It's the end of the world as we know it
Tampa Bay Times, March 6, 2018
Katherine Snow Smith
ST. PETERSBURG — The World Liquors globe came down today, about 40 years after it quit spinning.
But the iconic sphere will soon rise again and resume revolving at Ferg’s Sports Bar at 13th Street and Central Avenue.
"I’m glad we got it down in one piece," said Mark Ferguson, Ferg’s owner, who paid $5,060 for the sign that has stood at the corner of 16th Street and Central Avenue since 1961. "We’re going to get it working again so it will rotate and light up."
Once the globe is fixed and the city approves Ferguson’s application, it will be part of a new sign that will read "Ferg’s World Famous" sports bar.
"It’s just so St. Pete," said Brian McNeela, who stopped to take photos and video of the crane lowering the globe onto a flatbed trailer. "It’s really kind of sad. It’s been here as long as I’ve been here. I’m kind of glad it’s going to Ferg’s. It has a new home, so it’s saved."
The globe started out at the World Furniture Store on the 100 block of Central Avenue, according to World Liquors owner Paul Misiewicz. His uncle bought the sphere when the furniture store closed and incorporated it into a sign for the liquor store in the early 1960s.
The sign came down to make way for a $50 million project planned for the World Liquors location. Milhaus Development of Indianapolis is planning 251 multi-family units and more than 12,000 square feet of retail. Construction is slated to begin this spring and could be finished by mid-2020.
