4500 block of South Dale Mabry Highway, with Ardena's Attic

4500 block of South Dale Mabry Highway

4500 block of South Dale Mabry Highway, with Ardena's Attic, Scarbrough's Garage, and Industrial Developments Corporation. 1952. Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System

Badcock Furnishings and More, and Joni’s Pet Salon, 4500 block of S. Dale Mabry. 2020. © Chip Weiner

In the early 1950s, Ardena’s Attic sold used furniture, appliances, and “odd dishes” but went bankrupt in 1954. R.H. Scarbrough built his garage in 1951 for $4000 and appears to have been open for about a year. Tampa Industrial Developments Corporation was formed as a general real estate developer and builder, constructing new homes in the burgeoning 1950s South Tampa neighborhoods.

In 1964, Pioneer Finance Co., a credit and collection agency financing only mobile homes, worked out of the building. The 27,000 sq ft Badcock Home Furnishings, built in 1993, took the spot of Lang Aquatech Pools, which operated here in 1984 and 1985. It has since closed, and the building was demolished. A car wash is now under construction. Joni’s Pet Salon opened in 2002. Notice the Joni’s sign. It is the same one used by Industrial Developments Corp back in 1952.

From Burgert Brothers: Look Again, Vol.2