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Atlas Stationers · 39th Annual
A Stationery Festival

Sidewalk Sale

Aug. 13 & 14  ·  Chicago, IL
227 W. Lake Street · The Loop
✓  Free Admission — No Tickets Required
13Thursday · August9:00am – 5:00pmVendors ready by 8am · pack-down ~3pm
14Friday · August9:00am – 5:00pmVendors ready by 8am · pack-down ~3pm
About the Event
Chicago’s biggest stationery
celebration returns.

For 39 years, Atlas Stationers has brought the stationery community together on the streets of the Loop. Two full days of vendors, workshops, exclusive deals, and the people who love paper, pens, and ink as much as we do. Admission is completely free — come and go as you please.

Store Opens
8:00am
Vendors may be ready early
Sale Hours
9:00am – 5:00pm
Both days · Thu Aug 13 & Fri Aug 14
Pro Tip
Arrive Early
Vendors begin packing down around 3pm
Admission
Free
No tickets required
Sidewalk Sale crowd at Atlas Stationers

What to expect

Over 65 brands and vendors set up right outside our Lake Street storefront with their full lines and special show-only pricing. Fine writing, stationery, ink, leather goods — there’s something for every level of enthusiast.

This year features 10 hands-on workshops, a sticker swap & destash at the café across the street, and the kind of energy that only happens when pen people gather in person.

39th
Annual Sale
65+
Brands
10
Workshops
Free
Admission
From the Archives
38 years of community
on the sidewalk.

A look back at what makes the Sidewalk Sale something people plan their summers around.

Follow @atlasstationers for live updates.

Stay in the Loop
Don’t miss a thing.

Follow us on Instagram for vendor reveals, giveaways, and live coverage. Sign up for our newsletter to be first to know about workshop openings and event week deals.

Sidewalk Sale 39 · A Stationery Festival
Official Brand Line-Up
Thu Aug 13 & Fri Aug 14, 2026 · 227 W. Lake St, Chicago · Free Admission
Vendors & Exhibitors
Meet the brands
behind the pens.

65+ brands joining us this year — fine writing, stationery, inks, and storage. All vendors present on both days.

✎ Pens📝 Stationery• Inks📄 Storage
Aurora
Art by Elowyn📝
BeksRoses📝
Benu
Bloom Paper Studio📝
Clairefontaine📝
Colorverse
Conklin
CoraCreaCrafts📝
David Oscarson
Delta
Diamine
Diplomat
Esterbrook
Faber-Castell
Fabriano📝
Ferris Wheel Press
Galen Leather📄
Girologio📄
Hinze Pen Co.
Imperfect Concepts📝
J. Herbin
Jeanne’s Ohana Designs📝
Jonathon Brooks (CPC)
Julyssa Rose📝
Karst📝
Kaweco
King Jim📝
Koh-I-Noor📝
Kuretake📝
Lamy
Letters to Apollo📝
Leuchtturm1917📝
Maiora
Maruman📝
Marvy Uchida📝
Matthew’s Nibworks
Monteverde
Nahvalur
OMAS
Parker
Pelikan
Penelope’s Press📝
Penlux
Pentel
Pilot
Pineberry Paper📝
Platinum
Retro 51
Rhodia📝
Rickshaw Bagworks📄
Sailor
Soolla📄
S.T. Dupont
Taccia
Tombow📝
Tom’s Studio
Toyo📄
Uni-Ball
Visconti
Waldmann
Waterman
ystudio
Zebra📝

Vendor list subject to change · All vendors present both days barring unforeseen circumstances

Sidewalk Sale 39 · A Stationery Festival
Workshops & Seminars
Thu Aug 13 & Fri Aug 14, 2026 · 227 W. Lake St, Chicago · Free Admission
Workshops & Seminars
Learn something.
Make something.

Each workshop runs one to two hours. Register in advance — spots are limited. No cancellations or refunds. In-person only.

Thursday · August 13
Jean Hayes
10:00 AM
Kindness Journal Workshop
Jean Hayes
Each participant receives a copy of the Random Acts’ Kindness Journal.
$35Sold Out
Bryce Gillett
10:30 AM
Build Your Own Concept Pen
Bryce Gillett · Luxury Brands of America
Hands-on design session to create your own concept pen.
$15Available
Helen Wang
12:00 PM
Inky Doodles & Typefaces
Helen Wang · TheCoffeeMonsterzCo
Beginner-friendly doodling with fountain pens. Materials provided.
$95Sold Out
Laurie Paolinetti
2:00 PM
Brush Calligraphy Workshop
Laurie Paolinetti
Copperplate basics. Attendees receive two Tombow Fudenosuke brush pens.
$60Sold Out
Ryan Sirignano
2:30 PM
Adaptability in Fountain Pens
Ryan Sirignano · Esterbrook
20 years of industry insight. Gift bag valued at $50+ included.
$15Sold Out
Friday · August 14
Haley Franker
10:00 AM
Bookbinding Workshop
Haley Franker
Learn chain stitch and pamphlet stitch. Materials included.
$15Sold Out
Atlas Brothers AMA
10:30 AM
Ask Me Anything — Brian & Brendan
Brian & Brendan Schmidt · 4th-Generation Owners
An exclusive Q&A on family heritage and 4th-generation leadership.
FreeAvailable
Helen Wang Day 2
12:00 PM
Inky Doodles & Typefaces
Helen Wang · TheCoffeeMonsterzCo
Doodling with fountain pens. Materials provided.
$95Sold Out
Jessica Jovel
2:00 PM
Let’s Junk Journal: Sunset in the City
Jessica Jovel · Letters to Apollo
Capture late summer Chicago through paper and scraps.
$60Available
Lina Nguyen
2:30 PM
Mini Layering Workshop
Lina Nguyen
Collage with sticker sheets, washi tape, memo papers.
$60Sold Out

No cancellations or refunds · In-person only · Check back for waitlist openings

View All Workshops & Register →
Sidewalk Sale 39 · A Stationery Festival
Plan Your Visit
Thu Aug 13 & Fri Aug 14, 2026 · 227 W. Lake St, Chicago · Free Admission
Getting Here & Staying Over
Plan your visit.

Whether you’re driving in for the day or making a full weekend of it.

🚗 Parking

Discounted Parking — $14

281 N. Franklin St. Garage — $14 for up to 12 hours.

Use code ATLAS225 at parkchirp.com. Reserve in advance for guaranteed rate.

Street parking also available — parkchicago.com.

🏠 Hotel Room Block

Group Rate — Atlas Stationers Block

We’ve reserved a block of rooms at a preferred group rate for attendees.

Availability is limited — book early.
Book Hotel Room →
Find Us
Right in the heart of the Loop.

📍 Address

Atlas Stationers
227 W. Lake Street
Chicago, IL 60606
312-726-5261

🕒 Hours

Thu Aug 13 — 9am–5pm
Fri Aug 14 — 9am–5pm
Store opens 8am · Vendors pack down ~3pm

🚃 By Train

15-min from Union Station · 10-min from Ogilvie. CTA “L” to Lake or Washington/Wells.

Sidewalk Sale 39 · A Stationery Festival
Chicago Guide
Thu Aug 13 & Fri Aug 14, 2026 · 227 W. Lake St, Chicago · Free Admission
While You’re in Chicago
Make a weekend of it.

From coffee before the sale opens to dinner after the last workshop wraps.

Coffee & Quick Bites

  • Big Shoulders Coffee — next door at 213 W. Lake St.
  • Goodwin’s — 333 W. Wacker Dr., on our block.
  • Chipotle & Boar’s Head — same block.
  • Monk’s Pub (205 W. Lake) — Chicago classic.
🍴

Dinner Worth the Walk

  • Il Porcellino (59 W. Hubbard) — sit-down Italian.
  • Small Cheval (150 N. Riverside) — great burgers.
  • Beatnik on the River — Riverwalk views.
🏙

Sights & Attractions

  • Chicago Riverwalk — great mid-day break.
  • Millennium Park & The Bean — 15-min walk
  • Willis Tower Skydeck — city views
  • Wrigley Field — a few “L” stops away
🚰

Getting Around

  • CTA “L” Train — multiple lines nearby
  • Divvy Bikes — stations throughout
  • Rideshare — Lyft and Uber available
🗻

Rest & Recharge

  • On-site rest area — canopy seating, complimentary water
  • CNA Building plaza (151 N. Franklin) — one block away
  • 155 N. Wacker — outdoor seating nearby

Rain or Shine

Rain-or-shine event. If weather turns, we continue inside the retail store. Chicago in August hovers around 85–90°F.

Sidewalk Sale 39 · A Stationery Festival
Frequently Asked Questions
Thu Aug 13 & Fri Aug 14, 2026 · 227 W. Lake St, Chicago · Free Admission
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know.

Questions? info@atlasstationers.com or 312-726-5261.

Event Basics
Is there an admission fee?
No — completely free. Store opens 8:00am, sale runs 9:00am–5:00pm. Vendors begin packing down around 3pm.
What are the dates and hours?
Thursday August 13 and Friday August 14, 2026. 9:00am–5:00pm CT each day. Store opens 8:00am.
Is this a rain-or-shine event?
Yes — full contingency plan to host inside our retail store.
Shopping
How does checkout work?
Shop the vendors, then pay at any of the Atlas point-of-sale and mobile payment stations located throughout the event. No need to track down a single register — our team will be spread across the floor to keep things moving.
Are any brands excluded from discounts?
Yes: Hobonichi, Diamine Inkvent, Esterbrook, Galen Leather, Namiki, Penlux, Pilot, Plotter, Sailor, Schon DSGN, TWSBI. Codes and rewards cannot be combined.
Workshops & Nib Services
How do I register for a workshop?
Will there be nib services?
Yes — Matthew Chen of Matthew’s Nibworks will be on-site both days. Pre-book a timed appointment online to guarantee your spot. A limited number of walk-in slots will also be available each day — just look for the sign-up sheet at the event.
Parking & Transit
Best place to park?
281 N. Franklin St. Garage — $14/12hrs. Use code ATLAS225 at parkchirp.com.
How to get here by train?
15-min from Union Station, 10-min from Ogilvie. CTA “L” Lake stop or Washington/Wells.