EAST WILLIAMSBURG RECESSION WATCH: What Do You Want On Your Tombstone?

(Or, Ask For Jerry)

Once in a blue moon I will have one of those weeks when a number of readers bring something to my attention. This week it was the above sign advertising fresh brick oven bread. This may not seem remarkable to most of you— nor should it be. It’s the location of this sign that makes it so darned interesting. Chad writes:

I had to share.  If you find yourself near the Graham L stop, check out Grande Monuments on Graham Ave.  I’m sure you’ve seen it.  It has clocks and weird shit in the windows to remind you that your time is limited.  And they sell grave markers / headstones.  Only now they also sell fresh baked bread too.  In the window next to a grave marker – there is a tiered baguette stand with fresh bread for purchase.

I was precluded from heading there yesterday and documenting this personally. However, my colleague Lillet Langtry has done so and  generously gave me permission to use her photographs. After all seeing really is believing, right?

She writes:

Apparently the recession has spurred a side business: Fresh Baked Bread! No need for funeral baked meats or nothin!

Indeed. As some of you might be aware Mr. Heather works at a hospital. In the way of recession-proof employment it simply does not get much better than this. I mean, as long as there are human beings some of them will get sick or die, right? This unique business model has forced me to rethink this theory. Perhaps the recession has forced some folks to table kicking the bucket until their families can afford to inter them in the manner to which they would like to become accustomed? Stranger things have happened. I suppose we should go ask Jerry.

Grande Monuments/Brick Oven* Bakery
328 Graham Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11211

Miss Heather

*A comrade’s crematorium? I can only hope so!

Photo Credits: Lillet & Trey. Thanks!