Page:Brunswick 100 Years of Memories.pdf/129
at dinner time. The sign read "Out to Lunch," and
the owner hurried to his home in the West End to eat his own midday meal. He returned thereafter, but always closed shop - before suppertime. W-MMM
Shoe Show Sports & Action Gear Super Fresh Food Market Benjamin Weiser, DDS, Family Dentistry S - Brooks Wood W-MMM
BRUNSWICK SHOPPING CENTER SPORTS AND ACTION GEAR An early acquaintance with the editor of The Blade Times (an earlier town weekly) and the opening of the Brunswick Shopping Center in 1985 were the beginning and closing of a circle of events with Brooks C. B. Wood in the center. Wood had a pleasant introduction to Brunswick through Jim Bryan, former editor of The Blade Times and a fellow CBer. About thirteen years later, in 1973, Mr. Wood was searching for land suitable for developing a senior citizen housing complex when he met Charles F. Stone, already active in Brunswick's development of the Wenner farm. Stone expressed his disappointment that only a High' s Store and an Exxon Station had materialized from his dream of a shopping center. On the contrary, the parcel Wood selected for the senior complex soon blossomed forth as planned. The Stone Wood relationship likewise blossomed into a bestfriends relationship, with Stone becoming the younger man's mentor. With Stone's guidance, Brook Wood prospered, then "Stonewood" Associates became a joint venture. In 1983 Wood purchased the land surrounding High's and Exxon. For a year the co-workers planned the shopping center, driving thousands of miles and talking with potential tenants, lenders, and builders. They worked through a spectrum of emotions, until the Brunswick Shopping Center became a reality in 1985 and was fully functioning by 1986. The following businesses are located in Brunswick Shopping Center: Ace Hardware Ann's Hallmark Shop Artley Women's Fashions Brunswick Exxon Brunswick Laundry Brunswick Liquors Brunswick Video Den Classic Hair Design Family Restaurant Hardee's Restaurant High's Dairy Store Patricia's Florist and Gifts Phillips Insurance Agency Rite Aid Pharmacy Secco Cleaners 130
On February 23, 1990, Kenny and Terry Alger opened Sports and Action Gear at the Brunswick shopping center, offering for sale sporting gear, action wear, licensed apparel, school items, and equipment for hunting, camping, and fishing. Dance students may also find shoes needed for the dance. W - WHH
TAXIS When motorized taxicabs came to Brunswick, John Foster initiated the change from horse and buggy service. George Hardy remembers as a youth in school, he and his schoolmaster had moneyraising activities to pay for the taxi fare to athletic events in Frederick. Peg Ayres drove Foster's sever1passenger car - with little George and his friends piled in - in the mid 1920s. That same Arlington "Peg" Ayres worked on the railroad until an injury incapacitated him. He then picked up the local taxi business. Peg incorporated in 1957,continuingPeg'sCabat6 South Maple Avenue until his retirement in 1963. Peg's son, Arlington, Jr., and his brother-in-law, Edward Fauble, succeeded the elder Mr. Ayres, then Junior sold to his partner, Ed ward, who in turn sold the Bill Crum, present owner of the taxi service. The business is now located at 2 North Maple A venue. Other taxi stands were shorter-lived than Peg's, which still functions under the deceased owner's name. Chick's Taxi operated during the late 1940s and 1950s. "Poodles" Hagan's base was in the Meadows building at 6 West Potomac Street. "Buck's Taxi," owned by Luther B. Darr, ran for about two years with Levin K. "Buck" Merriman in the drivers seat; his station was at 2 North Maple Avenue. That address was also the home of Fritz's Taxi, operated by Fritz Powers beginning in 1958 and continuing "off-and-on" for about 20 years. Bill Care operated "Vets Cab" for a while after returning from service in World War II. W - BLC