Harvard Stationary

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

After more than 40 years of service to the community, Harvard Stationary (Papeterie Harvard) has closed its doors. The store has been on Sherbrooke Street near Draper in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough for 36 years, selling school and office supplies, providing copy and printing services.

The store first opened a few streets east, at Harvard, of course, and eventually moved to its current location.

Owners Arsak and Sahan Markayan, originally from Türkiye, were unprepared for, and overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection from the community. In fact, Arsak, 71, was reluctant to be interviewed. He was gazing around the store at the near-empty shelves on their last day, last October 31. “I cannot express myself,” he says, turning away. “I might start crying.”

His brother, Sahan, came out of the back room where they’d been packing up. They spoke about the cards and flowers well-wishers have sent and brought, the gifts and wine. And the hugs. Even from customers who still wear covid masks, Arsak says with a smile. Both are overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection, and the reaction from customers and neighbours. “They’re like family,” says Sahan, 65.

They know that they’ll be missed, and they say they’ll miss the community just as much. But they can’t quite understand why they’d come to mean so much to the neighbourhood, to the two generations of families who had been coming in for school supplies. “We’re just selling pens and pencils,” says Sahan. “Nothing essential.”

“Nothing life-saving,” Arsak adds.

But it’s time, they both agree, to hang it up after nearly 41 years. They’re ending on a high note; their store has always done well, and would have continued to do well had they not closed. But it’s almost too busy, Arsak said. An interview request from The Suburban was originally rebuffed. “We’re very busy,” said Arsak. “I haven’t even had my lunch today.” It was a complaint he repeated – with a smile – the following day.

As far as what’s next for the Markayan brothers? “Nothing,” Arsak said, laughing. “We’re free,” added Sahan. n