Way back in 1984 Eric Bennett, a young penguin fanatic from Queens N.Y. filled out an application to open a penguin pushcart at the recently opened South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan. Knowing a good idea when they see one the Seaport jumped at the concept of an all - penguin paraphernalia pushcart, and on March 15th, 1985 Next Stop South Pole (later to become Penguin Place) opened its doors for the first time. The first item sold that historic morning was a box of penguin band-aids for $2.00 to a woman who stubbed her toe while unsuccessfully attempting to navigate the Seaport's uneven cobblestone sidewalk in her high heels. The rest, as they say is penguin retail history. By 1986 Eric had moved his penguin operation from a push cart to a 285 square foot kiosk in the Seaports old Fulton Market Building, and then a year later to a proper 550 square foot shop in the Seaports new Pier 17 complex (pictured below).  Later that year a sister Next Stop South Pole shop opened at the Inner Harbor (Harborplace) complex in Baltimore Maryland, as well launching the worlds first All-Penguin Mail Order Catalog.

As the years went on it became apparent that lots of people either really liked penguins or knew someone who did, and Next Stop South Pole would not be just another fly (even though penguins can't) by night operation.  The penguin inventory grew from a few dozen penguins to hundreds, and the NSSP catalog went from a black and white copy machine handout to an 8 page color glossy catalog with a mailing list in the thousands. In 1995 Eric took another unprecidented step (waddle) as he published his first issue of The Penguin Post, an all-penguin news, information and entertainment publication with no particular parameters, that was for like minded penguin lovers and collectors. The newsletter would tackle topics as diverse as penguin themed stamp collecting, penguins in advertising and penguins in music, or major, minor and amature sports teams with penguin logos, as well as stories about actual penguins in the natural, world etc.  The Penguin Post would publish 22 issues over the next 6 years eventually garnering over a 1,000 subscribers on every continent (including Antarctica).  Eventually it become a victim of it's own success, as the Post simply became too big for Eric to continue  publishing. "As much as I loved writing The Post, between the cost of printing, folding, collating, stuffing the envelopes, addressing, stamping and then mailing, it was simply too huge a job for a one man operation". Sadly, in 2002 Eric ceased publication of the Post, but  he has vowed to resume publishing the Penguin Post on-line, and if you waddle over the Penguin Post Section of this website, you'll be happy to see this has happened.

                                                                                                                                                          A new era literally began for Next Stop South Pole in 1997 with the launching of his Penguin Place website.  As Eric had a flipper in the virtual penguin world early, the combination of the positive on-line response with rising rents at the Seaport led Eric to waddle in the direction of going exclusively on-line.    The NYC Next Stop South Pole closed  it doors in June of 1999, and the Baltimore shop followed suit a mere 9 months later.  Eric then moved his entire penguin rookery to its present day location, a fifth floor 900 square foot loft overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge that is      affectionately (and appropriately) known as  "The Igloo".  

In the 20 plus years in business Eric has never offered or sold a non penguin item and claims to have never met a penguin or penguin lover he didn't like.

 Dear Eric,

 The Waddling Adelie tie and the braces arrived yesterday!! Yes, am absolutely thrilled - they are sooooo nice!! Excellent service to reach the UK so quickly as it was only a few days ago that I placed the order.
Have made sure my wife and daughters have your card and website address as inspiration for future Christmas and birthday presents!! Alas, it seems all the best penguin merchandise places are your side of the pond!!

 Many thanks again and sure we'll be doing business again!!

      Paul Austen (Happy Customer!)




Thanks! This is my third order with y'all, each has made my wife and daughter very happy. They both love Penguins, and yours is by far the best place on the web for such things. And you seem to ship so quickly, I really appreciate it.

     Regards,
 Tom


 

My order came yesterday. I couldn't believe it got here so fast! I love the penguin. Almost want to keep it for myself instead of giving it to my grandson for Christmas but I know that it will be his favorite present. hanks so much. You have a great store.

     Happy Holidays,
 April

I have ordered from your store over the past 5-7 years and just wanted to say thank you for such wonderful customer service & good quality products. Its always a pleasure doing business with you.

     Thanks again,
 Pamela Gladish




My order came yesterday. I couldn't believe it got here so fast! I love the penguin. Almost want to keep it for myself instead of giving it to my grandson for Christmas but I know that it will be his favorite present. hanks so much. You have a great store.

     Happy Holidays,
 April




Who knew penguins could fly!I just wanted to let you know I received my order today onTuesday that I placed on Saturday, super fast shipping!!Your site is by far the greatest penguin source out there.Ever since I found your site, Ihave beenable to provide my penguin loving girlfriend new and different presents every holiday/birthday.It is always a pleasure to do business with you, keep up the great work.

     -David T.


 Thanks so much for the order. I have never received an order so quickly! The items are great and it will really make our penguin party extra special. Glad we found your website, I will share it with our friends.

     S. Cook




Eric,

 I ordered the penguin umbrella earlier this week and it arrived today.

 I'm thrilled to bits with it! I was really impressed with how well you packed it, (bamboo? Ah yes, so it doesn't get squished !). I am very disappointed with one thing though, it's such a beautiful sunny day, I can't use it!

 I will certainly continue to order waddling delights from you. You have such a great web-site with lots of great stuff!

     Thanks a bunch!

 Jasmine




Hi Eric,

 Thank you again for letting us drop by. It really did make our time away special getting to see the all the penguins even if it was for a short period due to our taxi issue. Anyway the two new guys have settled in with rest of the collection as can be seen on the photo.

     Thanks again
 James & Jayne