Demmi’s Market opened in Ybor City in 1941 when the Italian American Grocery store was renamed at 1833 Broadway (now 7th Avenue). It’s where The Acropolis restaurant is now. Alessio S. Demmi built this iconic location in 1946 at 1816 Seventh Avenue. The old store became Kenyon Auto Parts. Demmi’s son-in-law Abe Menendez ran the store for several years and eventually came to own it with his wife Ida and Manuel Llano. They both retired in 1992 when Carmine J. Iavarone, owner of Carmines Restaurant next door, and John J. Agliano, attorney, bought the business. By 1994, it was called The Market on 7th, run by Christine and Derek Iavarone, and featured pool tables and the culinary highlight of Iavarone’s pizza. In the early 2000s, it was a place to party with live music and cocktails. It has been closed for a couple of years and awaits its next iteration.

© Chip Weiner. Old Tampa Photos