A. J. Hastings

Overpriced. As a person of color I couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable as the workers and manager glared at me, as though expecting me to steal. It was raining and I had no umbrella so I reluctantly bought at 26 dollar umbrella. The hoodies of quality ran about $ 80 and when I asked if there was a bathroom a woman who worked there just glared at me so I had to walk a block in the rain to the nearest bathroom. I ended up buying the same hoodie online for $ 20. Not a single thing in that store is fairly priced, and the staff is rude and unhelpful. Avoid at all costs, particularly if you are a student.

Ordered a coffee mug from Hastings, it was shipped quickly and packed well, but unfortunately was cracked along one side when I received it. I called them about it, and they shipped another one out to me the same day with no hassle. The second one was in perfect condition when it arrived. Couldn’t have asked for better customer service!

This review is focused on the fountain pen and paper side of things (their stationery and blank notebooks). As a longtime fountain pen user, it has become very difficult to find pens and ink in regular brick-​and-​mortar stores because lots of the more unique, small ones have been beaten out by ugly big store competitors. At A.J. Hastings the selection is very good for a small store. I have been able to buy a bottle of Waterman’s ink in the color of my choice, some fancier G. Lalo stationery from France, and a couple of starter fountain pens for student gifts. The sales help is really good with this part of the store, though it can be intimidating for those of us who have lost touch with real face-​to-​face customer service. In getting help with selecting the starter fountain pens, the salesperson considerately listed to my very vague ideas about what I wanted, asked me if I had a price range, and pulled out the cool pens that I ended up buying. My students were excited, and so was I. Every month I make up a reason to visit, even just to browse.

it doesn’t have everything but it has a lot. just your old-​fashioned good ol’ stationery store but a little more. quality goods, good pricing, friendly service, art supplies, snacks, even comic books (??) and mags/​newspapers. In short, your rescue bail-​out for that spur of the moment stationery/​creative need.

Got nostalgia?! I love this place. I can get a T-​shirt that commemorates townie spirit (Amherst: Where only the «h» is silent), or an Emily Dickinson doll, or the New York Times, or art supplies, penny candy, or notecards. Affordable – and you have to love the revolving crew of students and others who work behind the counter. Today when I was trying to choose a silly gift for a friend, an elderly man had forgotten he had already picked up his newspaper. The staff was so gentle and kind. The best of small town spirit.

Simply the best. Local, local, and local. cards, school supplies, games, great and helpful staff. newspapers and magazines, holiday things and games, sweatshirts, backpacks, etc. once you go in it’s hard to leave!

Whether you’re picking up the newspaper, birthday card or buying some school endorsement swag, Hastings is the place to go. In a world of large corporate convenience and office supply stores, it’s nice to see an old fashioned family owned business still surviving.

Definitely one of my favorite independently owned stationary stores. It sells cards, art supplies, pens, you name it, and it does everything well. It has a really, really good selection of notebooks and other paper products in the back. Their collection of fancy pens and fountain pens is pretty large. If you’re into this sort of thing, it also is the official Amherst College memorabilia vendor and has a good selection of Amherst stuff in the front; I’m there for the books and pens though.
One little warning: try to shop at Hastings during the weekdays. I’ve had some bad experiences with salespeople that weren’t knowledgeable at all about their products and has a lasse faire attitude during the weekends when the experienced, friendly ladies and gentlemen are replaced by college boys working part time.

Hastings has absolutely everything that you could ever possibly need, AND it’s very reasonably priced! Also, it’s such the quintessential small-​town-​store.
Love it. Love. Yay, Hastings. Favorite store in Amherst, bar none.

Business Supplies /
Sweatshirts pens and comic books /​
Small town newstand smile.