METROPOLITAN Avenue is one of the lengthiest routes between Brooklyn and Queens. It was first built in the mid-1810s as a toll road and was known as the Williamsburg and Jamaica Turnpike until the mid-1800s, when it was bestowed its current name. It runs from the East River to Jamaica Avenue and along the way, marks the southern limit of Newtown Creek, and runs through Lutheran/All-Faiths and St. John’s Cemeteries, as well as Forest Park. It’s the spine of several communities — Williamsburg, Middle Village, and Kew Gardens, and forms the boundary line between Ridgewood and Maspeth.
The Crest Hardware store on Met just east of Union Avenue has been in business over 60 years. Inside, it’s a pretty regular hardware store (I’m never in hardware stores, since I am helpless when it comes to building or repairing things) but out back, there’s a sunny garden where the for-sale plants are kept.
There is also a pig, named Franklin, who spends much of his time sleeping or hanging out in the doghouse adopted for his use. Franklin and Crest Hardware’s owner, Joe Franquinha, says he has the run of the 5000 square foot garden, and occasionally visits the store, was well as the home of Joe’s girlfriend Liza (whose idea it was to acquire Franklin from a Pennsylvania farm). Franklin, a pot-bellied/Juliana mix, is now 13 years old.
Above: Franklin, when he was younger. Photos: NY Times
Crest Hardware, being in Williamsburg, did its bit for the local artist community every summer with Crest Fest, featuring artworks made with or by hardware. Unfortunately the fun ends soon. The store will close on August 30 after 62 years.
Crest’s owners made the announcement on Instagram, writing that it’s “facing the same plight as many other small businesses in our community and city,” and that the building’s owners have opted not to renew Crest’s lease in order to sell the land for redevelopment. [BKMag]
Not sure what the Franquinha family has in mind for Franklin, but from all appearances, he is in good hands.
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7/16/24