Crest Hardware Understands the Art of the Pleasant Surprise

Crest Hardware in Brooklyn, NY is a hotbed of community love for pushing the edges and then some.

In a big box hardware world, it has won over the affection of its local artist patrons and their legions of followers by giving them storefront window space to display their eclectic hardware-inspired artwork.

The hardware-store now turned temporary gallery has found artists who incorporate hardware items in their pieces  It started in the early '90s when word got around that this hardware shop was hosting a unique art show with more than 100 exhibits wedged into the shelves amidst the hardware supplies. So the story goes, an artist named Gene Pool came asking for some window space, the store gave him an inch, and he took the 5000 squae feet of the store.

After a hiatus, the concept has been brought back by the new owner who is working with another local artist, cartoonist Rob Esmay.

Examples

A Zoetrope: through the hole one can watch a strobe-lit animation of small bronze men running on the edge of a blade from a circular saw.”

“Chained Hound”: is a sculpture of a lunging, snarling dog “made of welded scrap metal” and nails.

“A portrait of George Washington” wearing a giant C-clamp like a hat

"A toilet bedpan of nails"

Remember Brawny Paper Towels - now they sell Scrawny paper towels

A bra top made out of washers

An Eames hot boombox lounge chair

The Crest Hardware art show is all about taking love for my community, my love of art, my love of hardware and welding them together to bridge a gap in this continually changing city, but Williamsburg in particular. It began in the early nineties with an artist named Gene Pool asking for some window space. We gave him an inch, he took a mile. By mile I mean 5000 square feet of retail space. Which is actually only 280 feet short of a full mile. Sorry, that's the hardware end speaking.

More edgy buzz -

-  Year round, a grey parrot greets you at the door and can amuse the stroller squad. As one customer puts it  "They don't have a huge selection but they have what I need and the guys are the greatest. I went in for mousetraps (eek!) and I had three guys showing me how to set them and giving suggestions about placement and bait. There is always someone to ask for help and they are always readily available. That said, I think it's the parrot that has me coming back."

- A live underground music event presented by music and art promoter the Musebox

So answer me this, of the 6,000+ True Value retail locations, how many are getting the level of love, support and buzz that Crest Hardware is this week? Got it. So why aren't stores doing more of this?