Payn’s Stationery

Berkeley, United States

4.5

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 510-526-3056
Website:
www.paynsonsolano.com
Address:
1791 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA, 94707
b/t Modoc St & Ensenada Ave
Berkeley Hills, East Solano Ave
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
270 ftColusa & Thousand Oaks School
420 ftSolano & Ensenada
440 ftSolano & Colusa
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes

Today

Today 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Berkeley) 11:24 Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

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20 reviews of Payn’s Stationery

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Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
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!
Place rating: 5
Richmond, CA
Supporting small biz
And writing to tell the tales
Pens! Ink! Paper! Payns!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
Great mom and pop business on Solano ave. Super attentive and helpful with all my needs with reasonable prices. I’d gladly go here over a staples in this area.
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
With so many mom and pop office supplies gone (Piedmont Stationers and Alko among them), I try to give all the business I can to this wonderful mom and pop with reasonable prices and a great selection. I love their notebooks, pens, pencil sharpeners, art supplies… I get a good variety of sizes on Black and Red notebooks that other places don’t carry, and all the employees are so nice! When my housemate spilled water all over my dayplanner, they very kindly helped me replace mine. That’s just one example of how they go out of their way for people. I’m so glad that they are here and appear to be thriving.
Place rating: 5
Princeton, NJ
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.
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
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.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
This is the place. Friendly, clean, laid out so it is easy to find what you want.
Paynes has local artists’ works, and unusually beautiful and unique cards.
Place rating: 5
Fremont, CA
Read good reviews about this place. It exceeded my expectations. Grace, the woman who helped me, was so kind, attentive, and awesome without being obsequious. I probably spent more than I would have at OfficeMax or staples, but it was so worth it! Also this stretch of Solano avenue is a far cry from the spirit crushing mega parking lots outside the big box stores. I’ll be back.
Place rating: 5
Bay Area, CA
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.
Place rating: 5
Albany, CA
Payn’s is the best! Great stuff, not too pricey, super friendly staff. It is my favorite place to get art supplies, and they have the best greeting cards in town.
Place rating: 1
Albany, CA
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.
Place rating: 5
Richmond, CA
Nice salespeople and great owner. One of the rare, independent office supply stores still around. I’ve been shopping here for years, and can generally get whatever I need.
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
There’s no denying this place is a bit pricey — not because they over-​price, but because they seem to be dedicated to stocking high-​end stuff. If you’re looking for bargain-​basement notebooks and Bic pens, go to a Staples or something. However, if you enjoy the experience of using moderate-​to-​high quality stationery supplies that are a joy to use, at appropriate prices, I’ve never had this place fail me. They always have what I’m looking for, and quite a variety for what looks like a small store from the outside. I particularly love their selection of pens, because I’m always looking for pens with better line and smoother ink flow. Apparently I’m a stationery nerd.
Five stars if they’re what you’re looking for, but I contemplate giving them four because they’re not for everyone. Aw heck. They’re a gem.
Place rating: 4
Alameda, CA
I don’t think this place has changed in decades. I feel like I’m going back in time when I go to this store, so I must go back in time often because I am in here a couple times per month. I mainly come here for my business supplies, partly because I like the owner who is helpful and kind, and partly because they always have what I need. Their prices are reasonable and I feel better about giving my $ to a place like this rather than a huge super store.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
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!
Place rating: 5
Berkeley, CA
They have A4 paper!
Place rating: 4
East Bay, CA
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.
Place rating: 4
Pleasant Hill, CA
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.
Place rating: 4
El Cerrito, CA
When will I learn to come here first?! It’s time to pick up a new purse calendar for next year. In the olden days I used to go to Maxwell’s in Berkeley and to the store in El Cerrito which is now an education supply store. I’ve forgotten its name even. But since the El Cerrito store closed I’ve been going to Office Depot. So I go over there and they have nothing in the size I want. Next I go to Staples and their stock is even worse. I remember seeing Payn’s name on Unilocal,which reminds me of their existence. I go over there and they have a great assortment. I have at least 3 styles to choose from. Next year I’m going there first.
Place rating: 4
East Bay
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!