I was looking for a cute local store that might have some trendy Richmond apparel. (Excuse my tourist moment.) This store had so many items to look at. It's definitely a perfect store for quirky gifts and cards. I didn't have a lot of time to look at every little thing but I'm sure I would have bought a lot more items. Total recommend! read more

We spent about 45 minutes in this shop. So many cool nic naks and shit to just play with, no matter what your age.

How I have made it 6 years in the RVA without going to this store, I will never know! I made the mistake of thinking I could make a "quick stop" looking for a quirky birthday gift, and ended up spending almost 2 hours here. There are tons of fun, kitschy items, as well as boutique specialty items. Gifts range from funny and inappropriate to heartfelt and one-of-a-kind. I also LOVED the paper products. Amazing wrapping materials and any sort of card you could want. I will say its a little steep in pricing, but it wasn't unexpected given the location and the product being sold. read more

This is the best place to find a great, original gift for just about anyone on your list. They have an eclectic and well-edited selection, and they have quite a few Richmond-specific offerings too. This is always my go-to spot for finding a gift, especially if last-minute because I can almost always find something. They have cards, gifts, and even the gift wrap and packaging so you can leave here with an item that's completely ready to be gifted. Some things are a little on the pricy side, but their sales are great. The staff is always super helpful, and they go above and beyond just checking you out at the register. read more

As other reviewers have noted, Mongrel is an awesome card store. Whether you're looking for sentimental and pretty, funny and a little off color, cute, smart-alecky or friendly you're certain to find something in the large selection here. But Mongrel isn't just a card store. In fact, the owners have a line of cocktail glasses, cards and wrapping paper called DeTango that they sell in the store. All the martini and shot glasses with cool icons on them come from this line. There's also a selection of fun/funny books, kitchen and party supplies (think funky salt shakers, unique cocktail picks and stylish reuseable bags), picture frames, stylish office supplies, seasonal gift items, pretty soaps, tea pots, quirky stuff like Freud action figures and other fun stuff. I particularly like their stationery selection and have picked out unique note cards there on many occasions. The owners and staff are always friendly and happy to help you find anything specific you're looking for. It really is the absolute perfect place for a last-minute gift. I can't imagine too many people who wouldn't like something from Mongrel's extensive inventory. read more

Amazing place to find gifts for you and your bff in Carytown! From the punniest greeting cards to the best wine glasses ever found, this store has it all!! read more

Mongrel - Best $15 ever spent! - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Every time I enter Mongrel, I think I've died and gone to card heaven. Need a Valentine's card that reads "I love you even more than I love my bicycle... and we both know how much I love my bicycle"? Mongrel had it this past February 14th. Need a birthday card that has a hairy man wearing booty jorts on the cover with an inside message that reads "See, there are things more frightening than having another birthday"? Yep, found that one at Mongrel, too. I can't guarantee that Mongrel will have either of these cards if you check it out, but I CAN guarantee that they'll have a card to celebrate any occasion. Cards that make you laugh, cards that make you feel sentimental, and cards for everything in between. And they have lots of unique gifty items as well. Total win. read more

In a nutshell: Mongrel is your perfect one-stop gift shop! You're guaranteed to spend more time than anticipated browsing through this store even though you meant to just pick up an awesome card for that special occasion. They have everything from fancy wrapping paper, a variety of cookbooks, items for your pet, gag gifts, hilariously unique cards for every occasion, doormats, candles, and the list goes on and on. Con: prices are not always listed on the items. I spent a little more than necessary on some purchases so just be aware. The Mongrel staff members are super friendly and knowledgeable of the store (impressive because there are hundreds of items) and are happy to make suggestions. Please be sure to visit Mongrel the next time in Carytown - you're guaranteed to be entertained and walk out with a fun purchase. read more

Let's make one thing perfectly clear. I love stationary and writing letters more than probably 97% of today's population does. I seal my envelopes with wax. My roommate shakes her head every morning I put out a new letter to whoever I'm plaguing this week. I get phone calls from Stamps.com, encouraging me to buy stamps in bulk. It's an addiction and I have no qualms about feeding it. Mongrel is the only place in RVA I will go to fuel said addiction. They have a card for just about every occasion you could possibly think of, with brands like Ghost Academy, Egg Press, Selfish Kitty, and Papyrus, as well as cards from local Richmond artists. I could spend both hours and my tuition money in here. Oh and if you're not into the whole letter writing thing, they have a plethora of interesting, quirky little gifts for people. Like squirrel underpants. French milled soap. A do-it-yourself Jackson Pollock kit. Cookbooks and neat kitchen supplies. And paper for any occasion to wrap it all in! read more

What a FUN, FUN store! So much to look at and giggle. It's like a more refined novelty store in some sense. Great place to find ANY type of gift and their card selection is terrific. They have lots of "dirty cards" too...it's funny to watch people looking at them trying to be discreet and I just stare and judge (and then go to the same section) Oh and regarding gifts, they do an AWESOME job gift wrapping. read more

Once in the 1990s I was inexplicably entranced by a key chain that I saw in an issue of SPIN magazine. It was a glow-in-the-dark-dog. Mongrel had it. I bought it and from them on out I was a fan and constantly perusing their inventory. So much so that I could name you about 7 things I still regret never buying there. I've been living away from RVA for 6 years now. This summer I went to Mongrel with a desperate hope that they'd have one item in particular. A key chain with the cable clasp. I knew they wouldn't have it and boy was I surprised when the staff went digging through their stock to find one for me!!! Bottom line: Mongrel carries great stuff and the staff are helpful & great! And I guess I really like key chains too :P read more

Walked in thinking this was going to be a pet store....it wasn't. BUT, I was still pleasantly surprised. Mongrel is actually a stationary & gifts store and as it was getting closer to Mother's Day, it turned out I was in need of a bunch of cards. I suppose it was fate. Mongrel has an awesome selection of cards and carries the big Papyrus brand as well as several recycled and unique cards. I needed birthday cards and graduation cards as well and picked up all of them at Mongrel. There were a bunch that were so unique and I was happy I ended up at Mongrel to buy them. There were also several unique gifts available and I'm sure you could find something for just about anyone if you were running last minute and didn't have time to shop around. read more

I love useful and semi- useless crap and this place has the best stuff. TRY IT!!!!

I like Mongrel, but I find it to be overwhelming. I have been in here only a few times in all the time I've been in Richmond, because in general I think the items are unique but overpriced, and the store is very busy with stuff crammed everywhere. However, since my friend wanted to go in this morning, I will tell you that they have some interesting items... I wish they carried more home accent pieces, I saw some large green printed paper lanterns that were lovely, and only $12 a piece. I also really like the selection of picture frames, although I have a rule not to spend more than $8 on any frame smaller than 8x10... (clearly I shop clearance sales and have a lot of plain black picture frames)... but if I were framing something to give as a gift I would consider coming here. To be perfectly honest, they have a large selection of cards, but I didn't see such an overwhelming selection of actual stationary. Perhaps I just wasn't looking. My attention was really focused on the with sassy magnets, and potty humor items. I like this place, but I need to take it in small doses. I did find an adorable book called- Things Every Woman Should Know... and I figured I can give it as a gift to one of my cousins in a few years. So yeah, for unique gifts and stuff, Mongrel is great. Personally I never remember to go here when I am shopping for gifts, but if you are less forgetful than me... read more

This store has it all I haven't seen a better collection of interesting gifts nor as many types of moleskin notebooks as I have here. In particular, I like the knock knock notepads. Go ahead, steal my idea. read more

This is a great little shop. I visit every time I make it to Carytown. It has unique gift ideas and local mementos. The staff is usually very friendly. The whole atmosphere at Mongrel is very uplifting. read more

I love Mongrel! It's one of my favorite places to peruse on Cary St. Beautiful and unique items, novelty gifts, great cards, and really nice candles. You can truly find a gift for almost anybody here! read more

Love this place! Always good for the quirky, funny friend or family member on your list. I go here for funny magnets, weird trinkets (that sometimes involve a nun, a pig, or a flamingo,) picture frames (I wish I could randomly find the great pics of celebrities they find! I think it's a pretty cool look!) cards + stationary, and the occasional irreverent item needed to fully communicate how dear someone is to me. Ranges from the cheap to the pricey. Depends on your budget! Fun for shopping and browsing! read more

This is my go to shop for all birthday & Christmas gifts. They have something for everyone & not to mention cards for everyone and their mother. Every time I've given a loved one a gift, they've asked where it's from. They sell beautiful prints as "wrapping paper" (which I think are all to pretty to use for their purpose, so I have about 8 different prints framed around my house) for $3.75 a pop, you can't beat that! They also have free gift wrapping, and they do a damn good job. read more

This is my favorite store in my whole life, ever. And I know this because I'm incapable of writing a real review. Funnies. Dish towels. Food stuffs. Pretty stuffs. Stationaries. Ironies. That's all I got. read more

This is my go-to quirky gift shop! I can find something for everyone on my list every time I pop in while I am strolling through Carytown. I was there this past Saturday, with hundreds of the other shoppers looking for last minute Christmas gifts. Mongrel has an amazing variety of gifts for family members, significant others and even coworkers. I especially love their assortment of funny cards, paper products, and candles, which always make the best gifts for my beloved gal pals. Also, it is a great place to stock up on hostess gifts and party favors that are sure to entertain and make you the coolest addition to any party! read more

A great, unique shop in the middle of Carytown! Plenty of gift ideas, random toys and fun finds. The store is well designed and fits tons of items into a relatively small space. It's a must if you're in Carytown. I'm sure you'll find something in there - from cards to cooking utensils to toys. It's got a bit of everything. read more

Honestly, after I discovered this store, I never bought my cards from ANYWHERE ELSE. And even now, though I no longer live in Richmond, I still only buy my cards at Mongrel when I manage to make it back. The selection is great for all those that are anti your standard Hallmark crap cards. The variety is awesome and it's the uniqueness of the kinds of cards that they carry that really makes their card collection special. Every time I come in, I know that I will find a funny, clever, unique, and charming card. I think that they spend a lot of time scouting out obscure stationary brands that really have a a distinct and different way of approaching greeting cards. Aside from cards, they also carry a bunch of kitschy items, as others have said. Charming gifts from picture frames (a tiny wooden easel holding up a ceramic canvas where a small picture could be adhered) to fun books (Jack Kerouac quote book, Moleskine city travel edition guides/notebooks) to festive doggie doughnuts and treats, as well as home decor items (a small nest with marble quail eggs, interesting glassware and sculptures). read more

Why are stationary stores so cool. Random stuff here that I couldn't pick up elsewhere. Pink elephant napkins (for a white elephant party); cupcake kit with fortunes in the lining; doormat of a black raven; cool bottle opener. Neat little find. Definitely stop in. read more

Oh this place reminds me of the bay area with its great collection of nick-knacks and memorabilia. This is such a fun shop to browse and seems like the perfect spot to find a gift for those picky, hard-to-please friends. It's fun to browse with friends and joke around on a Sunday afternoon. Toys for young kids and adults alike, cards for any occasion, decorative items for your home and novelty books to read. Take some time, wander the store and see for yourself... read more

This place is absolutely dope! I found the coolest cards and it was TRULY a shop "to buy someone something!" LoL. We even found a hilarious, yet appropriate card for a professor/chair we are giving to thank him for the conference!!!! (something to the effect of "either you are seriously nice or on ecstacy..we THANK YOU!" LoL. read more

This store is one of my favorites in Richmond. I felt very safe - they were only letting a certain number of people in at a time due to COVID restrictions. They supply a lot of cool items if your looking for a gift along with local Richmond, VA items. When I first moved here I went and got postcards and letters for my family and now that's the first place I stop when looking for a gift. read more

I've been visiting Mongrel just for the fun of it for years. I always see something new that I simply must have, although I don't always make a purchase. I did buy something for a Chinese gift exchange this past Christmas from this store. It went over well. What makes Mongrel one of my favorite stores is that everything they carry is useful or entertaining, if not both. I never have the feeling that I'm walking into a store full of useless crap (I have this feeling about many other stores, though). All of their products are nichey, but at the same time serve a wide variety of personalities and ages. It is on the more expensive side, but for the unique products available, I pay it. read more

This is my favorite store in all of Richmond. When I travel I search for stores like Mongrel, and very rarely do I find a store that even comes close to the selection of Mongrel. I am a big fan of stationery, and this is my one stop shop for both stationery, gift, and gift bag/wrapping paper. It has gifts for men, children, people of Richmond, cooks, nerds, plant enthusiasts, Trump haters, cat lovers, you name it, they'll probably have a little section for it. They're probably a bit pricier than what the average person would want to pay for a novelty/unique gift, but it's worth it! read more

The best part of a visit to Mongrel is hanging around the cards, listening to people laugh out loud. This place has everything - if you're scrambling for a gift, a card, and something to wrap it all up in, Mongrel's got you covered. I'd heard of lolcats, but until I saw "I Can Has Cheezburger?" on the counter at Mongrel (and had a complete seizure, literally laughing so hard I cried), and bought it for a friend's b-day, I hadn't had the full lolcats, um, experience. Best card+gift store in central VA. read more

As a stationery fanatic, I'm definitely a huge fan of Mongrel in Richmond, VA. There are all sorts of cards for every occasion but they also have unique gifts, stationery sets, and even a pet section. Some things are a little overpriced, but most of the products at Mongrel are well priced. I like the location and I find it very fitting for a place like Mongrel to be in--a hip, funky section of Richmond called Carytown. If you love strange, cool, and funky gifts and stationery, this is the place for you! read more

Forget the boring aisle of generic greeting cards in Target or Walgreens. If you need a card for any occasion or any person, Mongrel is the place to get it. Every time I go in this store, I intend to buy one card and come out with at least $30 worth of things -- all of which are fun to discover and fall in love with as you walk through the store. I think last time my bag included several cards, a wine bottle holder, dish towels, a game, and a bar of rose soap. read more

when in Carytown, drift on in and get lost in browsing this gem of a store. If I were searching for a unique gift or card I would probably hit up this joint first. The whole right side of the store is dedicated to cards that arent your hallmark variety. As for the other items the store carries, I wouldnt even know where to start on that one. Just unique items. ~ read more

My personal favorite aspect of Mongrel is there small selection of imported Japanese goods - buddha and ojizo statues, chopsticks (and holders), wind bells, incense, tea cups, bowls, among other things. Other reviewers detail well the other (majority) of this wonderful little store! read more

The best. I've spent many a happy hour poking around in here, and my mom always wants to come by when she's in town. You WILL find the perfect card/gift somewhere in Mongrel's well-curated collection, no matter who the recipient. Their selection of naughty cards is unparalleled and will result in many borderline-embarrassing-for-a-public-space snorts and sniggers if your sense of humor is as inappropriate as mine. read more

Self control is what you need if you walk into this store!! If you can't find a card for any occasion, then I don't know where else you could go...there's something for everyone and prices are reasonable. This would be a 'visiting Carytown isn't complete until you've gone to Mongrel'...I know that Mongrel will be on my last stop of the day when visiting Richmond...you leave smiling. read more

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This is my favorite little shop in Richmond. Whenever I visit, I spend at least thirty minutes looking through their myriad of cards searching for the perfect one, and you know what? I always find one. Of course, even if I am looking for one thing, I always get distracted, in a good way. Lots of beautiful stationery, wrapping paper, fun books, mugs, socks, candles, tea. If you need a gift for someone, this is the place to go. Love to support this local business! read more

This store is so quirky and cool! We always stop by when we are in Carytown, and I always buy gifts here. They have neat items for all people (and pets)! I especially love their card selection- for birthdays, anniversaries, anything you can think of. They are also pet friendly, and my pup loves seeing the store employees. read more

Amazing for unique gifts & cute trinkets. I love walking around looking for gifts for friends & family. If you have a hard time picking out cool gifts...come here. read more

This is one of my favorite stores ever! Unique and fun gifts at reasonable prices. Something for everyone and everything. I always try to stop here when I am in Carytown. Great selection fo cards, too! read more