One week later and I'm back visiting another Staples location, store #653. I agree with another Yelper as the entrance was confusing to navigate. At first sight I did not know if the first floor was the retail, but there is a elevator which lead customers to the retail store. While I was sharing the elevator ride with a woman and her child, the child could not withhold her exuberance and euphoria who boisterously loud stated "I love Staples! I like shopping at Staples, YEAH!! We're going to shop in Staples, OH!" Unfortunately, the mother decided to put the kibosh with her daughter with "okay, OKAY don't get too excited now!!" Woman, let your daughter have her little enjoyment as it is the little moments in life shared that are remembered. What is wrong to exhibit excitement for a store while shopping? I remembered my childhood of shopping in a local non-corporate, Mom and Pop stationery store with my beloved family member (just the two of us) for a Chinese writing character book with Chinese calligraphy brush, which the purchase was not for me, but I accompanied and was very exuberant to observe and mesmerized of the brushes in the glass display. I always have a predication for stationery stores as I am enamored with paper, and particularly journals. I have been a loyal customer of Staples for five decades as I remember shopping for school supplies as a child including through college years in mid-August preparing for the new academic school year. I specifically remember the 1996 Staples "Back To School" TV ad using the song "The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" where a father of two children is elated dancing showing school supplies to his two morose disposition children. My purpose for this visit was to obtain one ream of copier paper $7.99 and one package of clear badge holders $10.99. My employer do not provide clear badge holders as I had previously used all of my stock. Clear plastic badge holders' lifeline is short as my daily grind usage shortens the time for normal wear and tear. I prefer badge holders with a zipper closure for securing the ID card in place when in usage. This Staples' price aligns to 2025 era as expected. Customer service is average as I was walking adrift for check-out, but I was suddenly directed by a sales associate. There was a line at the cashier, but moved moderately and I was armed with my Staples rewards card. This Staples location is very accessible via 4, 5, 6 trains at 86th Street/ Lexington Avenue which is one measly block in the direct vicinity. read more