I'm addicted to stationery. Like, they should create some sort of "Stationery Lover's Anonymous"…read morefor me and people like me. And if stationery and relevant supplies, cards, ect. were drugs, then Uppercase Gallery would be the big bad dealer of the Calgary world. It is like pure, unrefined joy/crack to browse the tiny store located in Art Central. In addition to the basic stationery - beautiful handmade cards designed by local artists, mirrors and buttons with fetching designs and beautiful if expensive handmade paper, they have a bit of everything else. That means they have a bunch of "how-to" books in addition to some very attractive books about graphic design, beautiful notebooks, prints and supplies like stamps and pencils. Yes indeed, it is a visual overload for your eyes. Unfortunately, while you are endeavouring to support local artists and art you are also spending a small fortune.

From the owner: UPPERCASE is a quarterly print magazine for the creative and curious with eclectic content inspired…read moreby design, typography, illustration and craft. Though you may recall our gallery and public space in Calgary's Art Central, Art Central is now closed and UPPERCASE's studio has moved. We are now concentrating on publishing and no longer have a public gallery. If you'd like to make an appointment, please consult our website. thanks!

Amazing selection. My wife used to bug me about my "paper problem". Once she stepped inside she…read moretotally understands. Now I have to watch what she's buying. Great selection of Japanese products including art supplies.

In this digital age, I still love office supplies! In particular, I enjoy lined paper, hard…read morecovered spiral notebooks, folders to contain loose sheets, and maybe a pen or pencil to keep them company. Recess (located in the Inglewood District) is such a place. Recess has one of those selections that there's so much variety to choose that you loose track of time trying to decide. Whether I actually needed some of this (behind my current holdings) was irrelevant. The only downside were regrets of what I might have left behind.

So I was trying to surprise my gf in these rough times and brighten her birthday, so I started…read moreemailing with them about a new black wing pencil that my gf wanted since they were closed and she was amazing at the time then over a month later of emailing back and forth my gf gets a call when I get home and here's Trish calling her to say the pencils are in completely forgetting about my prior engagement to buy them without her knowing. So now surprise ruined so I email her back asking what happened and she say sing sorry we had your gf's (Duy) under lee a guys name so we apologize but there is nothing we can do cause of the American dollar and tough times so we can't help you out or do anything as it's not our fault So yet I go pick up the pencils that now my gf paid for on her credit card and you call and the owner will come out and meet you but I get there and he comes out and only car there is a 2019 Range Rover..... tough times hey! They don't care about the customer just the all mighty dollar!

This Reid's is obviously run by tiny people as demonstrated by their Christmas decoration display…read morethat I had to dodge at every turn. What kind of place tries to strangle its customers? Anyway, the girls working the front end didn't have time for those kinds of questions. They were too busy discussing the necessity of obtaining more "squirrel stuff" for a new display. I have no goddamn idea what that meant, but they seemed quite passionate about the whole thing..... Reid's is confusing in a way. At the back is a very serious office supply shop with paper, nice pens, stationary, etc. At the front is a bunch of female junk (ornaments and figurines that possess no immediate use), mixed in with silly stuff like a "grow-your-own prostitute" and do-it-yourself drug test gum. This place is also crammed with as much stuff as could possibly fit in the place. Which means they have a decent selection of useful things and stuff that doesn't matter.... The back end offers high quality office items at slightly higher prices than some places, but it is quality.

Calgary's East Village is an up-and-coming neighborhood. It's development has been slowed down by…read morelower oil prices (the big industry in these parts), so who knows what this area will look like next year. In the meantime, there's enough construction here to imagine the possibilities. That includes the retail outposts like Liz & Lottie who have staked their success on their stylish taste and the promise of a lot more foot traffic past their shop. I wandered on a recent Friday afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed this version of retail therapy. Liz & Lottie is more geared perhaps to those who are "sugar and spice and everything nice", but for folks like me (e.g. snips and snails and puppy dog tails), there some interesting things, plus loads of gift opportunities. I also enjoyed their nice selection of local and Canadian items and their good taste in selecting and displaying their wares. Liz & Lottie was definitely worth the extra bit of East Village discovery exploration. Best wishes for your continued success.

You've gotta love a gift shop where you can go in and find beautiful things for everyone on your…read morelist (and a gift or two for yourself!) My super stylish and in the know sister in law has been finding awesome gifts at Liz & Lottie for everyone in the family since they've opened and I have been following them on Instagram to keep tabs on the new items coming into the shop. The two owners are super kind and helpful, I've messaged them on Instagram with shopping requests/items I am looking for and they have sent me back pictures of products they have in store that match the request -- how nice is that! I often visit on my lunch break as they are tucked into the East Village at the bottom of one of the high rises but it's easy to get there either from walking through the river walk, taking the train to the end of the free line then going for a short stroll or driving right up there. On this visit I walked away with gift for four upcoming events! A sassy and slightly inappropriate valentines card for my husband, a baby shower gift, a gender reveal party gift and a birthday party gift. Trust me I could have kept shopping! Great place to find all sorts of treasures including local and Canadian makers which is so great to see.

I took a long walk around Calgary yesterday. It was a beautiful warm and sunny day and I wasn't…read moreabout to miss it. Interesting people were out, cute dogs were being walked by their owners, and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Part of my stroll was down the "hip" Uptown area of 17th Avenue. What drew me into Steeling Home from my walk was an on sale desk fan that was displayed outside on a cute antique table. The price was right, but I knew darn well that it would be hard to get it in the suitcase for my eventual trip back to the San Francisco Bay Area. I might still change my mind on that.... Anyway, I decided to stroll around inside and really enjoyed exploring the many pockets of interesting stuff this relatively small store holds. It has books, antiques, jewelery, and much more in-between. The people watching was fun too, with a fresh touch of Portlandia thrown in. I'm glad I stopped in and reminded myself that marching around a new City is fun, and stopping to explore some of its quirks is even better.

I love the quirky things this store sells and I shop for gifts here often, but if you're going to…read morepost your hours online, abide by them. On more than one occasion they've opened later or closed earlier than advertised, and it's frustrating when I've planned my day accordingly so that I can pop in before or after work, but can't count on them to be open when they say they will.

I've been told that I'm a tough audience when it comes to comedy, but at least one item in Paper…read moreRoots makes me laugh out loud every time I'm here. Today I was on the hunt for a birthday gift and I walked out with five items. Oh my goodness, they have a line of magnets right now (okay, it may have been there for six months but that's how long it's been since I've stepped foot in this wing of Market Mall) that is absolutely hilarious, so I bought two different ones. Who needs more magnets, really? Apparently I think someone else does, because these are a scream and I had people staring at me while I browsed the selection. There also is a line of Knock Knock stationary that is just awesome and if it's sold elsewhere in town, I've not seen it. Some items may be considered pricey but a visit to the store a few times each year is worth the entertainment factor alone. If you are in search of a unique and witty gift for someone or want to splurge on something ridiculous for yourself, this is the place to do it. 22/30 for Yelp's 30 Day Challenge

I bought two Surprise dumplings from store on April 25 for my granddaughter. When we got home,one…read moreof the dumplings was leaking chemicals.I returned to store next day to exchange or get a refund . Both denied by retailer. Very bad customer experience, I bought an item in good faith and when it was opened,found it to be damaged. This store will be reported to better business bureau.