Cursive

If I could give no stars I would. I saw that the lady from my previous post wasn’t at the register and decided to go in to shop before my train departed– the items in here are cute and well dammit I want some stationary.
I was not acknowledged however the woman that walked in after me, was greeted and even asked if she needed help.
I don’t know if I’m being sensitive to this issue or not, however, it’s ONLY this store that’s in Grand Central Terminal that has awful customer service. I don’t need to point out the mere fact of «racism» but in this case, it’s a HUGE MUST. I haven’t received such blatant discrimination in my life and I lived in Texas for 3 years!
I don’t want to go as far as reporting to the BBB, but seriously isn’t the whole point of having an establishment, especially located where tons of tourist come and go, is wanting them to shop at your store?!
I have money to spend and I want to spend it now before all the obnoxious Christmas fans bum barred the stores. I’ve called to speak to the owners or at least the manager and haven’t been able to get ahold of anyone.

First things first, I come here all the time. They have a great selection of really cute, original (albeit pricey) cards. I’ve spent a lot of money here.
This week, I went in the store to buy some cards. Next to the cards, there’s a wall of delicate glass Christmas ornaments. The ornaments are hanging very, very precariously from a log (why it is a good idea to hang ornaments from an actual wooden log from the forest, next to a doorway that people are walking by constantly, is beyond my understanding, but that is besides the point).
While browsing, my purse must have accidentally brushed up against the ornaments, because one fell to the floor and shattered. I was surprised at first, not knowing what had happened. I turned around and asked the salesperson if I had knocked over the ornament. «YES, THAT WAS YOU. YOU BROKE THAT,» the saleswoman barked at me in an accusatory, demeaning tone. Other customers in the store turned and stared. I was taken aback and scarlet with embarrassment. When I knelt over to try to help clean things up, she instructed me to back up, as if she were attending to a wounded war victim.
Despite my initial unpleasant experience, I spent a few more minutes awkwardly browsing and then went up to the register to pay for several cards. As I was walking up, the other saleswoman was visibly shaking her head in disgust at me, as if I had committed some horrible crime. I’ve actually never received such a look of disgust in my life. The first words out of my mouth were, «I’m so sorry, I’m happy to pay for the ornament I broke.» Her response? «People come in here all the time and leave and walk out without offering to pay for things they’ve broken. I assumed you were one of those people. Normally we charge 50% of the price. But because you offered, I will not charge you.» Again, I was astounded. I told her it had been an honest mistake and that I could pay if really necessary. She ultimately did charge me for the ornament even though she had at first said she wouldn’t.
I found it an absolute embarrassment that 1) the salespeople gave me such a difficult time over something that was an accident — and I got the impression people break these ornaments all the time (maybe it’s part of the store’s strategy); 2) I frequent this business consistently, and I was treated in such a deplorable way; and 3) they made me pay, even after saying they wouldn’t, when it’s quite clear this business isn’t struggling for cash.
I will no longer patronize this store. I have been to jewelry stores on Madison Avenue with friendlier salespeople. I strongly suggest the two sales associates I dealt with get an attitude adjustment — or a better job.

Wow, definitely agree with other reviewers on this one. Rude service at best. Bring your business elsewhere if possible. Very snobbish and unwelcoming environment.

Ariel herself said it best: «Gadgets and gizmos aplenty!»
Stationary lovers will go gaga over this small store in GCT located on the upper level. I came here to pick up a gift for my writer friend and I was not disappointed– I left with stationary, a polka dot notebook, balloons and a cute stamp for her stationary.
This store has all the cute things you don’t need, from cloth coasters with printed animals on them to delicate jewelry. While on the pricier side (being a boutique and all), everything made me want to empty my bank account. I have my eye on gemstone coasters, although I think I saw the same ones for half the price at UO.
Definitely check this place out for a notebook, stationary, or even a candle. You never know what you’ll find in this trove of treasures.

I used to think that Cursive NY, located in Grand Central Terminal’s Lexington Passage, was a clever and cute little knick-​knack shop. Yes, a pricey one at that but the selection is very well curated.
Went in this morning to kill time before a job interview and remembered something that I needed to add to my «To Do» list. The store was empty, save me and a woman who was chatting with one of the two women behind the till. I approached the woman (with glasses) who was not engaged with another client. I politely said, «Excuse me, may I please borrow a pen.» She replied, «Yes, but only for a second.» I looked at her to see if she was pulling my leg… If she was, she has a strange way of showing it. If she was serious, what the heck? Did she think I was going to write a treatise on her glass counter?
In any event, I found the interaction to be unpleasant and off-​putting. You can bet that I will not be browsing or purchasing any items from that shop again.

Stationery aficionados will adore this store, which is filled with unique cards and other paper goods, as well as pretty gifts beautiful box of colored guest soaps and eye-​catching salt and pepper shakers (perfect for a housewarming!). Staff leaves customers to browse in peace, which is awesome.
However, prices reflect the high taste level here — a pretty notebook costs $ 15; a very unique set of notecards and envelopes runs $ 30.

Gorgeous, well-​made, unique cards and stationary. Other gifty items are quite sweet — candles, a few kitchen and bar items, some jewelry and accessories — I have bought a few desk calendars for gifts. I am in here for the card selection at least once a month, though. Rotates often and a great combination of funny, twee, and simply pretty. Be prepared to drop $ 7 on a birthday card. Helpful, unobtrusive staff.

I had to pick up a Mother’s Day gift before I boarded my train (i know bad me) and having stopped into Cursive before to browse a few years ago, I made may way to their store in Grand Central. It was 10:50, i had an 11:04 train, a sign on the door read «will open at 11AM.» The owner was there sitting at the table and ignoring me and two other people waiting to get into the store. Why couldn’t he open the door? He saw us, he knew it was mother’s day, but he chose to be rude. After 8 minutes, 2 minutes to his 11AM opening, i knocked on the glass. He rolled his eyes, made a dramatic «shocked» sound and opened the door. In desperation, i grabbed a scarf, paid and left. I’ve been in this store before and had the same feeling about the owner: aloof, rude, and always thinking «why does he own a store.?» To be successful in retail one needs to be good at interacting with people, this man is not. He has great taste and should be a buyer or learn how to be gracious and nice to people who are spending money in his store.

Charming store with well curated paper & gifts. Will definitely visit again since I had a pleasant experience at the GCT store. It was a little on the pricey side but I walked out with a great gift and card for my boss’ birthday.

This is one of the BEST shops in NYC. I love both the GCT and ABC locations. The sales people are very friendly and knowledgable. They go above and beyond, telling you the story behind each product, giving great and inspired suggestions for presents, and wrapping them with love and care for a special occasion. Their card selection is unique and far more sophisticated than Papyrus. They are part of the fabric of NYC. Love love love.

Really not sure why people aren’t more happy with this place — especially for gct, its WAAAAAY better than the other options. My only annoyance is that I have been going to Papyrus in the terminal because I thought there was nothing else.
Generally speaking, with tourists and the metro-​north crowd, the marketplaces can be pretty generic. This store actually has some substance but without going too avant-​guarde to be innocuous in the train station.
Definitely worth checking out.

4.5 stars
I LOVE/​am borderline obsessed with cards & stationary!
This place is so freaking adorable! Not your typical hallmark cards, much more artist and creative stuff in here. Love the art and originality. Has some of the sweetest cards, along with some of the silliest, quirkiest and funniest.
They have cute gifts, candles, knick-​knacks and new york themed items as well
I can’t afford to actually shop here often, but I love browsing through when i have down time in GC.
The staff here is super nice & accepting of my loitering around their store on a weekly basis.

Growing up, I have the habit of collecting stationary items and somehow never seem to use it all but still keep buying more whenever I see something new and cute. Obsessive much? Perhaps. But I always love paper things and used to write and mail them to my friends and penpals (whoa, remember that??) I’ve stopped for awhile and lately, my obsession has returned especially with journals. I’ve been looking for a perfect ‘travel’ journal so I could document my day-​to-​day experience during my trip to Maui. I tried making my own journal by binding an old hardcover book with pieces of paper but it didn’t work out to my advantage as it looked like it was falling apart. And so one day, I stumbled into Cursive and found a handmade letterpressed travel journal with a simple and vintage looking bike imprinted on the cover. For $ 18.50, it’s pricey but if it’s something that you will keep forever (I keep all of my journals), I’d say it’s worth it. The store, which is located in Grand Central Terminal, is small but it has a lot of nice (and expensive) gift items. I appreciate that most of their items are not tailored to tourism, meaning no «I (heart) New York» or similar themes plastered all over. You will also find a lot of unique handmade cards, which are different from your average Hallmark or American Greetings. I like that these cards are not overdosed on words written all over the cards. Most are blank cards so you can write whatever or simply frame as if it were a piece of artwork.

Cute little store in Grand Central. They have awesome home décor items such as candles, vintage New York signs, and more randomly, whiskey rocks! (I want those!)
I’m currently loving their card selection. My current favorite said the following:
«Dear Boyfriend,
I can make your girlfriend scream louder than you can.
Sincerely,
Spiders»
Seriously, how bad ass is that?

I liked my experience at Cursive.
They have a bunch of neat little home items including some gorgeous paperweights. There are some nice vases and other accouterments that are a little pricey but definitely unique and cool.
Maybe I just look like «an important person,» (per Eileen P’s comment) but my experience was great. The employees were helpful but not in your face. I’d always rather have someone be more hands off than on and it was a good balance.

Nestled in the Lexington corridor of the Grand Central Terminal, Cursive offers a wide selection of stationary and knick-​knacks despite its small size. I will have to confess that all things stationary get me excited and Cursive is just the place to feed my addiction. The store itself is beautful, with an open, easy to maneuver layout.
Every time I pass by on my way to school I have to stop in to see the new collections of cards and notebooks. The cards are quirky, with unique designs on standard cardstock or sometimes thin embossed wood. Perusing the selection of notebooks and journals always makes me imagine myself sitting by the river at sun down with a pen in hand contemplating the meaning of life.
Besides being a writer’s paradise, Cursive is a great place to pick up a meaningful gift for a loved one. The stores offers candles, artisan jewelry, stationary, pots/​vases, and elegant pens.
If you’re every running through the Grand Central Terminal, take a moment to pop into Cursive. I promise you will not regret it.

Hi, my name is Marisa, and I am a Cursive addict.
Oh Cursive, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
1) I love that you are located right at the end of the Lexington Passage in Grand Central, after I’ve stopped in at Aveda to grab some hand cream or shampoo, but before I hit the escalator for the commute home.
2) I love that you carry an amazing array of notebooks (because my notebook addiction far surpasses my Cursive addiction). I love this so much, in fact, that I have had to place a temporary moratorium on buying any more said notebooks from you until I start filling the ones piling up in my apartment.
3) I love that your staff is super-​friendly, always ready to answer questions, but also willing to let me browse un-​hassled for 10 minutes and leave without buying anything (on the rare occasion that this happens).
4) I love that you are constantly changing your inventory. It seems like on any given day, the selection of cards, aforementioned notebooks, paper ephemera, gifts, etc. has new and covet-​worthy additions.
5) I love that I can pretend I’m coming in to buy my mom a birthday card, and leave with a card, yeah sure, but also with something I didn’t even know I needed or wanted before I saw it.
If this store were to disappear, like Tea & Honey recently did, I might actually cry. Or at least kick myself for not getting one last notebook…

I have a confession to make. I wasn’t *really* raised by a Southern Belle. And yet, I will play up my tenuous southern roots in order to indulge in a particular of etiquette known as the Thank You card. Yes, of course I buy birthday cards and holiday cards. I sometimes even find an excuse to send just because cards. But the Thank you cards really represent an additional area for paper products exploitation.
As any addict knows, you need a steady dealer from which to get your supply. Conveniently located near my office, this Cursive location in Grand Central is small but mighty (the first location is inside ABC Carpet). They have an array of cards, covering nearly all occasions, salvaging even the worst penmanship with the grace and beauty and heft of a letterpress card. This store is also a great resource for co-​worker gifts, or a small indulgence to brighten your day. The selection is small but carefully cultivated: from Japanese Happy tape to Jeanine Payer’s sterling silver jewelry. The dealers– er, staff– are all really friendly and helpful, for those times when you need guidance, or just want to make small talk.
I suppose all in all, this probably does not jeopardize my spiritual well being; but it feels nice to have made this confession. (Phew).

Absolutely ignorant staff. Normally, I love to support small card shops but I will happily turn my support to Hallmark, Papyrus, anything corporate after a recent visit. When I asked for a birthday card with a message, a sales woman went into a rant how I should write my own message and that any person appreciates a hand written message. I got it lady. Then the conversation turned to our cards speak for themselves and they don’t need messages. I walked out mid conversation and her final and most condescending remark came as I left the store, «You should try Hallmark».
Thanks Cursive.
And your selection isn’t really that good to be honest. Also, over priced.
For fellow card lovers in midtown New York, try Village Copier. They are much nicer and more competent. Its on 43^rd btwn 5^th and 6^th.