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Member Profile: Capitol Stationers

Capitol Stationers Returns Home

The Bigglestones

Capitol Stationers is moving. The 51-year-old business that originally started in the 1950’s is returning to the location it occupied in the 60’sin the old Peach Tree space at 65 Main Street.

The store is a third generation family-owned establishment currently run by brothers Kent and Eric Bigglestone. Started by their grandfather fifty one years ago, the business was first located in the building across the street from where Capitol Stationers has been for the last 14 years. On Labor Day weekend, the store will be moving across Main Street once again, and will be opened for business on September 6th next to the Montpelier Fire Department.

It is both an exciting and personal move for the brothers as they look forward to reorganizing the business and returning to the store’s original roots.

“People ask what kind of a store this is, a stationary store or an office supply store,” says Eric. The store is a little of both. Capitol Stationers has it all. The store carries a lot of Vermont souvenirs, postcards, Vermont made chocolates, maple syrups and tee shirts that cater to the tourist’s eye. There is also a wide array of office supplies, calendars, and backpacks of many varieties, wallets and art supplies to satisfy the “9-5 customers”. The store also carries Hallmark cards and candles, picture frames and other types of souvenirs so there is something for everyone. The front of the store is well-supplied with Vermont products, something that the brothers feel strongly about as they believe in supporting Vermont-made goods. Towards the back of the store are art supplies with a very interesting handmade art paper called Lokta Art Sheets. These sheets come in a number of different colors and are made in the mountain villages of Nepal.

Last year, Capitol Stationers was hit hard by the floods that damaged a lot of the business in town. “Due to water and moisture damage, we lost $20-25,000 worth of inventory that was stored in the basement,” said Eric. “We lost ten tons of merchandise and it took us one week straight of dumping goods into the dumpsters.” So the brothers are looking forward to the move to redo the store. “It will be a new look,” said Kent. “We’ll have new carpet and floors, and a little more room.” The brothers know that there is a lot of competition with the internet and changing technology , so they are grateful to local customers and the community.

Stop in and see the variety of merchandise that this store has to offer and take a look at the picture on the counter. Find them at their current location at 54 Main Street in downtown Montpelier, and look for them in their new location near the fire department on September 6th.

Store hours are Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Saturdays 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The store will be open on Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the new location. If you have any questions call them at 802-223-2393.
By: Suzi Sanchez
August 26, 2011