Powe, Tamika
22 November 2006
Biography of a Block:
1600 Block of 7th Ave, Between 16th and 17th Ave Ybor City

Current Listed Addresses:

1601 E 7th Ave Rare Olive
1605 E 7th Ave Deli Plus
1609 E 7Th Ave Amphitheater
1611 E 7th Ave Level Iii
1612 E 7th Ave La France
1613 E 7th Ave Full Moon Saloon
1616 E 7th Ave Joffreys coffee
1617 E 7th Ave Pizza Shop
1618 E 7th Ave Club Electra
1619 E 7th Ave Club Prana
1620 E 7th ave Revolve Clothing Exchange
1621 E 7th Ave Restaurant
1622 E 7th Ave Tattoo
1624 E 7th Ave U.S. Customs
1630 E 7th Ave Subway
1632 E 7th Ave Tattoos

The urban environment of 7th Ave, or as it was once known, “The Latin Quarter” has been in flux over since it was predominately occupied by Cuban, Italian and German immigrants from the late 1800’s. During this period, the majority of the buildings on this block were used for a various number of purposes. Some of these buildings remained as cigar factories until the 1950’s, when the cigar industry collapsed after years of economic depression. Cigar factory workers who moved to Ybor in the late 1880's and 90's bought company-produced housing close to the factories, social clubs and local 7th Avenue commercial district. Ybor City was a multi-cultural, tight-knit community that survived many adversities. The industries in Ybor City during the 1950’s and 1960’s faced economic hardships because of World War II and the Cuban Embargo. Then in the late 1980’s early 1990’s the city of Tampa began to push for urban renewal and began to pump money into this area. In addition to the Urban Renewal Movement, the concept of an Interstate System was introduced and Interstate 4 (I-4) was built through part of Ybor. This construction was pretty much the final blow to the already declining neighborhood. I-4 separated the neighborhood into two sections and left the north side cut off from the commercial district. Many of the long-time residents moved away, leaving numerous homes and businesses vacant. During and since this period, these structures have been used for various types of commercial, private and residential purposes. The original foundations erected during this era still remain today, with few being drastically altered beyond necessary repairs and/or changes of outside signs. Presently, the businesses that occupy these structures are relatively unchanged since the early 1900’s. The geographic area investigated presently consists of retail, entertainment, business, and eating establishments. For example, 1612 E 7th Ave is a retail business, La France that has been owned by Herbert and Jill Wax since 1992. Previous to this, the deed was held by Barnett Bank. In the 1930’s it was Brights Shoe Store. Another example is 1624 E 7th Ave, owned by Julius Shiver since 1996 and is currently occupied by U.S. Customs.