Chicago area pen shops

[DrPJM1]

The Chicago Pen Show is a great event. Not only do you get to see new pens from national vendors, but the whole gamut of vintage pens as well. Maybe some of us in Illinois can meet there.

[AsiaHand1]

I live in the Chicago area and had a shop I liked downtown. When someone who planned to visit Chicago asked for downtown shops found out the place I frequented no longer exists.

 

What shops do people like in the Chicago area?

 

 

I used to purchase pens at "Flax" when they were on Randolph St in Chicago. Charette on Wabash Ave, also was a good place for pens, though they've been gone for quite some time. The best place for pens, in my opinion, is "Century Pens" on La Salle St in downtown Chicago. The owner Ed Hamilton knows pens and is very courteous.

[sharonspens]

I was just in Chicago last week, and following the advice of this thread I hunted down Century Pens, which was near my hotel. Finally found it about 15 minutes before closing. Ed Hamilton was as gracious as everyone says, and turns out he is from east central Indiana. Even attended Ball State University, where I currently teach; a VERY small world! Anyway, I was there for at least 15 minutes past closing, and promised to return later with a friend. Unfortunately my friend never made it to the conference, but I went back on Friday and bought a beautiful Think rollerball for myself and had Ed ship a Chicago-made RP to my friend as a condolence for missing that great trip. Definitely worth a visit and a chat.

 

Sharon

[diplomat]

So, I'm just back from the windy city.

 

Bad luck though! I didn't made to Century Pens because during the week I was working in the suburbs. On saturday I ignored that Gilberton Clybourn closed at 4 pm and I arrived just 10 minutes after the closing hours...

 

Luckily the Woodfield mall came to my rescue, I went to the Executive Essentials and I spent some time there... purchased few past numbers of Stylus and PW, a Private Reserve Sonic Blue bottle and a Cross Century II on 30% discount.

 

Glad to have a pen to remind my trip!

 

Cheers,

[AsiaHand1]

I was just in Chicago last week, and following the advice of this thread I hunted down Century Pens, which was near my hotel. Finally found it about 15 minutes before closing. Ed Hamilton was as gracious as everyone says, and turns out he is from east central Indiana. Even attended Ball State University, where I currently teach; a VERY small world! Anyway, I was there for at least 15 minutes past closing, and promised to return later with a friend. Unfortunately my friend never made it to the conference, but I went back on Friday and bought a beautiful Think rollerball for myself and had Ed ship a Chicago-made RP to my friend as a condolence for missing that great trip. Definitely worth a visit and a chat.

 

Sharon

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, I visited downtown Chicago and my favorite pen shop, "Century Pens". Purchased a 'Pelikan Epoch' jade green fountain pen and 'Romet' black quartz ballpoint pen. I must've spent 2 hours there checking out pens and chatting with Ed Hamilton. The Think rollerball pens are very colorful pens, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.