Diamond Anniversary Marked Aug. 11 by Hoy’s 5&10

STONE HARBOR — Institutions like Hoy’s 5&10 on 96th Street, marking its diamond anniversary this year, are remembered fondly by customers and employees. During its milestone celebration, large “anniversary cards” were signed by employees and workers.
They were displayed behind a large white anniversary cake adorned with an edible photo of the famed store at an Aug. 11 luncheon at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor.
Some sentiments by employees stated that working at Hoy’s was the best job they ever had. Another recognized the great co-workers and friendships that resulted from the job.
Customers wrote of their enjoyment at the wide selection of toys enjoyed by their children as well as other merchandise.
As a token of appreciation, David Hoy, owner, hosted a luncheon At that time, Hoy expressed gratitude to those who made the milestone possible, and who continue to help make the store a viable part of the community.
One of those events during the borough’s annual Sail into Summer Coastal Living Festival, held May 7 this year, is a treasure hunt on the 96th Street beach when Hoy’s employee “pirates” bury treasure for youngsters.
Hoy’s employees who dress as pirates to make the day memorable for youngsters, and they embrace the long-standing, season-opening tradition.
Another recent Hoy memory took place last November, during Christmas in Stone Harbor. That event was a Chamber of Commerce sponsored, when merchants united to become part of a fanciful town from the movie “A Christmas Story.”
Hoy’s renamed itself Higbee’s for that Nov. 26-27 celebration. That brief renaming surprised long-time customers and townspeople. What had happened to Hoy’s 5&10? It was there earlier that week, they said.
Hoy then realized just how many loyal customers he had who told him they were “surprised and upset” over the “new” store in town. It was not a new store, he reassured them. It was Hoy’s, but the Higbee’s sign was there as part of that theme for Christmas in Stone Harbor – An Island Holiday.
For that weekend, Hoy’s became part of a 1983 movie “A Christmas Story.” The film, which attained “cult” status, centers around a 1940s-era Hammond, Ind. Parker family whose elder son, Ralphie, wants only one thing for Christmas, a Red Ryder BB gun.
No other shop in the borough reported then such an uproar as did Hoy’s, seeming to underscore the esteem in which the public holds the store.
“It got people talking,” said Hoy, at the time. “I learned a lesson how many very local customers we have. We’ve been in business a long time, and we appreciate that business,” he said.