Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Washington Blade - November 12, 2004
The day after Election Day, a steady stream of regulars drifted into Pulp on 14th Street, NW, not necessarily to buy a card or gift (although one woman bought a framed print featuring a cup of cappuccino because it reminded her of Europe, a place where, at that moment, she longed to reside), but rather to touch base with like-minded people and make a little sense of the previous day's election results.
"In itself, it's not remarkable that people wanted to come together," says Pulp's gay owner Ron Henderson several days later, sitting on a high stool at the shop's cluttered card bar. "But that they'd come to a card boutique. It's really not something you'd expect to find."
But Pulp isn't your average card shop. Now celebrating its two-year anniversary, Pulp has been a unique adventure from its inception.
"I was prepared to die," says Henderson, formerly a clinical psychologist in San Francisco. His lover and many of his friends had succumbed to AIDS. He had also been diagnosed with the disease and was out on disability, resigned to pass his last days at his home on Russian River, a gay resort in Northern California.
And then, like so many others, new and improved medication gave Henderson a second lease on life.
In a real life-changing decision, 50-something Henderson decided to move to D.C. He'd visited before on business and pleasure, and considered Washington a beautiful city with a friendly gay scene. The move felt natural.
Literally within days, Henderson bought a home in Shaw and had been offered an AIDS-related professional position. Rather than taking the job, Henderson doffed his coat and tie and followed the example of his late lover, a gift shop owner.
"Traditionally, gift and card shops have been owned by gay men. Sadly, a lot of them died prematurely," says Henderson. "It has made sense to me to continue the legacy. I've always loved greeting cards. In my group of friends, I was always the one to remember all occasions with a card. I also love paper, stationery, and beautiful books. I'm very tactile."
Henderson, a self-described teddy bear, says that he didn't open the store to make a fortune.
"I wanted to create a loving, positive workplace, where people could earn a decent salary in a family atmosphere," he says.
Located on the brightly colored 1800 block of 14th Street, Pulp is part of the what has become a sort of hot spot for gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses, including the tableware store Go Mama Go, the home design store Home Rule, and the gardening store the Garden District.
Henderson's second and newer store, Pulp On The Hill, opened last spring. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue, this Pulp's exterior is bright purple like its sister store. Inside, one finds the same crowded explosion of cards, books, CDs, campy novelties, tchotchkes, and gizmos. Even though the clientele is slightly more heterosexual on the Hill, the shop stocks cards and gifts for every gay occasion.
Pulp on 14th celebrated its second anniversary late last month with music, wine, and an in-store art opening. Up in the loft section amid books, journals, and stuffed animals, gay artist Richard Kightlinger is showing 12 big bold canvases combining images from Michelangelo with pop art icons from the classic "Justice League of America" comic book series. The result is dazzling and is on display through January.
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