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Farm Market Finds Home On New Port Richey's Main Street

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Twice, the arsonists tried to burn Rose Mohr out.

The first blaze was small. On Sept. 25, someone broke into her store, the Massachusetts Avenue Farm Market, stole the cash register and intentionally set a fire with gasoline.

It quickly was extinguished by a passer-by.

Then Oct. 4, an arsonist struck again, igniting a blaze that tore through the store and landscaping shop, owned by her business partner, Jerry Kuss, leaving a concrete shell.

The roof was gone, with small charred pieces left clinging to the block and stucco walls. Glass windows were blown out. Towering garage doors that sheltered the produce stands were incinerated. Melted pumpkins, watermelons and oranges sat atop blackened stands.

"We were devastated," said Mohr, 60. "We had so much invested in that place."

Now they're back in business as the Market on Main.

A few weeks ago, Mohr, Kuss and their new partner, Joanne Appleby, moved into a small house on Main Street in the city's downtown overlay district.

The house is owned by a law firm that had planned to expand there but decided to move into an office building instead.

"It's a great location," said Kuss, 65. "And we have room to expand, unlike before."

Although many new businesses on Main Street have struggled to attract patrons, Mohr said she comes downtown with an extremely dedicated customer base.

"Our customers are great," she said. "We know everyone who walks through the door."

The business is twofold. Mohr sells fruits and vegetables she buys in Plant City every morning. Kuss sells trees and plants and helps Mohr run the store.
New Port Richey officials and civic organizations have struggled to find tenants that would herald a return to the good old days, when hordes of residents flocked downtown.

After the IGA Foodliner disappeared from the main thoroughfare, most consumers took their business to shopping plazas and malls outside city limits.

Recently, things have been changing on Main Street.

Last year, for example, the Hudson Food Market relocated to a building at the corner of U.S. 19 that once housed a car rental business and a Republican Party office.

Other retailers are in the works.

City officials say it's a sign of downtown renewal.

"We've really got the momentum going in the downtown," said Betty Coffey, the city's community development director. "This is exactly the kind of business we need."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Market on Main

WHERE: 6040 Main St. in New Port Richey (diagonally across from city hall)

WHEN: Open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

FIND OUT MORE: Call (727) 808-2440

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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