Paper Skyscraper is expanding into Uptown
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Paper Skyscraper in Charlotte North Carolina
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect that Godwin is no longer married to Sybil, the wife with whom he bought the brand in 2019.
A new chapter is about to begin for Paper Skyscraper.
What’s happening: The longstanding Charlotte gift shop will open a pop-up location at Trade and Tryon next month. If it does well, the plan is to keep the beloved shop open there indefinitely, owner Bill Godwin tells Axios.
Why it matters: The decision to open Paper Skyscraper in Uptown is a nod of confidence in Charlotte’s center city. The area’s seen an increase in foot traffic since the pandemic, but it doesn’t yet have many local retail options.
Details: The shop will be in a 1,300-square-foot space (about a third the size of the Dilworth location) at One South — 101 S Tryon St. — in Suite 2, the space formerly occupied by the Beehive gift shop, which recently closed after nearly four decades in business. It will be between Starbucks and Chick-fil-A.
- It’ll be open Nov. 13 through the holidays.
- The shop will sell holiday gifts, books, candles, cards and other goods from artisans across the Carolinas.
What they’re saying: “The goal is to provide the same experience there as people have on East [Boulevard],” Godwin says.
Between the lines: Think of this Uptown location as a “test run,” Godwin adds. It’ll assess demand for Paper Skyscraper in a new part of town.
Flashback: Tim Hamilton and Ron Wooten opened Paper Skyscraper more than 30 years ago in Dilworth. Over time, it’s become a Charlotte institution, selling souvenirs, books, decor, greeting cards and other tchotchkes. In 2019, Godwin and his then-wife Sybil bought the brand.
- Bill hasn’t changed much about Paper Skyscraper since then. The business did recently launch a website, though, offering same-day shipping.