The northeast corner of Lafayette (later renamed Kennedy Blvd.) and Tampa Streets became known as Val’s Corner in 1911, when owner Val M. Antuono opened it. He was known for manufacturing Duke of Belcourt cigars, a premium “ten cents and upwards” cigar. The store also sold soda water, ice cream, and soft drinks. As seen in this photo, Frank L. Hunter purchased the corner and opened a billiard hall in 1927 where “The men of Tampa may spend an evening of recreation and pleasant surroundings.” By 1932, a sandwich shop was part of the space, offering depression era pricing such as a Filet Mignon steak, potatoes, sliced tomatoes, and a drink for $0.50. By 1933, the same year prohibition ended, it was serving Old Grossvater beer.

In 1953, the entire block was razed and sat vacant for years. In 1996, ground was broken for Lykes Gaslight Square Park after the Tampa Downtown Partnership leased it from the Lykes Brothers company for interim use. The design featured crisscrossing seashell walkways, live oaks, eight gaslight poles donated by Lykes, which also kicked in $10,000 for wrought iron benches- all leading to a popular place to sit in the shade in the middle of downtown. Since that time, controversy involving homeless populations has evolved, including in 2017 when volunteers were arrested for feeding the homeless without a permit. In 2019, benches were removed ostensibly to have them repaired, with promises from then-Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s administration to return them. That never happened. Planters replaced them. At the same time, the city turned off power to the outlets. What was once a shady place for summer heat solace turned into a pedestrian walk-through with no place to sit. In 2021, The Square, a private kiosk serving food during the day, opened.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved