Irwin Rausch, who opened the store in November of 1951, said the sale of the building prompted the closing. He also said he would remain a resident of New Jersey but would spend his time fishing and playing golf.
Although signs suggesting its closing have been up in the store windows for most of this year, the closing on the property did not happen until last month. While selling off his stock for half the usual price, Rausch counts down the days until the doors close for the last time.
Irwin's had a reputation for having a variety of merchandise other stores did not.
"When people couldn't find what they wanted, they came here and we had it," Rausch said.
Rausch credited his staff with his success, especially Diane Garity, his store manager, who has been with him for 37 years.
"My employees have made this store work," he said. "Without them, this place would have failed."
A resident of Jamesberg, Rausch is planning to retire.
"I'm 73," he said. "I think it's time."
This is not to say he won't miss the store.
"This is my second home," he said. "I get up, I kiss my wife good morning and then I come here."
Rausch started in his father's business in Manhattan, working carts outside Max's 5 & 20 on First Avenue and East 10th Street.
"I was raised in this business," he said. "My father sold auction merchandise. I came here selling out of the car in New Jersey."
He was stunned by how busy Broadway was and saw great potential in Bayonne.
"I saw thousands of women strolling the heart of the city, each pushing baby carriages, and I saw this big empty store," he said. "I went to my father and said it was time I started on my own business. And so the adventure began."
Erwin started his business in Bayonne as City 5 & 10.
"But everybody used my first name when they talked about the store, so I decided to change the name of the store," he said. "People recognize my name rather than a corporation. It's more personal."
Irwin's faced some serious competition: Woolworth's, Kresge's and W.T. Grant, and the managers there predicted he would not survive. Not only did he survive, but each of those stores closed years ago, while his business thrived.
Part of his success he has credited to his father's good name and his ability to get goods with no credit of his own.
"I told them I was Max Rausch's son and I got what I needed," he said. "His good name opened all the doors I needed."
Through it all, his father's advice guided him.
"He always told me not to get discouraged," he said.
Although the store he opened in 1957 was at the current location, it was only half the size.
"Paradise Dress Shop was next door," he said. "When that store closed in 1972, I expanded."
Rausch put in a lot of hours and again praised his staff for working along with him. Now his last days are spent saying farewell to a community that has treated him well. "I wanted to thank everybody for doing business here," he said, reflecting, too, on the change in Bayonne. "At one time, everybody socialized on Broadway. The street was all baby carriages and smiles, today it's totally opposite."
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