The future plans for the former Shaw’s Laundry building were revealed this past weekend as a Facebook page with a welcome video for Shaw’s Marketplace surfaced. Located at 508 N. Center in Brownwood, the revitalization of the property is being spearheaded by Matt and Steven McCrane.

The Facebook page states, “Shaw’s Marketplace will be a shopping and community market located in Historic Downtown Brownwood. Since 1890, the original structure has expanded to three buildings which were once home to Shaw’s Model Laundry. Shaw’s has serviced the Central Texas area for over 100 years. The indoor/outdoor market will feature local artisans, quality goods, food and entertainment! Opening Spring 2021.”

The McCranes purchased the building in October, and Steven McCrane offered a glimpse into what could be in store for the future at that time.

“Our thoughts so far are we just wanted to save the building and the history,” McCrane said. “We did get the rights to the name so we can use Shaw’s in any form or fashion. We’re thinking about Shaw’s Marketplace. There’s a place called Stanley Marketplace up in Aurora, Colorado right outside of Denver that we would always go to and it has the same concept that we thought could fit here.

“All this just came after we bought it. We didn’t buy it with this in mind. We got it and saw what it looked like and it compared to similar things that those mercantile places had, like Magnolia in Waco. We wondered if we could have a little microcosm of something similar to that to be an incubator for businesses for Brownwood.”

The adjacent parking lots were also part of the acquisition, which could lead to an even larger area for the marketplace.

“We have the parking next door and the parking in back,” McCrane said. “We can have tents so people could graduate from a tent into a space inside and hopefully grow them into a business downtown.”

McCrane shared other ideas that were being tossed around at the time for the property.

“I want an old-fashioned candy store included,” McCrane said. “I’ve been looking online to try to find a taffy puller that lights up, things like that to make it an attraction for families and kids, not just a place to go shop, but things to go do, maybe an ice cream parlor, a wine tasting room. We’re reaching out now and when Matthew gets back he and Megan are going to be key, the marketers to go out and solicit businesses to come in. I could see there being a front desk, a candy store, a sofa and chairs and TV so guys can watch football games while the wife and kids go through and look at various stores. That’s what we’re hoping will happen.”

Shaw’s Marketplace will likely begin to take shape in the next month or two when Matt McCrane returns to Brownwood from Cleveland, where he is currently a member of the NFL Browns practice squad.

“We’ll probably kick off more in December and January when he gets through,” Steven McCrane said. “I’m going to work on getting the windows done, the roof done, basic stuff to preserve and protect the building. Then when he comes back we’ll get into the design phase.”

Shaw’s Marketplace welcomes suggestions, ideas and comments via email at [email protected] or on its Facebook page.

Regarding the history of the building, the Shaw’s Marketplace Facebook page further states, “In 1920, L.E. Shaw Sr., opened Shaw’s Model Laundry for business in Brownwood, Texas at its present location. A very well respected community leader and businessman, he was a member of the local Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Brown County Fair Association, and the State Laundrymen’s Association. Shaw’s was one of the largest laundry facilities in Central Texas. With 12,000 square feet of floor space, a fleet of early Ford Model T delivery trucks, and an original workforce of 15, it was the largest enterprise between Fort Worth and El Paso. At that time, many Brownwood businesses employed imported workers from neighboring towns. Mr. Shaw believed supporting local citizens who spent their money among the various enterprises in Brownwood, was crucial in the success of the early town. In 1939, Shaw’s installed a rustic tree trunk fountain where women of Brownwood could obtain soft water free of charge. The fountain can still be seen today located on the front of the building. From humble beginnings, Shaw’s has been known for its commitment to service and supporting the local economy. Moving forward with the new vision and new owners, our mission remains the same.”