If You Build It, They Will Come

By Jennifer Houghton

If I were to design my ideal fine writing oasis, I would start from the ground up. Atlas Stationers is doing exactly that!

Between now and the first week of June, the flooring in the storefront is being replaced. All the carpet will be gone and the beautiful hardwood you would expect to see in a place dedicated to all things fine writing will be installed.

Other changes you can watch for over the coming months include layout modifications. For example, the amount of space dedicated to fountain pens will grow from 10 percent to between 40 and 50 percent. This increase will allow Atlas to bring new brands, like Italian-based Gioia and Texas-based Hinze Pens, into the store.

Additional Fountain Pen Displays

There will be 20 linear feet of space dedicated to fountain pen ink, doubling what was previously allotted. This means you’ll see new options, like Dominant Industry and others. So, you’ll have more inks to test at the in-store swatching station.

Fountain Pen Aisle

All of these changes will be taking place while the store is open, so you won’t see things happen all at once. However, the new floor plan leaves room for some pretty exciting future opportunities.

With the expansion of display case space, the storefront will have a more open layout. Patrons will be able to browse more easily and have ample elbow room. They can move leisurely throughout the store without being concentrated strictly at the entrance.

The best part about creating more open spaces? It means there will be square footage available for events. You heard that right! Events! Some ideas being floated as potentialities include: pen club meetings; calligraphy classes; nib tuning classes; and even special A-Team only events.

Keep an eye out on social media for pictures of the progress. We can’t wait to show you how we’re growing to make Atlas a world class fine writing center.


19 comments


  • Alex

    Love the new store layout! Especially all the extra room for inks!
    IG – @chi_sketcher


  • Fritz Gerald Cuaboy

    Atlas Stationers was my favorite of my Chicago trip! Can’t wait to go back!


  • Jamie Rohde • @literrohde

    The first thing I thought when I saw the remodeling photos on IG was that the store did indeed look bigger and more open. It’s a bit like the TARDIS in this way. And the news that half the store will now be dedicated to fountain pens is great news. It’s not like I NEEDED more choices from my favorite shop in the world, but I’m not complaining. This will just elevate your status to the sauciest and crispiest fountain pen store in the Midwest. I look forward to visiting during the Sidewalk Sale, and can’t wait to join in on some of the special events!


  • Jon

    I love the remodeling that’s been done and can’t wait to visit the store. I just started getting into fountain pens when the pandemic started, and Atlas Stationers has been instrumental in helping me learn more about all the pens and inks out there. @jonathanventura4973


  • Audrey

    I love the idea of more space for events
    @ink.therefore.i.am


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