JSDesign
Sears - E Hillsborough Ave / 22nd St, Tampa (now Erwin)
Built in 1957, this was originally a Sears department store. In 1977, it was granted to the Hillsborough County School Board which converted it into the David G. Erwin Area Vocational - Technical Center, completed in 1980. The exterior has changed very little from this postcard view, except for signage. (Note the large script letters in the Sears logo of that time.)
This former Sears store is an prime example of the movement of retail from the downtown area to the suburbs during the 50s and 60s. There had been 2 Sears stores in downtown Tampa - one at 801-807 Florida Ave and one at 1702 Franklin St. Retail moved even farther out in the 70s, with a Sears opening in 1974 in University Square Mall 3 miles north. Eastlake Square Mall (without a Sears) opened 3 miles east of here in 1976 (and closed in 1995 after Brandon Mall opened even farther out).
Currently, following a decline of last few decades, this area is experiencing a renaissance in new construction - new retail and housing.
Text from the back of this postcard:
The rapidly growing northeast section of Tampa, Florida was chosen by Sears, Roebuck & Co. for the location of their magnificent new store at 2010 East Hillsborough Ave. The architecture, tropical landscaping, and huge parking lots exemplify the latest trend in retailing in this area.
Aerial photo from 1959, with Fun-Lan Drive-In Theater in upper right. (Hillsborough County Public Library archives)
Excellent 1958 photos of this store as profiled in Architectural Forum ... great website too!
Sears - E Hillsborough Ave / 22nd St, Tampa (now Erwin)
Built in 1957, this was originally a Sears department store. In 1977, it was granted to the Hillsborough County School Board which converted it into the David G. Erwin Area Vocational - Technical Center, completed in 1980. The exterior has changed very little from this postcard view, except for signage. (Note the large script letters in the Sears logo of that time.)
This former Sears store is an prime example of the movement of retail from the downtown area to the suburbs during the 50s and 60s. There had been 2 Sears stores in downtown Tampa - one at 801-807 Florida Ave and one at 1702 Franklin St. Retail moved even farther out in the 70s, with a Sears opening in 1974 in University Square Mall 3 miles north. Eastlake Square Mall (without a Sears) opened 3 miles east of here in 1976 (and closed in 1995 after Brandon Mall opened even farther out).
Currently, following a decline of last few decades, this area is experiencing a renaissance in new construction - new retail and housing.
Text from the back of this postcard:
The rapidly growing northeast section of Tampa, Florida was chosen by Sears, Roebuck & Co. for the location of their magnificent new store at 2010 East Hillsborough Ave. The architecture, tropical landscaping, and huge parking lots exemplify the latest trend in retailing in this area.
Aerial photo from 1959, with Fun-Lan Drive-In Theater in upper right. (Hillsborough County Public Library archives)
Excellent 1958 photos of this store as profiled in Architectural Forum ... great website too!