It Must be Genetic !
In 1935 Charles E. Brown sold his business in New York and moved to St. Petersburg because his son, Donald E. Brown Had asthma, and the
doctor said he might die if he stayed in that climate. He arrived in St. Pete. and took a job with City Fuel Oil making oil tanks. After a short stint there
he opened Brownie's Sunshine Tin Shop on Central Avenue. Eventually, he moved to 735 17 St. North and dropped the "Sunshine" from the name
of his business.
After changing the face of St. Petersburg with elaborate steeple work, awnings, metal roof work and other custom creations, his son Don took over
the business. It remained status quo until in 1967, Stephen (Steve) Brown, the third generation left the Air Force and went to work with him. The
business was incorporated and Steve, while working as a sheet metal mechanic, was made Secretary-Treasurer and learned the ropes of running
the business.
In 1974 the handwriting was on the wall for the future of "General" sheet metal work. Most sheet metal shops were moving toward air conditioning
ductwork as a future. More and more fittings and other products that were the lifeblood of the sheet metal trade were being mass produced and the
prices spelled doom for custom work. Status quo meant the demise of anyone who would not seek a niche in which to direct their interest.
Understanding this and unable to sway his father, Steve left to open Citrus County Sheet Metal in Inverness. Operating on the theory that one
could specialize in commercial range hood systems and still cater to the needs of other sheet metal products, he went about promoting the range
hood business through phone book ads and personal contacts throughout central Florida.
1985, enter Steve, Jr. who had been raised by his mother in St. Pete. Ambitious and intelligent, he quickly learned the trade and was able to take
over the responsibilities for all phases of business where ever he was needed. This resulted in splitting the State into roughly defined geographical
areas so that he now covers the Orlando area from Polk county East to Daytona Beach and North to Lake County, by far the most busy market
area we now serve.
Over time, we were able to economize by eliminating phone book ads as word of mouth and an unimpeachable reputation grew.
Employee loyalty is a hallmark of our company, and an ingredient critical to our success.
doctor said he might die if he stayed in that climate. He arrived in St. Pete. and took a job with City Fuel Oil making oil tanks. After a short stint there
he opened Brownie's Sunshine Tin Shop on Central Avenue. Eventually, he moved to 735 17 St. North and dropped the "Sunshine" from the name
of his business.
After changing the face of St. Petersburg with elaborate steeple work, awnings, metal roof work and other custom creations, his son Don took over
the business. It remained status quo until in 1967, Stephen (Steve) Brown, the third generation left the Air Force and went to work with him. The
business was incorporated and Steve, while working as a sheet metal mechanic, was made Secretary-Treasurer and learned the ropes of running
the business.
In 1974 the handwriting was on the wall for the future of "General" sheet metal work. Most sheet metal shops were moving toward air conditioning
ductwork as a future. More and more fittings and other products that were the lifeblood of the sheet metal trade were being mass produced and the
prices spelled doom for custom work. Status quo meant the demise of anyone who would not seek a niche in which to direct their interest.
Understanding this and unable to sway his father, Steve left to open Citrus County Sheet Metal in Inverness. Operating on the theory that one
could specialize in commercial range hood systems and still cater to the needs of other sheet metal products, he went about promoting the range
hood business through phone book ads and personal contacts throughout central Florida.
1985, enter Steve, Jr. who had been raised by his mother in St. Pete. Ambitious and intelligent, he quickly learned the trade and was able to take
over the responsibilities for all phases of business where ever he was needed. This resulted in splitting the State into roughly defined geographical
areas so that he now covers the Orlando area from Polk county East to Daytona Beach and North to Lake County, by far the most busy market
area we now serve.
Over time, we were able to economize by eliminating phone book ads as word of mouth and an unimpeachable reputation grew.
Employee loyalty is a hallmark of our company, and an ingredient critical to our success.
A bank building goes up in Ohio
Engineered by R.A. Burdick. A
Grandfather on the mother's side.
Engineered by R.A. Burdick. A
Grandfather on the mother's side.
A foot bridge is erected across the
Allegheny River.
R.A. Burdick, P.E.
Allegheny River.
R.A. Burdick, P.E.
Brownies Tin Shop Years
____________________________________
__________________________________________
A prize winning float entered in the
Festival of States parade in St. Pete.
Designed and crafted by Charles E.
Brown. Circa 1940
Festival of States parade in St. Pete.
Designed and crafted by Charles E.
Brown. Circa 1940
Made of copper, these masks were
hung above the entrance to the
Britton Plaza Theater in Tampa.
hung above the entrance to the
Britton Plaza Theater in Tampa.
735 17 Street North
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg
M
C
S
C
heet
ounty
itrus
And today at 5314 South Florida Avenue
Inverness
Inverness
__________________
___________________________
etal