I have been using Payn's as a supplier of ink for my pens for drawing and writing letters, etc. beautiful paper to write upon, cards, calendars, notebooks, for classes. (I'm taking in Spanish now) & what have you. Everything is just what i wanted. I've gone to other stationary stores and I never find anything that works as well as this store so thank you to the Payn's people. read more

Nice little family owned Stationary store on Solano Ave. the people running the store are always friendly and helpful. There aren't many small independently owned stationary stores left in the Bay Area so this is much needed. Street parking only. Prices are fair. read more

This place had what I needed, they carry variety of stationary, office type supplies and some wrapping products as well for gifts. The store was a little out of date to me and sort of difficult to find what I was looking for, but the staff was super nice and helpful. read more

To the reviewer who complained about not having a frozen themed notebook.... I mean that's something you get at the Disney store or Amazon? This is a typical (but extraordinary) stationary store- mom and pop shop. Please just write serious reviews. Anyway, large selection, awesome pens etc. read more

Great variety and knowledgeable staff. wonderful resource for us in Berkeley and Albany.

Our first visit and we already look forward to coming back daily! The staff are knowledgeable and caring. If you're looking for anything stationary this is the spot to go :) read more

Went in for quick, easy, and afforable notary service. They also kindly helped me find the right refill for my favorite ballpoint pen. Great shop, and wonderful selection of notepads. read more

This has been my "go to" shop for 45 years. It's where my children learned about standing in line and purchasing a trinket or single pencil with their allowance. Other shops look over the heads of children at the counter, not considering them as customers, but Payn's does. I would stand outside and allow my children to go in alone, ask the clerk where the item they wanted was, and then completed their transaction with respect from the clerk and pride from the children. I'm looking forward now to bringing my grandchildren there. If they don't have it, do you really need it ? read more

Cute shop for basics - notebooks, pens, etc. Note there are NO kids stationary or kid-oriented themed notebook. Or kid pen sets. Or really anything for kids. This is an adult oriented store. We came here hoping for a Frozen theme notebook set and left with a plain red notebook. ‍ Staff is nice enough but you'd think they would have a kids section considering location and potential market for these things. Good options for gel pens. read more

I don't need to say, bc if you know, you know, but if for some reason you're still on the fence, Payn's is the real deal. As long as they've been around, you'd think they'd just restock the same stuff they'd been selling forever. Sure, they've got the reliable staples (including actual staples), but they rotate their products regularly to keep things fresh and always worth a pop-in to browse what's new. These folks care, which is why Payn's is an indispensable gem. read more

This stationary store has been here on Solano for 70 years. I have been coming in since I was a little girl and I go in every time I walk by. They have the best selection of journals I have ever seen and great pens too! Like, erasable pens that actually erase well. Hope they'll be open for another 70. read more

I just had to comment on the Yelper who gave Payn's a mediocre rating because it doesn't have children's stationery or notebooks. Payne's is not a children's store. I just think it's petty to downgrade a store because you didn't find what you wanted there. Payn's is a small store and they can't put everything in there. It's one of the few independently owned office supply stores in the country. And it managed to survive the covid restrictions. Let's try to support local businesses and not damage businesses with a low rating on Yelp. read more

They are so helpful, always helping me find the right item. Wonderful variety of cards, paper, notebooks and toys!

The minute you walk in, you see stationary product of all sorts. I was looking for a fountain pen and the person who helped me was patient and knowledgeable about the products. I saw the pens that were on YouTube come to life. A fountain pen is something you have to hold and try. As much as the web helped with my knowledge a bit, having a person to talk with face to face is invaluable. Retail has to be more personable. 1:1. Feel like you are a valued customer. Have the inventory on hand. Payn's knocked it out of the park! If you want to avoid that cold big box store feeling that have pretty much decimated all the local stores, this is THE PLACE to go. No wonder they have been in business for over 70 years. They can guarantee they have another customer. read more

This place is amazing and it always will be and always has been. It is every stationary item you could ever want and always the best quality at a reasonable price. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly and welcoming. read more

Always courteous and helpful, always have what i need for high quality correspondence, bookkeeping, filing, office supplies, and delightful Christmas paper goods and ornaments. A treasure from the before times! Up to date on current needs as well. AND they have a notary!! Yes!! Thank you Payn's! read more

Of course, one swallow does not make a summer, but my experience with this interesting shop proved completely disillusioning. I wrote to it via the electronic mail address that was indicated on its website no fewer than four times in recent weeks and enquired about the availability of a certain common item. No reply was ever received. Finally I was able to visit the shop and ask a sales clerk directly. She seemed surprised that it was even possible to send an enquiry and doubted that the common item about which I had repeatedly asked was stocked. I sincerely wish Payn's all the best, not least in the improvement of its customer service. With appropriate effort, that should be possible! read more

** The following review reflects my experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** Anybody remember the five & dime? ANYBODY? Back when I was a wee one, my one indulgence with my allowance was going to Ben Franklin's, the omnipresent five & dime store of my youth, and buy Pixy Stix, Sweet Tarts, Ticonderoga pencils, and Big Chief tablets, usually in that order. Payn's reminds me of that store. Of course, prices aren't the same, but the layout and variety of inventory sure does. So does the friendly demeanor of the staff who are always proactive in eliciting what their customers need. For example, I was recently in dire need of a notary. My bank branch wasn't open, and I came here and discovered most of the staff are notaries, and my need was addressed post haste. Another time, I was feeling so overwhelmed by paperwork that my mind went to file folders. My urgent need for file folders was addressed immediately when I came here and in a rainbow of colors. Like everyone else, I have gotten so used to the convenience of Amazon Prime that my nostalgia for five & dimes has subsided considerably over the years. However, there's something so "Leave It to Beaver"-ish about a stationery store like this that I can't help but smile. RELATED - Strolling Solano Avenue? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2HvcTQH read more

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Payn's is a charming old Dash school stationary and business supply store. Prices may not be competitive with the big boxes, but it's also the kind of place that is right in my neighborhood when I'm doing a bunch of errands. Not to mention the fact that the store is charming, and the staff are nice. This is the kind of store that is a real pleasure to be in. If you need special paper for your fountain pen, need affordable quality fountain pens, want a special card, for somebody, or need file folders, Payn's a good place to go. read more

They are the best notary in Berkeley. They always have an available notary that is knowledgeable, efficient and nice. We needed witnesses for our document and they provided them as well. They are very patient with large documents. Best Best experience. They are my go to notary. read more

This place is freakin' amazing! Fountain pen supplies, art supplies, calendars, journals, business supplies, every kind of stationery supplies. All different price ranges. Geared for all different work styles, both business and creative, and the needs of different generations. The feel reminds me of a really good old time general store--they have everything! And the staff know how to find it, if you don't see it yourself. Every staff member I encountered was extremely professional, helpful, and nice. And totally matter-of-fact about the quality of customer service they offered. They answered questions quickly and accurately, didn't try to convince me to buy something that didn't meet my needs, and showed me things that would work. If one staff member didn't know the answer to a question, they either figured it out or quickly found someone who did know. They were impeccable about helping people in order, and getting everyone the service they needed in a reasonable period of time. In December! read more

Payn's has an awesome variety of cards, journals, and other neat things. I particularly like their stamp selection. I've been hunting for cute and unique stamps all over -- and I was super thrilled to find some here. I added three more stamps to my collection today :) read more

This shop has everything you need for your home office, journaling, mailing, gifting, and some crafting. They carry the basics--tape, pencils, pens, highlighters, post-its, paper clips. They carry the high end paperie--French and Italian journals, nibbed pens, beautiful stationery. They also have some kids crafting items-- kits, crayons, markers, stamps, construction paper. Plus a whole corner of wrapping paper and an aisle of greeting cards. It bet I could buy gifts only from this store for a year, and everyone would be happy. It's a tightly packed shop with an old school feel, filled with both mundane utilitarian items and delights. Way better than getting this stuff at a box store. read more

What a lovely little shop. Call me a snob, but I hadn't expected to be this impressed when a friend pulled me in there during an afternoon walk. A quick stroll around the aisles, I figured, and then we'd be on our way. As it turned out, I ended up spending over $100. I suppose I just expected to find just schools supplies and the like. (Like I said, snob.) They DO have that, but they also have a selection that in some categories rivals even Maido in San Francisco, which is normally my go-to local shop for fine stationery (particularly of the Japanese variety). For the most part, I could have gotten everything I wanted in here, be it top-notch fountains pens -- I spotted a Lamy 2000 and a piano black Studio -- Mnemosyne notebooks, or even Illegal Pads. I didn't look too closely, but they also seemed to have a good selection of inks. I myself suddenly rediscovered my passion for Blacking pencils, as the knowledgeable folks behind the counter showed me the newish one-step long point sharpener and let me test the Pearl and Matte pencils, neither of which I'd handled in a few years. I ended up taking home essentially that whole stash, along with a lovely calendar featuring the shin-hanga woodcuts of Hasui Kawase. I'm not entirely sure why, but I think this item's presence impressed me most of all. These folks know their stuff. I'll definitely pop back in the next time I'm in the area. You should, too, if you have any interest in fine pens, pens, pencils, paper, or ink. Like me, you may end up walking out with far more than you had intended to. read more

I love this place! Went there for the first time and they are the nicest people. I felt welcomed and heard as a customer. It was the best customer service I have received on Solano Ave in the last 8 years I have been working over hear. In addition they had every stationary product you could want! Their prices were fair and come support this local gem. read more

Payn's is a great store. Loads of stationery and artist items but also good prices on notary services and a pleasant spot for impulse gift purchases. Such a relief from the chain stores! read more

Always Our Source for the basics! So Nice Helpful and Stocked. THANKYOU Payn's Folks! Nancy Bill read more

Payn's is an old-fashioned stationery store. They have great service a good selection, and, they have a Notary on site. I have a bunch of different pens that use different types of refills, and I've never been disappointed when I need a refill for them. Whether a Mont Blanc rolling cartridge, a short cartridge for some esoteric pen. I look for excuses to go there. :) read more

Love this place! They always have the best notebooks and pens and lots of other cute and wonderful things.

It's hard to find an old fashioned stationery store anymore. It has everything you would need!

Amazing supply store with a wide range of items, helpful and friendly staff. Highly reccomend!

Currently open during shelter-in-place. I shop at Payn's for the wide variety of notebooks, cards, tree ornaments, and office supplies. I keep coming pack because when I look around there are interesting and pretty things everywhere. It's a feast for the senses. (As noted in other reviews, this is the place to go for fountain pens and inks.) read more

What a random gem I found! I drive by and saw "stationary" on the building and slammed on my brakes. (I brake for envelopes & paper). This store has everything! Impressed with the selection; I picked up some amazing ribbon by the yard, some locally made greeting cards and a goodbye card. I hope this store sticks around for a while. It's amazing! Lots of gifts to choose from! read more

I came here a little after noon on Saturday since I needed to get a document notarized. They have a little stand with three different scents/varieties of hand sanitizer you can choose from to enter. I browsed for a little and saw they have an array of (as expected from the store's name) notebooks, pens, cards, art supplies. I then asked one of the staff about their notary services, so they directed me to go to the back counter. They were able to help me immediately as there were no other customers at the time, and it was a quick and smooth process to get my document notarized, for only $10. Nice shop, I'd recommend stopping by if you're taking a stroll on Solano. read more

I love this old fashioned, small business on Solano Ave. They have what I need, the staff are great, and I hope they stay around for many years. Payn's reminds me of the businesses of my childhood, which is one of the reasons I love it. read more

Best old time stationery store in Berkeley. Everything you need in reasonable quantities. Polite, useful service.

I no longer live in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I try to visit Payn's whenever I can. They have the best supply of writing paper, pens, cards and other stationery "stuff" around. read more

This place is awesome. One of the few old style stores left on Solano. IN some ways it reminds me of the old Discount's Unltd that once graced San Pablo near Solano. Not only is there a great variety of cards and cool gifts, but the prices are surprisingly low. Got some very cool holiday cards here, along with other stuff that I have not seen elsewhere. It's crowded and full of stuff, which I enjoy. To top it all off, when I inquired about something, the person I asked (may be the owner), actually came out from behind the counter and walked me over to the thing I needed. After my other shopping experiences on Solano the same day, this seemed like a luxury! I don't know why I have forgotten to shop here more, but I'll certainly be looking to Payn's next time I'm looking for cards, gifts, and doodads. read more

If you have a day of errands you are dreading, give yourself a treat and make time to shop at Payn's on Solano. I %100 guarantee they sell something you need, and shopping here is a real treat. It's quiet inside and old-timey. They have cards, office supplies, novelty items, and great gifts for yourself and anyone you know, from kids to olds. The little change purses you squeeze that open like a clam - they've got em! Blue unlined index cards! They've got em! I know that seems like a random pair of examples to use, but spend 10 minutes in the store and you'll see what I mean. Knowledgeable staff eager to help, many great places to get lunch nearby. This store is a local treasure and you should make sure you support with your dollars, and coins in your little change purse. read more

While taking a stroll after picking some sweets at Lavender Bakery & Cafe, I stopped at Payn's Stationery. It's rare to find a stationery store these days so I was excited to find Payn's. It was stocked from wall to wall with just about anything you might need in your office. There were also some cute novelty items that would make for a good gift. read more