In a quiet corner of Hong Kong’s Tsuen Wan district is a stationery shop that offers far more than paper and ink.
At Nocturnal Stationery, visitors are met with many delightful surprises: from crayons shaped like volcanic rocks to a pair of handmade wooden stools, which are each shaped like the Chinese character for “moon” (月) and when placed together, form the word for “friends” (朋).
This is also a place of opportunity, where budding creators can showcase their work for free on weekends.
Beyond the quirky wares he sells, shop owner To Chun-pong has crafted this space to be a hub for connection.
“I really want this shop to be human-centric rather than just about profit,” the 42-year-old shopkeeper explained.
“I try to remember what each customer likes, or at the very least, I make sure to remember who they are. I want every visit to feel like they are coming to see a friend.”
According to To, this hidden shop’s main appeal for customers is the intimacy and conversation it provides, even outside its normal business hours.
“Back then, even if it was 11pm or the middle of the night, if I wasn’t asleep yet, I would chat with them or help them place orders,” he said.
“Over time, this built a real bond ... between the customers and me.”
To felt that many people struggled to share openly about their experiences – that was why he wanted Nocturnal to be a space where anyone could chat freely.
“If looking at these items makes them happy and I’m here to chat with them, perhaps that can change some of the current realities in society – or at least provide a comfortable space for those who need to talk or be heard to set down their burdens for a while,” he said.
This spirit of organic connection is why Nocturnal has thrived, as many bricks-and-mortar stores are struggling to compete with the convenience of online shopping.
“A lot of this comes down to word of mouth,” To said. “People have unique experiences here or talk to me, and they choose to support the shop because of its philosophy.”
‘Scenery on a desk’
With meticulous order and charm, Nocturnal’s rows of pens and notebooks are sourced from around the globe.
For To, stationery items are an art form that can compose what he calls “a scenery on the desk”.
“It’s not just something to be used; it can also be a piece of decor,” To said.
“When people say they can get by without stationery, that’s not necessarily true – it might just be that you haven’t realised the impact stationery has on you yet.”
The shop’s origin story began in 2020.
When the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted To’s work as a graphic designer, he used his downtime to master e-commerce – a move that paved the way for launching an online stationery business, which later became a physical shop in 2024.
“I wanted to make it more convenient for students to buy stationery. That was the starting point, though of course, I had my own ideas about sourcing more unique items,” To said.
“I took the time to learn and understand what people actually like.”
His eye for design is evident in the shop’s bestsellers, which balance playfulness with utility: memo pads that mimic the scent and texture of wood, as well as crayons matching the hues of real mountains, lakes and oceans.
Designed in Hong Kong
To is not merely a curator – he also designs stationery.
In a milestone collaboration, he partnered with Musgrave, a century-old American pencil giant, to launch a set of navy blue pencils. Embossed in gold is his life motto: “Let the good things connect us.”
This concept has since expanded to include postcards, bookmarks and tote bags.
“This is a brand I’ve known since I was a student,” To said. “To have them collaborate with me to create this set ... the whole thing feels like a dream.”
His designs have resonated with people far beyond Tsuen Wan, drawing the attention of international stationery aficionados and even catching the eye of a dedicated pencil collector in Germany.
Now, To is looking towards his next challenge: designing his own notebooks. It is a goal rooted in nostalgia for his childhood when he would fill spiral-bound notebooks with his comics.
“I’ve had a very close relationship with paper since I was young,” he explained.
“That’s likely where this deep sentimental attachment comes from ... Even now, when I’m travelling, if I see a notebook with exquisite printing or beautiful craftsmanship, I’ll buy it, even if I don’t have an immediate use for it. I just want to appreciate it.”
A bid for good connections
Nocturnal’s charm has turned many browsers into regulars, and some have even become collaborators. Its signature wooden stools, for instance, were a gift from a neighbourhood craftsman who visited the shop for a chat.
“It turns out he has a studio nearby. I asked if he’d be interested in collaborating on a chair themed around our weekend activities,” To recalled.
“I shared my ideas, and he translated them into physical form – proportioned perfectly to resemble a Chinese character.”
While similar nooks exist in other housing estates, To wants this shop to become a fixture of the Tsuen King Circuit neighbourhood.
“It would be wonderful if every district had its own unique little shops,” he said. “My goal is for this space to represent Tsuen King Circuit.”
Looking ahead, To views his storefront as a living space that continues evolving with the community.
“While I still have the chance to ‘play’ in this space, I want to try as many different things as possible,” he said.
“I’m staying open-minded. This is ultimately just a space – how it is defined depends on the opportunities the community gives it. My only fixed vision is that it remains a true hang-out spot for the people of Hong Kong.”
