Stepping into Nikaido Gifts in Steveston is like stepping back in time. Here, you will find beautiful pens, high-quality writing paper, greeting cards and notebooks lining the shelves, harkening back to a pre-digital era.
Fountain pens that you fill with ink from a bottle, replaced decades ago by ballpoint pens, are among the best-selling items at the gift store in south Richmond, explains Sara Cocker who co-owns the store with her husband Joe. But other writing instruments are sold as well, and the pen enthusiast looking for something special can range from young kids to senior citizens.
“You would be surprised at the age range,” Sara says. “Pen people tend to be collectors.”
To refurbish your favourite pen, you’ll find 190-drawer cabinet at the front cash lined with small drawers containing spare parts — gold fountain-pen nibs, colour ink, cartridge refills and pencil lead.
Nikaido carries Lamy, Faber-Castell and Kaweco pens from Germany as well as top brands such as Cross, Parker and Pilot.
To complement the pens, Nikaido also carries a wide variety of imported paper — stationery, notebooks and greeting cards.
It must have been my lucky day to have found this store. Sara was most helpful and informative about her products and I found myself leaving the store with a beautiful champagne-colored LAMY. I might be back sooner than later.