Weeks Hardware is a historic two-story brick 1913 hardware store building in Brooksville, Florida, located at 115 North Main.[1][2]
The store was called Miro Hardware through the end of World War II, as a combination of the first names of Rosie and Mammie Weeks.
As of 2003, the store was the "oldest active business in town," according to the St. Petersburg Times, which added:
The reluctance to modernize is evident everywhere. The ceiling is high, made of elaborately patterned tin and in need of paint. The freight elevator in the back of the store is powered by hand.
A tall, darkly stained plywood case that holds bolts and screws in its dozens of drawers, was built, according to a little brass label on one corner, by A.R. Brown on May 7, 1901.[3]
The founder's grandson, Joseph C. Weeks, worked in the store since childhood, and took over the business after returning from naval service and graduating from the University of Florida. Mr. Weeks, aged 82, was honored by the Brooksville City Council as "the 2009 Great Brooksvillian."[4]
The building was owned by John Weeks, the first President of the First Federal Bank.[1]
The historic J.M. Rogers Department Store built in 1912 is located across the street at 120 North Main.[1]
Weeks House
editThe Weeks House is a historic home at 118 South Brooksville Avenue. It was built circa 1900 and was the original home of the founder of Weeks Hardware.[5][6]
Old Weeks House
edit
The Old Weeks House is a historic residence at 122 West Fort Dade. It was built by sawmill owner G. Gordy in 1882 using heart of pine. The Weeks family owned the house from the 1930s until the 1970s. It belonged to Joe Weeks' uncle and his cousin.[7] It is reputed to be haunted.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Brooksville Old Time City on a Hill, Florida History
- ^ Weeks Hardware archival photo What Was There?
- ^ DeWitt, Dan (2003-12-24). "Hernando: A throwback that still thrives: Walking into Weeks Hardware, the oldest active business in town, is like going through a time warp to a business style that is rare today". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
- ^ "Hardware store owner is chosen for Brooksville city honor". Tampa Bay Times. 2009-08-04. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
- ^ "Historic Brooksville Walking Tour". Hernando County Tourism, Videos, Community Events & Happenings. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
- ^ 118 South Brooksville Avenue Google Street View
- ^ [1]
- ^ Haunted Places in South Brooksville, Florida (Haunted Places)