This building, located at 2608 North Albany Avenue, was built by Abe Zbar in 1935 to house Southern Clothing Manufacturers. He purchased the property from cigar baron A.L. Cuesta Jr. One of the building's unique features, as inscribed on the Burgert photograph, is that Zbar installed gas-fired boilers to provide steam for pressing machines. Southern had a short run in the late 1930s and, during that time, manufactured goods for retailers such as Maas Brothers.

In the early 1940s, the property was sold to the Baylis Co., which opened the Textile Equipment Company, a supplier of laundry and dry-cleaning machinery. The business operated there until 1948, when it was listed for sale following the owner’s retirement.

By 1950, the Salvation Army had acquired the building, undertaken repairs, and converted it into living quarters and occupational facilities for 35 to 40 men. Residents received shelter, food, medical care, and vocational training as part of the organization’s rehabilitation program. The Salvation Army continued operations at the site through 1962, after which AF&J Wholesale Florists took over the space.

In 1971, the building was torched in a suspected arson fire allegedly ordered by Florida Mafia figure Santo Trafficante, then living in Miami. The building, owned by his friends Adolfo and Frank Capisi, was a total loss. In 1978, Gary Bowdach, a confessed murderer and convicted felon, testified before a Senate subcommittee, pointing the finger at Trafficante. Bowdich was to receive 10% of the $700,000 insurance payout, but reported he never received payment.

The lot now contains a modern two-story house.

 © Chip Weiner. All rights reserved