Parsons Block

The Block’s Namesake

The land that the block sits on was purchased by Charles Parsons from his father, Horace K. Parsons, a prominent Florence businessman who sold hay, grain, and coal. Charles Parsons carried on in these businesses, as well as in clothing and gentlemen’s furnishings. He was also an attorney and notary public, head of the Florence Fire Department, a director of the Cooperative Bank of Florence, and active in civic affairs, including the construction of the Maine fountain at the junction of Meadow, Park, and North Main. 

The Block Building

The first section of the building (at the corner of Main Street) was constructed in 1901, with the second section following in 1904. The corner building once housed the Florence Post Office. Originally, there was a gap between the sections at 86 Maple Street. The second floor, consisting of apartments, is contiguous and created a covered alleyway where the gap was. When built, the block contained four retail spaces on the first floor as well as three retail spaces, a poolroom, and a bowling alley in the basement.

Bird’s Store, originally owned by a newsagent named Mr. Brigham, began its long life in 1867 under a different name and at a different location in Florence. The business was acquired by W. H. Riley, who moved it to a small building on the corner of Main and Maple. Riley sold the newsdealer concern to L. Woodward, who then sold it to John W. Bird on August 1, 1883. Bird’s Store sold newspapers, books, and stationery items. In the 20th century, the three generations of the Shea family owned the Parsons Block and were proprietors of Bird’s Store during much of their ownership of the building. The current store owner (since c. 2000) of Bird’s Store & Florence Smoke Shop is Gaurang Patel. Early in 2026, Patel moved Bird’s Store to a newly constructed building across the street. 

Long-term residents of Florence will have fond memories of the many shops and services that have occupied the commercial spaces in the Parsons Block. For nearly 100 years, Herlihy’s Clothing occupied the end shop (number 76). The clothing store closed in 2022 and is now a yoga studio, which opened in April 2023. 

20th – 21st Century Changes

Two druggists occupied number 78 for much of the early 20th century—McDonnell Brothers from 1920 to 1944, followed by Moriarty Drug Store from 1946 until 1956, when the business moved to a purpose-built store at 70 Maple Street (now Pivot Media). Florence Opticians moved into number 78 in the late 1970s and stayed for four decades, followed by Ross Sister from 2018 to 2024. 

The sight of baked goods in the window of number 82 was a Florence tradition going back to the 1920s, when Harry Hedley had his bake shop here. Hedley was followed by C. Crowther, who baked on the premises in the 1930s and early 1940s. Model Bake Shop took over the site in 1945, turning out bread, cakes, and pies until the 1990s. After being vacant for two decades, the space became home to The Sphere Innovation Lab in 2024.

Other occupants of the Parsons Block have included Bookends, selling used books at number 80 (after moving here from the Davis Block extension), Doyle’s Package Store at number 84, a launderette at number 88, and A-1 Pizza (Miss Flo’s Pizzeria until its closure in 2026) at number 92. The Community Classroom Tutoring moved into number 88 in 2024, and Zen Frog (now sip413), a cafe, took over number 90 from Kid’s Stuff, a children’s clothing consignment shop, in 2023. 

In 2022, the Parsons Block was purchased by Patriot Property Management, a West Springfield real estate firm. Patriot invested nearly $2 million to purchase and renovate the building, with substantial renovations made to the nine apartments on the upper floor. In August 2025, the Parsons Block went back on the market, listed at $5.25 million.