By COLlive reporter
Mr. Shloime Elimelech Goldstein, owner of the renowned hat store chain Bencraft Hatters, passed away on Thursday, 9 Cheshvan 5776.
He was 83.
Stanley Goldstein was known to frum Jews around New York and the world as the owner of the Bencraft hat store in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg area that was established in 1949 by his father, Ben Goldstein.
Stanley joined the business in 1954, which soon expanded to a second location on 13th Avenue in Boro Park, Brooklyn.
Chassidim of all types have been purchasing their hats from Goldstein for generations, which were sold with his unique personality and charm.
“He was a very charming, personable and generous person,” Bencraft employee Yitzi Feigenson told COLlive.com. “He had a smile that really struck you. He was a true gentleman.”
Aside from selling the famous Chabad fedora to thousands of Lubavitchers and Shluchim worldwide, Goldstein had the merit to provide the Lubavitcher Rebbe with his hats.
At one particular occasion, the Rebbe was seen tipping his hat to Goldstein, when he came to 770 Eastern Parkway for a blessing. This rare gesture happened after a secretary introduced Goldstein to the Rebbe. A photo of that moment proudly hangs in the store.
“He was very proud that he had the merit of getting the Rebbe his hat every year,” noted his friend, Rabbi Yerachmiel Benjaminson, Chairman of Tzivos Hashem, who was present at that encounter.
A resident of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, Goldstein, along with his son Steven, are generous supporters of a number of Chabad causes, including Bris Avrohom of New Jersey and Tzivos Hashem International, who honored them at a few of their dinners.
“He was a legend,” said long-time employee in the Boro Park store Asher Bitton. “He was a ba’al Tzedaka to so many people and organizations. People had no idea of the extent of his kindess. He had a huge respect for the Rebbe and Chabad, and gave discounts to many Shluchim.”
The levaya will take place tomorrow, Friday at 11:00 am at Sinai Chapels, 162-05 Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
I am very sad that Stanley is no longer with us. I bought many hats from him over the Years and really enjoyed his company. Going into the store in Williamsburg will be different now with Stan not sitting in the front steaming hats and telling me interesting stories. Rely going to miss a great guy!
stanley was one of kind gentleman , very caring to his employees and others he cared a lot for his customers and a his close friends even at the age of 83 he was sharp and re,members all his long time customers,. He treated everyone even. Wel will never forget Stanley Goldstein because he has done so much for his fellow community , coworkers, and family, always in our hearts.
the guy was a class act, mentsch, humorous, humble. Sad we lost him.
At 15 buying my first Borsalino, he only had one left in my size and after trying it on, and ready to pay the $55, he refused to sell it to me because it was a little off center…
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Couldn’t agree more…
Really an honor to have known and dealt with him for over 40+years. I will surly miss Him and His famous smile.
The Levaya time is 11:00 AM, at Sinai Chapels, 162-05 Horace Harding Expy, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/16205+Horace+Harding+Expy,+Corona,+NY+11368/@40.7359201,-73.861161,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c25e336405b8fb:0x1f871f1e72a77cab
Exceptionally beautiful pictures
Chassidim! lets be proud not ashamed. l Lets start Wearing the Yarmulkah our Rebbe wore. It will bring Brochos for chassidsher children (Of course, not excluding) most importantly….doing what the Rebbe wants from us internally