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

A cool stationary store to check out! Decent selection and has most everything I need. It's a small business, and the prices are fair. They have some cool finds like a vintage looking periodic table poster (it's surprisingly entirely accurate, but the weirdest format I've ever seen). Will be back again for my stationary needs! read more

Had a nice selection of pipsticks stickers. This store is almost a small toy shop combined with a stationers. Lots of fun stuff.

I just stopped in and they have substantially increased their stock of art supplies and fountain pen inks! My happy place just got even happier!!! Buy a fountain pen (starting at the $5 Varsity and $13 Pilot Kakuno or ~$20 Metro). Gorgeous artisanal inks can be loaded into the Kakuno, Metro and others using an inexpensive converter. Now every word you write can give you a little glow. read more

Here's another place that Miz Susan B and I like to support. Payn's is a smallish but handy stationery store that has just what you need or for shopaholics like me--it has just what you didn't know you needed. It has a nice selection of envelopes, from teeny to huge. You can buy just one or a packet or a large box. Lots of file folders, pocketed folders, purse-size to file cabinet size and beyond. CD envelopes, paper clips, rubber bands from regular to super size that would probably fit your waist....okay I'm exaggerating.... File labels in various shapes, colors and sizes. Lots of pens, pencils, markers, construction and poster paper. Coiled key chains, lanyards for your work card keys. Magnets, greeting cards and much more. What I love best is that it is a family owned store, a blast from the past on Solano with a friendly staff and a great inventory! read more

Payn's Stationery - Photo from solanoshop.com - Office Equipment Near Me - Berkeley, California

The price was right. $10 per notary. Also it was quick. Can't beat this place.

This review is long overdo. Payn's is a magical wonderland of stationary and office supplies from a bygone era. Do a favor: instead of buying off Amazon, come here! read more

I like this stationary store with one exception--which is that there is a store employee who is always unfriendly and unwelcoming. I often leave feeling like I don't care to return to buy things. In this day and age of the online shopping experience and quick delivery speeds, I would think it good business practice to make your customers feel good about giving them your business and returning to you to do more. It's actually easier to purchase things through Amazon Prime while saving myself the time, trouble, gas and wear and tear on my car to leave my home to buy things at a store like this--especially so, in the midst of a pandemic. read more

I don't know why anyone would not love this local gem And best of all they provide notary during this crisis. For $10 a signature. Very reasonably priced. Please give them your support. read more

Payn's Stationary is my alternative to superstores. For example they carry envelopes of all sizes and shapes, and if you want to, you can just buy just one (compared to a a set of 10 in plastic wrap). This is just an example of the old-fashioned style of shopping I love there. I enjoy pen shopping, and the great and friendly staff help me get the right refill for my pens. They have selected art supplies, business calendars, art cards, stylish wrapping materials and cool, unusual things like a pen that goes "blah, blah, blah" when you push the button. They even sell the kind of ribbons you would find at a material store. In short, they are my go to for stationary products. I drive from Richmond to shop there. Please support Independent business! read more

I've been going to this store for 17 years! So this review is long over due. I'd give this place 10 stars if it was an option. First off the owner is a very kind and patient man. I go here for my markers, pens, and other office/ art needs. This local mom and pop shop deserves the love! They're very knowledgeable and are here to help! Thank you Payn's for consistency and a fun place to shop! read more

Always friendly, helpful, well-stocked. And always an interesting place to browse as well. Highly recommended.

Great store with lots of items for the entire family. On the pricey side (that's why it's 4 stars) but always super helpful, local folks, and I have easily exchanged things if they aren't working. They are my go-to store for all things related to pens, pencils, journals, arts and crafts, and paper. read more

Wow! One of the last classic stationery stores, with so much more. The most wonderful collection of things you might actually have gone into the store for, and so many more delightful items you only realized you needed when you saw them at Payn's Support this store, we need at least one great stationery store for us paper nerds. read more

Payn's is the best! I think it's critical that we support small businesses and Payn's is one of my absolute favorites. Their selection of office supplies is extensive, they stock quality products and hard to find items, there is always something new and interesting to check out and I'm a big fan of seeing, not just one, but a selection of LGBTQ greeting cards. Thank you Payn's! read more

Awesome store, so well stocked and so friendly! Nice to find a true "neighborhood" store and patronize instead of Amazon!

Love this place! I was at the bead store down the street and decided to drop in, great variety of pens, paper, notebooks, stamps, ink pads. I bought a calligraphy book, nib and nib holder, gold stamp pad, and 3 gel pens. The people who work there were VERY nice and very helpful. Check it out! read more

Payn's is my go-to place for my purse calendars. I haven't been to a big box store since I started coming here. I have bought a beautiful fountain pen here, the owner has fixed my KCSM ballpoint pen which I dropped on the floor and broke. He didn't charge me, but told me not to twist it closed, which I never do anyway, so no problem. Then when I lent my pen to Alan that afternoon he twisted it closed as he habitually does and broke it again. I was not happy. It took me a while to return, but I did a couple of days ago and a different man fixed it again. They didn't have the specific purse calendar I wanted, so he took my name and phone number so he could call me when they get it in after ordering it. Today Alan went there to get some half size paper for a small 2 or 3 ring binder. They didn't have it, but cut some full size sheets of paper in half for him. You can't beat their personalized service. During COVID times they have three bottles of hand sanitizer at the front door w/ a sign instructing you to use it before coming inside. I really like that. read more

I've been doing business with Payn's Stationary for as long as I can remember--from school supplies all through my son's primary and secondary school years, to cards, calendars, gift paper, and hobby supplies for my own projects today. I love this store, and it continues to get better with age. Just the window display alone is worth the visit. Customer service is excellent--same owner for at least a couple of decades, it seems. And products are great--interesting and unique cards and gifts, any stationary supply you can think of, and great paper-oriented craft and hobby supplies. I have friends from out of the immediate area that always want me to take them to Payn's when they visit. Why patronize Office Depot when the neighborhood has this treasure? read more

My favorite stationery store in the world! I'm only in the area twice a year, but I make it a point to go here whenever I'm back. Great prices, great selection, wonderful staff. I especially love their selection of pens and mechanical pencils! They sell the Pilot Frixion erasable pens which I love. They have both the non-retractable and the retractable ones, cheaper than Amazon. Someone mentioned that they're pricey. I think the prices here are lower than elsewhere, especially on individual pens and pencils. read more

It's an unassuming looking store. But if you're tired of all the Office Maxes and Staples of the world, drop in here. They have an awesome array of professional paper. If you want the pretty decorative stuff, look elsewhere. But if you're trying to stock an office, a work desk or looking for functional paper, go here. I loved the selection of Clairefontaine notebooks and notepads! I've moved on from the Moleskine habit to this smooth rich paper. Also, I've been looking for a cheap scratch pad for making lists - no lines, no decorations, just a simple cheap pad. They had them in 3 sizes. The pen section had Pilot pens, which are often the ones I use for work and everyday. My love for paper products made me so happy to be in this shop. read more

Payn's is the antidote to the big box office supply stores where you have to buy 500 envelopes when all you want are 10. The staff are friendly and helpful. They'll special order something if you need it. The selection of envelopes is wide -- and did I mention you don't have to buy a box of 500? And there are just all the little odds and ends that old-fashioned stationary stories used to sell. I can easily lose myself checking out all of the options. It's one of my favorite Solano Avenue stores. A happy Payn's Stationary story: My preferred file folder has a double-thick tab so the tabs last longer and don't get bent. But the double-think tab folders are hard to find and whenever I did find them, I had to buy the whole box of the same color. (You know where this is going, right?) And then I discovered that Payn's sells them. In packets of only 10. In a wide variety of colors. It is the little things that make the difference. read more

One of the few independent stationary stores left. A fun place to shop for a nice variety of office supplies. There are lots of interesting analog items both old and new. Prices are reasonable enough. read more

I really want to support this local stationery shop. I buy my annual diary here. I went there a a few months ago to buy a good quality pen. I iike quality pens and paper and am willing to pay what it costs. Going to Payn's was a joke. The girl did not understand that I really wanted to see the pens in the display case and directed me to the cheapo pens in the aisle. It's become a joke that she deliberately, or through ignorance, lost a good sale. I bought my pen online. Don't assume the customer can't afford it. read more

Thanks for taking the time to read my filtered review. I don't write enough of them or ones that are long enough to make it under the new policies. It's a little more expensive than the chain stores, but it's a lot quieter. Also, Sunny's a really nice guy and will help you find what you're looking for. I always come here first. P.S. When the owner of a store remembers your name and says hi whenever you walk in, that means a lot to me. When I go to a big box store, nobody ever remembers my name. So I guess that is a criteria for me liking a place enough to give it four stars. If you want to remain anonymous, then I would definitely spend your money someplace else and not shop here. read more

I walked into a store needing stuff. Someone asked if they could help me. A little scared, I made my needs clear... and I was helped and got exactly what I needed. They have a huge selection of things, and you can buy them in small quantities or in bulk--however you like it. What a strange, customer-focused experience! I think the clerk even smiled at me! read more

I'd inquired about an out-of-stock calendar refill, and was told it was on order and would arrive after Thanksgiving. When I said I needed something sooner, would purchase another refill format instead, I was asked to please wait. Payn's demonstrated again that they truly think from the customer's perspective. The refill pages I needed were pulled from a Filofax organizer set, to be replaced later when their refill order was received. Thank you thank you thank you, Payn's! read more

Payn's is such a treat -- come in for some office supplies, and find yourself wandering the fabulously well stocked isles and realizing you might also need some art supplies, note cards, perhaps a beautiful fountain pen? Not just a stationary store, truly a neighborhood gem -- and, as we has reason to find out recently, also a terrific Notary! read more

Supporting small biz And writing to tell the tales Pens! Ink! Paper! Payns! read more

A good-vibes mom-and-pop stationary experience. They're incredibly nice and helpful. Instead of a new suit or watch, get yourself a fancy pen! It's a more subtle and respectable flex IMO. read more

I needed a hard to find pen refill and they spent a good 20 minutes searching for one to fit my pen. No joke. Way above and beyond. They had one too.Then I started looking around the store and found great paper super smooth to write on and and a planner that made sense to me. No more office depot for me. I'm gonna shop here and support a deserving local business. You should too. read more

Just walking into this store, and I find myself transported to a simpler time...ahhhhhh. What a great selection of everything to do with stationery, paper needs, and creative inspiration. Good people, good service - I'll be back! read more

I love this place and as far as office supply goes, they have the unique and unusual. The owner and most of the staff are super knowledgable about all the do dads associated and needed with office equipment. I try my best to keep them in business. They have really upped their game with fine pens, ink, etc. but you would not know unless you see the window display. 98% of the time if they don't have what you want they will have a close substitute. I was out of town yesterday and needed a single RED fine marker. Not Staples! Not Depot. Only if I bought a $24 set of rainbow color. read more

Forget Amazon or Office Depot. Shop here first. Those places won't sell you the one envelope you need. Or the single, hard to find pen. You won't regret it. read more

Great discovery right here on Solano! Payn's now stocks a terrific assortment of children's books and art books. All with a creative sensibility, as if chosen by an art teacher or a visually attuned mom. Very nice. Next time you're flummoxed at Pegasus, walk one-block down to Payn's for a curated selection. While you're there, Japanese pens, deckled stationery made in Italy, Crane's notecards, in unpretentious surroundings. Practical for office supplies, & fun to browse. Just what a local store should be. read more

All hail Payn's. The Good: 1) They're nice: No fooling, the people who run and operate Payn's are super nice. Suni/Sunny/Sonny is quite possibly the nicest and most likable business person I've met in sometime. I've had more than my fair share of requests for him over the years, and he has always obliged whenever possible. Just recently I acquired an honest to God and totally complete card catalog case, and because I'm a crazy person, I have decided that filling this card catalog with cards describing and cross-referencing my book collection would be a hoot. "But Bob, what about the little rods in the drawers? Won't you need special cards to accommodate the rods?" some of you who remember card catalogs may be asking. The answer is yes, cards with a hole punched in precisely the right spot are required. They are available on-line for about $25 per 1000, plus shipping. Not great, but not as bad as I feared. Then I went to Payn's. It turns out that Suni/Sunny/Sonny has a professional hole-press in the back, and within a few short moments he turned my test pack of index cards into rod-ready catalogs cards. This is good news, because the cards I usually use cost about $1.40 per hundred. The abacus tells me that even with labor fees added in, I'm not only saving cash money but also availing myself services and goods from a local business that needs patronage. 2) Well stocked: For such a small place, it is well-stocked. As a crazy person, I frequently have need of odds and ends, such as rulers, paper clips, tape, index cards, nice pens, not-so-nice pens, pencils, erasers, and the like. Payn's has always come through. They also have a steady supply of simple, functional book ends. 3) It's not far from the Albany border: True, it's on the Berkeley end of Solano but the border is not only near-by, but also incredibly porous. In addition to our self-appointed Betters From The Hills making ironic and quaint purchases, you will encounter Albany people here also. Know them by their counter-revolutionary and highly suspect exclamations of "please," "thank you," and "excuse me." The Bad: 1) It's in Berkeley: if you don't know what I mean, look at some of my other reviews. I'm not an enthusiast. In fact, you might just consider me a counter-enthusiast with an axe to grind and many unkind words to share, punctuated with obscene gestures and shaking fists. In the final tally, 5 stars. read more

Not only is this an individual family run store that is been operating for decades with a loyal following, but they stock everything you need in the world of stationary and paper supplies. From pens, file folders, greeting cards, journals, calendars, stapler, tape, decorative items, on and on! It's really not such a great deal to go to Office Depot or OfficeMax, because try to think about what kind of world you want to live in. And this is truly a neighborhood store with wonderful helpful people. read more

Payns is quite a gem. Yes it has all your office and stationary needs. But don't just go there for that. I have found so many delightful, unusual, and inexpensive treasures there. They really have a great eye. They have the best selection of gorgeous cards and wrapping paper you will ever find. And everyone who works there is just lovely. I love to just go in there and browse, its so much fun. Highly recommended! read more

seriously the best stationary story I've ever been to! they have EVERYTHING, if you're into bullet journaling this is the place to shop. the staff is also super helpful and sweet! read more