TPL Stationery Shop in Taichung

 

TPL Stationery on Google Maps

 

First on the list in Taichung was TPL, a must-visit if you’re in Taichung. Caleb thought we were going to a library, which led to a bit of confusion when we arrived.

 

We were lucky enough to have Rick and his wife Linz open their shop up on Monday to show us around a little bit, which was so kind of them! What a beautiful shop, with so many treasures to browse.

 

It was so great to connect with them and to chat about running a shop and stationery and Taiwan and traveling and the summer heat and Taiwanese stationery designers and artists. I spent quite a bit of time scouring their shelves for things for my own basket as well. They are huge supporters of Taiwanese artists and it was such a treat to discover new possibilities.

 

They’re also a Traveler’s Notebook Partner Shop, so be sure to collect their Partner Shop stamp if you’ve made it all the way out to Taichung, along with their other shop stamps.

 

 

Their shop is quite long, which makes for a tiny adventure to explore all the way to the end of things. They regularly host exhibitions upstairs and serve Taiwanese tea in their shop—and we got a little taste as well. The kids have gotten used to breaking out their books or journals in different places, from cafes to stationery shops to trains to hotel rooms, but this space, with the light and the cats and the cold tea, was an experience.

 

 

But could the best part be three shop cats? Inspiration for many of their designs but also maybe just inspiration for life. I wonder how they got their cats to get along so well.

 

Cats and stationery, of course, go together so well! But also it’s just lovely to know that there are little creatures roaming around amidst the treasures.

 

 

I left with a few new things from their shop to keep my journaling fresh and inspired, and Rick and Linz also sent us away with some treats as well. I love stationery, and it’s been a feast here in Taiwan, but mostly I’m reminded of what a gift it is to be able to connect with other people, to realize similarities and alignments. And also how running a stationery shop in Taichung is strangely familiar, the universe shrinking and expanding at the same time.