Tonya Panchula ran into a problem when she was getting married: she couldn’t find invitations she liked.
But her difficulty finding the perfect invitation turned out to be a benefit for the Oxford/Orion area.
It was the impetus to starting her own business, Ink and Paper, first on the Internet in 2002, and eventually in downtown Oxford in 2004.
Now, Panchula has moved Ink and Paper into downtown Lake Orion, next to the Sagebrush Cantina. A ribbon cutting held at the sleek and modern retail space on Friday, Dec. 5 officially announced the store’s opening.
‘We’re happy to be here,? Panchula said.’There wasn’t a lot of walking traffic in Oxford.?
While Oxford was good to her, Panchula said the Lake Orion business community has been, well, inviting.
‘The Downtown Development Authority has been fantastic. We’ve been given a lot of attention.
Panchula and her business partner, Angela McLean, were working at a project management firm in Troy when they got the idea for Ink and Paper.
‘I knew I always wanted to have my own business,? Panchula said. ‘I was planning my wedding at the time and I couldn’t find anything.?
Driving to the Royal Oak area seemed like the only option for people in the area to get anything unique.
Panchula set out to change that.
The store carries the types of things not found in big box stores like Target, Panchula said.
It is only one of seven retailers nationwide that offers the Envelopments line of product.
It also creates custom baby products like onesies and bibs with slogans on them.
But invitations are still the staple product at Ink and Paper.
‘Any kind of party you can think of, we have an invite for it,? she said.
This includes weddings, of course, but also birth announcements, bridal and baby showers, baptisms, birthday parties and even Super Bowl parties.
‘We’re trying really hard to offer really great gifts at a great price,? she said.
The store is now open. Panchula is joined behind the counter by Elishia Hotchkiss.
‘Come visit us. We’re really cool chicks.?