West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG

Search the site

No Result
View All Result
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

Paper House, the Happiest Little Store in the Neighborhood, Saved From The Brink

September 19, 2019 | 9:29 PM - Updated on September 21, 2019 | 3:11 AM
in NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
27

By Carol Tannenhauser

There’s something new about the window of Paper House, the beloved, 39-year-old party store on Amsterdam Avenue, between 72nd and 73rd Streets — and astute WSR readers spotted it and brought it to our attention. It’s not what’s there, but what’s not: the For Rent sign that has hung for nine months, like Damocles’ sword, over this small independent business.

Owner Kenneth Loo explained that he had been on a month-to-month lease for those months, living under the shadow of that “humongous sign,” while the landlord sought a new tenant at a higher rent. But none materialized. So, this month, the landlord offered Loo a long-term lease, at a rent the business owner could afford. He wouldn’t reveal exactly how long it runs, but assured us he’d be around for “several years.”


Kenneth Loo.

Loo, 64, is quietly ecstatic. “I’m so good,” he said, smiling, “And my customers are good. Some of them were so worried.” He has been in this country since he was 33, but still grapples with the language.

Why did he come here? He reacts as if it should be obvious. “For the American Dream,” he declared. When he left his home in South Korea, that country was still struggling to rebound from the Korean War. Loo came here for a better life.

Did he find one? “Up and down,” he laughed, but added that his two children are grown and both college-educated, so things have turned out “pretty well.”

The almost-autumn sunlight streams through the unimpeded window. The store is surprisingly deep. When asked why customers love it so much and are so loyal, Loo said because “we are old-fashioned.” The first thing you see as you head down a long, colorful aisle is a display of Pez dispensers. If you’re an impulse buyer, beware! You’ll find everything you could possibly need or want for a party or holiday, and much more (including a Darth Vader rubber mask and a paper one of Donald Trump.)

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Paper House is staying in business,” said long-time customer David Langlitz, who lives in the neighborhood. “This is my go-to place for everything—weddings, birthdays, all kinds of celebrations, thank you notes, decorations.”


Loo and David Langlitz.

”I want to thank all my loyal West Sider customers,” Loo said, in conclusion. “And my landlord. He gave me a good opportunity.”

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

27 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JSN
JSN
5 years ago

Hurray for a reasonable landlord! Paper House has supplied all my daughter’s birthday parties through the last 20 years. It is a neighborhood institution. Its departure would have been depressing.

0
Reply
JSN2
JSN2
5 years ago
Reply to  JSN

JSN, you still hold parties for your 20 year old daughter? LOL.

0
Reply
erica bessette
erica bessette
5 years ago
Reply to  JSN2

my sister still throws parties for my nephew who just turned 30 and is recently married

0
Reply
Sherman
Sherman
5 years ago
Reply to  JSN

How was the landlord “reasonable”?

The landlord couldn’t find anyone else to rent the space to so he renegotiated the lease with Paper House.

This is not being “reasonable”. It was a calculated and rational business decision by the landlord. It was based on the law of supply and demand, not altruism.

That said, it’s nice to see a local business continue to serve the neighborhood. I shop there myself and I wish Paper House continued success.

1
Reply
Tostonesfix
Tostonesfix
5 years ago

Great news! This store has saved my skin many times.

0
Reply
Jodi
Jodi
5 years ago

Oh, I’m overjoyed! I absolutely love this store. I wish Loo continued success and happiness.

1
Reply
Judy
Judy
5 years ago

This is great news! Thank you for the story.

0
Reply
NYYgirl
NYYgirl
5 years ago

Yay!!

0
Reply
lynn
lynn
5 years ago

I’m so happy to hear this news! I’ve been shopping at Paper House on a regular basis since I moved to the UWS 7 years ago. It reminds me of the old Woolworth’s store, they have so many items to choose from, and things you can’t find anywhere else in the near vicinity. Congrats on the extended lease! 🙂

1
Reply
Claudia Yoo
Claudia Yoo
5 years ago

Hi Carol, I’m Kenneth Yoo’s daughter, Claudia Yoo. We wanted to thank you for writing such a heartwarming article, that supports local business in NYC. My father is the most humble hard-working man I know, and he is a representation of the absolute good that immigrants can bring to this country and I’m so happy and proud to see his hard work being noticed and appreciated. Thank you, again, and wishing you happiness, health and success!

2
Reply
Lese
Lese
5 years ago

Thank you Carol for such a great article, and for West Side Rag for publishing positive stories about the UWS. So much good happens here. I love the Paper House – Ken, Alicia, and everyone who works there. And it has the best stuff – beautiful and funny cards, great wrapping paper, candles – everything!
-Longtime UWS resident.

0
Reply
liz
liz
5 years ago

This kind of store needs to be supported by more locals; kudos to the hard-working Mr. Loo who helps keep our neighborhood unique and friendly

0
Reply
lyla b ward
lyla b ward
5 years ago

I don’t know Mr. Loo, but I want to congratulate him on coming out on the right side of a landlord/rent struggle. Not many retailers can make that claim. And as a former party store owner (1974-1989), outside of the city, I want to congratulate him on maintaining that happiest of destinations.

0
Reply
Bob
Bob
5 years ago

I want to thank Mr. Yoo and the landlord especially. Paper House is truly an anchor of the neighborhood. It’s a place that anyone can walk into and feel comfortable. And sometimes the decorations (like those face masks) are hysterical.

I try to patronize this store as much as I can (a friend absolutely *loved* a stuffed dog I purchased there a few years ago. If the landlord need more rent income, raise the rents of other stores in order to subsidize this one.

0
Reply
ka
ka
5 years ago

YAY!! So very happy!!

0
Reply
Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
5 years ago

Great news! Hope they are around for a very, very long time!

0
Reply
Anne
Anne
5 years ago

Fantastic!
I have always thought that we should boycott the new tenants that come in and displace the old tenants. That way people will be reluctant to pay the outrageous rent only to be boycotted when they displace the mom-and-pop stores. But that takes neighborhood organization To preserve our mom and pop shops.

0
Reply
Marci
Marci
5 years ago

I’ve been worried we were going to lose The Paper Store, so this is great news! But was it necessary to say “he has been in this country since he was 33, but still grapples with the language” when that doesn’t have anything to do with the story?

1
Reply
Carla WOLPER
Carla WOLPER
5 years ago

This is heat warming

0
Reply
NYWoman
NYWoman
5 years ago

You always can find something to amuse in that store

0
Reply
Susan S.
Susan S.
5 years ago

Hooray! This is one great store. they have cards
and much more. I went in the back for the first time yesterday and saw so many paper products for entertaining for parties and just every day uses.
it’s the place to go for paper products of all kinds and fills the gap Gracious Home’s left when it closed on the west side. The people working there are very friendly and helpful. The owner came in the store and told many concerned customers that his lease was renewed and we were all so happy for him and for us

0
Reply
The W. 80th St. Block Association/Billy Amato
The W. 80th St. Block Association/Billy Amato
5 years ago

This is wonderful news not just for Kenneth Loo but maybe a learning lesson to other landlords here on the UWS. I have been a loyal customer to the paper House for 39yrs. and remember it when was two stores in one.
Congratulations to the landlord!!!
And wonderful news for the Paper House and to Kenneth and to Mr. Loo’s wonderful team.

0
Reply
Sherman
Sherman
5 years ago
Reply to  The W. 80th St. Block Association/Billy Amato

What exactly is the “learning lesson” for other landlords?

The landlord tried to find a tenant who would pay a higher rent. He couldn’t find one so he renegotiated with Paper House.

The space was more valuable occupied than empty. This is called business. What is the “learning lesson”.

0
Reply
Jane
Jane
5 years ago

I am so happy and relieved to hear that Mr. Loo is staying! This is also my go-to store for balloons, cards, party plates and napkins, Halloween goods and more. I have been shopping there since my kids were little.

0
Reply
Christine B
Christine B
5 years ago

Fantastic news!! The Upper West Side (and I) love Paper House! The absolute go-to store for cards, balloons, party materials and fun gifts. My family and godsons are very familiar with PH wears :). Ken has also been a thoughtful mentor to me in my own start up business, with advice and support I am so grateful for. Congratulations to Ken for his many years as a successful businessman, the American Dream come true!, and for his persistence in seeing this tough time through to a great new lease. So so happy you’ll be with us for years to follow!!

0
Reply
AZ
AZ
5 years ago

We are so happy you keep going. ..your store are one of the few left… you are part of our heart..CONGRATULATION

0
Reply
UWSSurfer
UWSSurfer
5 years ago

I am so happy that Paper House was able to obtain their lease!

They have so many cute things. I love their paper, silk, and foil hanging decorations for every holiday and season.

I bought some darling coin purses with photos of puppies on the front. They have lots of fun Squishies too.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

New Version of Silver Moon Bakery Expected to Open This Week on Upper West Side
FOOD

New Version of Silver Moon Bakery Expected to Open This Week on Upper West Side

July 14, 2025 | 2:13 PM
New Digital Screen With Accurate Bus Wait Times Installed on Upper West Side
NEWS

New Digital Screen With Accurate Bus Wait Times Installed on Upper West Side

July 14, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Previous Post

Vice President Pence Gets An Upper West Side Welcome

Next Post

59-Year-Old Man Stabbed Thursday Night in Riverside Park

this week's events image
Next Post
59-Year-Old Man Stabbed Thursday Night in Riverside Park

59-Year-Old Man Stabbed Thursday Night in Riverside Park

Verdi Square, Once Known for Rats, Now Has a ‘Meadow’ and New Benches

Verdi Square, Once Known for Rats, Now Has a 'Meadow' and New Benches

Arrests Made in Two Recent Stabbings As New Details Come Out

Arrests Made in Two Recent Stabbings As New Details Come Out

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.