Near the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill is another of that city's treasures, Crazy Alan's Emporium. Think of it as a back-to-the-future experience. The arrival of Office Depot in 1986, followed by Staples in the same year and Office Max in 1988, were game-changers. For independent office supply stores in the retail trade, the big-box competition represented the arrival of the Grim Reaper, and many went out of business. The golden age of office supply stores was over.
By contrast, Crazy Alan's Emporium has survived and retains all the charm of pen shops that were a regular part of the retail landscape a few decades back. More importantly, it offers the latest in new products. The product line is plentiful and features vintage and modern pens, inks, writing paper, greeting cards, leather goods, office supplies, art supplies, and gift items. What separates it from big box stores is the deep dedication to customer needs to be matched with a genuine desire and ability to meet those needs. Staffers at Crazy Alan's work like crazy to make good on that vision.
Alan Cohen is the driving force behind the business and the only full-time employee. To his credit, he has cultivated a great culture for part-time employees who, in time, become dedicated associates.
A Connecticut native, Cohen came from a background of wholesale office supply, as his father operated just that kind of business in New Haven. From even before his high school days, he learned the basics of the business and later brought an entrepreneurial flair to increase sales.
ãã®èšäºã¯ PEN WORLD ã® February 2022 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ PEN WORLD ã® February 2022 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
Remembering Ward Dunham (October 11, 1941 - August 24, 2024)
On August 24, 2024, calligrapher Ward Dunham passed away.
The Black Pen Society and the D.C. Pen Show: Poobah in a Flower Pot
Do you like black pens? If so, you are probably already familiar with the fun, frivolity, and fellowship associated with the Black Pen Society (BPS).
Stationery Fest: This Is Not a Pen Show
Daisy and Neil Ni's twist on the traditional pen show is about community, not commerce.
"It Has Style:" A History of the Aurora Hastil (1969-1970)
The Italian pen company's experiment in modernism led to a revolution in late 20th century pen design. A two-part series.
GW Pens Scores a Critical Hit
With new collections inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and Fender guitars, artisan John Greco is tapping into cultural trends.
Roterfaden's "Pocket Companion' "
The Taschenbegleiter hand-made planner system from German artisan cooperative Roterfaden features a modular organizational system that grows with the user's ambitions.
S.T. Dupont Takes the Iron Throne
The French atelier continues its forays into popular culture with a new, officially licensed Game of Thrones collection.
More Mail, More Dip-Less
The six-part series on dip-less (or one-dip) fountain pens garnered some major attention through its run from October 2023 through August 2024 (Vol. 36 No. 6 Vol. 37 No. 5).
David Oscarson: A Reflection
The artisan pen maker celebrates 25 years of luxury writing instruments with a new collection that harkens to his Art Nouveau roots.
The Parkette Hopalong Cassidy Ballpoint Pen
The Jotter was advertised as Parker's first ballpoint pen, but a novelty item that played on the Hopalong Cassidy culture craze predated it.