Owner Daniel DeCongelio said the store has been a major part of his life since childhood.
"It means the world to me because it started off as a young boy that grew up in Hoboken and hung out at the store," DeCongelio said.
DeCongelio later earned a degree in accounting and helped the store's former owner manage financial matters while continuing to spend time at the business.
"I was still here on Saturdays, helping him with his payroll and paying bills, and it just grew and grew," he said.
In 1996, DeCongelio purchased the store, which originally opened in 1946.
"Down it went. Borrowed all the money in the world. Bought the store. You know, my wife didn't sleep for a couple of months. But you know what? That's what it was," he said.
Under his ownership, Stan's became a destination for Hoboken school sports gear and other athletic equipment. DeCongelio said the relationships built with customers became one of the most meaningful aspects of running the business.
"It's a special place. So many relationships that came out of here with children, everybody. I mean, it's... it's really like a family," he said.
One customer described the store as an important part of the community.
"It's an institution. It's sad. It's almost like, you know, it brings tears to my eyes," the customer said. "The identity of the town is now changed."
As the retail landscape has evolved, DeCongelio said more customers are choosing to shop online.
"I think a lot of people are going online to purchase items rather than going out and actually going to the store," he said.
Although the storefront is closing, Stan's will continue operating online through a warehouse business in Boonton run by DeCongelio's children.
Reflecting on his career, DeCongelio said he has no regrets.
"I would never do anything else. I said every day was not coming to work. It was going to Stan's. I was going home every day. I enjoyed every minute of it," he said.
He said he will miss interacting with customers.
"I like to go and hug people and, you know, make them feel at home because, it is what it is. But like I said, you know, time has come to move on a little bit, so I'll go," DeCongelio said.
Looking ahead, he plans to spend more time with his wife and grandchildren while helping his children keep Stan's in business.
"Hey, I think my wife's upset a little bit more than me. I heard her crying this morning. I said, 'Jodi, why are you crying? It's a good thing. It's a new chapter.' I said, 'now we could take a few days, I don't have to worry about the store,'" he said. "She's saying, 'oh my god, I got to put up with him six days a week.'"
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