The Money Saver Store opened in the late 1920s, just as the world faced economic collapse. It was a neighborhood grocery store for Hyde Park and surrounding areas, selling butchered meats, produce, and household goods. In July of 1935, grocer Joe Giglio opened Square Deal Grocery and Market after Money Saver moved to Florida Avenue. In the 1940s, Sam Lazarra and his wife Mary opened and ran their store here. It was a popular stop for Woodrow Wilson Jr. High students who were a couple of blocks away. Lazarra became known as “Coffee Man” to the Tampa Fire Service as he would frequent fire scenes and serve hot coffee or cold drinks and sandwiches to firefighters there. The store was open for more than 25 years.

In 1980, resident Vivian Shelton opened Hyde Park Book Shop, and it became a neighborhood favorite. She sold the shop in 1990. During the 1990s, Couture Fabrics took the corner space of the building. By 2001, Grossman Gallery and Framing sold art and services here. By 2003, The Hyde Park Veterinary Clinic opened shop and still serves South Tampa pets today.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved