By Barbara Morris
As a longtime resident of Laurelton, I have seen a lot of changes in the community – including the business community. When I was a very active volunteer with most of the local organizations, one of the things I tried to emphasize at meetings was the advantage of supporting our merchants.
Laurelton never has had an overabundant amount of parking facilities, thus giving our residents the marvelous opportunity to take a healthy walk, save wear and tear on their vehicles and the environment, become acquainted with neighbors and admire their gardens or see, (and hopefully, try to correct), whatever is wrong in the community. Sometimes, shopping locally on a regular, friendly basis has some very pleasant surprises.
About 2 1/2 years ago, a new business moved into a building at 218-01 Merrick Blvd., Springfield Gardens. Its name appeared in bold letters, WEISMAN SALVAGE. The owner, Leonard Weisman, has three other stores: one on Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village one on McDonald Avenue, Brooklyn, and one on Utica Avenue, Brooklyn.
Although The Everything Store originally started out as a consignment store, it had long ago, become an exclusive gift and clothes shop, leaving Weisman Salvage as our area's one and only “things saving” store. I could hardly wait for them to open so I could welcome them to the new location and wish them well. Of course, I wanted to see if they had any bargains as well.
I don't remember if I found any treasures on my first visit or not. Weisman's is, to me, more fun than I think I would have gambling at Atlantic City, or Las Vegas – and a lot nearer. Sometimes I go in there and find nothing spectacular, but, ah, when I hit a good day, I'm anxious to tell my friends and neighbors about what they, too, may find of interest. Gorgeous books, (where else would a bird lover have found an entire book on bird's eggs?), books on travel, books on cooking and plenty that might have interested you.
There are clothes, games, foodstuffs, housewares, floor and wall tiles, some lumber, pretty nearly everything including the kitchen sink. Some time ago, they had odd garbage pail lids and after spreading the word about that find, I ended up transporting eight or nine of them for others whose pail lids had been victims of wind, traffic, or some other destructive force.
Although I always enjoying finding some special purchase, my visits there are never totally disappointing because I enjoy even brief communication
