'An enormous loss.' Beloved Williamsburg hardware store closes after 62 years
Store owner Joseph Franquinha announced the closure to local customers in July.
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It was a somber day for many customers of Crest Hardware in Williamsburg Friday afternoon as it began to close its doors for the last time.
Store owner Joseph Franquinha announced the closure to local customers in July.
At the time, he said the store wasn't given the opportunity to renew its lease, forcing him to close.
For weeks, customers have showed their support by cleaning out the shop during its “everything must go sale.”
Customer Brent Young expressed his disappointment as he visited the store one last time on Friday.
“This is an enormous loss for the neighborhood, an enormous loss for New York City," he said. “Local businesses are what makes communities, that’s why we live here, so to lose something as important as this is really, really sad.”
Joseph Franquinha expressed how proud he was to have the opportunity to serve the community for as long as he did.
“I’m just proud to have been able to service this community and this city for as long as I have and that my family has as well," he says.
