Learn More About Lusco Paper Company

The owner Paul Rapp, used to to bring Susan and her sister Paula to the warehouse of Lusco Paper Company. So you might say Susan learned the business from the ground floor up! Today, Susan runs the day-to-day of the company which includes soliciting new customers, taking orders, and receiving incoming and outgoing stock. Susan Rapp is the first point of contact at Lusco Paper Company. Basically she has a hand in every corner of the business.

 

So where did the name Lusco come from? Shortly after WW I, William Luedemann, Seneca M. Shaffer and Jenny Youmans started their own business: Luedemann-Shaffer and Company. They sold grocer’s supplies like butcher paper and twine from their building in Troy at 419 River Street between King and Jacob Streets. By 1924, they formed Lusco Paper Company, Inc. with the description of “paper dealers.” In 1928, Joseph Rapp was employed as a salesman and two years later he was named Treasurer. Lusco Paper moved in 1929 to 141 River Street where currently the Taylor Apartments are located. By 1933, he was elected President/Treasurer. Twenty years later in 1953, Lusco moved to 1401 Fifth Avenue (site of the former Liberty Street Garage) where we find them today in the Little Italy neighborhood. Economic growth flourished in the Fifties and by 1968, Paul F. Rapp, Joseph’s son, was appointed Vice President joining his uncle, William P Rapp who had worked in the company since 1932.

Today, Lusco Paper Co. operates a thriving paper products supply business. They generate over $1M in sales with over 1500 different line items in stock, serve 500 local businesses within a 50 mile radius of Troy, and provide employment to local residents. In recent years, with the mandated shift away from plastics and Styrofoam, they have met the challenge of change. They carry a full range of restaurant, bakery, janitorial, office supplies, as well as various chemicals and cleaning supplies.

They sell wholesale, but all of their products are available at retail prices too. Just walk in the office door located at Liberty Street, right across from the Historic Marketplace, and buy what you need. Chances are that Sue will greet you at the counter. During the pandemic, Lusco helped local people struggling to find toilet paper, disinfectants, wipes, infra-red thermometers. All of this was in short supply at the big box stores. But Lusco was here to help when they could. Support your local businesses — they really care about you!


The front lobby still has an original glass front cabinet. Like a Curiosity Cabinet it is filled with unique Lusco products and memorabilia that they sold. There’s a carton used for Tully’s Ice Cream, and a mini megaphone for RPI’s Big Red Freak Out, a hockey team tradition like Mardi Gras. You can also see a myriad of shapes and sizes of now vintage Styrofoam containers. It’s a mini history of Troy right in our neighborhood.


And did you know that there is a Lusco Food Pantry open 24/7? Sue had an exterior cabinet built and attached to the building on Liberty Street, a few feet from the office door. She stocks the pantry as do some other local residents. The beneficiaries are local people who walk our streets and need some basic food items, like bread, non-perishable canned items, and pots and pans as well. You can help your neighbors, Spread the word. Fill the pantry directly, or walk in and give Sue your donations. You can contact Lusco at the above phone number, walk in, or email your questions: www. lusco.paper.troy@att.net and also on Facebook.

To speak with our team about our cleaning or food service supplies, call us at 518-274-4061 in Troy, NY.

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