The sad news of Bob Slate, a local stationer and institution for more than 75 years, closing is the end of a tradition and perhaps a sign of the times. While you can connect and reconnect with your girlfriends on Facebook there's nothing like the feel of a great pen gliding across a piece of paper.
So this week's escape is all about the art of the pen. The experience of physically browsing through racks and shelves of cards and choosing just the right one to suit you or the lucky recipient is a great way to unwind and escape.
Head out on this special errand (no kids allowed) and start a new tradition. Choose a best friend to write to once a month, or just pick a few people to write to once.
When you step into , the perfume of fresh, gorgeous flowers is like a mini aromatherapy session. They have a nice selection of cards of all shapes and sizes. Pick up Pie Bird's letterpress cards among many others.
If you want to buy local, you can go straight to the source at Albertine Press to custom make stationery for your regular habit of letter writing. has fun materials to browse and choose from so you can find the perfect items that suit your personality. Divinity's Splendour-Glow is another stop for cards.
You don't have to stop at letter writing. The has classes starting in March including "Writing Stories from Your Life" with Becky Tuch and "Writing your First Novel" with Adam Pachter.
