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Offering essential accessories for any celebration
Who says the handwritten note is a thing of the past? Though emailing and text messaging may be the preferred means of keeping in touch in the 21st century, there’s still nothing quite like the handwritten note.
“Notes mean a lot,” said Gene Arrington, owner of Pretty Papers. “There’s something about them – you keep them around and read them again. They’re not like an e-mail you just delete. They’re almost like a gift.”
When people take the time to write a note or letter in today’s busy world, they’re giving more than a “thank you” or quick “hello.” Today’s correspondents are giving a part of themselves. These days, stationary comes in an array of colors and patterns, styles and motifs and the choice of stationery says something about the writer.
The paper business has changed in other ways too – for one, it’s become much more fashionable. In 1998, for example, fashion designer Kate Spade created a line of papers; Vera Wang followed suit a few years later.
Pretty Papers has changed with the times. The store was started in 1983 by Sue Woods in Sea Pines – at the time it was the island’s only stationary store. Several years later, the store’s second owner, Pat Hodgson Thompson, moved the store to its current location in The Village at Wexford before selling it to Arrington in 2000.
During its 25 years in business, Pretty Papers has offered island residents the highest quality invitations and stationary, as well as other paper products such as note cards, notepads, bridge cards, wrapping paper and bags and greeting cards, books on etiquette and other books, photo albums and gifts.
In the eight years Arrington has had the store, he brought in new merchandise and vendors; greatly expanded the gift business; and maintained a commitment to customer service, attention to detail and quick turnaround time.
“We have really gone after the wedding business,” said Arrington. “We’ve more than doubled it since buying the store. We’ve become known as the wedding headquarters on Hilton Head Island.”
Pretty Papers carries invitations, save-the-date cards, place cards, programs, menu cards, and thank you cards from respected vendors, such as Cranes, William Arthur, Elite, Vera Wang and Kate Spade. Bridesmaids’ gifts are also in stock. The vast selection of invitations isn’t limited to weddings – there are plenty of choices for silver and gold anniversaries, graduations and other milestones.
For those less formal occasions – or for those who have a more casual style – Pretty Papers has hundreds of informal invitations, from frilly to funny and everything in between. Party planners can also pick up cocktail napkins and accessories, guest towels and favors, while attendees can choose from a number of hostess gifts and thank you cards. And for those who are more comfortable having someone say it for them, there’s no shortage of greeting cards, including the unique Papyrus line.
Pretty Papers also supports local artists and businesses and sells cards by Lynn Parrott and Alan Waitley, John Diamond’s woodwork and cookies by Heritage and Dunlin Place. Pretty Papers has a variety of gifts from various price points including fine picture frames, serving ware, silk photo albums, cosmetics bags, hand painted wine glasses, soaps, candles, small leather goods and dog-themed items galore.
“I really build a bond with my customers.” Pretty Papers is celebrating a milestone of its own this year – its silver anniversary. Be sure to stop in and congratulate Arrington and his staff at E7 in The Village at Wexford during store hours, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Evening hours are available by appointment. Pretty Papers can be reached by calling (843) 341-5116, or you can visit the store online at prettypapersandgifts.com.
