After the company's land and building were taken by eminent domain to pave the way for construction of the new Lynn police station, the century-old industrial supply shop F.B. Harris relocated to new quarters at 190 Locust St. and business is thriving.

"We were already a little crowded in the last location. It was only 9,000 square feet," said David Fijux, co-owner of F.B. Harris, which currently employs six full time workers.

The company, in business for nearly a century, moved to a 14,000-square foot building adjacent to Fraser Field in August to make room for the new 58,000-square foot police station on Washington St.

According to Fijux, F.B. Harris has roots in the shoe industry when it was a millwright house and its primary function was to fix machinery used by Lynn shoe companies and tanneries.

"As the shoe industry died and was replaced we changed with it," he said. "We supply machine components for most industries: aerospace, GE, baking, meat processing and small machine shops. If a manufacturer is changing, upgrading or repairing their machines, they come to us for pieces. We're known as the jack-of-all-trades."

Fijux said F.B. Harris is known among its customers as the place to go when a part is needed and can't be found anywhere else.

"They've come to us. We're surrounded by giants, but they don't offer the broad spectrum of products and can't maneuver as fast. They're not as flexible," he said. "There are very few independent companies like us still in Greater Boston."

David and his brother, Peter Fijux, the other co-owner, are optimistic about the company's future. The move, though not originally a part of the company's business plan, promises a more lucrative trade.

"We can focus on growth," said David Fijux. "It's a good place to do it from. All of our customers seem please. A Peabody competitor closed up last year and we picked up a bunch of business this year. Those people found it awkward to get down Washington Street. We can expand our market in that area."

According to Fijux, in addition to improved access for customers, the location also makes deliveries easier. "On Locust Street we aren't blocking off a major traffic lane in rain and snow. The truckers are much happier," he said.

With a micro-loan from Lynn's Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC/Lynn) and financing from North Shore Bank, the Fijux brothers were able to purchase the Locust Street building from Armstrong Machine last July.

The relocation marked the second move in the company's history necessitated by eminent domain due to city redevelopment effort.

The company landed in its recently-vacated Washington Street location in 1980 after the structure housing its offices, then known as the Vamp building, was taken for the Harbor Loft building project.