Fine Lines Of Katonah Celebrates 20 Years Of 'Special Occasions'- Open House Scheduled June 12 & 13

Statistics show that businesses that reach their fifth anniversary can be called successful. That makes Fine Lines a success four times over. The charming stationery store, located in the heart of the village of Katonah, has been serving customers from Westchester and beyond since November of 1995. Started by entrepreneurs Barry and Laura Marks, the shop focuses on selling fine stationery and invitations for special occasions but also carries a unique collection of greeting cards, hostess gifts, writing journals, wrapping paper and themed items for dog lovers.

To celebrate the store’s 20th anniversary, they will host a fun open house on Friday, June 12 from 4pm – 6pm and on Saturday, June 13th from 3pm – 6pm. Fine Lines will partner with KR Cafe, also in Katonah, who will provide the delicious tasting menu on both days. “We thought it would be fun to work with KR Cafe to provide a real local flavor to the event,” stated Laura Marks.

KR Cafe, located at the corner of Parkway and Katonah Avenue, presents a modern twist on the traditional American diner. Owners Sascha and Evan Greenberg opened KR Cafe in January, 2015 after extensive renovations to the former Katonah Restaurant. Sascha and Evan created KR Café to capture the flavors and functionality of a diner, combined with a full menu of down-home favorites and dinner specials. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven-days-a-week, KR Café is rapidly becoming a new Katonah classic. “Though our location is iconic, KR Café is really the new kid in town,” Sascha said. “We’re thrilled to partner with Fine Lines to celebrate the vitality of downtown Katonah, combining long-lasting businesses with innovative new ventures.”

Everyone who stops in the store during the event will be entered into a free raffle to win one of twenty $20 gift certificates toward any purchase at Fine Lines. They will also offer 20% savings on in store purchases during the 12th and 13th of June. Details will be posted to the store’s website www.finelineskatonah.com. Fine Lines of Katonah is located at 141 Katonah Avenue, Katonah. Telephone number (914) 232-4856. info@finelineskatonah.com.

History
Shortly after moving from their first location at 159 Katonah Avenue to a larger location at 141 Katonah Avenue in 1999, Hurricane Floyd arrived and Barry and Laura were trapped inside the store with water rising to dangerous levels. Eventually the floor collapsed and the windows began to break and the couple literally swam to safety. It would take them six months at a temporary location around the corner before they could move back to 141 Katonah Avenue where the store is still located today.

Perhaps the most interesting part of the business for Laura is that families have returned time and time again to order invitations for family members as they grow. A family ordering new baby announcements 13 years ago returned to order Bat Mitzvah announcements. Another returned three years after getting their custom wedding invitations to get an announcement of their twins’ arrival while another purchased their wedding invitations and then announcements for their parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

“That is perhaps the most rewarding part of this business. We take such pride in getting to know our customers and helping them choose just the right custom invitation, that they often return years later to order for another family milestone,” stated Laura. In fact, Fine Lines has helped over 3,000 area families find just the right invitation. In a time when many folks can simply order on line, those who still want the personal and friendly service of a neighbor who works down the street, can find just such a friendly face at Fine Lines. “One of the great joys of being in this business is seeing the families grow and being told that they could not think of someone else printing their invitations, we’re honored,” stated Laura.

While some customers have moved away from the area over the years, the arrival of the internet helped Fine Lines stay in touch with many of them who continue to place on line orders and in fact, Fine Lines still prints Holiday cards for customers in London and Hong Kong.

Sadly Barry passed away in 2014 but Laura continues to operate the business they started together when their kids were little. She recalls days when they would close the store for a few hours to attend one of their children’s school graduations or a play, leaving a note on the door indicating where they were. Customers never complained about the store being closed but would return another day to offer well wishes and ask how it went!

Fine Lines of Katonah continues to offer a large and unique collection of custom wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations, birth announcements, Sweet 16 and anniversary invitations, graduation announcements, as well as custom stationery. The store also features distinctive greeting cards for all occasions, gift wrap, hostess gifts, unique products for dogs as well as frames, writing journals and a beautiful selection of pens. Fine Lines of Katonah, 141 Katonah Avenue, Katonah, NY, (914) 232-4856. info@finelineskatonah.com. More information can be found at www.finelineskatonah.com.

KR Café, 63 Katonah Ave., is open Mondays-Thursdays, 7 am to 9 pm; Fridays 7 am to 10 pm; Saturdays 8 am to 10 pm, and Sundays 8 am to 9 pm. More information, and a complete menu can be found at thekrcafe.com

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