Stores Along Mass
Change has been a constant along Massachusetts Street. Over the years, businesses along Mass have closed down and replaced by new enterprises. Some buildings were bulldozed; fire claimed others. Promotional postcards like those featured below have helped to preserve Mass Street’s history.
Though it did not last as long as the stores in Kansas City, Woolf Brothers was at 1023 Mass Street for several years.
In 1946, Jim and Laura Owens purchased Ward's Flower Shop and renamed it Owens Flower Shop.
The Charles Achning Hardware Store was located at 822 Mass Street during the early 1900s.
Another store that occupied Mass Street in the early 20th century was Evans-Metcalf Co.
Taken in 1908, Mr. Wagstaff stands behind his shop counter on the right.
As automobiles became more common in Lawrence, Rutter's Repair Shop became a popular place.
A store that attracted more school children than adults, Vick's Place Confectionery was owned by Vick Keller and located at 1345 Massachusetts Street.
While the grocery cart was mobile, McCurdy's Grocery Store was located at 844 Massachusetts Street.
The Innes Building housed a general store that sold an array of products. In 1908, Arthur Weaver bought the building and transformed it into Weaver's Department Store.
Charline Fitzpatrick wrote a note on the back of this postcard stating that this was her favorite. During her time at Quincy School, Fitzpatrick (then Charline Smith) would buy her school supplies at the Home Store. Mrs. Annie Soule Prentiss was the owner of the little store and happily served school children like Fitzpatrick and her peers. Featured on the postcard (from left to right) are Ella Neil, Lori Simpson, Mrs. Annie Soule Prentiss, and Frank Prentiss.
The store was located at 1105 Massachusetts Street until some time between 1910 and 1911. The 1911 Polk Directory has the store listed at 907 Tennessee Street.
Coe's Drug Store was owned by Clyde Coe (1884-1950) and during its tenure in Lawrence it was one of the more popular places for students to hang out. Coe's offered soda, milkshakes, and various treats for students to purchase along with school supplies and home goods. The building that hosted the original Coe's Drug Store is now Mass Street Music.