LHS-O'Shea Athletic Outfitters

[DarkStar50 679]

These are some old photos I found from the mid 90s. Don't worry mods, I'm not whoring my store. This place is out of business. I worked here for over 20 years. O'Shea Athletic Outfitters was in River Edge, NJ. They were in business from 1968 until about 2003.

I spent a lot of time in front of this Fleming Gray machine. The exhaust system is the separate unit with all the stickers on it. This machine was a beast.

Mid 90s wall of hockey gear.

Looking up from the back of the store.

Rollerblades and the stick rack, all woodies. The skates are on the white stands in the bottom of the picture.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

LOL, I see my first senior-sized shinpads on that wall (Cooper SG700 with the red ankle piece) and my CURRENT shinpads (Jofa 3175)

CCM Tacks with Revolver Chassis! Great memories in those pics...thanks.

[flyers10 57]

I miss the mom & pop owned sporting good stores where the owners truly knew about the equipment they sold.

[DarkStar50 679]

This was a classic mom and pop store. It was started in 1968 by Gerry Cosby's brother, John. It was the place in northern New Jersey to buy hockey gear for a long, long time. Once Sports Authority and Modell's moved in to the area, it was the beginning of the end. People shopped price, not service. Could be the future for your LHS with online shopping now.

[Ltrain 0]

This was a classic mom and pop store. It was started in 1968 by Gerry Cosby's brother, John. It was the place in northern New Jersey to buy hockey gear for a long, long time. Once Sports Authority and Modell's moved in to the area, it was the beginning of the end. People shopped price, not service. Could be the future for your LHS with online shopping now.

I got lots of stuff there growing up. I never knew the Cosby's connection. I just remember it was the only place around to get authentic Jerseys other than Cosby's. My dad would always drive right past it on Kinderkamack. I think the only other place I bought gear from was a place called Bob Peck's in Whiteplains (the old guy there sounded like Jackie Mason when he talked) and maybe a rare trip to Canada. Cool pics. Brings back fond memories.

-L

[Ltrain 0]

I spent a lot of time in front of this Fleming Gray machine. The exhaust system is the separate unit with all the stickers on it. This machine was a beast.

Didn't you guys also have a Cag One or some sort of auto skate sharpener at the front of the shop?

[DarkStar50 679]

We used to have a heat-press machine at the front for #'s and transfers. That is a pretty good memory you have. I would never, ever use a Cag One machine. Our Fleming Gray had the motor replaced a few times. We used to have to take the table top to a grinder to have them grind it flat and true every few years. The table would get a belly impression in front of the finishing wheel from the fine grit/dust getting underneath the skate holder. the thousands and thousands of skate passes in front of the wheel would eventually create a slight enough dip that the table had to be corrected. The table top weighed a few hundred pounds. It was a bitch to to take apart and then carry out of the shop. Also, cleaning that exhaust system with the baffles was a job from hell. The amount of grinding dust in there was ridiculous. That machine was purchased in the late 60s.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

MSH member nealbroten is in NYC right now, staying across the street from MSG. Told her to go check out Cosby's - she saw it but didn't go in - talk about a timewarp. Last time I was in there they wanted full price for Christian aluminum sticks, amongst other things.

[DarkStar50 679]

JR, Cosby's moved out of the MSG location. I've heard they hardly sell any gear anymore. I bought my first Koho 221 woody there in early 70s. It was a 5 lam style shaft construction. Cosby's used to have everything. All overpriced! There selection of Rangers reject woodies was always fun to search through.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

I know they did. They are around the corner.

[SirJW 207]

I think the Cosby's move it temporary until the MSG renovation is complete.

[JR Boucicaut 3801]

It is. They are redoing the whole plaza, that's why Cosby's moved.