The Papery returns to historic home in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood after fire

December 23, 2024 Canuck

Nearly two years after a devastating fire on Boxing Day in 2022, The Papery has reopened at its original location in the heart of the Glebe.

The beloved stationery and gift shop, which first opened its doors at the corner of Bank Street and Fifth Avenue in 1986, returned to its historic home on Sep. 14.

A fire devastated the store and several apartments nearly two years ago. No one was hurt in the fire, but the store was severaly damaged by smoke and water.

The reopening marks a new chapter for the store, which had operated temporarily at 858 Bank Street while repairs were underway.

“People were really, really longing for us to be back at this corner,” said assistant manager Sean Everette.

“For a lot of people, it’s coming in and experiencing all those beautiful things that inspire you. When you have those things that bring you joy, bring you happiness.”

Tarps sit atop products in The Papery in the Glebe. Dec. 27, 2022. A fire in the building on Boxing Day damaged the store and displaced several people from the apartments above. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)

The Papery has long been a staple of the Glebe community, offering a curated selection of social stationery, unique gift items and holiday ornaments.

Known for its vibrant collection of Japanese paper, journals, cards, and wrapping supplies, the shop is celebrated for its ability to add charm and style to everyday moments and special occasions.

Customers describe The Papery as a treasure trove of inspiration, with its colourful papers, holiday decorations, and thoughtful gift ideas sparking creativity for everything from scrapbooking to hosting festive gatherings.

“Today I got some lovely Christmas birds [ornaments] and I got, some decorations and I got, things that you can’t get anywhere else. All the items are delightful,” said Wendy Trethewey, a long-time customer.

“Some of these items come in from Germany, others are Japanese, it’s just a joy to come here, I just love it. It is a community here.”

With its reopening, The Papery continues its mission to celebrate the art of stationery and the simple joys of beautiful paper goods, serving as a reminder of its deep roots in the neighbourhood.

“The response from the community has been amazing because they’ve all been flooding in just to congratulate us,” said Everette.

“We’ve just really appreciated the outpouring of love from everybody.”

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