After a lengthy run of over three decades, Redwood City's beloved House of Humor is packing up its wigs and novelty items as it faces an uncertain future. The costume store, a fixture in the community since it opened its doors 36 years ago, lost its lease and is looking for a new location. According to the San Mateo Daily Journal, longtime owner Mark Greenbaum has been overwhelmed with support from locals reeling from the news.
Originally a small magic shop, House of Humor bloomed under the leadership of Jack Greenbaum, who, surviving economic highs and lows and even the rise of big-box competitors, expanded the shop's offerings to include an eclectic mix of costumes and party supplies. After retiring 15 years ago, Jack Greenbaum passed the torch to his son. Mark Greenbaum has steadfastly maintained a commitment to in-store, face-to-face service – the shop, up till now, has not ventured into online sales. A sad day was for the well-loved manager, who had to inform the loyal customers of the closure announced by Instagram about the impending shutdown.
The closure comes from unsuccessful lease negotiations with the landlord, who, as Greenbaum claims, is asking for back payment on reduced rent agreed upon during the COVID-19 pandemic. "I would love to stay in this location but I think the damages he's asking for make it impossible to negotiate and stay here. At this point, we're just too far apart but I wouldn't say no to negotiating," Greenbaum told the San Mateo Daily Journal. Despite the setback, he hopes to find a new space and reopen the store by this summer.
Greenbaum reflects on the store's impact as the community rallies around House of Humor, sharing their collective disappointment and fond memories. "It's affecting the community more than I thought it would. It's a wonderful feeling but, simultaneously, it's so sad being forced out," Greenbaum said, expressing his sentiments, found by thousands of costumes at 50% off until the end of February. And while the current situation is fraught with challenges, Greenbaum and his loyal manager Lucas Araujo, who started only a year ago after emigrating from Brazil, are focused on the future. Both are grateful for the shared stories and customers' emotional attachment to the store. In an interview obtained by SFGATE, Greenbaum said, "It's pretty amazing, how the community has reached out."
With all merchandise on sale and the shop's inventory soon to be moved into storage, House of Humor prepares for its final bow at its current location. The sentiments in the community, however, suggest that this is not an end but rather a transition for a much-cherished local enterprise. House of Humor, a cherished Redwood City staple, is memorable to generations of shoppers, reflecting upon the closure, as one commenter lamented on social media. With the search for a new home for the store underway, many are hoping that House of Humor will soon raise its curtains again in Redwood City or somewhere worthy on the Peninsula.
