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Tampa Bay institutions that are long gone, but desperately need a comeback

By and on Fri, Aug 19, 2022 at 5:18 pm

In this world, things come and go, no matter how much we want them to stay.

Tampa Bay has seen its fair share of legendary restaurants, music venues, bowling alleys, radio stations, and more die out over the ages. Whether it's been a result of rising property value, the pandemic, or even police raids, though the doors may have closed, these places will live on in our minds and hearts forever.

Here are a few iconic local institutions from Tampa Bay's past that need a triumphant comeback.

Beware of nostalgia.
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Fun-Lan Drive-in Theater Drive-in movie theaters are already rare in Tampa Bay, so when Fun-Lan’s 650-car theater closed down last year during the pandemic after over 70 years of service, the city took a major loss. The property has been purchased and the owners claim to construct an affordable housing complex. Photo via Justin Garcia

Fun-Lan Drive-in Theater

Drive-in movie theaters are already rare in Tampa Bay, so when Fun-Lan’s 650-car theater closed down last year during the pandemic after over 70 years of service, the city took a major loss. The property has been purchased and the owners claim to construct an affordable housing complex.
Photo via Justin Garcia
Big Top Flea Market Let’s just say the pandemic was not kind to flea markets. Big Top was the go-to spot for those looking to spend a lazy weekend day searching for knick knacks and bartering deals on sports cards. After 26 years of selling treasures to Tampa locals, the market was shut down in 2020. And you guessed it, townhouses are set to pop up on the property. Photo via Big Top Flea Market/Facebook

Big Top Flea Market

Let’s just say the pandemic was not kind to flea markets. Big Top was the go-to spot for those looking to spend a lazy weekend day searching for knick knacks and bartering deals on sports cards. After 26 years of selling treasures to Tampa locals, the market was shut down in 2020. And you guessed it, townhouses are set to pop up on the property.
Photo via Big Top Flea Market/Facebook
The Colonnade Restaurant Before closing in 2016 and having its insides auctioned off to the public, the five-generation family-owned seafood restaurant served its customers for 80 long years—opening in 1935 before the start of World War II—and slowly became a piece of Tampa Bay history. The Colonnade was a popular spot amongst Tampa’s teenagers and served a variety of fresh fish and shellfish. The property is now home to The Virage, a condominium complex—and those teenagers kept going until the day the restaurant closed. Photo via Collonade Restaurant

The Colonnade Restaurant

Before closing in 2016 and having its insides auctioned off to the public, the five-generation family-owned seafood restaurant served its customers for 80 long years—opening in 1935 before the start of World War II—and slowly became a piece of Tampa Bay history. The Colonnade was a popular spot amongst Tampa’s teenagers and served a variety of fresh fish and shellfish. The property is now home to The Virage, a condominium complex—and those teenagers kept going until the day the restaurant closed.
Photo via Collonade Restaurant
Kapok Tree Inn Clearwater’s Kapok Tree Inn was widely known as one of Florida’s most extravagant restaurants as a result of its Renaissance-inspired architecture, garden, waterfalls, chandeliers and themed dining rooms. Despite generating $10 million in sales in 1988, the inn closed in 1991, but the property still remains as an event venue and includes a Sam Ash Music Store. Photo via Florida State Archives

Kapok Tree Inn

Clearwater’s Kapok Tree Inn was widely known as one of Florida’s most extravagant restaurants as a result of its Renaissance-inspired architecture, garden, waterfalls, chandeliers and themed dining rooms. Despite generating $10 million in sales in 1988, the inn closed in 1991, but the property still remains as an event venue and includes a Sam Ash Music Store.
Photo via Florida State Archives
Wilson’s Sports Lounge After 50 years of cheap drinks, sticky floors and local comradery, Wilson’s had its last call in June earlier this year. The teal-colored, St. Pete dive bar—which appeared in the 2012 hit movie, “Magic Mike”—was a favorite spot for buddies looking to grab a cold one, watch the game and swap stories. People loved Wilson’s because its community—regulars welcomed newcomers, the bartenders were entertaining and everyone could be themselves. Photo via SK West

Wilson’s Sports Lounge

After 50 years of cheap drinks, sticky floors and local comradery, Wilson’s had its last call in June earlier this year. The teal-colored, St. Pete dive bar—which appeared in the 2012 hit movie, “Magic Mike”—was a favorite spot for buddies looking to grab a cold one, watch the game and swap stories. People loved Wilson’s because its community—regulars welcomed newcomers, the bartenders were entertaining and everyone could be themselves.
Photo via SK West
Blue Chair Music Opened in 1992 in the heart of Ybor City, Blue Chair Music was a truly legendary pre-Centro record store that also provided a space for rock and rap misfits to hold shows on the fringes of counterculture. After closing in ‘96, Buffalo Wild Wings now sits in its place. Photo via Christina Coxwell

Blue Chair Music

Opened in 1992 in the heart of Ybor City, Blue Chair Music was a truly legendary pre-Centro record store that also provided a space for rock and rap misfits to hold shows on the fringes of counterculture. After closing in ‘96, Buffalo Wild Wings now sits in its place.
Photo via Christina Coxwell
Tampa Lanes Despite its deterioration in later years, it was a childhood loss for many when Tampa Lanes officially shut its doors for good in 2018. The old-school bowling alley not only featured 50 lanes, an arcade and full bar that was secretly one of the best dives in Tampa, but was packed with core memories and nostalgic vibes. The building has not yet been sold and still rocks the giant red lettering that's hard to miss when driving down North Dale Mabry. Photo via Google Maps

Tampa Lanes

Despite its deterioration in later years, it was a childhood loss for many when Tampa Lanes officially shut its doors for good in 2018. The old-school bowling alley not only featured 50 lanes, an arcade and full bar that was secretly one of the best dives in Tampa, but was packed with core memories and nostalgic vibes. The building has not yet been sold and still rocks the giant red lettering that's hard to miss when driving down North Dale Mabry.
Photo via Google Maps
Tampa Bay Center Before International Plaza and Hyde Park Village, there was the Tampa Bay Center, a two-story shopping mall with an Orange Julius, plus a cinema that opened in 1976. After International’s opening in 2001, many stores transferred out of the Bay Center and forced it to close. The empty mall was demolished in 2005 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ training facility now sits atop its grave. Photo via Tampa Tribune Jan. 2001/Newspapers.com

Tampa Bay Center

Before International Plaza and Hyde Park Village, there was the Tampa Bay Center, a two-story shopping mall with an Orange Julius, plus a cinema that opened in 1976. After International’s opening in 2001, many stores transferred out of the Bay Center and forced it to close. The empty mall was demolished in 2005 and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ training facility now sits atop its grave.
Photo via Tampa Tribune Jan. 2001/Newspapers.com
Iberian Rooster Home to concerts, open mic comedy shows, karaoke and drag shows, St. Pete’s Portuguese fusion restaurant and basement, Iberian Rooster, was forced to close in 2021 amid COVID-19 after nearly six years of service. The all-inclusive spot located on Central Avenue was full of lively and spirited people who enjoyed eating good food, drinking lots of alcohol and singing and dancing to Latin music. Photo via Brian Mahar

Iberian Rooster

Home to concerts, open mic comedy shows, karaoke and drag shows, St. Pete’s Portuguese fusion restaurant and basement, Iberian Rooster, was forced to close in 2021 amid COVID-19 after nearly six years of service. The all-inclusive spot located on Central Avenue was full of lively and spirited people who enjoyed eating good food, drinking lots of alcohol and singing and dancing to Latin music.
Photo via Brian Mahar
Tampa Jai Alai Fronton Jai alai, a Latin American handball-like game played indoors, was a part of Tampa culture for many years and first played in the city in 1952. The sport, and the gambling that happened around it, was slowly pushed out of interest by bigger teams like the Buccaneers and Rowdies, and the last professional jai alai game played in Tampa was in 1998. Photo via Burgert Bros

Tampa Jai Alai Fronton

Jai alai, a Latin American handball-like game played indoors, was a part of Tampa culture for many years and first played in the city in 1952. The sport, and the gambling that happened around it, was slowly pushed out of interest by bigger teams like the Buccaneers and Rowdies, and the last professional jai alai game played in Tampa was in 1998.
Photo via Burgert Bros
Wagon Wheel Flea Market The 55-year-old Wagon Wheel—home to fresh fruit and vegetables, knock off sports jerseys, cheap electronic gadgets and more—was another Tampa Bay staple that was crippled at the hands of the pandemic. The managers had hoped to reopen, but the 150-acre Largo property still sits barren. Photo via Google Maps

Wagon Wheel Flea Market

The 55-year-old Wagon Wheel—home to fresh fruit and vegetables, knock off sports jerseys, cheap electronic gadgets and more—was another Tampa Bay staple that was crippled at the hands of the pandemic. The managers had hoped to reopen, but the 150-acre Largo property still sits barren.
Photo via Google Maps
Super Skate Super Skate’s old-school, neon-lit roller skating rink was the perfect place to throw your middle school birthday party at, invite all your out-of-control friends and maybe even hold hands with your longtime crush. The rink also had a huge gymnasium jammed in the corner of the building and a full-size arcade. The Largo warehouse has since been turned into a Caliber Collision auto body shop. Photo via Google Maps

Super Skate

Super Skate’s old-school, neon-lit roller skating rink was the perfect place to throw your middle school birthday party at, invite all your out-of-control friends and maybe even hold hands with your longtime crush. The rink also had a huge gymnasium jammed in the corner of the building and a full-size arcade. The Largo warehouse has since been turned into a Caliber Collision auto body shop.
Photo via Google Maps
WSJT 94.1-FM Smooth Jazz All lovers of jazz music remember the day when Tampa Bay’s Smooth Jazz radio station went offline. Now we have to go to Spotify or Apple Music to hear our favorite George Benson or Kenny G tracks. Photo via WSJT Smooth Jazz/Twitter

WSJT 94.1-FM Smooth Jazz

All lovers of jazz music remember the day when Tampa Bay’s Smooth Jazz radio station went offline. Now we have to go to Spotify or Apple Music to hear our favorite George Benson or Kenny G tracks.
Photo via WSJT Smooth Jazz/Twitter
Curtis Hixon Hall Opened in 1965, Curtis Hixon Hall played host to everything—concerts, sports games, convention events, political gatherings and more. The hall became overshadowed when the Tampa Convention Center opened in 1990 and was demolished three years later and eventually converted into “Trip Park” and the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park we know today. Photo via State of Florida Archives

Curtis Hixon Hall

Opened in 1965, Curtis Hixon Hall played host to everything—concerts, sports games, convention events, political gatherings and more. The hall became overshadowed when the Tampa Convention Center opened in 1990 and was demolished three years later and eventually converted into “Trip Park” and the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park we know today.
Photo via State of Florida Archives
Cactus Club Cactus Club became an Old Hyde Park Village staple after its opening in 1987 and served Mexican food, chips & salsa, margaritas and more. After a stretch of low business, the Southwest-themed restaurant was forced to close in 2003. The space is now home to Bartaco, a fellow casual Mexican eatery. Photo via bartaco/Google Images

Cactus Club

Cactus Club became an Old Hyde Park Village staple after its opening in 1987 and served Mexican food, chips & salsa, margaritas and more. After a stretch of low business, the Southwest-themed restaurant was forced to close in 2003. The space is now home to Bartaco, a fellow casual Mexican eatery.
Photo via bartaco/Google Images
49er Flea Market From handcrafted furniture to antique books and collectibles, Tampa locals knew 49er was one of the best places to get a bang for your buck. But those sales weren't enough to keep the Clearwater market alive, as it was eventually sold for $3.3 million. Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson motorcycle and apparel store now claims the land. Photo via Google Maps

49er Flea Market

From handcrafted furniture to antique books and collectibles, Tampa locals knew 49er was one of the best places to get a bang for your buck. But those sales weren't enough to keep the Clearwater market alive, as it was eventually sold for $3.3 million. Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson motorcycle and apparel store now claims the land.
Photo via Google Maps
Seven Seas Also known as “Seven Sleaze,” Seven Seas was a cheap strip club for those Tampeños down on their luck. Subject to police raids and ordinance defiance, the club closed in the late-2000s and the property on West Kennedy is now home to Acropolis Greek Taverna. Photo via Tampa Tribune May 2010/Newspapers.com

Seven Seas

Also known as “Seven Sleaze,” Seven Seas was a cheap strip club for those Tampeños down on their luck. Subject to police raids and ordinance defiance, the club closed in the late-2000s and the property on West Kennedy is now home to Acropolis Greek Taverna.
Photo via Tampa Tribune May 2010/Newspapers.com
Three Birds Bookstore Before the bustling nightclub scene, Ybor City’s Three Birds Bookstore, opened in 1989, was a chill spot for original Tampa hipsters to chill, read and grab coffee at. After closing in 1994, the space is now home to Reservoir Bar. Photo via Google Maps

Three Birds Bookstore

Before the bustling nightclub scene, Ybor City’s Three Birds Bookstore, opened in 1989, was a chill spot for original Tampa hipsters to chill, read and grab coffee at. After closing in 1994, the space is now home to Reservoir Bar.
Photo via Google Maps
WKRL Rock In 1990, Clearwater’s WKRL rock station committed itself to only playing Led Zeppelin music—all day, every day—for the entirety of two weeks, including just “Stairway To Heaven” for one whole day. The station is now WXTB, or 98 Rock. Photo via Island Records

WKRL Rock

In 1990, Clearwater’s WKRL rock station committed itself to only playing Led Zeppelin music—all day, every day—for the entirety of two weeks, including just “Stairway To Heaven” for one whole day. The station is now WXTB, or 98 Rock.
Photo via Island Records
Rock-It Club An infamous Tampa rock bar, Rock-It Club, housed metalheads throughout the late-‘80s and early-‘90s and attracted some of the biggest names to the stage, including Pixies, Dokken, Warrant and Savatage. The club closed in the ‘90s, but rock ‘n’ roll and cocaine residue will live on forever. Screengrabvia Mark Adams/YouTube

Rock-It Club

An infamous Tampa rock bar, Rock-It Club, housed metalheads throughout the late-‘80s and early-‘90s and attracted some of the biggest names to the stage, including Pixies, Dokken, Warrant and Savatage. The club closed in the ‘90s, but rock ‘n’ roll and cocaine residue will live on forever.
Screengrabvia Mark Adams/YouTube
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