In the 1920s, the Upper Franklin area came alive from the 1100 block to the 2000 block. Many of the structures were built with tan bricks, so much so that the area has been nicknamed Yellow Brick Row. Many of the structures were used for the car industry, and at the time, the area was nicknamed “Auto Row.” This building at 1542-1548 N Franklin was just being completed in 1924 when this photo was taken. While the photo caption reads vacant stores in a brick building, close inspection shows a Tampa Auction Co. sign on the window at 1546 N Franklin as the company prepares to move into their new auction parlor. By the following year, The Oil Stove Man buying, selling, and repairing stoves had moved into 1542, and in 1926, auto merchant Smith Chevrolet had taken 1544 and 1546.  

Businesses moved in and out over the decades. In the 1950s, Smith moved out, and Tampa Wholesale Lighting and Aviation Supply Co. moved in. The area became depressed after I-275 severed it from the rest of downtown. In 1980, owner Chan Choy and family opened the Oceanic Oriental Market at 1609 N. Tampa St, a business that adjoins the back of this building. These storefronts on Franklin St are now a part of that store. Although it’s been painted over, that beautiful yellow brick still looks to be there.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved