Bank of West Tampa, 1617 North Howard Avenue
Bank of West Tampa at 1617 North Howard Avenue. 1932 Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
Catrina’s Tacos and Tequila Bar at 1617 North Howard Avenue, 2020. © Chip Weiner
The Bank of West Tampa opened in 1906 and prospered until the impact of the Great Depression and bank reform from the Roosevelt administration closed it in 1933. In 1946, the Central Bank of Tampa opened on the first floor but eventually merged with Mercantile Bank and moved. The 4th of July Café was a West Tampa staple and is seen next door in the Burgert photo.
The café eventually took over the building after the bank moved out and was there until closing in 2017 when Catrina’s Tacos and Tequila signed a lease. After 2 years of rehab, the taco spot finally opened in January of 2020.
© Chip Weiner. All rights reserved
From Burgert Brothers: Look Again, Vol.2