Fall 2026

A note from Stephanie

CHANGES for the new year!

Ken and I just got back from Boston, where we moved our son Miles into his new apartment as he begins his senior year at Boston College. He had a wonderful internship in Cambridge this summer, and as a proud mother, I couldn’t be happier about the bright future ahead of him. Speaking of what’s ahead — I have some big news of my own to share, too. Read more

On January 2nd, 2027, I’ll be taking The Paper Garden home and working from our home office — with my cousin Kelley right by my side, as always. We’re not shutting down: invitations, cardmaking kits, special orders, and all things paper will continue just the same, we’ll simply no longer have a storefront at the Pavilions. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after 20 wonderful years, it feels like the right time. Kits will still be delivered locally or mailed to you, and our phone number is staying the same — 916‑487‑2737 — so please don’t hesitate to reach out for printing, events, or anything paper. And don’t forget to sign up for classes — we’ll keep making and teaching for as long as we can!

Thank you to everyone who has supported us these 20 years — your loyalty and love of shopping local means the world to me. Read more

A little tid bit about me…
When I was in college, my first job was working in a sushi bar in San Jose, where most of the customers were Japanese businessmen. I didn’t speak Japanese — I’m a 4th generation Japanese American — but I’d taken conversational Japanese in college and could read and write simple characters, so working there felt like night school. When the businessmen asked my nationality, I’d say Yonsei (4th generation Japanese). They’d ask if my mom or dad was Japanese, and I’d say both — then they’d insist I didn’t look the part, what with all my makeup, my loud voice, and my permed (not straight) hair! Well… how rude! I’d tell them right back, kindly, that it’s because I think I’m Madonna and take after my loud dad, not my submissive mother — then smile, because I wanted my tip. Amen.

~ Stephanie Nishikawa-Yee, owner, The Paper Garden Boutique