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D etlef Bittner grew up watching his father write poems, penned by hand on exqui- site stationery, and present them as gifts. The practice sparked an appreciation of fine writing materials that led Bittner to an industry appren- ticeship and a successful design career. Eventually, he moved to Carmel and opened Bittner, The Pleasure of Writing. The store, which celebrated 25 years in November, carries stationery, hand-bound jour- nals, seal wax, specialized inks and other upscale writing materials. Bittner's passion for pens man- ifests in a carefully curated collection of prod- ucts by the notable international brands, includ- ing Faber-Castell, Montegrappa, Namiki and others. Some pens prove popular with execu- tives and academics looking to make a state- ment; others are rare collector pieces priced at $10,000 or more. In recent years, Bittner has seen a renewed interest in the craft of writing. "The pendulum has swung, when it comes to technology," he says. "Humans have a basic inter- est in tactile expression, and writing works just like painting or art." Next year, Bittner will introduce a stationery line and continue expanding the store's brand presence both online and on Ocean Avenue. "We've just finished our 25th anniversar y. Now, we begin a whole new chapter," Bittner says. For more information on Bittner, The Pleasure of Writing, please visit www.bittner.com. 76 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 Carmel Retailer Pens a Lasting Success Stor y B Y R E N E E B R I N C K S Detlef Bittner (center) with daughter, Dominique (left) and wife, Cynthia (right) owns Bittner, The Pleasure of Writing in Carmel. The store just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Photo: KelliUldall SHORTCUTS BUSINESS