322 Southwest Boulevard | 816-842-8185
When Studies in Crap warlord Alan Scherstuhl lit out for the West last year, he handed us a sacred text: a vintage guide to Kansas City architecture. But the glue in the stout little paperback's binding had started to turn to powder, so we called a real live librarian to ask where she sends damaged volumes. She answered immediately and enthusiastially: Engel Bindery, just a few blocks from Pitch HQ. Established in 1885, the bookbinder and stationer still does a solid business in spine repair, as well as the custom binding of blank books, Bibles and hymnals. The company makes big, fancy menus and embosses stationery, too. There's a list of estimated prices at engelbindery.com, along with phrases that sound exotic in the Kindle era: foil stamping, personal hardback, ribbon bookmarks. Busy churches, challenged librarians and godless craphounds agree: This place is the hallelujah shit.
