During the 22 years Julie and Bob Fatherley have lived in Westport, they’ve become big fans of a nearby store.
Jim and A.J. Izzo run Crossroads Ace Hardware — “a fantastic local business,” she says.
Recently, Joe assembled a tool kit for the Fatherley’s young grandson, Gordon. The 2 1/2-year-old loves to hammer nails into wood with Bob.
The other day, 3 generations of Fatherley males headed over to Crossroads. The boy brought along freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
It was a typical Saturday: busy as heck. Everyone had a question, request or command of the staff.
Nonetheless, Joe took Gordon on a tour of all the wonders to be found in a hardware store.
“This is what community is all about,” Julie says.
It is indeed. A tiny gesture — but one that resonates with an entire family.
And one that helps make a young boy understand what the world — and, just as importantly, the people in one small community — are all about.