Knot & Bow Stationery Studio Comes To Gowanus

Gowanus has seen a flurry of food-related activity over the last year, what with multiple restaurants opening and the ongoing construction of Whole Foods. Now a new studio may signal the beginnings of an increased retail presence in the neighborhood.

Knot & Bow stationery quietly opened a production studio in Gowanus last week, and plans to include a shop by early fall. Already, owner Erin Ozer says passersby have been knocking at her door.

"We're not a retail shop quite yet," she says. "But we're planning on opening that portion of the business in September. The front half of the studio will be a gift boutique and stationary store. For now, we're having craft parties and using the space for producing orders."

Despite being featured in such splashy publications as Dailycandy and Martha Stewart Weddings, running a significant online Etsy shop, and selling products wholesale to roughly 150 stores nationwide, until now Ozer has worked primarily out of her home—also in Gowanus.

"I was working from my apartment, which was kind of crazy," says Ozer. "But because I had a baby a year ago, it was also ideal." 

After spreading the word that she was looking to expand to a studio space, it turned out that her landlord had a newly vacant property on Third Avenue. The previous tenant was a psychic.

But Ozer herself couldn't have predicted opening a store in Gowanus when she moved there five years ago.

"I think [the store] will be a really fun addition to the neighborhood," she says. "There are a lot of great new restaurants and there is specialized retail like the bike shop, but there isn’t a ton of other retail here. So I am hoping it will fill a little void."

In addition to Knot & Bow stationery goods, the shop will offer colorful party supplies, journals, leather pouches, cards, and "fun, easy gift items and things for kids" by other independent artists.

Other expansions will include launching a line of Knot & Bow wrapping paper. "It’s printed on newsprint. So it’s kind of casual wrapping paper, something I haven’t really seen before," she says. "And we’re expanding our line of glitter twine and confetti mix."

Who feels like celebrating?

Knot & Bow is located at 253 Third Avenue at the corner of Union Street. To inquire about future craft parties, follow Knot & Bow on Facebook.