Century-Old Business To Close In Somerset County

BOUND BROOK, NJ — After 107 years, Efinger Sporting Goods in Bound Brook is closing its doors for good.

"The decision to close was not easy at all," said Tom Hoey, third generation owner of Efinger. "It was very difficult to do."

The store announced its closing Friday via Facebook. Doors will officially close by the end of the year.

Efinger opened in 1909 and was New Jersey's oldest and largest family-owned sporting goods stores. It was also one of Americas largest team dealers.

Hoey pointed to the change in the retail environment in the country for Efinger's demise.

"Number one the internet and number two, a number of suppliers have their own stores and now we are competing against our biggest suppliers," Hoey said of what caused Efinger to close.

This year, 2016, marked Efinger's 107th year in business. The legacy started with Hoey's grandfather. He opened the store on Main Street in Bound Brook as a place that sold cigars, newspapers and also had a bowling alley and pool hall.

Eventually the business started selling fishing tackle and that's when the family got into the sporting goods industry.

After getting flooded with nine feet of water in 1972, Efinger moved to the top of Thompson Avenue near Route 22 where they opened a tavern.

Eventually a supermarket, where Efinger is currently located, closed and they took over the space in the late 1970s.

A liquidation sale began Friday to clear out inventory.

Hoey and his partner Evan Greenburg are actively looking to rent out the space. A Good Will store will open in the adjacent building.

(Image via http://efingersports.com/)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.