It seems like distant memory....

Dear Pen Family,                                                                                                                              3/27/2020 Our store is still closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our support staff is working from home, and although we are shipping with very minimal staff at our warehouse, we have so far been able to keep up with orders. Even I'm in the warehouse packing orders, which brings me back to the days when we were just starting out. Thank you very much for your support during this trying time. We are trying our best to get orders out with our reduced staffing and have so far been able to keep up, but please be patient with us if we fall behind.  This is a different time, unlike anything we've ever been through. Our home has become an office, a playground for the kids, and a dinner place. Going out to dinner with family and friends, chatting with customers in the store, and celebrating my team's birthdays feels like a distant memory. However, not everything is bad. We cook more, try new recipes, walk outside almost every day, my daughter bakes something new every day, and we have excellent quality time together. I now try to write every day and encourage my kids to use fountain pens in their daily writing. How are you using this "stay at home" time? Starting today, we'll be putting a surprise gift in every 50th order. If you're the lucky one, be sure to share it on social media and tag us! Stay positive, be humorous, keep social distancing and WRITE MORE! Thank you, sincerely   Leena PS: The emailer is late by a day as I was packing yesterday and was tired after the day and needed a break!

At key-west Florida, right after that, the quarantine was in effect. Good times!

Further COVID-19 response.

Dear all,

Amazing! Wow and Thank you! These are the only words I can say for the overwhelming support you have shown after we sent out the email detailing our COVID-19 response. The kind words, offers of support, and orders have been encouraging during these trying times. I could not respond to every reply, but please know that I have read them all and taken them to heart.    

We are still operating in a limited capacity.  Our storefront is closed for now due to the order of the Governor and Howard County government to close non-essential businesses.  We are not taking any engraving orders for now since our engraver is off-site. We have divided our team between working remotely and shipping orders, and only essential personnel are coming to the warehouse to work. We are also not taking any shipments received inside our building and are taking some extreme precautions to minimize the risk. 

I know I always say that we could not have been in business for 15 years without your support, but in times like these, my eyes are filled with tears of joy, thinking that I have such amazing, pen loving customers who will always support us! I know pens are not a top priority right now( Some might look at me with "rolling" eyes :-)), but if you consider pens to gift to someone or for yourself whenever an opportunity arises, it will mean a lot to me and my team. 

Stay positive, be humorous,  maintain the 6 feet distance :-)

Thank you,

sincerely

Leena

COVID -19 Response and Store Closure.

Dear All,

Pen Boutique is carefully monitoring all information available regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). First and foremost, we are committed to minimizing the risk of exposure and transmission of this virus to our customers and employees. We will be making some adjustments to our store and online warehouse center procedures. 

We’ve discussed our concerns with team members and some customers, with options up to and including closing the store if needed. The Howard County Government has declared state of emergency and we are closing our store for next 2 weeks. We had great turnaround from our customers on Saturday, and we appreciate that. 

We do, however have the following precautions:

• Customers coming into the store will have to use hand sanitizer before handling products. We also have the option to wash your hands with soap in the restroom located in our building.
   
• Employees will wipe the handles of cabinets and also use disinfectant on the counters. We regularly do this, but we will be even more careful and judicious. 
   
• If you have a cold, cough, fever or other symptoms, please avoid coming to the store. We will still be here when you get better, and we are always available at www.PenBoutique.com or via phone at (410) 992 3272 (Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm). 
   
• For our warehouse and online operations, we will be restricting visitors for the next 2 weeks. We are also arranging for employees who can work remotely. 
   
• We are also not having any group meetings, and we will be utilizing a team sharing app to coordinate between our team members remotely. 
   
• We’ve posted a notice in front of our store explaining the hand sanitizing policy. 
   

Again, this is a developing situation, so things may change. We want to be as transparent as possible and are open to suggestions. 
 

Thank you and stay safe,
 

sincerely

Leena. 

Rickshaw Pen Holders

Hello, everyone! I hope everyone is having a great week! We recently have started selling Rickshaw Pen Holders, which are made in San Francisco. We got a batch late last year, but those sold super quick! We have a ton right now, though!


These pen cases come in a variety of styles and colors. A lot of them feature beautiful and fun artwork such as ink splatters and octopi, which are done by various artists (some being from Instagram!).  They come as solos or enough to fit 6-8 pens!


The material seems super durable, and is completed with a very soft and plush inside to keep your pens comfy, snug, and safe! The bigger pen cases also feature an elastic cord to wrap it all together. These are also machine washable and colorfast!


Check them out online or come in store to feel and see how wonderful and creative these pen holders are!

Content Writing By: Amber J