Best Montblanc Boutique(S)?

[Autococker07]

Ok y'all, there seem to be some well travelled folks on here that are a huge help to an aspiring pen addict, as such I would like to plug into the hive mind and research the best Montblanc boutique(s) to visit.

 

What are your top three boutiques (that you have personally visited)? And why?

 

Also, what others would you like to visit?

 

I am assuming that airport shops are not the same as a proper boutique (?), but please add them in if you found one you really like!

 

[meiers]

Fountain Pen Hospital is the ultimate authorized Montblanc Dealer: excellent service, good collection of used pens, 30-day money back guarantee.

I like the Montblanc Boutiques in Cologne, Chicago and San Francisco (near union square). They let you play and try out their tester pens. Admittedly I haven't seen the inside of one in four years.

Edited April 29, 2018 by meiers

[888007888]

My favorite boutiques are: Paris France, Dubai, and Beverly Hills California. I've been to most of the locations in the USA, Sydney Australia, Melbourne Australia, London UK, Barcelona Spain and the Philippines. Those top three have the most knowledgeable staff and best service IMHO.

[Chrissy]

In your neck of the woods, I quite liked the boutique in Millennia Mall Orlando. The staff seemed knowledgeable and helpful.

[Autococker07]

Yikes! My neck is closer to Atlanta by quite a bit.... Do you like the Orlando one better than the Atlanta one?

 

I am in the WWWWAAAAAYYYYYY western portion of Florida..... you know, the one on normal time Think "Lower Alabama".... we consider Tallahassee the "Far East" from here LOL.

 

Of course, the kids may be getting itchy for a Disney trip.... that would be a great cover err excuse, umm... reason........

[Toll]

I am a big fan of the MB Boutique in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia (a DC suburb). Outstanding customer service.

[Tom Kellie]

I am a big fan of the MB Boutique in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia (a DC suburb). Outstanding customer service.

 

~ Toll:

 

Although I'm on the other side of the planet, the Tysons Galleria Montblanc boutique you've mentioned has provided me outstanding, highly competent long distance service.

I completely concur with your description of “outstanding customer service”.

A small airport boutique with a limited selection but with lovely staff offering superbly friendly service is in the O.R. Tambo International Airport.

Located in Kempton Park, South Africa, O.R. Tambo is Johannesburg's international gateway airport.

I've visited the Montblanc boutique there several times, pleased by the quality on offer and the presence of remarkable NOS fountain pens.

When I stopped by the boutique in February, 2017, the staff jovially bantered with me about the Montblanc belt I was wearing and the Montblanc wallet with which I paid for an item.

Montblanc is a subsidiary of Richemont which was founded by South African investor Johann Rupert. That may in part explain the high quality of the O.R. Tambo boutique.

Tom K.

[Chrissy]

Yikes! My neck is closer to Atlanta by quite a bit.... Do you like the Orlando one better than the Atlanta one?

 

I am in the WWWWAAAAAYYYYYY western portion of Florida..... you know, the one on normal time Think "Lower Alabama".... we consider Tallahassee the "Far East" from here LOL.

 

Of course, the kids may be getting itchy for a Disney trip.... that would be a great cover err excuse, umm... reason........

 

I like both. We had a great reason/excuse for visiting the boutique in Orlando. We were evacuated from our beach hotel in Naples when hurricane Irma paid us a visit last September, and had to drive over 200 miles up the State. In fact the visit to Montblanc in Millenia Mall was the best thing about having to stay in an Orlando hotel for a week. After that I thought I deserved a new pen.

[Kalessin]

Sadly, my nearest boutique in Boston moved to very small quarters a few years ago.

[Tom Kellie]

Sadly, my nearest boutique in Boston moved to very small quarters a few years ago.

 

~ Kalessin:

 

By “very small quarters” do you mean limited floorspace hence limited product offerings?

Tom K.

[niksch]

I'm partial to the one in Hamburg on Wall Street.

[meblamy]

The Tyson's Corner location is closest to me, and I agree on the customer service.

 

The boutique in the Palazzo in Las Vegas is supposedly the largest MB boutique. The staff there has always been extremely helpful, and they typically have an outstanding selection. I have to list them at the top (of the handful of locations I've visited).

[Autococker07]

 

I like both. We had a great reason/excuse for visiting the boutique in Orlando. We were evacuated from our beach hotel in Naples when hurricane Irma paid us a visit last September, and had to drive over 200 miles up the State. In fact the visit to Montblanc in Millenia Mall was the best thing about having to stay in an Orlando hotel for a week. After that I thought I deserved a new pen.

 

Oh yes, you certainly did.... Now, listen closely, you need to get a pen first, that will keep the storms from forming.... you have seen what happens when you delay! Don't tempt Mother Nature in this state!

 

I'm partial to the one in Hamburg on Wall Street.

 

Strangely enough, I have been to Hamburg twice, but neither time was I interested in pens, and now that I am, and have the miles to get there, I sadly do not the time..... It would be epic however!

 

The Tyson's Corner location is closest to me, and I agree on the customer service.

 

The boutique in the Palazzo in Las Vegas is supposedly the largest MB boutique. The staff there has always been extremely helpful, and they typically have an outstanding selection. I have to list them at the top (of the handful of locations I've visited).

 

Anywhere on the E coast is a high probability for me, Atlanta being closest, but others not significantly harder to get to than ATL..... I am sure the Tyson's store is superb, as it has received kudos from several here who are not strangers to good pens and good service.... it speaks highly of them to treat a remote customer well....

Vegas would be really cool, and I love the town, of course (doesn't everyone?).... that one is on my out-west shortlist

[Chrissy]

I would love to visit Hamburg. Even if they wouldn't let me inside the Montblanc factory, it would be great to see it.

[Chrissy]

Oh yes, you certainly did.... Now, listen closely, you need to get a pen first, that will keep the storms from forming.... you have seen what happens when you delay! Don't tempt Mother Nature in this state!

We're trying a new tactic this year. Going in May before the hurricane season starts.

[Kalessin]

 

~ Kalessin:

 

By “very small quarters” do you mean limited floorspace hence limited product offerings?

Tom K.

 

 

Exactly that. While the Boston MB boutique has been located in the Copley Square Mall since at least the early 1990s, sometime after 2005 they moved from a medium-sized storefront to a much smaller location with a selling floor approximately 10 feet by 20 feet. In the previous location, they had an outer room for handbags, belts, perfumes, etc, and an inner room for writing instruments and accessories.

[Tom Kellie]

Exactly that. While the Boston MB boutique has been located in the Copley Square Mall since at least the early 1990s, sometime after 2005 they moved from a medium-sized storefront to a much smaller location with a selling floor approximately 10 feet by 20 feet. In the previous location, they had an outer room for handbags, belts, perfumes, etc, and an inner room for writing instruments and accessories.

 

~ Kalessin:

 

10 x 20 feet?

What's that?

The new broom closet boutique?

There are airport boutiques in China which are larger than that.

In Boston, no less. Downsizing taken literally, with Lilliputian effect.

I'm very sorry to know this. Not a very competitive approach to luxury good retailing.

Tom K.

[Joban]

The Beverly Hills store moved a few years ago from Rodeo to Beverly Center Mall, now a complete waste IMO. Beverly Hills was always fun. So I will actually deal by phone with either the Orlando (very helpful) or the San Fran if I can get the one young lady that is the assistant manager or maybe the manager at that location. Again very helpful, but then they know my brother at the SF store (Union Square) so that helps. Tyson Corner in DC was always nice when I traveled back East.

[Kalessin]

Rents in Boston have been skyrocketing for about six or seven years now, so this isn't surprising.

 

If I need to visit a Montblanc dealer, I first visit Bromfield Pen in downtown Boston. They're near my office, and I've been a customer since 1981.

[Memorexx]

Hands down. Hamburg.

 

They know me there pretty good now. When I get into the store they run straight to me to say hello. Getting me a coffee. Nice folks there. I sometimes just go there to say hello without any intention of buying stuff. Just to chat with my dealer, but they all know me by name.

Just prefer my guy there.

 

They are good with discounts as well if you are known there