American Pride Gifts is About Serving Those Who Serve

Ever since Rob Crowley opened American Pride Gifts & Collectibles, he said it’s been a really gratifying experience.

“I’ve worked for the Norton Fire Department for the last 16 years,” he said. The shop is a combination store within Wetherell's Lawn and Garden, and sells Yankee Candles and American serviceperson figurines and collectables. Crowley said he thought of the idea of the shop because he’s a collector himself. He said it brings a sense of pride and a feeling of connection to something much greater than yourself.

“When you become a firefighter, I think it’s kind of a pride thing,” he said. “You have the fireman’s prayer on your wall, and you start collecting other things. I have a man cave in the basement and that’s basically where it all goes.”

Crowley said a lot of firefighters, military and police buy the figurines as sort of symbols of what they aspire to in the realm of service. He said he started the business on the side to bring a better place to get them.

“A lot of the time, people buy them online,” he said. “I buy so much of it and the police and fire guys buy a lot of them, but to come in and look at it instead of on a computer is important."

He added since he’s in the firefighting business as well he feels he doesn’t have to jack up the prices as much as online retailers.

“Plus they don’t have to wait and it’s 30 to 50 percent cheaper,” he said.

Crowley said he first wanted to become a firefighter since he was a little kid.

“It’s been in my blood since I was a kid,” he said. “You know you see the trucks come through the neighborhood and like any kid, it’s like the ice cream truck you have the urge to run after it. I played firefighter when I was a kid instead of cops and robbers.”

Crowley said he started in Norton in the Explorer Post when he was 14, working at first aid stations unofficially and in the boy scouts as well. He said he then joined the army as a firefighter for five years. In 1997 he became a full-fledged firefighter in Norton.

Crowley said he also sells Yankee Candles.

“We’re the only Yankee Candle dealer in town,” he said.  “But the main goal is to get a brochure going and get it out to all the police and fire departments to let them know that we’re here.”

American Pride Gifts and Collectables is located on 27 S Worcester St. and is open Mon - Fri, 8am -6pm; Sat, 8am - 4pm; Sun, 8am - 2pm.