When Mayor David Roberts was sworn in last Friday, United Decorating was there – as it has been for every inauguration for the past century.
After draping their red, white and blue bunting around City Hall, the small, family-owned business once again left a visible mark on a mayor’s induction.
With a hand-painted wooden facade that has changed very little over the years, United Decorating at 421 Washington St. has been one of Hoboken’s most distinct landmarks since it opened 106 years ago.
America was quite a different place back in 1899, when United Decorating Co. first opened. That year, President William McKinley rode in an automobile for the first time, and shoppers could purchase a pound of chicken for 6 cents. Electric trolleys buzzed up and down Washington Street. The waterfront bustled with longshoremen, bars and passengers waiting to depart on their transatlantic journeys.
Despite the major changes in the city since then, the small decoration and costume store has still managed to keep its foothold.
A family affair
For five generations, the Kirchgessner family has minded the shop, making it the oldest family-owned business in the city. Today, it is run by 57-year-old Bill Kirchgessner, but it was originally opened by Kirchgessner’s great-grandfather, Robert. It was passed down to his son William, and then to William’s son George, who was behind the counter for more than 50 years, until he passed away in 2001.
According to Kirchgessner, his son Brian, 31, has shown an interest in carrying the business into the fifth generation.
“I think the real secret to making it work is that you a have to change with the times,” said Kirchgessner. “In fact, for a long time, the store specialized in renting costumes for masquerade balls. But, as we all know, the day of the masquerade ball is long gone now, so we have had to adapt. Now we have evolved to a point where we still sell costumes, but now are real active in the selling of flags and other decorations.”
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