If you want to talk about good old hometown stores that are quickly fading, you have to talk about Crawford’s Hardware. Alton Crawford has been operating Crawford’s Hardware in Bethel for about twenty years. In a time where the old community hardware stores are giving way to the big chains, Alton Crawford is fighting the system tooth and nail to provide a service to the people of Bethel; friendly service and products convenient to their location. If Crawford’s doesn’t have it and he can get it, in a few days he will have it in for you. If you need tools, there they are waiting to be plucked from the wall to go home with you. When spring rolls around, you can find all types of seeds for summer crops. If plants are what you want, he has those out front; many of those are locally grown also. People come from miles around to buy their summer crops. Many people find the same type of seeds that their parents grew when they were children. After you plant them, you come back and buy the fertilizer to make them grow, weed killer to keep them clean, and the insecticide to keep the bugs away. All of this can be found in one convenient location!
But that is not the main reason I write this article. I write to talk about what is priceless; what can not be purchased across the counter at any store but can be found at small community stores across America; a sense of community and fellowship. Everyday, two or three times a day, you can find men sitting in the back of the store solving the world’s problems one drink and nab at a time. You can hear conversations from current events, local happenings, weather or how so and so’s crops are doing. In the summer, you are sure to hear, “How are your peanuts doing?” or “How is the corn?” or “How much rain did you get last night?” The topics change, but you are always sure to see a group down there talking. The topic of conversation that I love the most is the “good ole days”. The groups of the “old timers” are quickly dwindling as the years catch up to them and many of those conversations and stories about “the good old days” are dwindling with them. I fear that many of my and the following generations are going to miss out on a part of history.
But today I saw something that I thought was pretty neat. Without prompting, the future of Crawford’s Hardware “bus seat” discussions came walking in. Their ages varied from 8 years old to 11 years old. They fell right into place. Nicholas, a third generation visitor, came in and sat in the chair that his granddad sat in for decades rocked back and forth. Jonathan sat on the old wooden chair whose seat has long come unfastened from the frame. McCoy and Paul made their way to the old bus seat that has heard the stories of many over the years. Left empty was the bar stool. It is reserved for those who are old enough and legs are long enough to reach the floor; but still have their equilibrium in tact to stay atop of it! I thought as I watched them if when I am gone, will there still be a Crawford’s Hardware for them to gather. Will they be able to bring their children in to get a drink and nab and to talk about the happenings in Bethel. More than that, when Alton has long hung up his cash register, will there be someone behind the counter to provide such a vivid look into small town culture.
But that is not the main reason I write this article. I write to talk about what is priceless; what can not be purchased across the counter at any store but can be found at small community stores across America; a sense of community and fellowship. Everyday, two or three times a day, you can find men sitting in the back of the store solving the world’s problems one drink and nab at a time. You can hear conversations from current events, local happenings, weather or how so and so’s crops are doing. In the summer, you are sure to hear, “How are your peanuts doing?” or “How is the corn?” or “How much rain did you get last night?” The topics change, but you are always sure to see a group down there talking. The topic of conversation that I love the most is the “good ole days”. The groups of the “old timers” are quickly dwindling as the years catch up to them and many of those conversations and stories about “the good old days” are dwindling with them. I fear that many of my and the following generations are going to miss out on a part of history.
But today I saw something that I thought was pretty neat. Without prompting, the future of Crawford’s Hardware “bus seat” discussions came walking in. Their ages varied from 8 years old to 11 years old. They fell right into place. Nicholas, a third generation visitor, came in and sat in the chair that his granddad sat in for decades rocked back and forth. Jonathan sat on the old wooden chair whose seat has long come unfastened from the frame. McCoy and Paul made their way to the old bus seat that has heard the stories of many over the years. Left empty was the bar stool. It is reserved for those who are old enough and legs are long enough to reach the floor; but still have their equilibrium in tact to stay atop of it! I thought as I watched them if when I am gone, will there still be a Crawford’s Hardware for them to gather. Will they be able to bring their children in to get a drink and nab and to talk about the happenings in Bethel. More than that, when Alton has long hung up his cash register, will there be someone behind the counter to provide such a vivid look into small town culture.
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