, the city has them all, some of which include Globe Stores, Reliance and William Penn.

Long before exclusive stationery shops started luring city folks, most of us used to depend on the good old provision store for our quota of pens, pencils, notebooks and an occasional packet of crayons. Globe Stores is one such shop that still gives that old-time feel and boasts of many a loyal customer. Strictly basic in its ware, this no-frills store is for those who are in a hurry and have no time to browse.

Another shop that has done well for itself is Reliance—in no way connected to the Ambanis—located on Commercial Street. What started off as a small shop offering the most basic of stationery has over the years grown to become one of the most exclusive stationery shops in this part of the city. From acrylics to planners to writing stationery, this shop has it all.

One of the relatively new entrants in the market is William Penn. Established in 2002, William Penn set its first shop in Koramangala. This is clearly a haven for all stationery lovers and a delightful surprise for those who are not. Stepping into this shop, one is instantly taken up by all that William Penn has to offer.

Known primarily for its exquisite line of pens, William Penn has everything in store as far as stationery is concerned. If you really like something, do pick it up, as in all probability it may not be there the next time you wish to change your mind. Besides pens, the store is also home to other stationery items, such as, colourful and sombre-looking office folders, notebooks ranging from a five-in-one to the regular, and fancy-looking address books and stylish planners.

In addition to this, William Penn has a section that sells beads of different sizes and shapes, glitter, and gift-wrapping papers. If you’re an artist, you can pick up all the essential art accessories that range from brushes and pallets to full-sized easels.

William Penn also sells other items like unusual-looking paper-weights, travel tags, wallets, clocks, Zippo lighters, ethnically-designed files, handmade bags and photo-frames. And if you’re looking for leather bags, you could find these here as this shop sells Hidesign bags as well. Owing to its popularity, William Penn has opened another store at the city’s famous mall, Forum.

Besides these outlets, one can also pick up stationery at bookstores and lifestyle stores such as Crossword, Landmark and Oxford.

Looking for an ideal place to shop for a birthday gift? A stationery store can be your answer.