Hundreds, if not thousands, of Brooklynites bid farewell to Crest Hardware last weekend at a gathering reminiscent of the store’s deep roots in the community.

The store, which had occupied its Williamsburg space for 62 years, was emptied of shelving and hardware for the final event, the Crest Farewell Fest, leaving only the front and rear counters.

A diverse lineup of DJs manned the rear counter, keeping the beat going throughout the day. At the front cash wrap, longtime customers lined up to purchase the last of the locally designed T-shirts, hats and prints commissioned by the shop in its final days.

Nearby, a tattoo parlor was set up, and outside in the backyard, Reverend Vince and the Love Choir performed, children danced, and Meat Hook workers served burgers.

Relics such as old aisle signs and swinging wood doors emblazoned with “Crest,” along with artwork from the store’s many years of hosting the Crest Hardware Art Show, adorned the walls. These items were set to be auctioned off on Labor Day.

Crest owner Joe Franquinha and his wife, Liza, hugged visitors, longtime employees chatted in corners, and fans wrote and drew heartfelt messages on a long wall.

“Everyone’s going to miss it; it’s really sad that it’s closing,” Williamsburg resident Jennifer Cameron told Brooklyn Paper’s sister site Brownstoner at the event.

“We are longtime fans and customers, and it’s always been more than just a hardware store to us,” said customer David Nath. “We love the people, and it’s really kind of a community, so we just came out to pay our respects.”

In July, Franquinha announced that the store, located at 558 Metropolitan Ave. and known for its expert longtime employees, events, and community involvement, had lost its lease and would be closing.

The business owner said he decided to close permanently due to rising commercial rents in the nabe as well as the increasing challenges of running a small business in New York City.

“Plus, the thought of trying to recreate the magic of our wonderful home in a new space simply feels out of reach,” he said. 

The closing announcement came seven years to the day after Manny, Franquinha’s father, passed away.

“He’d certainly be saddened and disappointed by all of this, but in honor of his enduring spirit, we encourage you to stay civic and continue supporting other local businesses,” Franquinha said. “They are what give the fabric of our neighborhoods strength.” 

Additional reporting by Kirstyn Brendlen

A version of this story first appeared on Brooklyn Paper’s sister site Brownstoner

Brooklyn man fatally shot outside home mourned by community  New York Daily News

The sounds of soca, calypso, compas and reggae boomed along Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn as the 57th Annual West Indian American Day Parade made its way from Utica Avenue in Crown Heights to Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Heights on Labor Day.

Thousands of flag-waving revelers cheered on the bright floats, dancers — some in elaborate and vibrant costumes adorned with feathers and sequins — marching bands, and a slew of politicians as they celebrated their Caribbean roots.

The festive celebration of West Indian culture dates back to the 1930s when Jessie Wardell and her friends started Carnival in Harlem. In the 1960s, Trinidadian Rufus Goring brought Carnival to Brooklyn, home to the largest West Indian immigrant population in the United States. Today, it is hosted by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association.

For many spectators, the parade represents home and a celebration of Caribbean heritage.

Friends Kesie, Kelly, and Heavyn told Brooklyn Paper they had already had a “ball” celebrating J’Ouvert earlier in the day and were ready to keep partying to celebrate their culture, which is a big part of them.

“[The parade] is a celebration of life, celebrating where you came from,” Heavyn said. “And you know, putting on the show for everybody.”

Brooklyn politicians, including New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and State Senator Zellnor Myrie, proudly showcased their Caribbean roots.

Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, told Brooklyn Paper that the West Indian Day Parade meant “everything” to him as it celebrated the culture, music, and food of all Caribbean islands.

Williams has fond memories of celebrating Carnival in his homeland when he was younger.

“You can’t beat the islands, you can’t beat home,” he said. “But this is really, really close to it, particularly because everybody from every different island is here. You’re going to see them come down to the parkway, repping their flags. It’s a beautiful moment.”

Myrie, who recently announced his candidacy for New York City mayor, has attended the parade since he was a toddler. The parade runs through his district, and Myrie told Brooklyn Paper that at a time when some are trying to erase history, it is more important than ever to protect West Indian culture.

“We got to stand up for our culture. And there is no better symbol than what you see here today,” he said. “It’s not just the costumes, it’s not just the music, it’s not just the gathering. It is the joy, the love, [and] the celebration that is an inherently common Caribbean thing. I am proud to be Caribbean and to represent the community.”

Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens) said she attends the parade every year and that there is nothing like the parade’s vibe, with people dancing along Eastern Parkway.

“As the first Indian woman elected to New York State Office, this parade is very important to me,” Rajkumar said. “My culture is deeply connected with West Indian culture. I made Diwali a school holiday in New York City, which a lot of people are talking about today and remembering. Our Caribbean communities are making history, and the whole world is watching Brooklyn today.”

French native Eric Baudemont, who now resides in Canada, told Brooklyn Paper that he and his wife learned about the West Indian Parade on Instagram while looking for things to do in New York City.

“[We expect] good food, music, and people. Everything a parade can bring,” Baudemont said.

Another local named Richard hailed the annual parade as one that brings “every Caribbean Island together.”

“We need more of that,” he said.

The parade, however, was marred by violence when a gunman shot five people — two of whom suffered life-threatening injuries — along the parade route near Eastern Parkway and Franklin Avenue. At a press conference Monday, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell assured the public that the incident wasn’t an active shooter situation but an “intentional act by one person towards a group of people.”

The shooting cast a pall upon what is one of Brooklyn’s biggest cultural events. Tens of thousands of marchers and spectators participated in the colorful event, and the NYPD had beefed up security in an effort to prevent gun violence and other criminal incidents that had occurred during or before the parade in recent years.

One man suffered a gunshot wound to the head, another was struck in the arm, and a third was hit in the torso. Another man was struck in the arm, authorities said. A woman was also shot in the shoulder. Two of the victims are fighting for their lives.

Cops say they are looking for a man in his 20s, last seen wearing a brown shirt with paint stains and a black bandana, and are asking anyone who may have video of the incident to come forward.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the perpetrator’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

Additional reporting by Dean Moses and Lloyd Mitchell

City officials decried the mass shooting along the West Indian American Day Parade route in Brooklyn on Labor Day that left five people wounded as new details about the horrific event emerged.

According to police sources, the victims of Monday’s bloodbath range in age from teenagers to seniors after a gunman opened fire into a crowd of spectators around 2:35 p.m. on Sept. 2 at 307 Eastern Pkwy. in Crown Heights as the parade proceeded through the area.

Cops say the youngest victim was a 16-year-old boy who suffered a gunshot to the left arm. A 25-year-old man was struck in the abdomen and a 36-year-old man suffered a gunshot to the head. Also, a 64-year-old man was shot in the right arm. A 69-year-old woman had the distinction of being the oldest victim after being wounded in the right shoulder.

While police initially reported that two of those wounded were in critical condition following the shooting, law enforcement now say all victims are in stable condition at Kings County Hospital.

According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, the gunman — who police believe to be a man in his 20s — had a target in mind when he pulled the trigger but did not care who he harmed in the process.

“This was on the cement divider between the service road and the parade route where thousands of people were watching the parade,” Chief Chell said.

In the wake of the shooting, Mayor Eric Adams lamented the shooting at the parade. The NYPD had stepped up security along the full length of the route. 

“The West Indian American Day Parade is a joyous event that celebrates the multitude of culture and diversity in our city. But instead of allowing all to enjoy a momentous occasion for our city, a gunman turned today’s celebration into tragedy when he senselessly fired into the crowd, hitting multiple revelers,” Mayor Adams said in a statement. “The NYPD is investigating this incident, and we are grateful for the brave men and women who quickly responded and helped to ensure New Yorkers could continue to be safe while celebrating. While we are keeping the victims and their families in our prayers as they fight to recover, we know we must do more to combat gun violence and ensure the safety of every New Yorker and visitor.”

Meanwhile, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams expressed his concern over the gun violence.

“I’m praying for the victims of a shooting at Eastern Parkway today, and for their families. The parade is a celebration of joyous expression of cultural heritage, and gun violence should have no place at this event or in our communities,” Williams said. “Many thousands of people gathered on the Parkway in peace and unity with their families and neighbors, yet one person came armed with violent intent. I am sure we’ll learn much more about this shooting in the coming hours and days, and my heart is with not only those who were directly harmed, but the community of New Yorkers feeling pain and fear in a moment which should be festive.”

While cops say the shooter targeted at least one person in the crowd, they declared that the exact motive remains under investigation. 

NYPD officials are asking anyone with information or those who may have been filming at the time of the incident to come forward and provide investigators with video footage to track down the suspect responsible.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or the perpetrator’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.