I really loved this store! Stumbled upon it while waiting for my Uber driver. It's so peaceful…read moreinside and they have so many amazing options to choose from. It's a 100% fair trade shop which made me love it even more. I purchased a beautiful purple wind chime and a cute greeting card for my husband. There was a mishap on the card (another card was stuck behind it - same exact card but I didn't need 2, just 1)! The cashier and I both didn't notice when I was inside the shop. She wrapped up my wind chime and bagged the card (now discovered to be two). When I got home, I phoned them right away when I saw the other card was stuck to it! I explained what happened and asked to pay for the mishap! Gigi was extremely helpful in figuring out how I could do so and thanked me for my honesty. I'm just glad we could sort it out! So just be aware if you pick up a greeting card to check another card isn't stuck to it! The pricing of items: very fair! presentation of the overall store: very good! customer service: great! I definitely suggest stopping by here.

Ten Thousand Villages is a fair-trade shop that carries merchandise from at least thirty-eight…read morecountries. It is woman-owned and displayed the LBGTQ+ Pride Flag in its window. Here you can find a wide variety of hand-crafted goods. And there is quite a myriad of objects on display. There are a large number of hand-woven bags, rugs and tapestries for use or display (or both). One wall is almost entirely devoted to jewelry. And there's a very large collection of pottery, including bowls, dishes and coffee mugs. This place is an excellent place to shop for those who are intrigued by foreign cultures. And the prices are extremely reasonable. And besides for being reasonable, you can find nice pieces in the under ten dollar range, well into the one hundred and fifty or more. There really is something for any budget. I was greeted when I entered the store and asked if I needed help...but was not asked every five minutes (something that I see as a major plus). Check out was a breeze with the clerk on duty. I will definitely come again.

Great staff, cute gifts, personalized service. A universe better than CVS. Everyone in Pasadena…read moreshould get their prescriptions filled here!

How is this $19.30? I always go there I never had a problem till this. 2 days ago the lollipops…read morewere 10 cents unless they went up 5x times in 2 days. Never coming back this is straight a rip off either the store is a scam or the girl cashier today 8/3/2026 1:20pm doesn't care about This store and its reputation and you guys are ok with it never coming here again rip off

This has become my favorite stop to get funny, cool, and just better greeting cards than other…read moreplaces. I was fortunate enough to work briefly in the area last year and found this shop on my lunch walk. So many cool gifts, jewelry, etc. I love small shops with unique gifts like this that rotate artists, etc. Kind of hidden on the back streets of old town Pasadena. From now on, I'll always stop by and check if there's (at least) a new card to add to my collection. Don't forget to ask about their "secret stash" of additional cards, too.

The Retreat shop on Holly Street is the second of this small chain: the first is located in South…read morePasadena on Mission. The location is wonderful. Many people who shop in Old Town Pasadena focus on the stores easily accessible from the main street, Colorado. However, some of the shops off the main drag, such as the ones on Holly Street, are unique and fascinating. The two Retreats do share merchandise in common. You will find a bevy of delightful greeting cards, jewelry and candles at both. However, I would strongly encourage you to visit both shops, because each has some items that you won't find at the other location. It was at this shop that I first saw the owner's, Diane, artwork on display. She's made a significant collection of gorgeous, shimmering mandalas. I remember the first time I saw them a couple year ago and I was quite impressed. Since then, you will see more of her mandalas at both Retreat locations, as well as some of the pieces that evolved from her work with these pieces of sacred geometry. Like the other Retreat, this is an excellent gift shop. My stationary drawer is positively overflowing with cards I've bough here. I love shopping at Retreat because I always find something, small or large, that's just right for a friend of mine. Whenever I look through the cards that I've found here I get excited for the right time to send a particular card to a particular friend or family member. It is very easy to find something for any budget. I've found so many fun trinkets, amusing coasters and clever devices to have around the house. And all of these things were around twenty dollars or less. The jewelry, of course, is going to be a bit more pricey, but I feel you are definitely paying for quality. The staff on duty have always been nothing but helpful and friendly. I always enjoy chatting with whoever is minding the store at the moment. Definitely recommend.

Founded in 1894 the way I hear it is Vroman's is this is the oldest bookstore in Los Angeles. It's…read moredefinitely also one of the most famous along with The Last Bookstore in DTLA. One fantastic thing about this place is the immense size and varied selection that they have. In front they have a really nice café that serves drinks and food followed by many rows of books and strewn merch all around and in the back, they even have a really nice stationary section that has many great pens and notebooks to choose from. They also have a second floor that was having an author visit as a guest speaker for a Q&A so it was extremely busy. Most of the second floor, though is for young readers. They don't have a dedicated parking lot so it will be metered street parking which is the only downside. The whole staff was very friendly and helpful. Inside is also really clean and I just loved all of the options. I ended up grabbing a few books on math and business and was really happy with what I found. I would highly recommend to any bibliophile.

I feel like this is one of the last great private book stores left. It's so large and right on…read moreColorado Blvd, perfect location to shop and eat. The books are plenty and the gifts and children's floor are spectacular. I come here often and will continue to do so

Ruby was so great since we walked in the door! Very welcoming and helpful. We would definitely come…read morehere again because of her.

If I could give 0 stars, I would…read more Visited on 07/20/26 around 12:10 PM. This was our first time here, and my wife actually planned this as part of our anniversary date, so we were really looking forward to it. We walked in and the store was completely empty. We said hi, but the girl working there just looked at us. We even had to ask if she worked there because she didn't say anything. She just gave us a weird look and nodded. It honestly made us feel like we weren't supposed to be there. We looked around anyway, but all of the machines were out of order, which was already disappointing. We figured we'd at least make a photo frame instead, but by that point we just felt so uncomfortable that we decided to leave. It's such a shame because the store is colorful and has fun music playing, but the customer service was the complete opposite. A simple "Hi, welcome!" would've gone a long way. Definitely not the experience we were expecting, especially for our first visit. We won't be coming back.

I still love this store with all my heart but I would like to make sure to specify that I would…read moreonly care to go and be helped by the lovely lady with red hair who I think goes by Theodora. She goes above and beyond from my first time in the store til now. She gets five stars and we spend a few hundred dollars whenever we're there. I have read things about the older owners and luckily have not had any one on one run ins to experience. However, the older woman walked straight up to my brother asked my brother if he was in "the right place?". To think that someone surrounded by art and culture should ask such a small minded rude question is beyond me. My brother respectfully and quietly took his money down a few doors and spent his couple hundred dollars somewhere else. I was so excited to share a magical place only to be embarrassed by my recommendation. The older woman is the reason I lowered my rating.

Cool boutique store that I imagine is like a Gothic rockstar vibe. Silver and gold jewelry, that…read morehave a handmade look to them. Insects made of beads and embroidery. It's like a mini museum of oddities and shiny things. Parking is street or one of the cities garages and you walk a bit.

I was tasked with purchasing a birthday card for someone's brother, as the gift-giver lives out of…read morestate. In a world where transactions are more often than not digital, a handwritten note provides a light, but effective counterbalance to this trend. At the store, the rep happily walked me through the options, noting some of the snark and sass behind the artwork and text. Matter of fact, there were lots of wonderfully odd items there, such as the feet finger puppets I played with while waiting in line. They especially boasted a strong collection of vintage women's clothing with vibrant colors and unique designs easily able to grab the attention of anyone walking by. As for the card, I narrowed it down to Darth Vader, Chewbacca, or Arthur, finally deciding to choose the path of the resistance with Chewie.

I love this store. Their selection is unmatched, size inclusion is appreciated, and the prices are…read morenot out of line! The team who works there is kind and helpful, and even with all of the terrible things that have come their way, they haven't lost their sparkle. I can't wait for them to reopen in a few weeks so I can go back and shop more! P.s. love love love the wallpaper in the dressing rooms!

Fantastic place to meet most of your stationery needs!…read more They have planner/journal supplies here... who knew? I love their gift wrapping paper too. They carry: MT Washi tape Wooden rubber stamps (not a huge selection and none of the cute Japanese style either) Stencils to be used in your planner Markers, Pens - Tombow, Sailer, Uniball, Micron, Mildliner etc. Friendly service at the counter and like most Paper Source locations they have a plethora of gift items to choose from. Located on the West end of Colorado Blvd. Respectfully Reviewed.

What a Funtastic shop! I am glad I found Paper Source while I was shopping in the area…read more The store is very organized. The layout helps optimizing the shopping experience. The shop has very inviting and relaxing vibes. I really enjoyed shopping there and walking around to explore every corner. They have a wide selection of stationaries, luxury gift wrap for every occasion , crafts, puzzles, Lego, party supplies, unique gift ideas, cards and more.I liked their idea of creating your own envelope. The staff were friendly. Paper Source is owned by Elliot Investment Management which owns Barnes & Noble. You can use Barnes & Noble membership at Paper Source too. Definitely,I will be back.