The Bisanzo family believes that serving every customer as if he or she is the most valuable player has enabled Bruce Parks Sports to remain in Greenwich for 40 years.
Employees try to add a personal touch, whether they are greeting customers when they come in the door, wrapping a birthday or holiday gift, finding a suitable baseball glove or fitting lacrosse equipment or football cleats the right way, according to Chris Bisanzo. His father, Tom Bisanzo, 64, founded the store in 1971.
"The customer trusts us to take care of their son or daughter, so we have to do it right," said Tom Bisanzo, whose other son, Mark, is the store manager. "We have an amazing group of customers and we try to fit their needs as best as possible."
"It's always exciting to hear that a business is celebrating such a milestone," said Jeff Weber, chairman of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. "Bruce Park Sports has been a fixture in our community for so long and their commitment to quality and customer service is something that reflects positively on Greenwich."
To mark its anniversary, Bruce Park has placed sports equipment used by current and former employees -- football helmets, hockey gloves, jerseys, cheerleaders' pom poms and other memorabilia -- where customers and passers-by can see it.
The collection features hockey equipment from Cam and Tommy Atkinson, who played for Boston College when it won the 2010 NCAA championship. Cam Atkinson has signed to play for the National Hockey League's Columbus Blue Jackets.
"The window display is our way of giving back to those who have helped us along the way," Mark Bisanzo said. "There is so much story behind this store, and this is our unique way of telling it."
The story began in March 1971, when Greenwich native Tom Bisanzo decided to start his own business at age 24 at the corner of Bruce Park and Davis avenues near downtown.
From 1975 to 1993, the business was at 17 E. Elm St. in a storefront now occupied by Smart Kids educational toys. The shop relocated to its current home at 104 Mason St., at the corner of Lewis Street, 18 years ago. The current store has 1,100 square feet of retail selling area and plenty of parking, said Tom Bisanzo, who could be working there awhile longer.
"I enjoy what we do and I haven't given retirement a thought," he said. "The past 40 years have been a true treat for me."