Hilary and Richard Kraft, second-generation owners of our very own local sticker store, Sticker Planet at the Original Farmers Market, are planning a special flash sale in honor of National Sticker Day tomorrow, January 13. If you are a sticker fan (who isn’t, right?) check out their 24-hour flash sale with 15% off on everything, both in the brick-and-mortar retail store and its website, which also carries thousands of stickers, searchable by topic and sticker type. Plus, anyone who places an online order or signs up for Sticker Planet’s e-newsletter on National Sticker Day will receive a $5 “thanks for sticking with us” code to use on a future online order.
We got a chance to catch up with the Krafts, who run the family business started by their parents in 1992. At the time, they were the first to sell stickers on a roll. Today, Sticker Planet is probably one of only stores in the country that still sells them on a roll and specializes in only stickers.
“Any that sticks, we sell,” the Krafts told us. “We pride ourselves on having the best selection of creative stickers you’ll find anywhere. We have stickers for crafting, home decorating, scrapbooking and just plain fun. And we have hundreds of different topics from flowers to food to animals and so much more. We’ve been in business three decades, and we’re still finding new kinds of stickers to sell all the time.”
The Krafts feel fortunate to have survived the pandemic, which included having to close for over 75 days with a slow gradual reopening last year. But the closing of the retail store compelled them to start a website, which has allowed them to draw customers from all over the country. But they are deeply grateful for the regular customers who come to the store. They also feel fortunate to be located at the Original Farmers Market at 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue, where they say it feels more like a family than a shopping mall.
We were surprised to learn that many of their customers are adults purchasing stickers for business and personal use, not just for kids.
“People buy stickers for craft projects, scrapbooking and business presentations,” explained Hilary Kraft. “Art directors come in for special projects, people decorate gift baskets with stickers, as well as parents who come in for stickers to help decorate their student’s school work and other projects for their kids, as well as just for fun.”
Sticker Planet has lots and lots of stickers for kids, with interactive sticker books and all the things you need to keep active children busy on a long airplane ride or in a restaurant (which is what I used to do years ago when my children were small, before screens and before COVID! In fact, I still have stickers around my house!).
“Sticker are very affordable and kids love holding something real and tangible,” added Richard Kraft. “It stimulates brain creativity in a way that screens can’t. And during the pandemic people rediscovered a love for doing things that are craft-oriented home projects.”
The Krafts are always looking for new products — basically anything that has a sticking component, like vinyl decals and wall stickers, even temporary tattoos.
“We really curate the best stickers,” added Richard. “Our stickers are high quality printing and die cutting.”
“And, we are always looking for new products,” added Hilary. “That’s the fun. We are always expanding the original concept of a rolled sticker store.”
