Andrew M.
Yelp
All hail The Junction.
Sometimes when you really want something unique, you gotta' go a bit further for it. And this is a bit further for us downtowners who are used to 5 minute bike rides to everything, but let me tell you it's worth it.
I've always been a fan of paper and pen stores and items, but it's much more of a niche market than it used to be so you have to look a bit harder to find them and those hidden gems. If you're here in Toronto and are looking for that, this is it.
I walked in a little less than a half hour before they closed. Despite this, there was no hurry up from the staff. I told them I was glad to be there as I'd taken three streetcars or buses to get there and they smiled and welcomed me.
The merchandise is something else. They carry a supreme collection of difficult to find designer and specialty brands that you won't find at Staples (with no disrespect to Staples). The woman who helped me was Jolanta, and she was extremely knowledgeable. She made picking out a good pen an experience instead of a formality. She spoke of the customization, technical points, whether or not it was a novice level pen or one that would be well liked by connoisseurs and bellied the benefits of each according to price, pragmatic qualities and just pure style. She asked me to try out the pens, so no rush purchase was made and hasty decisions were not made. I picked out two pens, a fountain cartridge Pilot and a Retro 1951 roller. Both very high quality and fairly priced. As a first time buyer, she advised me on what cartridges I could buy there or at other stores of need be (very useful info on a pinch) and even gave me a replacement cartridge for my Vintage 1951 so I wouldn't get left high and dry (so to speak ).
I wish this store was closer to my apt, as it's got lots of cool things I'd want to buy. Shinola brand notebooks, cards, other foreign imported pens, and cool custom notebooks, paper and ink wells.
This store is the best. You should go