Portland gets second artist-owned stationery shop this year

## TL;DR

New Store Opening: Ope! A Stationery Shop, owned by Lexi Zavala and Zach St. Clair, will open on Congress Street in Portland in June.
Midwest-Inspired Name: The name "Ope!" draws from a polite Midwestern exclamation the owners grew up with, reflecting their desire to bring a small-town feel to the space.
Artist-Run Creative Hub: The shop will sell artist-designed cards and supplies while offering a communal area for making greeting cards and paper projects.

The story at a glance

Ope! A Stationery Shop is set to open in June at 648 Congress Street in Portland, Maine. It is the second artist-owned stationery store and creative space to open in the city in recent months, following Open Studio by block-print artist Katharine Watson in October. Owners Lexi Zavala, 30, and her husband Zach St. Clair, who moved to Portland from the Midwest in 2021, developed the business with support from local organizations and raised $25,000 through personal loans from family and friends.

Key points

The shop will stock small-batch, artist-designed greeting cards plus supplies for letter writing, scrapbooking, and journaling.
It will function as a communal workspace where customers can create their own cards and work on paper projects.
Zavala, who has a master’s in public health, began making intricate cards during the pandemic and later explored block-printing, beadwork, and jewelry.
The couple furnished the space with secondhand items including display cases, a farm-style table, and a Victorian settee sourced from Facebook Marketplace.
Watson’s Open Studio at 199 Pleasant Avenue features her hand-carved linoleum block-print designs on cards, tea towels, and other items, plus a printing press and workshops.
Watson has sold her work online, wholesale, and at markets for 15 years before opening the physical store.

Details and context

Zavala and St. Clair chose the name “Ope!” because it is a common polite interjection in the Midwest, often used when bumping into someone, and they wanted to capture that friendly spirit in Portland, which they see as having a similar small-town feel. The location sits between High and State streets on Congress Street.

Both stores emphasize artist-made and locally inspired products. Watson’s colorful designs draw from her garden and coastal Maine scenes, such as purple coneflowers, pinecones, and mussel shells. Her shop also carries work from other Maine artists that matches her aesthetic.

The owners of Ope! received business planning help from New Ventures Maine and Coastal Enterprises Inc. They plan a soft opening next month, with some inventory already on display as they finish setup.

Key quotes

“I knew I wanted some piece of the Midwest in the name. Portland has a similar small-town spirit that drew us here, and I wanted that for this space.” — Lexi Zavala

“People can come here and slow down and find a beautiful journal or make their own greeting card.” — Lexi Zavala

“We’ve had a lot of help from local businesses, friends and family members. Zach’s nana is sewing curtains for us. It’s been very emotional to realize there are so many people who believe in us so much they’re willing to help get us started.” — Lexi Zavala

Why it matters

Portland is seeing growth in small, artist-owned retail spaces focused on handmade and creative goods. Shoppers gain new local spots to buy unique stationery and participate in hands-on making activities. Observers should watch whether additional similar stores follow or if these two establish a lasting niche for paper crafts and community crafting in the city.

FAQ

Q: When and where will Ope! A Stationery Shop open?

A: The shop is scheduled to open in June at 648 Congress Street in Portland, between High and State streets, with a soft opening planned for sometime next month.

Q: Who owns Ope! A Stationery Shop and what inspired the name?

A: Lexi Zavala and her husband Zach St. Clair own the store. The name “Ope!” comes from a polite Midwestern interjection the couple grew up with, chosen to reflect a small-town friendly spirit they associate with Portland.

Q: What products and experiences will Ope! offer?

A: It will sell small-batch artist-designed greeting cards and supplies for letter writing, scrapbooking, and journaling, while providing a communal space for customers to make their own cards and work on paper projects.

Q: How does Ope! compare to the other new stationery store in Portland?

A: Open Studio, opened in October by artist Katharine Watson in Deering Center, features her block-print designs on cards and goods plus workshops; Ope! emphasizes greeting cards, journaling supplies, and a shared making space run by Zavala and St. Clair.