[personal profile] ron_newman posting in [community profile] davis_square
Universal Hub reports that Bob Slate is closing in Harvard Square. Someone on the Porter Square Neighbors mailing list says the Porter Square store will also close.

The Slate family has been trying to sell the business since October 2009. Sadly, it appears that they never found a suitable buyer.

Cambridge Day has a news story about this. It says the leases are running out on the two Harvard Square stores, and that while the Slate family owns the Porter Square building outright, that store can't stand on its own. The stores will close in March.

ETA: Boston Globe article says one of the two Slate brothers is 73, and that the stores have lost money for the past two years.

:(

Date: 2011-02-11 04:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] misterthorn.livejournal.com
Thanks for the notice. I think this was inevitable, but it's still heartbreaking (but then I still get sad when I pass by the bowl and board in harvard square, especially after listening to the NPR series on it).

Kind of hard to believe they had to shut their doors before Leavitt & Peirce, though.

Re: :(

Date: 2011-02-11 12:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ward2.livejournal.com
I agree! I love Bob Slate's, although I admit I haven't been there in years. Leavitt & Peirce does sell products that aren't readily (and cheaply) available at national retailers, though, so I can see why they've stayed in business longer than Slate.

Sad.

Re: :(

Date: 2011-02-11 01:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jenskot.livejournal.com
The unique stationery and pen selections I've found at Bob Slate's aren't readily available at chain stores either, which is why this news is particularly disappointing. :(

Date: 2011-02-11 12:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] teko.livejournal.com
That's a huge shame.

:(

Date: 2011-02-11 12:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] she-of-emeralds.livejournal.com
Sad! I love those stores. Such great stuff.

Date: 2011-02-11 12:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rmd.livejournal.com
That's a shame. I go in there a couple of times a year.

Is there another Real Stationary Store around, still?

Date: 2011-02-11 02:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] smoterh.livejournal.com
There is a paper store on Mass Ave, almost directly across from the City Sports. (Porter Square)

Date: 2011-02-11 03:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] secretlyironic.livejournal.com
Paper Source is good for specialty paper & stationery. In addition, for notecards and such, try Harvard book Store(harvard.com), which carries a wide selection of cards that aren't stocked elsewhere (I'm married to the buyer, but seriously: It's a great selection). Fountain pens are available at Leavitt & Pierce and at art supply stores....

Date: 2011-02-11 03:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] misterthorn.livejournal.com
There's (the very old school) University Stationery on Mass Ave, between Central Square and the Charles, a few doors down from the Miracle of Science.

There's also a newer place in Harvard Square, near where Bruegger's used to be. Paper Source is great, but they under-represent a few important stationery brands, I think.

Is there still a Crane's in Copley?

Date: 2011-02-11 04:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] boblothrope.livejournal.com
University Stationery is one of my favorite stores. In addition to an amazing selection of stationery and office supplies, great prices, and friendly service (provided by a brother and sister), they have a large amount of random interesting and useful gadgets and knicknacks.

Date: 2011-02-12 02:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pekmez.livejournal.com
Thanks for the reminder about University Stationery.

I think the majority of Paper Source's stuff is their own brand, at least for the actual paper products.

Date: 2011-02-12 08:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nhradar.livejournal.com
Maybe. I see that the burlington mall store appears to have closed. There used to be more....

Annoying. Bob Slate was the only supplier for journal notebooks that my wife likes. We spent hours looking for another source and were unsuccessful. It's too bad things had to end this way.

Date: 2011-02-11 12:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hrafn.livejournal.com
Ack, that's terrible!

Date: 2011-02-11 01:02 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] prunesnprisms.livejournal.com
That's bad news for me.

Date: 2011-02-11 01:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maelithil.livejournal.com
Nnnoooo. I go there all the time, it is one of my favorite stores. :(

Date: 2011-02-11 03:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ocschwar.livejournal.com
Me too. I suppose it might have helped if I bought stuff there on occasion.

Date: 2011-02-11 02:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] srakkt.livejournal.com
And dammit, I'm about to need several months worth of letter-writing gear. I guess I'd better buy it now.

Date: 2011-02-11 02:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] pekmez.livejournal.com
Oh, that's terrible. There's a bunch of stuff that I only buy there, and we've been making the effort to buy things like printer paper from them rather than Staples. Time to stock up.

Anyone want to change careers and buy a stationery store that's been losing money for two years? Yeah, I didn't think so. :(

Date: 2011-02-11 03:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] somertricky.livejournal.com
Heartbroken. Also, Stereo Jack's is closing in the next couple of months as well. I have no idea what I am going to do with the enormous piles of money that are going to be lying around after this.

No...

Date: 2011-02-11 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bostonartist.livejournal.com
This is really sad. I run a small business and I buy most of my office supplies from Bob Slate's porter SQ location. It is SUCH a better buying experience than going to Staples and Bob Slate carries a lot of things in small quantities that are hard to find elsewhere. I will really miss them!

Re: No...

Date: 2011-02-11 06:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] abilouise.livejournal.com
Me too, exactly. Next time I need 1 of something I will have to buy 500, if they even stock it.

Date: 2011-02-11 06:17 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] icecreamempress.livejournal.com
I am sorry the offer fell through. The Slates work super-hard and want to retire, so I understand their decision not to keep going until the right offer happens.

I will miss the stores SO MUCH.

Date: 2011-02-11 07:59 pm (UTC)
genarti: Stack of polished grey stones. ([misc] water-polished stone)
From: [personal profile] genarti
Oh, pity! I understand why, of course, but that's still sad to hear.

Date: 2011-02-11 09:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dahdahdahdancer.livejournal.com
The PS store has been a great source of calenders, unique wrapping paper, photo albums, home office supplies, etc., that I don't see elsewhere. I often buy stuff there and will miss it!

Date: 2011-03-24 12:08 am (UTC)
eredien: Dancing Dragon (Default)
From: [personal profile] eredien
Oh, this is too bad. I buy ink and sealing wax there about once a year. I think they have a better selection of both than PaperSource does.

Date: 2011-03-24 01:17 am (UTC)
eredien: Dancing Dragon (Default)
From: [personal profile] eredien
I walked past the Porter Sq one the other day, and thought about it, but honestly I already have enough sealing wax for next year--you really only use a few drops at a time. :)

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