Writing Instruments  Bert Oser | |
About Bertram's Inkwell
Bert Oser was working the pen counter at a card shop in White Flint Mall in 1982. The card shop’s pen selection included basic pens from Cross, Parker and Sheaffer. Bert’s first experience with high-end fountain pens was the Mont Blanc 149. Bert remembers unpacking the box and holding the 149, which at that time had a retail price of $209.00. Bert was hooked.
By the fall of 1983, at the young age of 21, Bert decided it was time to strike out on his own and open a store dedicate to fine writing instruments. Bert saw the coming fountain pen trend and he wanted to be at the front of that trend. He developed a business plan and presented it to the management of White Flint Mall. While most people were skeptical of the idea of a store that sold only pens, Bert found a supporter in the owner of the mall. It turns out that he too was a pen enthusiast and liked the idea of a pen store in his mall.
In June of 1985 Bertram’s Inkwell opened its doors to shoppers at White Flint Mall. It was a small store, only 344 sq. ft., but it was the first of many successes for Bert and his company. That Christmas season brought many shoppers and business was booming.
In 1988 Bert expanded operations with an 800 number and a full-color catalog.
1991 was the year that Bert met Jim Rouse. Jim was a regular customer at the store. Later that year, the two decided to join forces and open another Bertram’s Inkwell store; this time in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. Two years later, in May of 1993, the second Bertram’s Inkwell was open for business with a 1000 sq. ft. space in Baltimore’s business district.
In August of that year, Jim convinced Bert to attend a major pen show happening in the Washington D.C. area. That show was a success and since then Bertram’s Inkwell has been represented at pens shows every month throughout the U.S.
Bertram’s hopped on the Internet trend in 1997 with their first web site. Bertram’s was one of the first major pen stores to have a web site on the growing Internet.
1998 and 1999 saw big changes for Bertram’s Inkwell. In July 1998, the first store in White Flint Mall moved to a new 1200 sq. ft. space in the center court on the second floor. This new space had a larger stock room and more retail space to display not only pens, but also a variety of fine leather goods and accessories.
Just four months later, the Baltimore store moved to a new 1500 sq. ft. space on the corner of Light and Baltimore streets. This was a prime location with the store being much more visible. The new store also included a large basement level that holds the Internet business and corporate offices.
Over the past 15 years Bertram’s Inkwell has experienced success after success. The total retail space has increased threefold. Bertram’s Inkwell has established itself as the premier purveyor of fine writing instruments throughout the Baltimore/Washington area and on the Internet.
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