Paper Crane Gallery

Posted: Wednesday, May 18th 2011

Paper Crane Gallery opened officially May 17th, 1999. And they are proudly celebrating their 12th year this week.

When Paper Crane first opened they featured the authentic silk Japanese wedding kimono, tableware, sushi making supplies and other Japanese themed gift wear. Fairies and real crowns came later. The product mix reflects the Paper Crane philosophy on retailing. The paper crane is a symbol of hope, peace and good fortune. Each purchase should come with a small paper crane, yes they fold them all!



Located at 5007 Gaetz Avenue, owner Betty Hattori describes her location as “being on the cool side of Gaetz”; Paper Crane is located directly across the street from the Scotia Bank/Central Block Building.

Betty is the driving force behind Paper Crane. With a printing background, a love of calligraphy and paper, combined with a flair for decorating and retail merchandising, she was hired by others to build their businesses. When the space came available she decided to take the plunge. The Gaetz Avenue location was very primitive and with the help of a talented decorator and another dear friend, the 300 sq ft was transformed, with hand-wrapped paper walls, the sound of trickling fountains and soothing Japanese inspired background music.

Twelve years later the Paper Crane product mix is still Japanese inspired. Betty wanted to de-mystify and clarify certain myths that were rampant in Red Deer in 1999. For instance Red Deer had no Japanese restaurants, people were under the misconception that sushi was raw fish, and were confused about how to eat the food properly. Also home-stay was still relatively new and quite a few clients asked questions regarding proper etiquette when travelling to Japan, and most importantly the art of gift giving.
In the early years they had some very interesting questions. Now the internet, more and more Japanese people living in our area and locals working and teaching in Japan is common.

Paper Crane is a Best of Thymes representative of Thymes bath and body products in Central Alberta, presently carrying over 13 different collections. They also represent Katherine’s Collection ornaments and collector display dolls, Holly Yashi jewellery from California, designer leather bags by Canadian artist James Michael Brooks, and then our local artists, such as Alfred Wiebe’s curio cabinets and boxes, Cleopatra Glass, Foxcover Studio fused glass, metal and potter, Doug Free creates Fairy Doorways.

They carry incredible permanent botanicals, so real every day someone asks if the callas or the orchids need special care, stationery, cards and journals, flameless candles, loose tea, music, and Japanese teapots, chopsticks and tableware.

Betty is looking forward to the revitalization of Gaetz Avenue, and would like to remind everyone that Paper Crane is open for business during the process.

Head to Paper Crane for the uncommon, where gifts really do have meaning, and that everyday is a special occasion.