The Ma Family and Janoff's

New York City's Janoff's stationery store is a hidden gem of rare new-old stock from the 1980s and '90s.

- BARRY GABAY

Hong Shou Ma represents the American Dream: a naturalized U.S. citizen who arrived in this country with very little materially but with a heart full of integrity and ambition. Since his arrival more than a half-century ago, he has hard and raised a family, while his business, Janoff's Stationers, has become an integral and much-loved part of a New York City, New York neighborhood.

Born and educated in Taiwan, Ma arrived in California in 1965 with a student visa, $100, a Sheaffer Triumph fountain pen, and a new wrist watch from his father. He worked seven nights a week to pay tuition and living expenses and sent money home to his parents.

Ma reflects, "I received my MS degree, but I wanted different opportunities. I was offered a job in Taiwan, but I already loved the United States and was beginning to think of myself as an American."

He came to New York City, where he continued working long hours and sending money to his parents. After becoming a U.S. citizen, he returned home, married his sweetheart, and the two settled in New York City. With borrowed funds, he bought a small candy store in Queens. Think of a drug store without a pharmacy: a tiny kitchen for short-order sandwiches and snacks, fountain drinks, candy, magazines, newspapers, stationery, notebooks, and a pay phone booth. The Mas worked hard, and their egg creams became renowned in the neighborhood.

On one trip downtown, Ma saw another candy store owner buying Parker fountain pens and ballpoints. Ma thought he, too, could sell a few pens.