House of Cards & Curiosities

Resin-cast fruit bats, yodeling pickle pens, gorilla erasers and T-Rex belt buckles. Like a Spencers with savoir faire, HCC purveys relevant kitsch in synch to modern tastes.

No f@*+ jokes here, and a surprisingly refreshing turn from an overwhelmingly Fred or Accoutrement novelties stash make it a fun walk through for passers-by. Just keep it snappy: there's only room for six in the store, a cluttered attic labyrinth of bumping shoulders and squeezing past.

The card selection is tremendous and I wanted to take a few home if I had any inkling of what important dates approached. And I'm not the type to by cards "just in case" - that's Martha Stewart antics, not D. Of notice as well, the array of critters (parts and whole) frozen in transparent plastic, similar to what Gomez Addams would keep in his cubicle when he eventually joins the corporate world as a CPA. This biggest draw is also the biggest downfall; a quick Google search on Comparative Animal Hearts showed the same mass-produced item being sold on eBay at a third of the price here. An extra buck or two for a craft card is fine, but a differential of $100 on a catalog item?

Something's gotta pay the rent, I guess. Just won't be me.

Hurry up, because this store is closing in the next two weeks or so!!
50% OFF! (except for postcards).

You won't find Little Nell here, but it is a cute little shop with all sorts of curiosities: skeleton cookie cutters, skull beads, bits of glittery rocks, circular playing cards, tarot cards, bird skeletons encased in plastic, tattoo oven mitts, teeny tiny plastic animal menagerie, a ceiling full of Chinese lanterns and tin devils/angels along with several displays of arty, smarmy and snarky postcards.

Whee!

Stopped in here today after a great brunch down the block.

While I didn't purchase anything, this place has the funniest greeting cards for all occasions that I've seen anywhere.

Like the "Wicked itch of the Yeast", picturing a cartoon witch straddling a broom and scratching her hoo hoo madly.

In addition they have a wide assortment of "day of the dead" skeletons and hand carved small bone pieces in various skull like or scary formats.

Just fun and friendly, if you're into that kind of stuff. It's a nice diversion.

It's a little tight in here, but they are friendly, and cram a lot of stuff into a small space.

I am beyond sad to learn you are closing! For the last 10 years this has been my go to for cool cards and interesting gifts.
Dear NYC, I love you, but you're breaking my heart. I get it, I get it, the rents have to keep going up/ but if we loose all that makes this city so wonderful- what's the point?!

This cluttered shop is perfect for gift giving, little thank yous, and forget me nots. This afternoon, I stepped out to do some last-minute Christmas shopping, and this was great. I got some little items for C., some miniature little business men (yes, they're both!) for the guys I work with, and other assorted accoutrements. And I was tempted by a giant foam rubber frog for my desk at work. Let it go because it cost $22. Some day!

Their card selection is out of control. They have a great selection of seasonal cards near the entrance, and more general purpose cards and blank cards further into the shop. And the handmade and signed artist cards are beautiful. Just can't rationalize $5 for a greeting card, you know?

Experienced an interesting exchange between the shopkeeper and what might have been one of his vendors. Apparently, a small printing operation sent House of Cards an invoice earlier in the month. They've yet to pay it. The vendor called back to rip into one of the people working at the store, and the store's owner was calling back to express his displeasure.

"Tell them that I'm trying to sell their sh*t, that I don't appreciate that, and that I don't need to f*ck*n' do business with them if that's how it is. Could you pass that on? And confirm that they heard? Or have them confirm that they heard? Because it's the f*ck*n' holidays and I can't believe they called like that."

House of Cards may deal in cute knickknacks, but hoo, boy, don't push them. Especially at Christmas.

I send myself greeting cards. Is that weird? When I travel I mail myself a letter. Each birthday I send greetings about aging being a positive thing. I love getting holiday wishes from myself and yes I'm my most faithful Valentine. Getting mail that's not a bill, catalog or advertisement - it's fun. The envelope arrives and for a split second I actually forget that I sent it and my eyes widen with anticipation. Ok, maybe this is a little weird, but no matter.

Looking for something to send myself for Valentines is what took me to House of Cards and Curiosities. A small neighborhood store it's packed with greetings, novelties and items so useless that you have to have them and I love them for it.

The cards are pricy, but they are also worth it (well I'm worth it). There is a lot of hand made stuff and originality that actually feels original. My only complaint would be that there is so much stuff packed into every crevice of the place I couldn't reach many cards or even get to some of them because they were behind even more stuff.

Supporting shops like this, the places that give a neighborhood its character, is important. Just as important is buying yourself a little reminder that you are your biggest fan.

RIP this place was fun while it lasted. Prices weren't the best, but it was a lovely novelty that a place like this lasted as long as it did. You'll be missed in the neighborhood!

This minuscule shop on 8th Avenue and Jane caught my eye yesterday and it being Mother's Day and all, I thought I'd take a peek. And peek I did. Not much larger than a walk-in closet, HOC is jammed to the gills with unique greeting cards and knick knack gifts galore. It's easily to waste your money on Hallmark Holidays - what with the $5 price tag on Anne Geddes baby pimping paper, mini wind-up hearts and themed refrigerator magnet poetry it's really no wonder we Americans generate roughly 4.6lbs of garbage per person each day.

Not to say that these little gems won't bring a smile to grandma's lips or that you won't find that perfect gift for the West Villager who has everything. Best to satiate your curiosity and risk a trip through. After all, it won't take more than 60 seconds to take the tour.

This literally has to be the coolest and cutest card shop that I've ever been to. Incredibly cluttered, and sometimes a bit crowded, but everything is just so interesting. Lots and lots of cards, gift wraps, ribbons and of course, the curiosities which range from little baskets filled with gem stones or sea shells, miniature skeletal figures, sharks teeth, necklaces, pins, buttons, magnets and more. The only small downside is the fact that this little shop can be somewhat pricey. An 8 pack of christmas cards can run you at $17.95. Which is summed up by the fact that their cards are either imported, or made of fine materials, acid free or recycled paper, and/or soy based & organic inks. Other than that, its a wonderful place to get cards for the holidays, a birthday, or any sort of special event.

I noticed also that I somehow spent $27 on an 8 pack of Christmas cards and wrap that contained only 4 sheets.

Lovely and inventive greeting cards and curios. With a huge selection of gay themed cards. They do need better sympathy cards and kid cards.

The one big drawback here is the owner, who has a hugely paraniod and grumpy demeanor. This man is a committedly dour guy. You almost hate to give him business sometimes. I've been coming here for 25 years. Do you think that would garner a smile, or even a hello? Nope.

If only the owner were nicer I'd spend more money, give him five stars and enjoy going there, instead of always having to take a deep breath before i enter, and buying what i need fast and getting out, pronto. I don't browse as he doesn't encourage it, which is too bad as he has lots of interestings items. Oh well...