By Lese Dunton
Many people on the Upper West Side are familiar with the mannequin woman who has been standing outside Paper House on Amsterdam Avenue between 72nd and 73rd for years.
Well, the Paper House recently moved one block north to Amsterdam between 73rd and 74th, and last week someone complained to building management that the sidewalk mannequin needs to go.
“They said that it wasn’t appropriate for the block. On the day that I took it away, three people came in and asked where she went,” says owner Kenneth Yoo.
Now she lives in the basement by herself.
“She’s lonely,” says Ken. “She wants to go back to work and do her job again.”
Surprised that there would be concerns now?
Perhaps because there is scaffolding and less sidewalk space?
Sadly with scaffolding almost impossible to know the store is there.
Some people are just no fun!
Why can the mannequin not be displayed INSIDE the premises?
Why is this concerning to you?
If it’s at all like the other location – every square inch is filled with stuff!! Great stuff.
So put her inside the store as a greeter.
Re: “They said that it wasn’t appropriate for the block. ”
Ummm…according to Google Maps, the other “establishments” on that stretch of Amsterdam are:
1. a coffee shop;
2. a shoe-repair shop; and
3. a photo-developing place..
All are typical privately-owned businesses, ordinary and somewhat bland
So what’s so inappropriate about a well-dressed mannequin (and…shouldn’t that be “womanequin”?) dressing-up the place?
We have a major problem with hoarder Hans Honschar locking his stuff to bike racks, and sidewalk sheds on West 72nd St between Columbus and Broadway. He also locks his stuff (found tables, chairs, carts, etc.) to bike racks on the West side of Columbus Ave between 72nd and 73rd. It’s a real problem because those bike racks are not available for bikes now, plus the random items he locks are an eyesore. He’s gotten much bolder over the past 6 months. I assume people on that block feel the mannequin would encourage others (like him) to store their belongings on the street. We just had a major cleanup on Colubmus and 76th due to a different hoarder. Let’s not tolerate or encourage this behavior.
What would a mannequin have to do with encouraging a hoarder from locking items to bike racks??
Wasn’t there scaffolding over the store’s original location at some point? I clearly remember dodging aggressive panhandlers on that block and there were times when I would have missed the store entirely if I hadn’t spotted the mannequin. I’m really curious as to who would have reported it. : (
There goes the neighborhood! Fake people don’t like it when they are confronted with people actually more fake than they are.
Oh Please! What the hell is wrong with people?! The mannequin has been a mainstay of The Paperhouse! How does it ruin and inappropriate for the block or neighborhood?! I swear, some people just like to complain about the most ridiculous things.
Glad she’s gone, she was so tacky!
… and we know who complained!
What nonsense to complain about her. She was a calm, pleasant presence on the busy sidewalk.
Imagine complaining about a mannequin! Even if I hated it, I truly can’t imagine making a stink. Can we please hold on to whatever character remains in this neighborhood, or nah?
Inappropriate?!? Puleeeezzzz………..
AND – someone says “not appropriate “ and automatically gets their way? That’s its own issue.
Let her do her job! Paper House had to move one block north because of high rents. What else is new? The mannequin was a symbol of this cute store which offers so many things other stores do not and it really helps it stand out to passers by. Bring the mannequin back!
Has the store offered a “calendar of
Events”. With some kind of time of year awareness. As I remember they had the same beat-up mannequin in the same tattered Super Woman/Girl costume for years. Clean it up!!!
I had kind of a thing for her — no wrinkles, no backtalk, etc. Is she for sale?
“Bill,” probably you’re aware of how this sounds to women, yet imagined it humorous. However, I think most of us do want Ms. House to be outside.
Why? What does not suitable mean?..Explanation please…
Bring them back. Call it a trans mannequin. No wait…
New Yorkers have to put up with toxic air of all kinds. And with all the chaos (gotta love it) I never even noticed her. Or maybe I did, subliminally. A thing of beauty. Bring it back!
I feel she’s 1000% appropriate for the neighborhood. AMOF her pose and attire remind me Bob Fosse dancers, Margery Beddow in particular. I vote she is restored to her rightful position! and thank you, Lese Dunton for making us aware of this situation which I, for one, hope will be rectified and soon.
I’ve been shopping at the Paper House for years. Always find something for any party occasion there, plus the people who work there are always pleasant. I was so happy that he managed to stay in the neighborhood.
The mannequin never bothered anyone for the many years it stood between 72nd and 73rd. Now one block uptown is too good for her?? Please! For years, that block felt almost desolate by comparison to 72nd/73rd. Except for the old flower shop that was there (not the current one, but the one that used to have a calico cat who slept in a basket in the window), there was almost nothing special there.
At least, the Paper House could put her up just inside the entrance of the new store location. No one should be able to complain about that.
Sometimes I read these comments for no other reason than to remind myself 1) why I live in NYC and get to enjoy decades-long traditions as simple and uncomplicated as a beloved mannequin wearing a Wonder Woman costume reminding me where to go for All Necessary Party Things as well as unique and silly gifts, right around the corner, and 2) that as New Yorkers, we bathe in the glory of rubbing elbows with people from all over the world, from different cultures, with different skin tones and backgrounds, and 3) that i
f this bothers you it’s time for an old folks home.
YOUR BEING WAY TOO UPTIGHT – IT’S JUST A LITTLE FUN