Lifestyles Sports expands with new Farmingdale store
Tyler Latcha, of Westbury, shops for a baseball bat at Lifestyles Sports in Wantagh. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Lifestyles Sports is expanding its playing field in 2026.
The Wantagh sporting goods and apparel, workwear and medical scrubs retailer owned by the Kruter family is launching a new Farmingdale facility to meet the booming demand for customization.
"The goal," says e-commerce and marketing director Mike Katos, "is to be the head-to-toe outfitter for sports teams, schools, construction companies and medical organizations across Long Island."
The company is closing its 6,000-square-feet production facility in Bellmore and has purchased a new space three times that size for customizing jerseys, uniforms, backpacks, hats and other items. The personalizing processes include screen printing, embroidery, laser engraving and transfers.
"There’ll be more machinery and production capacity, greater efficiency and faster turnaround times at the new location," says Katos, adding that the retail store at 1901 Wantagh Ave. in Wantagh remains "the community-facing hub."
Set to open in February at 110 Broadhollow Rd., in Farmingdale, the new production site will feature a showroom, fitting rooms and conference room. The scaleup speaks to the far-reaching popularity of custom items and marks the latest move in the company’s ongoing evolution.
The business began in 1979, when Mike and Valene Kruter opened the clothing store, The Clothesline, in Brooklyn. In 1993, the husband-and-wife team moved to Wantagh and renamed the business Lifestyles Sports, which now includes the brands Long Island Scrubs and Robinhood Workwear & Footwear.
The business is a family affair. Mike credits Lifestyles Sports’ vibrant online presence and the 2026 scaleup to his kids — sons Brandon and Andrew and daughter Taylor, who are in their 30s and live on Long Island.
"My three adult children are taking over the business," says Mike, who lives in Bellmore. "I give my kids all the credit in the world. Around 10 years ago, our youngest son got involved first, and then our oldest son and my daughter got involved as well."
"Ours is a unique business model," Mike adds. "It’s not only the production end of it. We also have the retail store, where people can shop and pick up custom orders. Or we can ship orders to them. Of course, people can also buy online."
Lifestyles Sports, 1901 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, 516-781-8070, lifestylessports.com.
