Paper Corner: Statia's Go-To Stationery & Sundries Stop
The little Van Tonningenweg shop where locals grab notebooks, cards, and last-minute island essentials.
Why Go
Tucked into Oranjestad's Upper Town on Van Tonningenweg, Paper Corner is the kind of small-island shop you didn't know you needed until your pen runs dry or you realize you forgot a birthday card. On a rock where big-box retail simply doesn't exist, this compact stationery and paper-goods store quietly keeps the community running — students, government workers, and expats all filter through its door.
The Experience
Stepping inside Paper Corner feels less like shopping and more like popping into a neighbor's storeroom. The shelves are packed floor-to-ceiling with school supplies, office basics, greeting cards, gift wrap, small toys, and the odd bit of party paraphernalia. Staff know the regulars by name and are happy to point visitors toward what they need. It's air-conditioned, blissfully quiet compared to the tropical heat outside, and the pace is unhurried — very Statia. You'll likely be in and out in ten minutes, but you'll leave with exactly what you came for, plus something you didn't know you wanted.
What to Try
Pick up a locally themed greeting card or a small notebook to journal your trip — the selection changes with what's most recently arrived by cargo. If you've got kids in tow, the coloring books and pencil sets make cheap, packable souvenirs. Travelers writing postcards home from Statia (a nice novelty given how few tourists actually make it here) can grab both the card and a decent pen in one stop.
Insider Tip
Stock on any small island depends entirely on the last supply ship, so if you see something you want — an unusual pen, a specific card, that one puzzle — buy it right then. It may not be there tomorrow, and there's no second stationery shop to fall back on. Also, bring small bills; change for a big note can be tight.
The Practical Stuff
Located on Van Tonningenweg in Oranjestad's Upper Town, an easy walk from most guesthouses and the Fort Oranje area. Cash (USD) is king on Statia, though some shops take cards — ask before you queue. Hours generally follow a weekday-plus-Saturday-morning rhythm typical of Statian retail, with a midday lull; call ahead (+599 318-2208) if you're on a tight schedule. Closed Sundays.
Pair It With
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — A short stroll from the shop — a shady spot to sit and write out those postcards you just bought.
- Bacchanalia Guide — Grab a bite nearby after your errand run; pairing a quick shop with a proper Statian meal is the perfect Upper Town morning.
- Baby Beach Guide — Stock up on a notebook or sunblock-adjacent extras before heading down to one of Statia's quieter swim spots.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — Divers can pick up a waterproof log-page or small notebook here to jot down what they saw underwater.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment Guide — If you're self-catering nearby, Paper Corner is your closest source of household paper goods and small sundries.
