Polk A Dot Stationers

Walked up Polk today to find a special greeting card; was told Polk A Dot was closed for 2 years??? Cannot be true. Ok, it’s gone, but not that long. Anyway, I’m sad.

sigh. still closed. and as i type, roger w. is searching for a vintage typewriter.
polk a dot had a great collection. on closing day, michele actually gave a few of them away to lucky loyal customers.
sigh. why do the good always die young?

Looks like Polk A Dot’s done…
Walked by and the woman who works there was mopping out the empty space under the watchful eye of a Martin Luther King Jr. portrait.
Perhaps this is not real tragedy, per se; but it’s still a damn shame. Our apartment is a much warmer, much more fun place because of Polk A Dot, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
We got our old, Italian, wood-​carved Pinocchio there. We got our Sad Hobo Clown painting there. We got innumerable gifts there. We got all our succulents and cacti in semi-​antique cups there.
Now our neighborhood is a little bit sadder, a little bit snobbier again, but maybe that’s just my perspective.
What’ll replace Polk A Dot? My girlfriend suggested either a nail salon or a dry cleaner.
I suggested that nothing will replace Polk A Dot.
Indeed, she said.

I actually cried while walking my last trinkets back to my apartment yesterday. The owner, Michelle, is one of the most inspiring women I’ve met in this city… and to see this store close is probably one of the saddest things that has happened to me in a very long time.
Thankfully, she said that she and I will be collaborating together to round up some peeps for craft nights in the near future. I know she needs to get some things situated… but it’s only a matter of time until we start to have some craft get-​togethers. Later, she also has plans to start a shop in The Mission. I can only hope this does happen so that I will have another little inspiration mecca like this store was for so many.
This is just one of MANY people/​businesses effected by the crap economy.

Mini Lizards, Antiquarian Childrens Books, Typewriters, Furry Japanese Puppets, Metal Toys, kooky cards, and a BIG HAPPY CAT!!!
Fun all the time.

Since I have no longer have time/​money for crafting, I tried to convince myself that my design aesthetic is clean, minimalist… etc.
Walking into this store reminded me that I cannot escape my future as an kitschy 30-​something with floral wallpaper, pots of glitter, pink ballerinas, typewriters that I do not use, and tiny bottles for tucking messages into, because all of those wonderful things are here.

I first heard about Polk A Dot about a year ago from my mom, who thought I’d like it. As usual, she was right – I love it. The store is stocked with all sorts of ephemera and knick-​knacks that are all displayed in lovely bowls or small drawer units. You can also find your typical stationery store items (greeting cards, invitations, gift bags, journals), though many of them are more interesting and handmade than one might find elsewhere. Plus, the owner makes many of the items herself. While I was there she was putting the finishing touches on a paper journal covered with beautiful Japanese papers.
I could easily spend a ton of money here, but on my first visit I limited myself to a couple of cute art-​deco sew-​on patches. Next time, however, my wallet will likely be considerably lighter upon departure, for, if I don’t buy up lots of little things to make my own art, I will surely purchase one of the already-​completed pieces.
Oh, and the store’s cat is super cute and friendly.

I stumbled across this place today while looking for someplace to eat and ended up spending so much time inside that I had to go back to the office without eating lunch — the contents of the store are simply that delightful. I bought a couple of items as gifts and an old watch face to use in my jewelry making endeavors. I wanted so much more though and will be going back as soon as I figure out a ways to use the old cigarette cards, teeny plastic animals, and color copies of old textbooks. (A lot of the smaller items are stored in drawers similar to 826 Valencia aka The Pirate Store.) There’s also a hand puppet or two who’re calling my name.
You won’t regret visiting Polk A Dot and there’s something for everyone’s budget.

I like this store like most people because … well … it embodies the words «cute» and «kitchy,» which are two highly utilized words in my vocabulary, and ironically one of them is not in the dictionary. So I guess it’s technically not really a word.
Anyway!
The place is full of random things — plastic monkey toys, scrabble rings, cards, and stationery. As far as these types of stores go, it’s pretty much on par with price. It’s definitely a nice little stop on Polk street, and a place I usually bring guests to roam around and window shop.
Unfortunately, I think this holds true for most people because one time when I bought a little spiral notebook and commented to the lady there how cute the store is, she smiled and said «Thanks for saying that… and for actually buying something.»
So if you like this place, buy something. C’mon. You know you need a handful of plastic monkeys — everybody does.

This store is full of hidden treasures. I want to be this store’s best friend. If this store was my best friend it would make me cards for no reason and surprise me with decoupaging my night stand. And I would feel super cool standing next to it at the bar.
If you are a sucker for kitsch, toys, paper, art nouveau, post card art, reliving the wonder of your childhood, and pens of all point size and color from nib to felt, you will like it here.
It is my go-​to joint for quality gifts with which to astound.
Warning! For my sickly allergic friends, there is a kitty cat.

I buy all my cards and stationary here. They even have vintage wallpaper that are so beautiful, I want to frame them. Dot is adorable, especially when she sits at the counter making her shadow boxes. It doesn’t feel like a store, more like a home, with a friendly smile, a kitty who just wants you to rub his belly, and items that you want to send to all your friends.
I’ve made some very lovely cards using the materials I’ve purchased here. If only I had a use for a typewriter!

This store’s first location on the corner of Pacific & Polk lured me in. So glad to see their new establishment now!
Vintage items meets office supplies meets kitsch. Looking for vintage Bakelite Chinese mah jog tiles? Check. How about miniature plastic babies? Double check. Or unique birthday cards & wrapping paper?
A great fun store for those more unique in your life. Carefully open their curios to reveal great hidden treasures & gifts.

This place is cute…
It’s one of those stores that has a cat lying around– you know, everywhere– in the window displays getting some sun, scurrying around the store, scratching stuff… kinda gives the place a less corporate, more homey feel.
this is a good place to get a few little treasures to add as a gift, or just to have. the place has lots of vintage dresser/​drawer type things that have little keepsakes tucked away inside them. i spent lots of time going thru each drawer to see what was inside. little old dice, small playing cards with birds on them, little knick-​knacks.
The owner spent most of her time crafting, playing with her cat and going REALLY deep with a customer that I imagine must be frequent, or a close friend.
There is a nice collection of vintage typewriters for sale. and lots of paper and glue sticks and crafting supplies, a cute selection of greeting cards and a nice display of holiday themed items– perfect for the finishing touch on an easter basket.
i liked it.

A great paper store. Random little knick-​knacks that remind me of my «treasure store» toy stores I frequented as a child.
Really, it took everything I had to walk out of there and not buy these envelopes they had – really, they’re no bigger than your thumbnail! So adorable and who the hell else would sell them? But again, why do I need them?
I’ll be back for some scrapbook supplies.

Crafty. Cute. Kitschy. Nostalgic. Eclectic. Cozy.
I adore this little shop and everything in it. I cross the street just to see the kitty napping in the window next to the very cool, old typewriters.

Cute little store. I love coming in here to check out all the hidden treasures in all the little drawers and cubbies around the store.
The owner is friendly and helpful, and the resident kitty is just precious!

Looking for… Vintage Japanese pins? Fortunes from one of those old mechanical carnival fortune tellers? Neat wrapping paper decorated with children in lederhosen? A snazzy tshirt of Dia De Los Muertos Skeletons playing the guitar? Or any other cool stationary, gifts for others, or fun trinkets for yourself…
Then come here! By far my favorite little gem of a store for presents and funky cards (one I recently saw there read something like: «Congratulations on your 2^nd marriage! Hope this one lasts!»). Lots of writing materials and paper, but all sorts of other random stuff too, including fun vintage items. If you spend over $ 40 you even get a grab bag (mine included a neon pink rabbit’s foot, a bride and groom cake topper, a cartoon coin purse and a spinning top).
Make sure to pet Kimba, the store cat.

This place is «Happy Crappy» Heaven!!!
Now please don’t take the term «Happy Crappy» offensively…
«Happy Crappy» (adj.) – a term used to describe knick knacks, tchockies, thingamabobs, doo hickeys and other items of that nature that serve no other purpose in this world but make you smile, particularly when purchased. Whether or not these items will actually be used or seen again once delivered to their appointed destination will be determined by new owner of said «stuff»
Even if you don’t purchase anything from the lovely lady behind the counter or say hi to the sometimes friendly cat, you will most likely leave with a smile on your face… and that’s a good thing.

Variety stores feed my addiction for useless-​funny things. If the store is set up in such a way that I can poke through baskets, hunt in drawers, marvel at the whatsits and basically get all googly-​eyed about lost toys from my childhood, it’s even better.
Beyond the utterly random (and narrow!) aisles of office and art supplies, Polk a Dot is full of tiny chest-​of-​drawers. Each one of those drawers holds several truly, amazingly useless little items that I must have in order to make my life complete:
Vintage pharmaceutical labels — check.
Tiny green plastic monkeys — check.
Art Deco sticker books — check.
Balsawood rubber-​band glider — check.
Why? If you have to ask why this is not the store for you.

Run by the team of Michelle (person) and Spectra (Purr-​son, Siamese descended) Polk A Dot is a micro splash of Harajuku right next to the Jug Shop at Polk and Pacific. On some level Polk A Dot is a stationary and office supply store, with a variety of notebooks, tape, scissors, greeting cards and the rest. However, it goes wonderfully beyond that, featuring a cool selection of random stuff that you might decide you need for your desk, for a project, or just for yourself. Mahjongg tile magnets, elegant micro cutters, notebooks with reticular pictures on them, a large, talking Dick Chaney doll, really well done 3-​D stickers, wonderfully textured wooden blocks, a wall of scarves and a case of elegant jewelry are a few examples.
The shop’s charm comes not just from different pieces they carry, but how everything fits in one creative vibe. Think of a plate of Chinese food. Very different dishes on top of the same rice that just somehow work together.
Pricing is fair. Items that could be bought at Staples are a little more expensive (for example, $ 5.99 for nice looking note book at Polk A Dot versus $ 4.49 for something similar if less nice). Excepting jewelry and some special items, most of the store is priced between two and ten dollars. Hours are 11:30 to 6:30 Monday to Saturday.
If you have any room in your life for the whimsical, or just need a few office/​school supplies and want to have fun picking them out, then Polk a Dot is for you. It’s also worth visiting just to experience the charm you only find in small, locally owned and operated businesses.