Terminal Tackle Lures Fishermen to Main Street

A Kings Park fishing store has kept its door open for 25 years on Main Street with an inventory of unique products despite pressure from "big box" stores. 

John Richy, owner of Terminal Tackle, has a small storefront at 120 Main Street since 1988 stocked with fishing lures, hooks, nets and everything a person could need to head out to the bluffs on a Saturday afternoon. 

"There is no place on Long Island where the fishing isn’t good. If people aren't catching fish, it's because they don’t know what they are doing," Richy said. 

The storeowner said he has sports fisherman come in from the East End, New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut to buy what they need to hook the next big catch. He also sells to commercial fisherman and charter boats. 

However, fishing isn't as popular a hobby as it used to be, according to Richy. 

"In the early 80s, if you went down Old Dock Road on a nice sunny Saturday afternoon in July, cars with trailers would be parked up the street to the traffic light at St. Johnlands" he said. "I took a drive down there this past Saturday in the middle of the afternoon, the parking lot was maybe one-third full." 

He's seeing fewer customers from the Kings Park area over the years and has watched more than 20 fishing shops close up. Terminal Tackle relies on direct mail orders and Internet sales to turn a profit. 

Meanwhile, local competition from "big box" stores such as Sports Authority, Wal-Mart, and Modell’s Sporting Goods and recently a Dick's Sporting Goods in Commack has increased the pressure on the local store.  

"If you are looking for fishing equipment, these not the best places to buy it. It’s impossible to convince people of that," Richy said. 

Instead, he said Terminal Tackle often is visited by people who purchased equipment but aren't sure how to use it or why they aren't catching fish. Then, Richy doles out personal advice based on long-term experience. 

"We do our best to help them out. Most of the time it helps if they are willing to listen," he said. 

As a long-time Main Street business owner, Richy said he misses when Main Street was busy with local stores - and owners he knew personally.  He keeps his store as a convenience for customers, but admits there might be a day when he closes shop for good. 

"The day might come where I just close the door. That’s just an economic decision."