As you’re reading this, Crest Hardware has shut its doors for the final time. Crest’s final month was filled with such a mix of joy and sadness. Among the many in-store sales, artists, and gathering events, there was a community sendoff/New Orleans style wake parade led by Reverend Vince Anderson which gathered people from Crest to Union Pool. On August 23, Finlay the parrot and Franklin the pig went home to Crest owners Liza and Joe Franquinha’s home for good. There was the epic Farewell Fest on Saturday August 24 that went from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with three bars, DJs, dancing, live art, and food from The Meat Hook. The final event was the relic sale on Monday, August 26.
At around 10:30 p.m. on August 26, I walked by the store on the other side of Metropolitan Avenue and saw the lights were still on, a few people were in the store. I considered popping in, but felt it might be an intrusion. The store has had so many public farewells there could be a more personal one going on inside.
Throughout the store’s last weeks, as neighbors shopped the deals they said goodbye to a store that has been more than a store. It was a star that added to Williamsburg’s sparkle. Without it what would Williamsburg have been? Without it what will we be? If only Crest was forever. I know each time I pull the bronze white ceramic handles on my kitchen cabinet under the sink (my super installed without handles) I’ll remember, “I got these at Crest,” and I’m taking them with me when I move. There has been a documentary crew filming at the store during its last weeks. Stay tuned for the documentary. And you can also visit Crest Hardware’s Instagram: @cresthardware
The Greenline 