This northeast corner of Franklin and Zack Streets is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the city. While it has been renovated several times, it still has the original shape and number of floors, although it lacks some of the panache of its former self. Built as the Citizens Bank and Trust Company in 1895, it featured Victorian architecture and Greek marble trim. In 1937 when Chandler’s Shoes moved in, they remodeled the exterior, removing and covering up the old look. 

Franklin Street had a strong foothold in retail in the city in the early 1950s when this photo was taken, especially for clothes. Looking closely at the Burgert photo, you will see Butler’s Shoes 2-doors down. They were friendly competitors to Chandler’s, but there was enough shoe business to support both. Tampa Theater next door featured the movie Second Chance, starring Robert Mitchum. The 1950s were the golden age of 3-D films like this, as movie studios combatted the growing popularity of television and needed the technology to draw crowds. The Chandler building reverted to its banking roots and now houses Hyde Park Capitol

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved