Crescent Work & Outdoor is undergoing its largest remodel ever and wants to bring you along for the ride! Since 1946 Crescent has been a retail favorite in the Central Valley. When you look at its history, it’s no wonder why. When World War II came to an end, demand for military surplus was high and Hardy Clark was the guy to meet the demand. He opened up Crescent Surplus and the store quickly became a destination place for many local families. Crescent provided a certain experience that so many Americans longed to have during the mid-1940s. It allowed them to relate to, as much as possible, the soldiers, their heroes, who fought overseas to protect the safety of our nation and so many others. The store was filled with military surplus items: tools, tarps, motors, and ammo cans coated in cosmoline were stacked to the brim. Everything sold at Crescent was bought directly from a military base and it was exactly what the customers wanted.
From 1930 to the mid-1940s, California, like everywhere in the United States, felt the heavy hit of the Great Depression. But because the U.S. was a major hard goods supplier during World War II, when the 1950s came around, the country experienced a large economic boom. Families were feeling the first sense of economic security they had felt in over a decade and were once again enjoying leisurely activities and vacations. Crescent expanded to meet the needs of local families by providing camping gear: lanterns, sleeping bags, and the never-fail-you-canvas-tents some of us remember meshed perfectly with the surplus environment.
As the Central Valley began to grow, so did the needs of its citizens. The valley was agriculturally booming and, as a result, was drawing in more and more farm workers. Fields of peaches, grapes, and cherries were everywhere and agriculture became the foundation for the economic well-being of the valley. The fruits and vegetables grown right here in our own backyards began to feed the nation and the workers needed a reliable source for supplies to keep up with a heavy national demand. Crescent expanded to serve the heavy needs and began carrying fruit picking buckets and harnesses. As time progressed, and the agriculture industry continued to grow, Crescent realized that demand would eventually exceed supply and began to manufacture the picking buckets in-house. They have been an excellent seller ever since and farm workers all over the valley know that Crescent can be counted on to provide the supplies they need to do their jobs. Today, Crescent is expanding its agricultural market even more and has been selling picking buckets to farmers all across the nation through their website: www.crescentmodesto.com
Although agriculture continued to play a crucial role in the Central Valley’s job market, as time progressed, industry in the valley began to grow by leaps and bounds. From 1970 to 1990 the population of Stanislaus County almost doubled, jumping from around 194,000 to 370,000. The Crescent family recognized that with the large growth in population, there was a tremendous growth in needs. As blue-collar workers filled the valley at a rapid pace, the number of manufacturing and construction jobs reached an all-time high. In response, Crescent began to carry work wear, or ‘rags’ as Hardy Clark called clothing, and brands like Carhartt, Dickies, and Ben Davis were added to the inventory. The same brands still fill the store today and have become a staple of the business.
During these same few decades, as the population continued to grow, so did the economy. Residents of Stanislaus County and surrounding Central Valley counties experienced large growth in per capita income. Families were making more and receiving better benefits. Crescent Supply expanded and became Crescent Work & Outdoor. The camping department was greatly expanded, paintball was introduced to the product line, and the work wear clothing department extended to include more leisurely wear.
With the extensive growth in population, the number of public safety jobs in the Central Valley also increased tremendously. Since two of the Crescent owners held long time positions as correctional officers, the decision to add a uniform department to Crescent Work & Outdoor seemed clear. In 1999, Crescent began to serve local police departments, fire departments, emergency medical services, and correctional officers. Crescent grew to be a one-stop uniform shop. It made perfect sense: a local family serving local agencies. Today, Crescent is a place where professionals can go to get excellent customer service from people who know their line of work and understand the importance of serving the professionals who serve and protect our community.
In the mid-2000s, Crescent took a good, long look at their position in the valley. At the time, they had two locations in Modesto, California: 801 8th Street and 321 McHenry Avenue. They made a decision to close their store on McHenry Avenue and open Weber Point/Crescent Uniforms in Stockton, California. The Crescent family knew that by operating out of two separate cities they could expand their services to an even larger community; and Stockton was a perfect fit.
Since the beginning, Crescent has been dedicated to serving the Central Valley. Throughout the last 65 years, that has often meant expanding or making changes to meet the changing needs of the local citizens. As Crescent begins their newest adventure, they keep in mind that the customers are their number one priority.
With the continued expansion of the valley, needs are once again changing. A fantastic shift in lifestyle for a large portion of the valley has put a huge emphasis on personal health and wellness. The importance of living a healthy active lifestyle is becoming more recognized than ever and Crescent is ready to provide the products needed to live such a lifestyle by undergoing their largest expansion ever.
The expansion includes increasing the work wear and footwear departments and with the help of 5.11, remodeling the existing uniform department and adding new products for the active consumer as a 5.11 Select Store. Crescent will be the only 5.11 Select Store in the Central Valley, meaning it will have the largest selection of 5.11 products at the best prices. 5.11’s new mission to “make purpose built gear for the most demanding missions,” is sure to provide a breadth of top-of-the-line active gear. Performance training shorts, muscle mapping shirts, and winter leggings are just a few of the new 5.11 products consumers can expect to see on the Crescent sales floor come the end of August. The remodel will be a reflection of the lifestyle the products represent: clean, modern, and limit pushing. Crescent will showcase to customers that the new 5.11 products are appropriate for anyone who desires to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
Construction is already underway and the remodel is scheduled to be completed at the end of August. Crescent is excited that their expansion will help better meet the changing needs of the people of the Central Valley. Moreover, the Crescent family is happy that, true to history, the expansion is a reflection of their own personal lifestyles. Staying active and fit has always been a practice of the family and their passion will show through to the customers.
Crescent encourages you to follow their remodel progress on Facebook or via Twitter. Promotions and giveaways will be abundant as they, once again, re-introduce themselves to the Central Valley. Crescent will be bigger and better than ever, but just as close to its roots as it was in 1946. The family oriented style of the local, small business will remain the same. As always, each member of the Crescent team will be on the floor to welcome customers with a friendly greeting. Crescent’s associates are their biggest advocates and the foundation of the business. They can be counted on to show the community their enthusiasm for the remodel and will introduce customers to the new products with great knowledge. The Crescent family looks at their remodel as essential to maintaining their commitment to the Central Valley. “Our goal has been, is, and will always be, to serve the community to the best of our ability and we believe that each and every customer will benefit from our expansion efforts.” –Crescent Family
We’re tearing it up at Crescent Work & Outdoor!
Source:
Stanislaus County: Community Profile