Lots of cool Albany swag. Even if you live here, you'll want a sweatshirt! Or a shot glass with…read moreNipper on it. Lots of unique things too, from body butter to bar tender essentials to books about Albany. Stop by and browse! It's a small boutique located in downtown on Broadway.

While I do understand that the ownership has changed and inevitably will give the store a different…read morevibe, my main issue has been that in the times I have been into this store since the change in ownership and management, the staff has been unpleasant and on one occasion in particular, made my friend and I feel very uncomfortable as she had a loud and extremely personal phone call during the entire time we were in the store without even acknowledging that we were there at all. I do think the selection has always been great, and I appreciate the emphasis on supporting local work, although that also seems to have changed a bit since the change. It is a pricey location for most things, but I do always enjoy seeing what is in the store, the card selection is consistently excellent, and it is a great place to find a gift!

Fun and colorful shirts, toes and hoodies to gift to someone else and yourself…read more My shirts have held up well in the dryer, washed in well water and eating my way through the Capital Region. It's all made locally in Troy. The shop also has greeting cards with funny sayings and cute pictures. If you have a custom order, they can accommodate that as well. Lastly, they do have events throughout the year where you can make a t-shirt and they usually involve some kind of adult beverage. I haven't done one and that should change.

Long story short: Order local (from here), not from Etsy…read more My friends and I were considering ordering bachelorette party shirts from Etsy but were concerned about sizes fitting all members of our party and overall shirt quality. That was until we got the idea to go to a local print shop. I found Troy Cloth and Paper on Yelp and headed right there. Dave was available to chat about shirt design, shirt style options, and suggested sizing. We settled on Bella Canvas tanks which are much better than the quality Etsy offers. There was a slight communication error that delayed the design process but as soon as that was fixed I had a mock up within 3 business days. Dave was awesome about modifying my mock up to meet my design preferences. I confirmed the mock up was good to go at 7 am and my shirts were done by 7 pm. THEY LOOK AWESOME and Dave gave us a hefty discount for the communication error. Awesome customer service and easy to work with. Definitely recommend these guys for all your events that require shirts.

Despite my curmudgeonly facade, I really, really prefer to buy local, and to support small…read morecompanies and artists. However, I really feel like the Capital Region doesn't make it really easy for people to practice this. Yes, there are a few farmers' markets, but everything is so ridiculously overpriced, I just can't justify adding even a lowly bag of spinach into my budget. There's also an "independent" used book store around the corner from my place, but they specialize in text books for the local colleges, and are often more expensive than the UAlbany bookstore. Don't even get me started on the independent coffee houses and restaurants. It's like someone thinks that the people around here have really deep pockets. And while there surely are those people who do (politicians, etc., etc.), there are enough colleges within city limits to make the argument that there are enough people who CARE about independent business, but can't AFFORD to support them on a student budget. The Paper Sparrow gets it. Thank GOD. This is a boutique that would fit right in in Portland's trendy Hawthorne strip. Is it out of place for Albany? Hell yeah. Not so much in historic downtown Troy, which seems to have eons more personality, but it was nonetheless an unexpected treat. On a regular basis, the Paper Sparrow boasts a rotating selection of cards, bags, hair accessories, jewelry, soap, hand-spun and dyed yarn, and doodads, all (1) HANDMADE, (2) BY LOCAL ARTISTS, and (3) TOTALLY AFFORDABLE. In fact, most of their absolutely adorable necklaces and earrings could easily be passed on at other stores in the area for a cool $30+, but here, for only $10. Some really awesome and unique hair clips for less than $5. Here, you can purchase one-of-a-kind pieces at fair prices that go right back into the community, supporting local artists. Really, I love it. It's kind of like Etsy on crack. And this is the store's mission, too. I thought that maybe it was a fluke that all this adorable stuff was so reasonable. But then I checked out their website, and it was all in their ultimate plan--making beautiful, locally made things accessible to more people. Did I mention they have a gallery space in back? They do. And they have new showings every month for Troy's Last Friday event. It's pretty fantastic, and I absolutely love what this place is doing. I really hope that it's around for a good, long time, because we honestly need more places like the Paper Sparrow around.

The woman working was so rude. Everything's so overpriced, especially considering the necklace I…read morebought fell apart after a week. Bye $79

Great gift shop for any of your needs. Staff is usually helpful. Great selection of cards! Always…read morethe first place I go when buying unique gifts for friends and family.

When I walked in, I wasn't greeted, even though staff acknowledged other customers who entered…read moreafter me. I spent about 15 minutes browsing and tried to ask a question about a title I was looking for, but the response I received felt dismissive and rushed. The staff member didn't make eye contact and seemed uninterested in helping. What stood out most to me was the difference in tone and attentiveness shown to other customers compared to my interaction. I left feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome, which was disappointing because I wanted to support a local bookstore.

I have stopped twice while waiting for a patient at the Stram center nearby. The selection is…read morewonderful- books of course, but also lots of gifts! There is jewelry, cards, socks, reusable bags, toys, journals and 3-D flower arrangements (paper). The staff is friendly and helpful. I think I heard them offer to gift wrap! Shopping local is SO much more rewarding than waiting for an Amazon box to arrive.

Great little spot with a lot of used books, movies, toys, clothes and all kinds of stuff.read more

This was my first visit, but I was so pleasantly surprised! The space is so unique and feels and…read morelooks like a bookstore. Every nook and cranny is neatly filled with books and unique items from my childhood such as Archie comics and cassette players as well as record players. The owner is incredibly kind and knowledgeable and shared so much about his physical location and online store. I was able to get my book and a bonus book to celebrate my birthday. I will definitely be back! Thank You!!!

I went in to browse and found some lovely books for my grandsons and a birthday card for my sister…read more What a large assortment of stunning items for almost everyone I know. Free membership that doesn't expire. Discounted items (including book shelves of them as well) from holidays and their book selection offers. Helpful, kind present people working there. It's downtown Schenectady so street parking. (Best to go on Sunday)

The Open Door is Schenectady's locally-owned independent bookstore and gift gallery, serving the…read morecapital region for 50 years. We carry a wide selection of literature for adults and children, including those of local and regional interest, as well as an expansive variety of toys, gifts, jewelry, stationery, personal accessories and home goods. Located in the heart of downtown Schenectady on the Jay Street Pedestrian Mall, they are around the corner from Proctors Theatre and many restaurants. There is lots of parking. The knowledgeable staff is wonderful to deal with in person or by telephone. The store even offer a frequent shopper rewards card. I had to pick up a book I ordered. Like many people, I prefer to support small businesses rather than Amazon and large mall bookstores whenever I can. The store was packed with great displays of books and gifts artfully arranged. I am always impressed with the space and attention devoted to books etc. for children. Before I checked out with the book I ordered, I selected a children's board book, three greetings cards, a stained glass frame for a 5 X 7 photo, and an adorable pair of llama socks for my young granddaughter. Great retail therapy!

Just came from the store and was attended to by the most utterly rude manager Sidney. I was on…read moreline, she skipped me asked the person behind me to step to her register and even her coworker was confused by her rudeness and unprofessionalism. No apology, she just giggled to with her other customer. very racist interaction.

An excellent store. Their manager, Linda, was extremely helpful on the phone and in the store in…read morefinding out more information for me about some ornaments I was interested in. She went the extra mile, and as a result they got the sale. The rest of the store is laid out like a regular Hallmark store, which is to say clean, well lit, and intuitive.