Comments on: all gone

By: Christopher G.

Christopher G. — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:12:46 +0000

I remember Maas from before I lived here. I moved here in ‘73 and Christmas shopped, got back to school clothes there And my big sis got her wedding gown there. I loved the fact that it was right across from Williams park, even back then it seemed so old fashioned. My Mom who recently passed away used to take me to the restauraunt and that was where I learned proper manners for as she put it it, When I started dating girls.

By: David Dowling

David Dowling — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 01:07:28 +0000

What ever happened to the old J.J.Newberry five & dime store.. Just inside between the two front doors there was a great little hot dog stand and the cole slaw they put on them was something else.. Only a dime – remember the old donut machine that was there also..

By: Smitty

Smitty — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 00:28:00 +0000

Actually, Kress is not slated to be razed at all. Though Doran Jason now says they’re plan to redevelop the block is “dead,” that’s probably hyperbole. If DJ is permitted to proceed, the intent is to save the facade and structure of Kress and use it to join two taller towers on either side.
Kress is also on the National Register, which makes it harder to tear down. It remains to be seen what will become of the dimestores on either side of it (though it looks like the building immediately north of Kress on the block is also on the National Register–which may make it harder for DJ to tear it down as intended, city council designations aside).

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 03 Apr 2006 16:43:59 +0000

Having been downtown just yesterday to see the Maas Brothers building come down, I am saddended to see more of our history lost in this condo maddness. Having had 4 generations of my family shop there, its hard to beleive its going to be yet another condo development which I suspect will sit less than ideally occupied. Oh, well at least I managed to snag some of the bricks at least. Standing there watching the demolition I couldnt help but turn to the south and examine the Verizon building or 100 North Tampa and wonder if in my lifetime these two would come down in the name of progress.

By: Vince

Vince — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:48:57 +0000

Here, here! I’d love to have a piece of history.

Good luck to you, Smitty. I hope you’re successful in capturing much before it is all gone. If you have anything to share, please keep us posted!

By: Carl Cronan

Carl Cronan — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 22:36:07 +0000

Quite a few retired Maas Bros. employees have called TBBJ wanting to know how they can get a brick from the demolished buildings. Neither the developers nor the contractors are returning my calls (imagine, people not wanting to talk to the press!), but I’m sure they’d be willing to talk to regular citizens about that. Might make a great fund-raiser for the right charity. I’d buy one.

By: Vince

Vince — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 17:34:14 +0000

Sorry to pass this along, Cara, but the Kress block is slated to be razed as well.

By: Side Salad - Food For Lack Of Thought

Side Salad - Food For Lack Of Thought — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 13:28:45 +0000

MEMORIES OF MAAS BROTHERS…

So, I was walking back to my car from the Best of Tampa Bay food orgy at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on Saturday night when I noticed what sounded like a huge, thundering explosion and a cloud of illuminated dust coming from downtown. Great, I…

By: Cara

Cara — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 19:17:44 +0000

I hope they don’t tear down the Kress building…I really like that one for some reason.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 04:49:11 +0000

Glad I’m not there to see it.