The smell of new notebook pages, the satisfying click or uncapping of the pen, and the smooth glide of ink on paper—stationery addicts know.
It may be because of a conscious effort to reduce screen time and go back to tactile experiences offline. News reports from The Guardian and China Daily from the last quarter of 2022 noted a rise in stationery sales, and not just because of the return to school campuses.
The surge first began in 2020 and continues up to today. There are millions of views on stationery and its related topics: stationery hauls, bullet journaling, and entire YouTube channels dedicated to reviewing various kinds of pens and papers.
Brixie Tan, a self-confessed stationery addict, was always the one in the classroom that people turned to for an extra pen or sheet of paper. “I’ve always been an avid fan of stationery and books.” she shared. “You might say I’ve been one of the biggest nerds and collectors of these things since I was young.”
In recent years, she realized that there were many other people who shared the same passion for hoarding pens and notebooks. “I had an influx of pens saved up prior to the pandemic since I like to hoard. I realized that plenty of people love and use these items just like me, but they couldn’t get it anywhere easily due to the constraints.”
Because of long delivery times, lack of stocks, and various other reasons, people weren’t able to source their pens and notebooks as regularly or as quickly as they used to. For the sake of one’s mental and physical health, there are only so many shows one can binge-watch and hours of scrolling on social media before it’s time to step away from the screen.
Brixie saw an opportunity to fill the needs of a community that also shares her passion. She opened her own stationery shop named after her favorite animal: Panda Store.
Panda Store carries many Muji staples that stationery addicts know and love, including different types of pens and pen refills, notebooks and planners, and homes to put all those pens and papers in: desk organizers, binders, and EVA zip cases in varying sizes. Zebra Sarasa gel pens, with their cult following for smooth and reliable writing, are also available.
Brixie likes to offer brands that she herself uses so that she has experienced the products firsthand and how they perform.
I believe that the feeling of having the pen on paper and slowly being able to tick off things in your to-do list, and even as you write down notes in your own penmanship, is a different art and beauty in itself.
Brixie Tan
Customers can attest to the speed of Brixie’s customer service. The items are packed and sent out for delivery shortly after placing an order. “I like to respond fast to my customers so we both don’t waste time. Time is of the essence and is very valuable.
Brixie manages Panda Store as her passion aside from working full time for the family business. For anyone else who wants to pursue their own business venture, the young entrepreneur advises: “Start small, even if it means to start doing things that might not surmount to income. That’s already the beginning of something.”
Shop your stationery needs from @pandastorecebu on Instagram.