Fleischmann’s Paulyne Kiddie Shoppe, 1718 South Dale Mabry Highway.

Fleischmann’s Paulyne Kiddie Shoppe

Fleischmann’s Paulyne Kiddie Shoppe, 1718 South Dale Mabry Highway. 1958.Burgert Brothers. Courtesy, Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System

Architectural photography Tampa

1718 Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL. 2021. © Chip Weiner

Pauline Leibovitz Fleischman was born in Ybor City in 1914 and opened Fleischman’s Kiddie Shop here in 1955. She was married to one of Tampa’s most beloved fishermen and sportscasters, Salty Sol Fleischman, who co-owned the store with her. Her son, Sol Jr., was later president of the company. She kept the shop open in the Carriage Trade Plaza for 32 years and retired in 1987. Since that time, the shop has housed many businesses. After Fleischman’s moved out, Buning Florist moved in. In 1992, the Handmade Touch gift shop was here. In 1995, The Goody Basket gift shop moved from its former location at 3407 Bay to Bay Boulevard, And in 2007, Katie Smith opened KT Janes, another gift shop. Finally, after a stint as a cell phone repair shop, the 800-square-foot space currently houses Happy Everything, a home decor store.

From Burgert Brothers: Look Again Vol. 2