The West Coast Army Store moved to this corner in 1936, selling a line of men's and boys' wear, luggage, and uniforms, and ran until the Ann Lewis Shop renovated and moved in in 1947, selling women’s wear. In 1954, Terry Togs, an infants and children’s wear merchant, opened here. Tampa newcomer Erwin M Gemal purchased the store in 1958, around that same time the name changed to Merry Togs, as pictured in this 1959 photograph. It had closed by 1960, possibly relocating to Britton Plaza. King Dollar Stores moved in from its former location at 1118 Franklin St. followed by Richards Outlet in 1968.

By the 1970s, it was home to one of the three Hillsborough County Goodwill stores. By the 1990s, Antiques and Decorative Arts were trading here, but the area continued declining even amid local officials’ promises that reform was coming. They closed. When revitalization finally started around 2015, it was too late for this building. Work on the 23-story, $9-million, Nine15 Luxury Apartment building began in 2016, featuring 362 apartments, 8000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, and a 460-space parking garage.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved