Alexis Arcaro has always loved stationery: paper that feels soft to the touch, pens that smoothly glide and the art they can be used to create.
Looking to make art and stationery supplies more accessible, the Conway resident opened Works on Paper, a stationery store that also sells art books, zines, journals, trinkets and more. Having opened this summer, the shop can be found at 16 Miles St. in Greenfield, the former location of Apt. One, which moved down to 10 Miles St. late last year.
“I’ve always really loved stationery, and I love art books, zines and small independent publishers,” Arcaro said. “I think it’s really important, especially now, that we hear from independent voices and small publishers. That was an inspiration for me.”
She explained that there aren’t many stationery stores in western Massachusetts, so those who want premium pens and other products have few options besides shopping online, which doesn’t let people try out the writing utensils.
“It’s just a satisfying feeling to have a really quality piece of equipment — like stationery, a pen, a pencil — in your life,” Arcaro said. “I felt like living in western Mass, we don’t always get an opportunity to test out these high-quality materials unless we’re in Boston or New York.”
At Works on Paper, people can test various pens and pencils at the different test stations around the shop, as well as peruse cards and stationery, art prints, planners and more.
Arcaro said the store name, Works on Paper, comes from the art term. It encompasses artwork such as paintings, drawings, collages and more that can be created on paper.
“When I think of some of the work here, I sell prints and letterpress prints, that is all art that’s made on paper,” Arcaro said. “But I also think of those photo books and zines as art on paper, and all the stationery, there’s art you can make yourself.”
She added that with the rise in artificial intelligence, she’s found that lots of people actually do want to use pens and paper to write and create, and she hopes Works on Paper will give people the supplies and inspiration to create things themselves.
Since officially opening on Aug. 1, Arcaro said the public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, and she’s grateful for the support.
“Almost everyone who comes through the shop says, ‘We are so glad you’re here,’ and that feels amazing,” Arcaro said. “I think people in Greenfield are really excited to have a stationery store back in town, since Baker [Office Supply] closed.“
Arcaro said Works on Paper won’t be the same as Baker Office Supply, which sold everything from janitorial supplies and breakroom essentials to traditional office goods, cards and handbags. Works on Paper is more specifically dedicated to stationery.
She sells cards and prints from independent printmakers, a variety of pen and pencil brands in different colors, art books and desk knickknacks. Arcaro said when she’s not working in the store, she also works as a librarian, and her skills in collections development have helped her in determining what art books and zines to stock, although she noted she’s heavily influenced by what she would want to see in the store and she hopes others agree.
In designing the roughly 600-square-foot space, Arcaro said she wanted pops of color. She sourced most of her furniture from Facebook Marketplace, Conte Office Interiors and LOOT found + made, and also had a sign for the front facade made by Hired Hand Signs.
She added that she had originally considered opening her store in Shelburne Falls, which is easier to get to from her home in Conway, but the space on Miles Street became available. Since she is friends with the owners of several other businesses on the street, she decided it was the right location to open her brick-and-mortar business.
“It just felt right for me to be here in Greenfield,” Arcaro said.
Arcaro said her friends’ support made the store possible. She added that friends help run the store when it’s open, and that her friend Adelle Barlow of Barlow Family General Store let her run pop-up stationery shops there.
“She knew about this dream of mine, and she was like, ‘Why don’t you try it out and see if this is something you can do,’ and it was really great,” Arcaro said. “I was really lucky to get the opportunity to test this whole thing out.”
Looking ahead, Arcaro said she hopes to host workshops and events at the store. Currently, the store has two upcoming events on its calendar. On Oct. 3, the store will host Terminus Books from Great Barrington, which will bring used books and records, and on Oct. 18, Christina Gay will lead a collaging and journaling workshop for beginners.
The store is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit worksonpapershop.com.
