The north end of downtown Tampa was a mecca for automobiles. Tampa St, Franklin St., and Florida Ave. were all dense with car-related businesses from the 1920s through the early 1950s. Bud Sherk, a master auto mechanic, opened his lot, formerly known as United Motor Cars, in 1949, promising to sell “only clean, road-ready” used cars. Using the phrase “Don’t be a jerk, buy from Bud Sherk” as his battle cry until he moved to Gandy Blvd in the mid-1950s and opened Bud Sherk’s Auto Fair. His new slogan, “For a real Gem Dandy, drive to 4317 Gandy”, seemed to suit the business and owner.

In the 1960s, the I-275, a 60-mile section of the interstate running from north of Tampa through St Petersburg, was constructed. The roadway cut through the north part of downtown and, according to some, severed sections of the city north of it. Sherk’s old lot at 1401 Florida Ave now sits below I-275 and is a city parking lot.  

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved