L.B. Craft and Variety to close after 19 years

Owner cites drop in business after Sandy and high overhead costs

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Long Beach Craft & Variety, a staple in the center of town for nearly 20 years — and considered something of an anchor store on Park Avenue — will be closing its doors later this month, owner Cassandra Bolivar said.

The business, at 50 W. Park Ave., a beach supply “superstore” and more that's known for its creative window displays, annual circus-themed carnival and great customer service, is set to close after 19 years in business.

Though she declined to disclose the monthly rent for the 5,000 square foot space, Bolivar said that high operational costs, and a decline in business after Hurricane Sandy, has forced her to close.

“For 19 years, I have opened the front door and tried my best,” Bolivar said. “We have a lack of population and the cost of operations is tremendous — I don’t want to get hurt. But I believed in Long Beach and gave it my all.”

The business, which has six employees, is expected to close in a week or two.

“I hope this town realizes that I always tried to be there for them,” she said. “I leave here with my head up, saying that I love this town. My next step is to take it all in, take a deep breath, and I hope the universe opens some gates for me and I’ll see where it takes me.”

The business was flooded during Sandy but opened a day after the storm, according to the city’s website. News of the store’s pending closure spread on social media, where customers and residents expressed shock and called it a huge loss for the community.

Long Beach Craft & Variety — just steps away from the Long Island Rail Road station — has been an institution in Long Beach for two decades, a number of residents said, and an online fundraising campaign was even launched in the hopes of saving the business.

“Cassandra represents all that’s good in Long Beach,” resident Jessie Farrell said. “The merchandise was unique and different and we always went in trying to find a treasure. My kids always enjoyed going in there and finding unique toys or birthday presents. And we’ll miss her window displays — they were awesome.”

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