Call Palace Art & Office Supply the phoenix that rose from the ashes. In its 75-year history, Palace has faced floods, earthquakes, a recession, the birth of e-commerce, and a pandemic. Still, it remains one of very few locally owned brick-and-mortar only businesses in town.
What started as Palace Stationery has, since the Trowbridge Family purchased it in 1949, bounced around multiple Pacific Avenue addresses before expanding beyond the reaches of downtown.
With no succession plan as the original owners approached retirement, an exit strategy began to unfold. Once the imminent closing was announced, an outpouring of support came from the community, including a surprise offer for purchase.
“We can’t imagine Santa Cruz without Palace! Is it for sale?” Within weeks, Palace had a new lease on life for the next generation ahead.
While retaining its entire original staff, the new owners have paved the way for a refreshed shopping experience in the store.
“Anybody who has been in here will see the depth of product that we carry,” said Mark Rispaud, Director of Business Development. “What might appear from the outside as old school is part of what really works for Palace. We stay committed to providing excellent customer service and an entirely in-person shopping experience as well as expanding our offerings to include new products.”
Case in point: Palace recently broke through the physical wall of its neighboring space to welcome in Moods Clothing Boutique in August 2023. The boutique carries brands such as Free People, Johnny Was and Pendleton, to name a few.
Palace also now has an entire room dedicated to handmade papers and gift cards, some of which are made by local artists. This was in response to a resurgence in demand for the products shortly after the pandemic. And for those who haven’t looked recently, Palace has a huge selection of STEAM-focused art and craft supplies, toys, games, puzzles, and educational materials for kids.
But still, at its core, Palace is a fine art supply store. The staff knows the store’s art products and tools through and through, having worked previously with them. Oftentimes, training in the products is offered to the staff by its manufacturers and to customers through free product demos in the store.
Palace also does good by sharing its business vitality with the community. They have a regular rotation of featured local artists through their Art on the Wall program as well as offer local artist demos and classes.
Indeed, it’s not all about business for Palace. The store has long supported the local art community represented by the Capitola Arts and Cultural Commission, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, Open Studios, Capitola Plein Air festival, and other local arts education initiatives.
So, call Palace a victor as it successfully fulfills its mission to provide nothing but the best in art, school, and office supplies and services to the community.
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Come help celebrate Palace Art & Office Supply’s 75th year in Santa Cruz County at its store at 1501 41st Ave., Capitola on Feb. 24 and 25 with free events featuring more than 20 local artists and 20 top manufacturers. Visit www.palaceartsupply.com/anniversary for complete event details and a demo schedule.