New Main Street Market Should Open This Spring

If you've walked by the old Captain's Pizza building on Main Street recently, you probably heard the sounds of saws and hammers filtering out through the cloudy front windows.

But if Bob Bailey has his way, the sounds of men at work will soon be replaced by those of customers sipping coffee, chatting and buying groceries.

The owner of Main Street Market has been working feverishly for weeks to turn the aging pizzeria into a modern fresh market, complete with meat, fish and sandwiches; he recently told Patch he is shooting for an opening sometime later this spring.

"We want to be open by June at the latest," he said. "I wish it was going to be done yesterday."

While Bailey's popular produce mart at the corner of Main Street and 2nd Avenue North remains open, he and his partner have been busy getting the new place up and running.

Their design plans are currently being reviewed by the city, and Bailey was quick to point out city officials' willingness to move the project forward.

"Our architect has been working with the city. They have been great about everything," he said. 

Bailey has enough experience in business and construction to know in order to have a successful operation, you have to plan things out, take your time and do it right.

That's why he's not rushing the process of converting a cozy, old school restaurant into a wide-open, muti-purpose market.

"We're taking our time, because we want to do it right," he said. "We want to make sure we're ready."

In addition to gutting the entire interior to facilitate the shelves, racks and cases that are needed for the market, he also plans on relocating the rear exterior staircase in order to add an entrance to the market in the back. 

The end result, Bailey hopes, is that the new and improved Main Street Market will be like a mini Mazzaro's for downtown Safety Harbor.

"I'm excited," he said. "When it's finished, it's going to be great."

Related:

• Main Street Market Moving and Improving
• City Allows Main Street Market to Remain Open
• Report: Violations Lead to Closure of Captain's Pizza

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