Are You Ready?
If Chicago’s summer heat has you looking for a break, we’ve got just the thing: the biggest fountain pen sidewalk sale in the world is back — and you’re invited.
Join us August 14 & 15 for the 38th Annual Atlas Sidewalk Sale at our retail store (227 W. Lake St.), where we’ll once again turn downtown Chicago into a fountain pen lover’s dream. Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just starting out, this is the weekend to dive deep into your passion.
What to Expect
We’re talking two full days of pen brands, ink makers, accessories, and plenty of special deals you’ll only find once a year. The sidewalk sale starts at 9:00 AM both days, but our retail store opens early at 8:00 AM if you want to get a head start. We will be hosting meetups and workshops on both days. Stay tuned for more information...!
Vendors & VIPS You'll Want To Meet
This year’s Sidewalk Sale isn’t just about snagging deals — it’s also your chance to connect with some of the biggest names in the pen world. Stop by the Titans' Table (Table U) to meet and chat with Brad Dowdy (The Pen Addict), Mike Matteson (Inkdependence), and Hemingway Jones — three of the most passionate voices in the fountain pen community. Whether you want to talk nibs, inks, journaling, or the perfect paper combo, they’ll be around both days to share their insights and say hello. And of course, the vendor lineup this year is our biggest yet — featuring brands like Aurora, BENU, Clairefontaine, Colorverse, Conklin, CoraCreaCrafts, David Oscarson, Delta, Diamine, Diplomat, Esterbrook, Faber-Castell, Ferris Wheel Press, Field Notes, Galen Leather, Girologio, Graf von Faber-Castell, Hinze Pen Co., Jacques Herbin, Kaweco, King Jim, Kolo, LAMY, Leuchtturm1917, Maiora, Monteverde, Nahvalur, Nettuno, OMAS, Parker, Pelikan, Pentel, Pilot, Platinum, PLOTTER, Retro 51, Rhodia, Rickshaw Bagworks, Robert Oster, S.T. Dupont, Sailor, TACCIA, Tom's Studio, Tombow, Toyo Toolboxes, Visconti, Waldmann, Waterman, Ystudio, Zebra, and more. From timeless classics to bold new designs, there’s something here for every style and every budget.
Nib Work? Oh Yes.
Back by popular demand: Kirk Speer (Pen Realm) and Matthew Chen (Matthew's Nibworks) will be here for on-the-spot nib grinding. Appointments will go live two to three months before the event, so be sure to look out for the reservation announcement! Although not guaranteed, walk-in appointments may be available. Check-in with either nibsmith when you arrive and we’ll try to take walkups in the order they come in. It’s a great opportunity to get your favorite pen dialed in just the way you like it.
Workshops & Meetups: Pen Talks & Inky Hangouts
Planning to attend a workshop or meetup? Be sure to bring your confirmation email or name for check-in when you arrive. Meetups and workshops will be held in designated sections of our store. We’ll post a full event map to our Instagram a few days before the sale so you’ll know exactly where to go.
Making a Weekend of It?
If you're coming in from out of town, you're not alone. The Hotel Allegro is just a short walk from Atlas. Book your room at a discounted rate here: Atlas Stationers 38th Annual Sidewalk Sale - Hotel Reservations
Driving in? We recommend parking at 225 W. Wacker Dr. (enter at 281 N. Franklin St.) — it’s close and affordable. Use the code ATLAS225 to park for just $14 for up to 12 hours. Purchase your space here and insert the promo code at checkout. You'll have to then scan the QR code received at the entrance of the garage when you exit.
If you're staying car-free, no worries — Chicago is easy to navigate by foot, bike (check out Divvy), CTA, or cab.
Step Inside — We've Made Some Changes
We’ve done a bit of refreshing around the store this year, and we’re excited for you to see it. Our team will be out in full force, ready to help you explore new products, track down old favorites, and enjoy the experience.
Limited-Edition Merch & A Few Surprises
Yes — limited merch will be available, and like every year, they’ll go fast. We'll also have some fun surprises in store — you’ll just have to be here to find out what they are.
Rain or Shine — We’re On
Chicago weather is unpredictable, but we’re not. The sale is happening no matter what, with backup plans in place to shift things indoors if needed. Vendors will be set up inside and outside the store, and we’ll be fully stocked and staffed both days.
So grab your favorite notebook, pack your walking shoes, and come hang out with us. Whether you’re local or flying in, there’s something pretty special about this community — and we can’t wait to share it with you.
GIVEAWAY ALERT!
To celebrate, we are giving away a $100 Atlas Gift Card! To enter, comment below which vendor or creator you are most excited to meet! If you can't make the event in-person, don't worry! You can still participate online and follow our social media! We will randomly select a winner on July 31st at 3pm CT and reply to their comment below. The gift card will be sent via email and can be used in our retail store and on our website.
Good luck!
STAY SMOOTH!
-Hollywood
95 comments
I’m so excited to take part in this event for the first time. I’ve been loving my needlepoint Estie so the chance to meet Kirk Speer and possibly have him work on some other pens would be great. I can’t wait to see all of the new and exclusive merch while rubbing elbows with other pen people. Can’t wait!
I am already excited by this! Trying to pick just one of the things to be excited about is super duper hard. The Ferris Wheel Press rep last year was super nice and I’d love to try some of the Robert Oscar inks as well. Pilot and Sailor are usually fun (last time they even let me try a Namiki Emperor!)
I’m unsure what to expect since I came late last year to the Sale, but I really am interested to try Tom’s Studio. The Wren looks interesting as does his other pen and inks, but I have yet to ever try any of them!
Meeting Hemingway Jones would be rad! Seeing a bunch of the elite tier humans I met at CPS earlier this year again will be excellent, too!
Very, very excited to see Hemingway Jones! Been a fan of his videos for a while and a part of the pen pal group, so hyped to see him in person.
Any and all would be great. Unfortunately I will not be attending. Never even been to a pen show either. It would be great to see and try all the pens. Testing out nib grinds would be an awesome experience. Alas, I will be enjoying the streams from home. No doubt it will be a huge success!
I’m currently most excited for TACCIA. I have such dreams of a beautiful Urushi pen to crown my exploding collection 😅
If I could make it down for this, I’d be really interested in talking to reps from Pelikan, Sailor, Pilot, and Retro51. Really loving their pens.
Also would be excited to meet the Atlas brothers and see if Brendan can help me find all the washi tape! 🙃
Definitely most excited to meet Benu if I can make it down. That lineup is incredible!
Waterman and pilot are the ones I’m most excited about!
I am a fan of Taccia and Rickshaw with a shout out to Matthew Chen who tuned two of my most “frustrating to use” pens so that I can actually write with them. Can’t wait for August!
Oh so excited to try to get nibs worked on! Would love to see Esterbrook, Pilot, Platinum, KOLO, Tom’s Studio, Toccia!!!
Im most excited to get one or two pen nibs worked on for my first time. Not sure what to expect, but looking forward to it. I have attended the sidewalk sale the past 2 years in a row and love it!
So i guess i cannot answer that i am
Most excited to meet EVERYONE!! (Cause i really am!) if i have to pick just one, i must say i am
Most excited to meet Mike Matteson. Why? Because of his intimate involvement in the pen shows he attends, he has his finger on the pulse of all the vendors and creators who ate attending the Sidewalk Sale, so meeting and speaking with Inkdependence will be the closest thing to meeting with EVERYONE in just one conversation! This years sidewalk sale looks
Like it will be blast!!!🎉🎉
What a lineup. I’d love to talk to the Toyo Steel folks, I love their boxes!
I think the vendor I’d be most excited to meet would be Matthew Chen! I’ve enjoyed seeing examples of his work from other people and would love to meet him in person and potentially get a nib reworked!
So many to choose from. I would want to talk to a nibsmith to ask questions since I’ve never had a special nib grind. And Vendor- Kolo because I want to try out the Tino pen to see if the grip is comfortable for my hand. I wish I could be there in person but I live in Nashville TN. I’ll be there June 13th-15th so excited.