Robert P. Ross
Ross Bros
Florence Ma. - The Ross Bros call it quits after 23 years. The two brothers who have operated an eclectic antique store in Florence center for nearly two decades are preparing to sell their North Maple Street warehouse building and storefront this month to a local developer.
Robert and Hank Ross, proprietors of Ross Bros. at 28 North Maple St. for the past 18 years, are going their separate ways after the sale. The building that has long housed their shop is being sold to Robert Lawton, who bought the Pleasant Street Theater in Northampton.
Robert Ross plans to open a new Ross Bros. store on West Street in Hatfield; Hank Ross said he will continue his real estate career and start his own antiques’ business.
Lawton, a Florence resident, plans to subdivide the interior of the 16,000-square-foot 28 North Maple St. building and turn it into artists' studios, offices and retail space, he said.
Robert Ross, 44, a Florence resident and active member of the Florence Civic and Business Association, said he's heard from many customers that they're sad to see the business leave Florence center.
''(People say) 'this is such a great space,' and 'we've been coming here for years,' '' he said.
Ross said he plans to remain involved in Florence politics and keep his seat on the civic association's board.
At the same time, he said, he's excited about starting anew and being the sole owner of the business.
A closing on the property sale is set for March 14, said Hank Ross, who lives in Northampton. Though it's slightly off the beaten path, the building has been viewed by many as an anchor retail business for downtown Florence, because it has been a destination for shoppers seeking anything from specialized antique screws to pedestal sinks.
Auction planned Wintergarden Auction Services www.wintergardenauction.com
Ross Bros. will hold a public auction next Friday and Saturday to sell the antique furniture, boats, windows, doors and other items that fill the North Maple Street warehouse and showroom.
After that auction is completed, around the end of this month, Ross Bros. will be moved at a new, much smaller 2,000-square-foot space at 77 West St. (routes 5&10) in Hatfield.
''The setup will be similar on a smaller scale,'' said Robert Ross. He said about half the space will be a showroom.
He is seeking a special permit from the Hatfield Planning Board to open the business in that location, because the building is zoned for industrial use only, Ross said.
The business will still be called Ross Bros. but will be owned solely by Robert Ross, who has bought out his brother's share.
Robert Ross, who purchased the business for an undisclosed price from his brother Hank Ross, said the sale includes the inventory, the company name, 23-year-old phone number 413-586-3875 and the Web site, at www.RossBros.com.
The store, which sells antiques of all kinds, has a national reputation for its sale of antique boats. Windows, doors and other ''architectural salvage,'' as Ross called it, are another big part of the business.
Variety of customers
Known for their unique sense of style and love for the out doors. Most notably for there 20 year set up at Brimfeild's Heart of the Mart, Encamped on the pond.
Customers have included movie companies that needed antique props, retail shops looking for decorations and many other dealers, who bought fantastic things that come to mind as you read this article said Robert Ross.
The brothers bought the North Maple Street building in 1986 and have used it as the home base for their antiques business ever since. Before that, for about four years beginning in 1982, they ran Ross Bros. from a Hawley Street location in Northampton.
For about two years, between 2001 and 2003, there was a second Ross Bros. satellite store on Pleasant Street in downtown Northampton.
For the past year, Hank Ross, who is 45, has worked as a real-estate agent in addition to contributing to Ross Bros. Hank Ross said he plans to continue selling antiques through a new entity, H.E. Ross.
''Once you are in the antiques business, you never stop,'' Hank Ross said.
Robert and Hank Ross, proprietors of Ross Bros. at 28 North Maple St. for the past 18 years, are going their separate ways after the sale. The building that has long housed their shop is being sold to Robert Lawton, who bought the Pleasant Street Theater in Northampton.
Robert Ross plans to open a new Ross Bros. store on West Street in Hatfield; Hank Ross said he will continue his real estate career and start his own antiques’ business.
Lawton, a Florence resident, plans to subdivide the interior of the 16,000-square-foot 28 North Maple St. building and turn it into artists' studios, offices and retail space, he said.
Robert Ross, 44, a Florence resident and active member of the Florence Civic and Business Association, said he's heard from many customers that they're sad to see the business leave Florence center.
''(People say) 'this is such a great space,' and 'we've been coming here for years,' '' he said.
Ross said he plans to remain involved in Florence politics and keep his seat on the civic association's board.
At the same time, he said, he's excited about starting anew and being the sole owner of the business.
A closing on the property sale is set for March 14, said Hank Ross, who lives in Northampton. Though it's slightly off the beaten path, the building has been viewed by many as an anchor retail business for downtown Florence, because it has been a destination for shoppers seeking anything from specialized antique screws to pedestal sinks.
Auction planned Wintergarden Auction Services www.wintergardenauction.com
Ross Bros. will hold a public auction next Friday and Saturday to sell the antique furniture, boats, windows, doors and other items that fill the North Maple Street warehouse and showroom.
After that auction is completed, around the end of this month, Ross Bros. will be moved at a new, much smaller 2,000-square-foot space at 77 West St. (routes 5&10) in Hatfield.
''The setup will be similar on a smaller scale,'' said Robert Ross. He said about half the space will be a showroom.
He is seeking a special permit from the Hatfield Planning Board to open the business in that location, because the building is zoned for industrial use only, Ross said.
The business will still be called Ross Bros. but will be owned solely by Robert Ross, who has bought out his brother's share.
Robert Ross, who purchased the business for an undisclosed price from his brother Hank Ross, said the sale includes the inventory, the company name, 23-year-old phone number 413-586-3875 and the Web site, at www.RossBros.com.
The store, which sells antiques of all kinds, has a national reputation for its sale of antique boats. Windows, doors and other ''architectural salvage,'' as Ross called it, are another big part of the business.
Variety of customers
Known for their unique sense of style and love for the out doors. Most notably for there 20 year set up at Brimfeild's Heart of the Mart, Encamped on the pond.
Customers have included movie companies that needed antique props, retail shops looking for decorations and many other dealers, who bought fantastic things that come to mind as you read this article said Robert Ross.
The brothers bought the North Maple Street building in 1986 and have used it as the home base for their antiques business ever since. Before that, for about four years beginning in 1982, they ran Ross Bros. from a Hawley Street location in Northampton.
For about two years, between 2001 and 2003, there was a second Ross Bros. satellite store on Pleasant Street in downtown Northampton.
For the past year, Hank Ross, who is 45, has worked as a real-estate agent in addition to contributing to Ross Bros. Hank Ross said he plans to continue selling antiques through a new entity, H.E. Ross.
''Once you are in the antiques business, you never stop,'' Hank Ross said.
