QueensPost
Jan. 16, 2018 By Christian Murray
An independent sports store that has been on Steinway Street for nearly 40 years is closing.
Atlantic Center & Sports, located at 32-90 Steinway Street, will be shutting its doors at the end of March, according to Angela Kapatos whose father owns and operates the sporting goods store.
The store, which specializes in hunting and fishing gear, was opened by Kapatos’ father, Nick Kapatos, in the early 1980s. The store has changed very little over the years, with the interior and awning remaining the same.
The landlord recently told Nick Kapatos that he wanted to raise the rent, Angela said, and that now he is in his 70s he decided to close. Nick, who lives in Astoria, is originally from Greece and moved to the United States in his early 20s.
“When the store opened it was very popular and there was nothing like it in the community,” Angela said.
She said that business has tapered off over the years.
“My dad’s going to retire,” she said. “But at least he’s retiring with the knowledge that he outlasted Sports Authority.”
Sports Authority closed in 2016.
