WATERTOWN — Robin Stokes of Naugatuck was shopping at Joey’s Army Navy Store with her husband and grandson on Thursday when she learned it would be closing on April 16 after an 82-year history.
Stokes shouted in dismay. By the end of her visit, she was in tears.
Pointing to a U.S. Army hat with the name Holmes written on the tag inside, she said her husband Michael Stokes found it on the shelves of the store. It was the closest they have come to replacing Michael’s gear since it was all stolen when their previous home in Waterbury was broken into seven years ago, she said.
“I can see you over 40 years ago. It’s been over 40 years. I remember pressing out those clothes,” she said, after he donned the hat and saluted her. “I always felt pride doing it because I had an Army man. Nobody can take away his memories.”
Over the years, the Stokes have come to Joey’s to buy various items from pants to uniforms and hats to sneakers and a hoodie. Finding the hat the same day they heard the news of the impending closure of a business that has been a Waterbury area icon since 1943, gave it additional meaning.
“It’s the right size; it’s the right color; it’s the right era,” Robin said, her voice choking. “It’s the right everything. It’s the closest that he could get.”
“It was meant to be,” Michael chimed.
The find was made all the more special when store owner Kristen Hyduchak gifted Michael the hat, “because he’s a veteran.”
Hyduchak, who lives in Middlebury, said she will miss her veterans most. “My veterans, I love my veterans,” she said.
As they gathered their purchases, including a military helmet for their grandson, 12-year-old Nathan, the Stokes said they were sorry to see the store go.
That’s been the mantra of customers coming in the store since word spread of the end to the era, Hyduchak said.
“I’ve had more customers in this one morning than I’ve had in the past three weeks,” she said.
Hyduchak bought the business in July 2020. While she was able to get through the effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on the economy, the latest downturn has hit her harder.
“People have to choose between buying a dozen eggs and a pair of BDUs,” she said referring to battle dress uniforms.
The business first opened out of the back of a station wagon during World War II, according to a news release.
The quality offerings, including used military supplies, repurposed factory rejects, and overstock filled a niche, according to the news release. The original owner — Hyduchak only knows his first name was Ray — would drive to farms and other customers selling what he could, capitalizing on military surplus.
Ray opened his first storefront on Lakewood Avenue in Waterbury, calling it Ray’s Army Navy Store. The shop has since moved twice, including to a space on Main Street in Watertown, and its present location on Depot Street, where it has been open for 32 years.
Joseph F. D’Averso, who first worked in the shop when he was 15, purchased the business from Ray and changed the name to Joey’s.
Hyduchak said she met D’Averso at Roma’s Restaurant when she was in the market for a small business. He was considering selling the store and she made an offer.
Now that he store is closing, Hyduchak said she’s not sure what’s next for her.
“It breaks my heart to do this,” she said. “I need to take a deep breath and regroup.”
Joey’s Army Navy Store is open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special after-hour appointments are available by calling the store at 860-274-3278 or emailing Hyduchak at joeysarmynavy@optimum.net. For more information visit: https://joeys-army-navy.square.site.