Before I moved to New York, I did all of my shopping at the mall and/or online. I rarely shopped at mom-and-pops because I just didn’t have access to that many unique local spots where I was. I was floored when I finally made my way here and discovered that there were shops dedicated to, well, everything. A store selling buttons? Check. A shop just for ribbons? You bet. And, of course, there’s a place where one goes for all of their rubber stamp needs.

Casey’s Rubber Stamps is a tiny shop in the East Village named after the owner, John Casey. It is a charming (and cluttered) place with stamp samples and shelves of stamps lining its walls. I know I can order a stamp online in a matter of minutes, but there’s something about touching the actual rubber and wood that is so much more satisfying and valuable. I’m guessing I’m not the only one who feels this way. The shop has been around for 35 years and counting.