48 years of growth, service and vision

Although The Paradies Shops was officially founded in 1960, the company’s family history and culture was born nearly a century ago.

In 1911, I. J. Paradies traveled to Atlanta from South Africa to visit his ill sister. Attracted by the vast opportunities of the growing South, I. J. decided to give up ranching in South Africa and set up shop in America. He entered into a very successful venture in the wholesale grocery business.

In 1942, I. J. left the grocery business to form Paradies and Company, a wholesale distributor of housewares and toys. By 1952, sons Dan and Jim had come on board to help run the family business.

Paradies & Co. had become the largest distributor of Corningware in the U.S. and the company was sold in 1980.

In the late 1950’s, Dan Paradies received a call from Atlanta Mayor Bill Hartsfield inquiring about the possibility of opening a store at the then Atlanta Municipal Airport. The idea intrigued Dan, and in 1960, the family company opened a toy store at the airport. Other locations soon followed at New York’s La Guardia Airport and Washington’s Dulles International Airport.

The Paradies Shops was born.

Today, the company operates more than 450 stores in over 70 locations across the United States and Canada. The Paradies Shops also has off-airport locations in Orlando, Houston, Atlantic City and Atlanta.

In addition to operating both traditional newsstands and specialty stores, The Paradies Shops has exclusive licensing agreements with such entities as PGA TOUR Shops, Brooks Brothers, CNBC, The New York Times Company and Brighton Collectibles. The company also operates other brands such as Harley-Davidson and has partnerships with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Big Ten Conference, the Big 12 Conference and the Georgia Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium.

Growing the business through the competitive process, The Paradies Shops has enjoyed 48 consecutive years of sales growth and profitability. The company’s growth and reputation in the airport industry alone is a testament to the longevity and loyalty of its dedicated leadership and team members.

I. J. Paradies’ entrepreneurial vision remains true to this day, and his spirit continues with grandson Gregg Paradies now guiding the business. With plans to open more than 100 stores annually, The Paradies Shops remains committed to offering the traveling public and all its customers the extraordinary shopping experience they deserve … and continuing to be the leader in the airport concession industry.