The Paper Sparrow

Despite my curmudgeonly façade, I really, really prefer to buy local, and to support small companies and artists. However, I really feel like the Capital Region doesn’t make it really easy for people to practice this. Yes, there are a few farmers’ markets, but everything is so ridiculously overpriced, I just can’t justify adding even a lowly bag of spinach into my budget. There’s also an «independent» used book store around the corner from my place, but they specialize in text books for the local colleges, and are often more expensive than the UAlbany bookstore. Don’t even get me started on the independent coffee houses and restaurants.
It’s like someone thinks that the people around here have really deep pockets. And while there surely are those people who do (politicians, etc., etc.), there are enough colleges within city limits to make the argument that there are enough people who CARE about independent business, but can’t AFFORD to support them on a student budget.
The Paper Sparrow gets it.
Thank GOD.
This is a boutique that would fit right in in Portland’s trendy Hawthorne strip. Is it out of place for Albany? Hell yeah. Not so much in historic downtown Troy, which seems to have eons more personality, but it was nonetheless an unexpected treat.
On a regular basis, the Paper Sparrow boasts a rotating selection of cards, bags, hair accessories, jewelry, soap, hand-​spun and dyed yarn, and doodads, all (1) HANDMADE, (2) BY LOCAL ARTISTS, and (3) TOTALLY AFFORDABLE. In fact, most of their absolutely adorable necklaces and earrings could easily be passed on at other stores in the area for a cool $ 30+, but here, for only $ 10. Some really awesome and unique hair clips for less than $ 5. Here, you can purchase one-​of-​a-​kind pieces at fair prices that go right back into the community, supporting local artists. Really, I love it. It’s kind of like Etsy on crack.
And this is the store’s mission, too. I thought that maybe it was a fluke that all this adorable stuff was so reasonable. But then I checked out their website, and it was all in their ultimate plan – making beautiful, locally made things accessible to more people.
Did I mention they have a gallery space in back? They do. And they have new showings every month for Troy’s Last Friday event. It’s pretty fantastic, and I absolutely love what this place is doing. I really hope that it’s around for a good, long time, because we honestly need more places like the Paper Sparrow around.