Situated at the epicenter of the Chulalongkorn community, it’s not a surprise to learn that Mintz is home to a collective of designers who were nearly all bred at the esteemed institution. Now serving students and young suits who frequent the mall, this cute stationery store is a playground for a handful of Chula industrial design graduates and their creative friends and family to show off what they do best—turning their doodles into marketable stationery knick-knacks.
Specifically, the store is the brainchild of M.L. Trichak Chitrabongs, who pulled together stationery labels, Craft Jungle, p’liv, taxi dermy, along with his own, Mola, into one sweetly decorated shop on the third floor of Chamchuri Square.
Think Hallmark but without the kitschy florals and corny greetings—the store’s notebooks and hand-painted bags may look a bit sugary Japanese with all the pastel colors and ice cream characters, but considering the location, it’s a selling point that will keep the ab baew students and kawaii execs coming back for more.
Mola (www.mola.co.th) gets pride of place, showcasing Trichak’s collection of pencils and color pens, like the packs of pastel-tipped black pencils (from B50). We particularly liked the felt key chains and bookmarks shaped like burgers and cookies (B85-240). These soft trinkets are hand-stitched by Trichak’s own mother, M.R. Bhisabadh Chitrabongs, hence the label, Mom Made (www.mommadeproduct.blogspot.com). There are also notebooks and planners encased in plastic zip-lock envelopes (B140-240) under the Mintz label.
For notebooks, Craft Jungle’s (www.craftjungle.blogspot.com) offers faux-leather bound pads, organizers and name card cases for B285-550. Their best-selling items are the collection of odd-shaped cases, like a lip coin wallet (B195) or the laptop-sized Whale pouch (B600). On a larger scale, p’liv design (www.plivdesign.com) offers a wide collection of cloth bags and totes (B700-1,000).
If you can’t take more syrupy designs, choose grown-up pieces from taxi dermy (www.taxidermy1111.com). These wallets and notebooks are made with genuine leather, so expect a heavy price tag (B400 for a credit card case).
Mintz also stocks other office supplies such as folders, document boxes and eccentric desktop toys like a Newton’s Cradle USB hub (B1,250) to finish off your sweet work station.
Mintz. 3/F Chamchuri Square, Phaya Thai Rd., 02-160-5411. MRT Sam Yan. Open daily, 10am-8pm.
