Sarah inspired me.
Have you ever ran into someone, maybe even for 20 seconds in a coffee shop, and come away with a myriad of new ideas? If so, you get me. I love when this happens. And, although this time round, it happened via Skype, Sarah and I were instant snail mail soul mates.
Sarah is the creative force behind the pop-up SNAIL MAIL CAFÉ in Brooklyn, New York. After many years in magazine production at Time Inc. Sarah said farewell and finally pursued her dream of creating community around letter writing. She started hosting pop-ups where people could come together in coffee shops and write a letter.
Letter writing stereotypes are shattered.
Sarah brings the stationery (created by local paper people), stamps and will even collect the letters and pop them in the mail box for the writers.
She was surprised to see that there isn’t a certain demographic that comes out to the pop-ups. Instead, the people who showed up, came from all walks of life, and many were men (shattering the stereotype that only women write letters). Wait, is this a stereotype?
There seems to be a real desire to get back to meaningful communication with our friends and family and this clip, featuring Sarah, speaks to some of the reasons why, and what she discovered about people and their interest in the Snail Mail Café.
Snail Mail Café needs a home.
Sarah carries around a stash of stationery. At all times. I know, how great is that?! Sarah just can’t help herself as she says, “Something comes alive in me when I write (receive) a letter.”
The next step for Sarah is to find a ‘bricks and mortar’ home for the Snail Mail Café. Where should Sarah set up shop? What should it look like? What would entice you to stop in and write a letter?
Can’t wait to hear all your ideas.
P.S. You can also follow Sarah on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.
Oooooh I wish I could not only offer a space for the Snail Mail Cafe but make that location near ME! 🙂 What a great idea and passion. I, too, get great joy from writing and mailing letters (and also receiving letters)! I even get a bit of a lift when reading about writing and letters. It’s a great passion and hobby. Thanks for being someone who brings that joy!
I wish I could make the location near me too! 🙂 Thanks for your kind and encouraging words Melanie. I just can’t help myself and would be writing about letter writing even if no one was reading.