In 1899, United Decorating opened for business at 421 Washington St. in Hoboken, helmed by Robert Kirchgessner, a German immigrant and stonecutter.
To put the longevity of the still-running business in context, that year the United States signed a peace treaty ending the Spanish-American War, young newsboys of New York City went on strike, and Ernest Hemingway was born in Oak Park, Ill.
In those days, the store decorated themed balls at the Palace Gardens in Oddfellows Hall across the street and outfitted backroom dancers at local cafes.
“We’ll be open until the streets start to get crazy.” – William Kirchgessner
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“Over the years, the store provided a lot of different things,” said William Kirchgessner, the great-grandson of Robert. “As time goes on, you have to evolve.”
Wearing of the green
This weekend, United is supplying busloads of Irish-for-a-day revelers with shamrock shot glasses, leprechaun buttons, and all other sorts of Celtic-based garb.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade brings one of the biggest crowds into Hoboken; not only for the parade, but for the after-party.
It’s no matter to Kirchgessner why they come, just that they come.
“It’s a very, very big weekend,” Kirchgessner said. “It’s a big month for us.”
He said his store’s prices will be one-third of the prices on the roaming carts around town.
United will open its doors at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 6 for the annual Hoboken St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but when the doors close is up in the air. “We’ll be open until the streets start to get crazy,” Kirchgessner said.
Changing times
Kirchgessner, a fourth-generation owner of United Decorating, lives in Carlstadt, N.J. where he runs his truck repair business.
He said his family business in Hoboken has changed their focus through the years.
In the early years, popular floral decorations gave way to red, white, and blue bunting and banners.
The store dealt primarily with costume rentals when Kirchgessner was growing up; he would help his grandparents tend shop as Halloween approached.
Costume balls, like the Hoboken Historical Museum’s Masked Masquerade, were popular at the time.
Unfortunately, his grandfather had major difficulties retrieving the costumes, and was forced to track people down.
Novelty gag gifts were also popular, but his father phased them out after some police officers complained of stink bombs and other pranks kids were pulling in the schools.
Kirchgessner became more involved in the store just before 9/11, and he said soon after the tragedy, people became disinterested in dressing up.
He shifted the focus of the store again to the memorabilia and custom t-shirt shop that it is today.
Through the years, they have always had an extensive array of flags, Kirchgessner said, and the pennants have always been big sellers.
After 111 years, Kirchgessner said his store has felt the squeeze of a downturned economy, but survives nonetheless.
“There’s always a need,” he said. “It just depends on how well [the merchandise is] received by the public.”
Kirchgessner said his son has shown interest in the store, which means a fifth generation of Kirchgessners may be carrying on the tradition of keeping Hoboken well decorated for years to come.
Timothy J. Carroll may be reached at tcarroll@hudsonreporter.com.