Chan’s Hobby and Toy Store, 4107 Henderson Boulevard.
Chan’s Hobby and Toy Store, 4107 Henderson Boulevard. 1958. Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System
4107-11 Henderson Boulevard, Tampa, FL. 2021. © Chip Weiner
Opening in 1951, Chan’s Toys and Hobbies store at 4107 Henderson Boulevard was a South Tampa favorite for years. Kids would flock here to see the latest bicycles, games, and model cars in addition to spending hours dreaming. Holiday time was especially busy when the store brought in Santa Clause for the kids, offered layaway for parents and stacked the shelves with thousands of toys. This was the first of five stores owner George A. Chandler would open in Florida. He enlarged this location twice. The store on Florida Ave is often mistaken for this store in historical accounts. Chan’s closed in the early to mid-1970s
The Elder Ford Service Center now sits where the former Chan’s Hobbies was.