Brine's Sporting Goods, The Oldest Of Its Kind In the U.S., Celebrates 150 Years

SUDBURY, MA—If you've needed a glove, a ball, a net, a cup....if you've ever worn a school uniform....chances are you've headed over to Brine's Sporting Goods at one time or another. In an economic climate where the brick and mortar family store is getting clobbered by the big boxes, Brine's is celebrating 150 years in business.

The first Brine's Sporting Goods opened in Cambridge in 1867 by the current owner Maura Brine Allen's great great grandfather James F Brine. Six generations later, the Brines still own and operate the stores.

"We even still have a James Brine IV working part time in our Sudbury location," said Sara Combs, store manager.

Brine's is located in Concord, which was established in 2002, and Sudbury, which opened in 1980. The company is recognized as the oldest sporting goods store in the United States.

"Our history started in Harvard Square, Cambridge, after being faced with declining patronage from college students," said Combs. "The Harvard Square store was moved to Belmont around 2004, which thus closed after Maura's brother and business partner Jim Brine III passed away from cancer in 2012. Maura is now the sole owner."

The goods and clothes sold at the original Brine's were made right in the store. At one time, there were six stores in the Brine family in and around Boston.

"Each store was independent of each other and each known for their excellent products and customer service. Some of the Brine family started manufacturing lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey goods in the early and mid 1900s and went on to become one of the biggest lacrosse companies in the country," said Combs.

Brine's specializes in local team uniforms/spirit wear, lacrosse, baseball, soccer, tennis, swimming, field hockey, supportive running shoes, women and men's apparel, Patagonia and The North Face.

"Our stores are known for their old time feel," said Combs. "We are nothing like your big box sporting goods store. We've been called all sorts of things...retro, quaint, old-fashioned, jammed packed...but that's our charm. In today's mega-chain world, we stand out with our knowledgeable staff, personal attention, and quality hand selected merchandise. The relationships we establish with our customers set us apart from other sporting goods stores in the area. People come in and stay loyal to our stores because of the services we provide them."

Combs adds that people still travel from Cambridge to the Concord location to deal with manager Bill Burke for a shoe fitting or racket stringing. For 35 years, people have been coming from miles away to have shoes fit by Bill Higgins, who just retired after 35 years with Brine's.

"Even though he's left his customers are still very loyal and come in to receive the same level of service he provided to them," said Combs. "People come in as just mere customers to our stores but leave as friends. It's a privilege to watch the children come through our doors and grow not only as athletes but people. We hope these relationships continue and last us another 150 years."

Photos submitted

Photo 1: Brine's hosts baseball singing for Billy's BASEBalls

Photo 2: Inside of the Sudbury store

Photo 3: Lincoln Subdury Youth Lacrosse Tournament last May

Photo 4: coupon