This 1923 photo shows construction workers in front of the new Merchants and Mechanics Bank on Grand Central Ave (now Kennedy Blvd.) and Oregon Ave. American Dry Cleaning, Kohn’s Tires, and the Federal Bakery are Pictured next door. The $11,500 bank was built to serve businesses and individuals in the area. It experienced substantial success and added two more stories in 1926.  It merged with Lafayette Bank in 1927. Lafayette Bank was liquidated in 1929 as the Great Depression and the Florida land bust took their economic toll.

The land housed several other businesses until it was demolished. In 1995, plans were being made to build a $10-million project, including a 60,000 sq. ft.  Winn Dixie grocery store on the site. Tampa Thermo Engravers were located on the former bank property and had to be persuaded to move.  Save Rite, a wholly owned subsidiary of Winn Dixie, eventually opened on the site but closed in 2005. Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market opened in 2008 as the major tenant on the land. Wendy’s Hamburgers was built where Merchants Bank and Tampa Photo Engravers once stood.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved