NEW YORK — On East Houston Street, tucked between the noise and the hustle, sits the kind of old-school New York spot that reminds you why you fell in love with the city in the first place.<\/p>\n
Army & Navy Bags is less than 200 square feet, packed floor to ceiling. And at the center of it all, wearing his signature sandals, vest, T-shirt, and smile, is owner Henry Yao.<\/p>\n
“Thank you so much. Thank you. Oh my God,” Henry said as customers stepped inside.<\/p>\n
People don’t just shop here anymore, they visit Henry.<\/p>\n
“If you’re ever in New York and you don’t come see him,” one customer joked, “go back to wherever you came from.”<\/p>\n
When Joelle Garguilo walked in, Henry lit up.<\/p>\n
“Hello,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
“Hello,” Joelle replied.<\/p>\n
“Oh wow,” Henry said. “What a surprise.”<\/p>\n
That genuine excitement is what made the world fall in love with him. His story spread thanks to Nick Heller, better known as New York Nico, who began posting about Henry on social media.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes I fall asleep because nobody walking,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
“And then what happens?” Garguilo asked.<\/p>\n
“New York Nico. He says, ‘Henry, I think I can help you.’ A picture. Just a picture.”<\/p>\n
One photo changed everything.<\/p>\n
“Because of him, I survived,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
The attention came at a crucial moment, as small businesses across the city, including Henry’s, struggled through the pandemic. Now, people come not only to shop but to say hello, shake his hand, or even bring him lunch.<\/p>\n
“I saw it on TikTok,” one visitor said. “I came in and thought, this is really New York. Like, we know each other here.”<\/p>\n
Customers have traveled from Germany, even Australia, all drawn by Henry’s warmth.<\/p>\n
“My cousin said this man is like an oracle,” another customer said. “You’ll be blown away.”<\/p>\n
To understand Henry, you need to understand his journey.<\/p>\n
“Where did you grow up?” Garguilo asked.<\/p>\n
“China,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
“When did you come to the U.S.?”<\/p>\n
“When I was 19 years old.”<\/p>\n
“What was the dream?” Garguilo asked.<\/p>\n
“That time, China was tough. I was so lucky I had opportunity to come to the USA,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
The simplest things felt miraculous.<\/p>\n
“I never seen a refrigerator before,” he said. “Coca-Cola, right? First time I drink it, I thought, I’m in heaven. A cold thing was so, so cool.”<\/p>\n
Henry worked every job he could.<\/p>\n
“I just want my children to have better education,” he said.<\/p>\n
He has three kids, including a son named Nicholas.<\/p>\n
“I named him Nicholas because I love Nicholas’s voice,” Henry said of singer Nicholas Tse. “So special.”<\/p>\n
Eventually, Henry opened this tiny shop.<\/p>\n
When I started, I thought, a little too small,” Henry said. “But I know if you treat people with respect, they remember. A store may be ugly, small, but people still love and support. It’s small but sincere.”<\/p>\n
For 22 years, he has made it work.<\/p>\n
“I have passion about military stuff,” he said. “The soldier uses the bag as fuel, it must last.”<\/p>\n
But Henry is now facing new challenges, including rising tariffs and increasing rent.<\/p>\n
“It’s almost 200 square feet,” He said.<\/p>\n
“And the rent’s over $7,000 a month?” Garguilo asked.<\/p>\n
“Yeah,” Henry said.<\/p>\n
Still, he refuses to raise prices, and he doesn’t want donations or handouts. What he wants is customers.<\/p>\n
“New York, we accept everybody,” he said. “New Yorkers are not just friendly, they’re hard too. They show love. Other places, you dress a little weird and people look at you different, but New York, no. We accept you, no matter who you are.”<\/p>\n
So if you’re ever on East Houston Street, stop by Army & Navy Bags. Say hi to Henry, because in a city that’s constantly changing, some things, and some people, are worth holding onto.
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