Heinle’s new owner arrived by way of South America, New York City

He plans to maintain historic character of the business

By FRITZ MAYER

COCHECTON, NY — Paul Shin, the new owner of Heinle’s General Store, got a wistful look in his eyes when he spoke about his reason for leaving his native South Korea almost three decades ago.

“I went to South America in 1977 to go to soccer school.” Six months later, he suffered a serious injury, “and it was over,” he said.

Shin held various jobs in Argentina until 1986, when he moved to Los Angeles and got into the car-selling business. A few years later, he migrated to New York and signed up with the largest used-car dealership in the state. He had a crew of 10 working for him, but eventually the hustle of city life took its toll. Shin found himself seeking calmer environs. That led to a move to Orange County, from where he commuted to the day care center he opened in New Jersey.

Last year, he started a search for an even more serene place to work and live, and he found Heinle’s. He drove around the area a bit, and realized that he would have very little competition from nearby storeowners, because there are no other stores nearby. “The minute I walked in,” he said, snapping his fingers, “I knew, bang, this was it.” He took over the store on February 1.

Shin has made a few changes already. He lowered the price of gasoline. He said he does not expect to make money on gasoline, but hopes the lower price will attract more customers. He has added breakfast items and hot-lunch dishes to the menu.

But the changes will be limited. “I don’t want to change everything 100 percent because this is an historic business,” he said.

Shin has put his Orange County house on the market. For now, he commutes from Woodbury every day, where his eight-year-old son Andrew attends school. He plans to move to the area when his house is sold.

Shin gets help running the store from his wife, Anna, and his sister, Luna Lee. He said the potential of the store may not be enormous, but it’s enough to provide for him and his family.