Another grand opening for downtown Barrie (7 photos)

The Paperie is officially open for business as the new addition to Downtown Barrie had their grand opening last night to a packed house.

The Paperie by Katie Williams is all things to all folks; it’s a place to meet and do business, a place to get all your stationery needs for events you have coming up and with two graphic designers at the helm it’s a branding specialist company. Michelle Hannon was all smiles as the hors d’oeuvres were being enjoyed and the space she shares with owner and best friend Katie Williams was buzzing with activity.

“It was just an idea that came together really fast, like 14 days fast,” said Hannon. “When Katie came to me and suggested this mixture of business I thought that it was perfect. We took the risk and jumped on it. It’s what we say to our clients as well when it comes to helping them with their brand; just live it, see your goal and live it.”

Besides selling greeting cards, notebooks, all types of paper for different projects and being named Barrie’s Best Wedding Invitations for 2016 and 2017, The Paperie is also a creative workshop area. The loft-feel at Suite 201 at 89 Dunlop St. E is an inspirational way for entrepreneurs to get started on plans for their business or even those already in business to come and refresh the mind in an inspirational area.

“We have the quiet rooms for those looking for some tranquility but we also have this great open space for that’s perfect for collaboration,” said Hannon. “The best part of being here is no matter where you sit to work you have such a great view of the downtown area and Kempenfelt Bay. Whether it was fate or luck, we’re happy we have it.”

The other half of Paperie’s leadership knows that while the location has been open since Mother’s Day of this year, this grand opening was a great way to thank family, friends and clients for all the dedication and patience they’ve shown the ladies while the business has been building.

“This is more of a little celebration for us and those around us” said Williams. “It is a lot of hard work to build a dream and sometimes even harder for those around you who may or may not see it. We were both lucky to have family and friends who saw our vision and supported it fully.”

With both women having an extensive background in graphic design and branding, the Paperie is dedicated in helping other small businesses and business owners get started on building their vision into something successful. The mindset of the company fits the area for which it’s located as the downtown Barrie core is a hub of cooperation.

“We love downtown Barrie and can’t imagine having done this anywhere else,” said Williams. “There are people here this evening that I only met a week and half ago at one of the meetings, and yet here they are supporting us. There is a very strong bond between the downtown businesses and an even stronger vision of how we want this area to look and feel; we’re getting there and The Paperie hopes to add to it.”

Mayor Jeff Lehman was on-hand to help launch the opening with a congratulatory speech. Impressed by all that the Paperie has to offer and the feel inside the business, Lehman was proud of the vision the two owners have for the company.

“This is just a wonderful addition to the downtown core and you can just feel that it’s onwards and upwards for the Paperie,” said Lehman. “Look at the kids running around here having a ball and the families showing such support. This is what owning a business is all about; vision, support and smiling while doing it. It’s a great spot too with the view of the water and once Meridian Square is finished they’ll be looking right over the band shell; amazing foresight and I know they’ll do very well.”