Mount Kisco, NY (October 3, 2003) - Mayma Raphael has found her passion in paper and is passionate about sharing it.

Mayma Raphael, Owner of Paper Passions, a new fine paper and stationery store in Mount Kisco, said that her passion for "everything paper" is what directed her to open her store.

After creating beautiful invitations for her wedding in 2000, she decided to make a career out of it. Although she holds a Masters Degree in an indirectly related field she felt that working with beautiful paper from all over the world brought her the satisfaction she was looking for in a career.

Mayma started creating unique custom invitation pieces for loyal customers, including high profile clients who were looking for something unique and handcrafted.

Pursuing her paper passion was what got her featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show in April, 2001. That experience crystallized her focus and she dedicated herself to creating up to 600 individual pieces for her clients. Because of her combined love for paper products and the high demand for her invitations, Mayma decided to move her home-based business into a retail space in Mount Kisco.

"Mount Kisco is a wonderful town with lots to offer. It is considered the business hub of Northern Westchester. The streets are graced with a myriad of lovely boutiques, restaurants and it also hosts many professional businesses. There was a need for a store like Paper Passions."

Along with her custom work, Mayma also wanted to include more lines that would give the new store a high-end feel while complimenting her products. She appointed McCarthy LePage Architects, P.C., Fivecat Studio, and the consulting firm of Just Whistle to realize her vision of the store and in keeping with Mount Kisco's vibrancy and beautiful location. Mayma also enlisted the help of a few women in the Westchester area who wanted to pursue their passions in the process of bringing her passion to reality. Maureen Ferraro has a passion for interior design and painting, Rosie Quinnones and Yvonne Silva both share a passion for sewing, and they were all involved in the store's development process.

Paper Passions not only provides exquisite invitations but also introduces some of the most beautiful paper products and small gift items including, leather products, writing instruments, greeting cards, favors, scrapbook paper and other exquisite paper from around the world. The store will also offer various services such gift wrapping, invitation consulting and design. Mayma has also mentioned that the store will be offering classes in various areas such as calligraphy, card and invitation making. "Our store will satisfy ones' fine paper needs." "We want our customers to explore various paper usages and have fun doing it. Our one of a kind Invitation Boutique will also offer lots of options." " Customers will have the choice of selecting from the various invitation albums we carry, or from our imprintable collection, or our invitation designers can design one-of-a-kind pieces, or our customers can buy the supplies needed to make their own," she said.

After months of anticipation, the store's grand opening will be on October 3rd, 2003. Mayma hopes that she and her staff will be able to serve your paper needs, and help enhance your memories of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Mayma lives with her husband Stewart in Cortlandt Manor.

For More Information Contact:

Paper Passions
38 E. Main Street Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Tel: 914.242.3700
FAX: 914.242.3701
E-mail: paperpassions3@aol.com

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