38th Annual Sidewalk Sale FAQ & Festival Map (2025)

38^th Annual Sidewalk Sale FAQ (2025)

🎉 Event Basics

• What are the dates and times of the event?
→The Sidewalk Sale officially runs from 9am-4pm CT on 8/14 & 8/15; however, doors may open as early as 8am. No ticket required – come in go as you please! 

• Where is Atlas Stationers located, and what's the best way to get there?
→ Atlas Stationers is located at 227 W. Lake. St. in downtown Chicago.  If you’re taking the train, we are a 15-minute walk from Union Station and 10-minute walk from Ogilvie Station.  Driving in? Park at 225 W. Wacker Dr. (enter on Franklin St.) and use code ATLAS225 at checkout for $14 parking up to 12 hours. After you reserve your spot, just scan the QR code you receive when entering the garage. Purchase your parking space here.

• Is this event beginner friendly?
→ Yes! There will be plenty of vendors selling introductory level fine writing instruments and stationery.  Please don’t be afraid to ask any of our vendors or team members for help! 

• Is there a map or layout available?
→ Yes! We’ve already posted the event map on our Instagram (@atlasstationers), but feel free to screenshot the image of the map which can be found at the end of this article.

 

🛍️ Shopping Experience

• How do I check out with vendor items?
→ Each vendor gives you a purchase slip. Pay at Atlas registers, then bring your stamped receipt back to the vendor to claim your item.  Feel free to settle the payment every time you get a purchase slip or collect more and settle them all at once!  There will be Cash Registers inside and outside marked by ‘POS’ on the event map. Additionally, any team member wearing an apron walking around will have a mobile POS that can check you out.

• What kind of discounts or sales will be available?
→ Many brands offer event-only discounts and bundled deals. Exact savings vary by vendor and product.  For those participating online, we will be hosting a site-wide discount during the week of the event.  We’ll announce more on our social media channels and in our email blasts.

• Are any brands or products excluded from discounts?
→ Yes, some brands set pricing restrictions online.  Please note discount codes do not apply to Hobonichi, Diamine Inkvent, Esterbrook, Galen Leather, Namiki, Penlux, Pilot, Plotter, Sailor, Schon DSGN, and TWSBI products.  Excludes Doorbuster Promotions and pre-order items. Other exclusions may apply.  No rain checks and discounts cannot be applied to previous purchases. Discounts & Reward points cannot be combined.

• Will there be exclusive or limited-edition items?
→ Yes! Several vendors are debuting special releases just for the Sidewalk Sale. Don’t be shy and ask our vendors what’s new in the market!  We will be debuting limited merch as well at table ‘A’ at the event.  We will then sell any leftover merch on our website following the event.

• Can I use my Atlas reward points or discount codes?
→ Rewards can be earned during the event but not redeemed on already discounted items. Discount codes will not stack.

 

✒️ Nib Appointments & Workshops

• How do I check in for my nib appointment with Pen Realm or Matthew’s Nibworks?
→ Head to table ‘12’ (Pen Realm) or table ‘13’ (Matthew’s Nibworks) 5-10 minutes before your appointment. Bring your confirmation email and the pen(s) you’d like adjusted.

• Are walk-in nib services available?
→ If time allows, yes! Stop early to check availability. Walk-ins are not guaranteed.

• How do I sign up and pay for workshops or seminars?
→ You can register online ahead of time. View the list of workshops here: 38th Annual Sidewalk Sale Workshops

• Is there a waitlist for sold-out workshops?
→ Yes. Please sign up for restock notifications by clicking the ‘email when available’ button under the workshop you are looking to attend.  If any slots open leading up to the event, you will be notified via email.

• How do I check in for my workshops?
→ Head to table ‘B’ outside to check in.  We ask you to check in up to 15 minutes before your scheduled workshop and no later than five minutes before the start time.

 

💻 Online / Virtual Participation

• I can’t attend in person—can I shop for the sale online?
→ Yes! A curated selection of event deals will be available online at atlasstationers.com during the sale window.  Sign up for our newsletter to learn more.

• Can I watch any workshops or meetups virtually?
→ We’ll livestream select sessions on YouTube & Instagram and post the replays onto our YouTube channel after.  The ‘Titans of the Community’ and ‘Ask Me Anything w/ Atlas Brothers’ will both be livestreamed at their respective times at 12pm CT on both Thursday & Friday.

 

🧭 Navigating the Event

• How is the layout organized?
→ Vendor tables line the sidewalk and extend into our store. Please review our event map for all vendors, meetup, and workshop check-in locations.

• Will vendors be present both days?
→Yes!  Every vendor, barring any unforeseen circumstances, will be present on both days of the event.

• Where can I rest or find a quiet spot to get away from the crowd?
→ We’re working on a rest area on-site, however, there is public seating available outside the CNA building (151 N. Franklin St.) which is one block from the event.  There is additional outdoor seating at 155 North Wacker (155 N. Wacker Dr.).  If you’re a little more adventurous, we strongly encourage taking a walk on the Chicago Riverwalk which has plenty of seating - Chicago Riverwalk Map.

• Are there nearby places to eat or grab coffee?
→ Absolutely! We strongly encourage you check out Big Shoulders coffee which neighbors our retail store at 213. W Lake St.  For food, Chicago is littered with phenomenal cuisine.  For something quick, check out Chipotle or Boars Head which are on the same block.  For something more sophisticated and slightly further away, check out some of Hollywood’s favorites:

-Il Porcellino (59 W Hubbard St.) – Sit-down Italian

- Small Cheval (150 N Riverside Plaza) – Great burgers

- Monks Pub (205 W Lake St.) – Need we say more?

• How can I make the most of both days?
→ We strongly encourage you to have a game plan.  There will be over 35 vendors who are eager to meet you!  Go at your own pace and prioritize which products you want to see first!  The good news is that you’ll have a blast regardless of the itinerary you set!

 

❓Other Helpful Questions

• Will there be in-store giveaways or gifts with purchase?
→ Yes! Select purchases qualify for free gifts and while supplies last which will vary vendor to vendor.

• Can I leave items at the store and pick them up later?
→ Yes!  We’ll have a holding zone available for your purchases if you want to keep browsing hands-free.  All purchases must be brought home by the end of the event on Friday, August 15^th.

• Can I bring a friend who isn't into stationery?
→ Of course! There’s plenty to see and we love introducing new people to the stationery world.

• Are there washrooms available to the public?
→ For washroom assistance, please find any Sidewalk Sale Crew member wearing an apron.

• Will sold-out items be backordered or available to ship later and will event discounts apply?
→ In rare cases, yes – it will vary from vendor to vendor.  Please don’t hesitate to ask about special ordering and event pricing. 

• What should I bring to the Sidewalk Sale?
→ Outside of your fine writing instruments, notebooks, and stationery you’d like to share and show with others, we’d recommend wearing comfortable clothing and walking shoes.  The weather in Chicago hovers around 85-90 degrees around this time, so having a handheld fan and water may be helpful!  

• Will there be water available or a rest station at the event?
→There will be a designated rest area with chairs under a canopy on the far east side of the event.  Atlas will provide cases of water on a first-come, first-serve basis!

• Is this a rain or shine event?
→ Yes!  Even if it rains, we have a contingency plan to still host the event inside our retail store.  

 Sidewalk Sale Festival Map

Outside

Inside