In 1900, as Tampa’s downtown began its exponential growth, an order for fifty-one railcars of bricks was placed to begin constructing the 3-story Hampton Building. The project was immediately shut down upon the delivery of the bricks as the contractor, A.H. Johnson, determined the best place to store them was in the middle of Franklin St. The city shut down construction until they were moved. This photo, taken in 1921, shows the Southern Loan and Jewelry store, Davis Shoe Co., and the Harris Clothing Store as retail tenants on the first floor, with the Tampa Technical College and the Mabry & Carlton law offices on the upper floors.

In 1927, McCrory’s 5 and 10 ¢ Store moved into the bottom floor. By then, the Tampa Theater had been built next door. In October 1934, Walgreen Drug Store modernized the building with air conditioning and moved in. The company had a 41-year run at this location. It closed and moved on January 1, 1976. The building then languished for years as a few petitions for alcohol licenses by building suitors were denied. 1983, the Olde World Cheese Shop Gourmet Restaurant opened and remained open until 1987. It was then Rafty’s and thereafter, TJ’s restaurants. By 2002, The Hub -Tampa’s beloved and self-proclaimed dive bar moved to this location from its 901 N. Florida Ave hole-in-the-wall. It still abides by a past owner's thought of “make a stiff drink at a reasonable price, and people will come.”

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved