Hey South Tampa people! Remember what was at South Dale Mabry and Leona Streets in the early 1970s? Photographer Skip Gandy stood in the Thrifty home and bike shop parking lot and took photos in both directions. Probably the most notable thing in this first photo is Dino’s Lounge, even though it is in the background. It was advertised as “Dino’s Lounge, Place of Stars”, and was around until 1975 when it became The Playhouse disco bar. The most tabloid-worthy thing that happened here was in 1978 when it was called Country Jubilee-a private club-wrestler Dusty Rhodes, “The American Dream,” allegedly punched someone in the face breaking his nose, and got sued for $30,000 thereafter. In 1993, the Palma Ceia Antique Mall opened here. Original munchkin Karl Slover signed autographs on Saturdays here for seven years.

Here’s the history of the rest of the buildings in the photo.

3300 S Dale Mabry

1951- 1954 - Ugly Duckling Restaurant

1954 - 1966 Tony’s Spanish Italian Restaurant

1966– 1975 Dino’s Lounge- Show Place of Stars

1975 -The Playhouse disco bar

1978- Country Jubilee, a private club where the American Dream Dusty Rhodes allegedly broke a man’s nose and was sued for $30, 000

1980- 1984 Rust O’Reilly’s

1985- 1987 The Branding Iron country bar

1988 -Rent-A-Movie

1993 - 2004 Palme Ceia Antique Mall, where original Munchkin Karl Slover signed autographs for seven years

2005- 2012 Home Theater Gallery- new construction- 7500 sq ft building

2013 -Outspokin Bicycles 

3307 S Dale Mabry-

Before the early 1970s- Sunoco and other service stations        

Early 1970s until late 1990s Churches Fried Chicken

1998 -Briefly Skiff’s Sundae City

2001 -Florida Shed Company until the mid-2000s

2008 -2018- BJs Alabama BBQ moved to Euclid and S Dale Mabry

2018 -2024 Deviled Pig  

3301 S Dale Mabry-

1971 late 1990s Dunkin Donuts

Late 1990s – 2005 -El Fogon Spanish Restaurant

2005- Nuevo Café “Tampa Spanish“restaurant

2015 -So Gourmet French Gourmet

2020- la Dolce Vita

2021 -District South – contemporary menu