Came here to express appreciation for the amazing customer service I received from Maddy and the team at Topdrawer. Everyone at this store is amazing -- helpful and knowledgeable, and not at all pushy or pretentious. It's a joy to explore the carefully curated products. While I'm here, I'd like to comment on the 1 star review by Alan. I happened to have been present on the day of this conflict and it lives in my memory as one of the creepiest and most uncomfortable retail interactions I've ever witnessed. Alan was rude, patronizing and deeply inappropriate as he attempted to intimidate the store manager, who held her own with impressive grace and strength. There were several customers in the shop that night, and it seemed that most were unwilling to leave until we knew that the manager and her staff were safe. We were relieved when security arrived. Kudos to the manager for her poise under pressure, her commitment to protecting her staff, and unwillingness to give in to his attempts to intimidate or take the bait of engaging with his review. read more

Have you ever been to Radio Shack in the 80's and early 90's and noticed that everything inside the store that they were selling you felt was over priced and you knew that you can find it everywhere else for less? Well this is pretty much the equivalent to that. I mean literally I can find everything that Topdrawer sell for a lot less. I don't mind buying quality items and I do but not from this establishment. Doesn't help that the staff there are rude.. is it part of the atmosphere to justify the price. Let's act rude to everyone and pretend that the items here are too good for them so they want to buy it even more.. read more

This is my first review that I've ever written on yelp just because I can't believe these negative reviews. I've both visited and called a few times this last week. I dealt with someone different every time and every one of them was exceptionally kind and helpful. The products are also very cool and fun to browse. Great store. read more

Hi there, my name is Alfonzo. I visited the 4th Street Berkeley location on May 7th and was excited to explore the space--gorgeous layout, beautiful products, the kind of store that should feel like a treat. But then I had an interaction with the store manager (missed his name, sorry), and honestly, it threw the whole vibe off. When I asked for the price on some lovely bookbinding paper, I was met with: "We like telling people no here," and "No, this is not suitable for that," in reference to me wanting to use it as drawer liners. Look--I've spent 25 years in customer service, retail management, fashion, consulting and styling. I've run teams, launched startups, coached staff, managed tens of millions in business. And what I experienced here was... unnecessary. Specialty retail is already a tough gig in 2025--attitude like this doesn't help. To the manager: if this is an ironic hipster act, it's dated. If it's not an act, then maybe consider a role that doesn't involve talking to people. Either way, it was my first time in a Topdrawer and probably my last. Gorgeous store. Not worth the energy. read more

Good selection of travel goods and stationery, but it is very expensive! Great for gifts.

Pens, paper, bento boxes, and reading glasses are all on my forever wish list! This can easily be my new favorite store. Over-the-counter Kolo readers in every magnification and style. I already have a pair however, they have sunglass versions. Hum? Monbento is the ultimate bento box made in France. I'm a bring-my-lunch fella (when I'm working) and these are well worth the investment. Pens and journals take up a whole aisle. There's so much more. I have to come back and spend the day and money here! read more

Topdrawer - I plan to spend the day here again soon! - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Berkeley, California

On 22nd December, my wife, our infant son and I went to Topdrawer on Fourth Street in Berkeley. Our son prodded a black stereo on a shelf; it tumbled and was bruised near one of its corners. A woman who later identified herself as the store manager asked me, ``Is the boy who knocked this in your care?" I said yes, he was my son. She said, ``I will not be able to sell this item now. You will have to pay for it." I wanted to think for a little about how to respond. It was clear that we had a responsibility to reimburse the store given that we were responsible for the damage. It was not clear to me that this necessarily meant paying the full retail price. When I suggested that a partial amount could be discussed, the manager became hostile. Indeed, she shocked me by rather promptly blurting out ``Do not behave like a five-year old child!" My wife arrived and on learning of what had happened to the stereo said that she thought we should pay in full (the retail price is $675). I was struggling to acknowledge the need to handle the responsibility we had given the shock of the manager's weird insult. My wife and I discussed, not agreeing whether to pay in full or offer a significant but partial amount, all this in awkward proximity to the manager. At a moment during our debate, I gently held the sleeve of my wife's pullover; I forget quite why: perhaps I was proposing that we head outside to gather our thoughts. The manager cried out, ``Take your hands off her!" and then, after I rather lamely told her, `she is my wife', ``I do not care if she is your wife! You do not treat any woman that way!" No reasonable person who saw the momentary and light touch I made of my wife's clothing would have concluded there was anything whatever improper about this. The manager's exclamation attracted the attention of other store visitors to whom it likely occurred that my actions must have carried a threat of violence. The manager's words had the effect that a negotiation that I proposed about the right price to pay for a damaged item would take place in a milieu of well-meaning bystanders who were primed by such a view. My wife and I talked more, without succeeding in reaching a consensus: my wife thought we should pay in full; I thought that only a significant partial sum should be paid on the spot. The manager returned to the cashier's desk and eventually my wife and I agreed that she would leave the store with our son, while I would attempt to negotiate with the manager. As I walked to the cashier's desk to do so, I intended to say two things: that I would leave contact details; and that I would agree to pay on the spot two-thirds of the retail price of the stereo. When I said the first thing, the manager refused to take the details, saying she insisted on the full price for the stereo on the spot. When I tried to say the second thing, she cut me off mid-sentence: ``I am not negotiating. You must pay the full price". I tried several times to say the second thing and each and every time, the manager cut me off. The manager must have spotted my wife and son on a bench directly outside the store, because she suddenly left to walk through the store, out to them. I followed. The manager sought to bring my wife back into the store, to pay the full price; she touched my wife's arm in doing so. I think it may have been as I was telling my wife that we would be better off leaving that the manager cried out: ``Do not treat her like a two-year old child!" I noticed the numbers on the `you're a child' insult were dropping, and I asked the manager how old she was: ``I'm the only adult here", she said. I asked her what it was that I had said which led her to such a modest assessment of my emotional maturity, and she answered ``I'm not getting into that". With my wife sitting on the bench outside the store holding our son, and the manager and I standing alongside, the manager glared at me and asked: ``do you want me to start crying out how you are an asshole? Do you see the way that people are looking at you? Did you see how they looked inside?" Passersby were indeed stopping and looking. One woman asked what was going on and was told misleadingly by the manager, ``They are refusing to pay for an item they damaged". The passerby said, `well, you can always call the police". And indeed the Director of Stores for Topdrawer later told me in an email that several passersby had been in contact to express concerns, and that one of them had contacted the `authorities' about `your behavior' (to quote her message). The Director of Stores has issued us with a full refund for the three-quarters amount that we eventually paid on the night; and for this, we are grateful. But regrettably a fundamental aspect has not been addressed by Topdrawer: by infantilzing both of us, and by falsely implying that I mistreated my wife, the manager behaved unethically; Topdrawer has acknowledged neither this nor the distress that the manager caused. read more

I've been coming here since my college days. This is one of the best stationery shops at Berkeley. Highly recommend their assortment of journals. read more

BE AWARE, OVERPRICED!!!! I paid more than double the price of Amazon. I loved the store and their products as they look really good. However, it cost me ~30 dollars for a 14 dollar watercolor on Amazon. read more

Today, I stopped by this store and saw a beautiful backpack. One star was the sales associate ( wearing glasse who asked me 'if I wanted to upgrade my nylon backpack' Just an FYI my backpack is NOT nylon. My backpack is new and costs more than your Kolo. I will not return. read more

My friend bought me a gift here, a pair of slippers, and it had a gift receipt that clearly said return or exchange within 30 days. She made a big deal about the fact that I could return it or exchange it if they didn't fit. Today I went over to Berkeley to see about exchanging them but when the shop person looked at the slippers and the receipt she said they were final sale and couldn't be exchanged or returned. So then why did they give my friend a gift receipt that says exchange or return within 30 days? It seems like their error, but she was unmovable. Told me maybe I could find someone else that would like the slippers. Thanks?! Really bad customer service. read more

This is such a cute store and I left with a smile on my face. They have notebooks, pens, bento boxes, bags, and the cutest section of reversible slippers. They also have phone accessories. The store is quite small, but no matter how many people are squeezed in there, it doesn't feel as oppressive as it could be. There is something about the layout that allows people to move through the store in an efficient manner and I like that as well. I look forward to visiting when I'm in the area. read more

Cool little shop with a bunch of sweet goods from Japan. Cards, pens, and notebooks/journals make it a great spot for those who love to write, doodle, or plan. Nice selection of bags as well. Super clean and friendly staff. read more

Topdrawer - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Berkeley, California

Went in to look around and discover new places and when I went in I thought it was a vintage camera store but it wasn't but they have a lot of handmade diary books / note books & other stuff, I wasn't even 5 minutes into looking in the store when I was approached by a guy employee and gave me a look of "what is this guy doing in here" I was the only person of color (Mexican). I ignored it but then the guy was obviously looking at me acting like he's fixing an already pristine display table , and what sealed the deal for me was when he tried looking into my bag from Sephora as if I took something and he didn't do this to any other person but me so I know it's not a "everyone gets the same treatment ", everyone else in there got a smile and good customer service from what it looked like; I would suggest not shopping here, plus the notebooks are like $50-$75 btw , why would I or anyone try to steal an overpriced notebook that I can get at dollar tree for a $1.25 read more

Such a great knick knack store. Lots of journaling, traveling, lunchbox items you would find useful and trendy. I only bought a red stabilio chunky pencil to correct my kid's kumon but it was perfect. Leaving the store is hard bc there are so many cool items, but I knew If I didn't leave soon my wallet would be empty haha. read more

Topdrawer is one of my favorite stores to stop by whenever I'm walking around 4th St. I love how organized the shop looks, and it's nice knowing that every item is meticulously curated. If you have a question about anything, the folks around the shop are more than willing to help answer your questions. I stopped by this past weekend to pick up a pair of slippers for my wife's birthday, and they had a wide selection of colors and sizes. If you're looking for a gift, Topdrawer is an excellent place to shop around, particularly if you're looking for nifty travel items, nice stationary. read more

I was in the neighborhood and came across this store. Right when I got in I was greeted by the staff. I wasn't looking to buy anything and ended up leaving with a couple of notebooks and water color pencils ! The staff their was very friendly and helpful. I got helped by a girl with purple hair who said they had more locations in San Francisco ! I will definitely check those out and be back to buy more read more

Topdrawer - They have hanky's - Cards & Stationery Near Me - Berkeley, California

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bought several pairs of slippers, not knowing that one pair had a different heel elastic...or lack thereof...they came off all the time...tried to return them after one day and they wouldn't even exchange them. Zero stars. read more

The merchandise and service in this travel/stationery boutique is first cabin. Nadia, the manager, is especially helpful and kind. She has an infectious enthusiasm for pens and paper. This store is definitely worth a detour. read more

Any time I'm on 4th street I have to check out Topdrawer for some goods. If you love stationery, pens, paper and japanese inspired products this is a great store for you. It reminds me of stationery stores of my youth mixed with muji. This place has a ton of quality items that would make great gifts whether its something more affordable like a few really nice pens or something more luxe like a bellroy wallet. They also have really nicely designed bento boxes, water bottles and some gorgeous books. Well curated and worth dropping by if you are in the area! read more

Great things!!! Lots of cool stuff! Great service overall good experience! Hope to visit again soon!

Stores like these make my knees wobbly. I'm a big notebook and pen guy--I write out everything, including ideas and daily to-do lists and more! So when I come across a store like this, filled with super dope notebooks, pens, bags, etc., I never leave empty-handed. And this visit was no different. After browsing the selection and sampling countless pens (hard to beat that feeling of quality ink to paper) I bought a new notebook (gonna use it for my Spanish notes), a dark grey pen, and IZIPIZI glasses (check them out if you haven't, they're money). Then I realized this store is from Japan, so now I need to visit their Tokyo location when I go there later this year. read more

I ordered a photo album online from this place and it came a little damaged. It was less hassle to come to the store for an exchange than to go through their lengthy return/exchange process by mail. The biggest issue I have with this place is that when I gave the store manager the damaged product, she said she was going to put it back out on a shelf for another customer to pick up. I explained how several of the plastic sleeves were damaged but she said a lot of customers don't care so that's that. Ok. That's the last time I purchase anything from them. read more

This store has so many different products! They have paper from France to Japan. Pens from Germany! The price is a little high but for the experience and high quality products that they offer I feel like its worth it. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable about the product they sale. On top of that they offer free wrapping with a unique map paper that features their other locations. read more

First off wow! The store was highly organized and I felt very welcomed by what seemed to be the only person at the store...I believe their name was Ari. They were able to assist me in my mid day shopping spree for a few gifts that I had put off until last minute. The kinto water bottles caught my eye and were the perfect gift for my husband as per their suggestion. The romeo pen sets along with the notebook have not left my bag since I purchased-theyre great! All in all, had a great time here and Ari was lovely. read more

Very cool store and loved the efforts to keep things clean (baskets for things that have been touched so they can be sanitized, hand sanitizer, plastic barrier at the checkout). My issue was with the staff member greeting people- she walked into the back several times to have a Loud, Productive cough session, blowing her nose, coming out and trying to hide her coughs walking around people We found and bought something really cool but tried to rush out and had a hard time not coming into contact with her. read more

Cool stuff for travel and organization with mostly nice folks. But pricey and doesn't take back returns longer than a month, even for unused merchandise, and even just for store credit. (Unlike many places I shop nowadays) so a bit disappointed at that. Just be sure to shop carefully and return things promptly. read more

Great selection. Good service. Why the three stars. It's a niche store with item that are too pricey. I did end up get a notebook for $16.00. Is it worth it maybe but couldn't really afford this stuff no. It is nice to look but way to expensive for my wallet. read more