Kresgeville said "goodbye" to a good neighbor when Cramer's Home Center on Route 534 closed last Friday.

Mike Carmella, vice president and director of marketing for Cramer's, cited the economy as the most obvious reason for its closing.Ken Cramer is the president of the corporation, owned by the Cramer family and stockholders.Carmella says that Cramer's employees enjoyed their time in the Kresgeville store and many of the customers became their friends.The first Cramer's opened in 1915 in East Stroudsburg. At its peak, there were once seven locations. Now only three locations remain: East Stroudsburg, Wind Gap, and Pocono Summit."We'll continue to serve the West End with our sales teams. Our customers can continue to expect the same quality service as when the store was open," Carmella said.Brian Ahner, Polk Township supervisor chairman said it was a shame for its closing."I hate to see anyone lose their jobs. We here at the township site often utilized Cramer's. But I understand. With the building industry gone, it makes sense for them," he says.Nancy May, Polk Township supervisor/secretary says, "It's sad for the community. It was a nice convenience for the residents up on the mountain and here in town. I guess they have to do what they have to do."Chuck Gould of Brodheadsville is sorry to see the store close but thinks it is clearly a sign of the down turn of times. During the 1980s, the West End's major industry was home building and the need for lumber was at its all-time high. That has all changed in the last few years.Harry Miller of Brodheadsville said, "It will be missed. It was a facility where all the lumber was under cover.""Any time you lose an employer of that caliber, the community will miss it," he said.Chris Eckert is going to miss the convenience of the store because the quality of the lumber was excellent."I was just there last weekend for mill work," he said.