After eight years on 124th Street, The Prints and the Paper has become Sandy Muldrew’s dream store. “It’s something I’ve created, people love the experience of coming here, the music, the quiet, and there’s always something new to see,” says Muldrew.
“Westmount really supports independent businesses and that keeps it vibrant,” Muldrew says of his beloved local shopping area. It’s hard to pin down The Prints and the Paper’s specialty, but at minimum you’ll find books, paper goods, puzzles, shirts, photo books, graphic novels, art, art supplies, pens, clocks, cards, shirts, chocolate, mugs, and a number of local craftsman-created cards and journals. And he’s expanded the children’s book and toy section to double what it used to be. “These kids’ books are the ones that are fun to read — the simpler the better,” Muldrew says, waving to a children’s reading table covered in brightly coloured picture books.
It’s a store for wandering. There’s no hurry to get through and there are hundreds of printed works, photos and art to lose yourself in. “Everyone will find something that catches their eye, and it’s different each time they come in,” Muldrew smiles as he talks about his customers.
For the upcoming Christmas season the store will showcase imported German Christmas ornaments. Special pieces from the British Museum gift shop, like Lewis chessman and replica Egyptian brass cat sculptures, are on the list. He’s got some special Japanese pens that “just feel right” in the hand, and a wide selection of handmade Christmas cards. The items are all high quality and artistic.
He’s the sole employee, the only one who knows the computer system or where each item is stocked in the shelves. Without him, there’s no shop, and that’s just the way he likes it. “I don’t go on holidays — I get to be here every day.”
The Prints and the Paper
Westmount |10725 124 St NW, Edmonton | 780.453.2945 | theprintsandthepaper.ca
