WIlliamsburg's Crest Hardware Has a Pet Pig Who Wears Clothes

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Alexander Berardi's missing rabbit wasn't the only store pet to appear in the news this weekend. Yesterday, the New York Times blog City Room ran an extensive profile of Franklin, the pig who hangs out at Crest Hardware in Williamsburg. Crest is known for being more than just a place to buy lightbulbs and twine; every summer it runs a local arts show called Crest Fest. But Franklin is a relatively new addition, and people seem to love him.

Some facts about Franklin: He has blue eyes. He eats a mostly vegan diet. He's half miniature pot-belly pig and half Juliana, another breed. He's owned by Joseph Franquinha of Crest and his girlfriend Liza Shields, and since Liza is a designer of children's clothing, she modified dog outfits so that Franklin can wear them. Also, there's this: "Franklin, who is neutered, has no pig friends (except on Facebook) and prefers the company of dogs that look like him. 'Pugs or French bulldogs are usually the only ones where he'll even remotely acknowledge their existence,' Mr. Franquinha said."
· Soho Rabbit Thief Just Wanted Something to Love [Racked NY]
· A Hardware Store's Four-Legged Star [City Room]
· Crest Hardware [Official Site]