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Everybody's business

Happening house turns into offices

The building in Hyde Park North that's seen boarders and drunkards is now in the business of commercial real estate.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published July 2, 2004

A COLORFUL HISTORY: It's been a boardinghouse, tavern and private residence of a burlesque dancer named Jessie McMenomy, who went by the stage names Madam Wow and Jessica Rogers.

Today, the Victorian-style house at 332 S Plant Ave. in Hyde Park North serves as the offices of Don and Joann Ferlita's Property Pro commercial real estate company.

Don Ferlita said he's spent about $250,000 renovating the 3,800-square-foot house, which was in a high state of disrepair. He hired Gerardi Construction Inc. to undo the chopped-up, rooming house configuration and restore the elaborate trim and fixtures.

Crews finished the work last month, and the Ferlitas moved their business into the first floor a few weeks ago.

The house was built in 1898 by lumber company owner Albert H. Johnson. After Johnson owned it, the building served as a boardinghouse from 1929 to 1935, under the names Carolina Inn and the Waldorf, Ferlita said. Later it was converted into a tavern.

McMenomy bought the house in 1957. "She was apparently a real colorful person," Ferlita said. In addition to dancing, she also appeared in B movies.

The house stayed in McMenomy's family after her death. The Ferlitas bought it from David Houseman, McMenomy's nephew.

Shortly after purchasing the house last year, Ferlita discovered a trunk full of McMenomy's mementos. It gave Ferlita a valuable boost to his research on the house's history.

In a few months, the Ferlitas' daughter, Shea Ferlita, will move into the second floor.

OBER HEADQUARTERS: The next time you're passing by 801 E Scott St. downtown, drop in, say hello and have a cup of coffee, "on the state attorney."

State Attorney Mark Ober chose the location near the interstate ramps between Morgan Street Jail and Central Park Village as the headquarters for his re-election bid.

He plans to set up a coffee stand in the parking lot and give out free cups of joe to visitors. He can afford it. He has the biggest war chest of any candidate in the race - about $225,000.

None of that will be spent on rent for the building. Ober is using it for free as an in-kind contribution from the Bazarte family, who owns the building. The Bazartes, who run a bail bonds business across the street, also gave Ober use of the building during his 2000 campaign.

The building previously housed several restaurants and hair salons. Ober and his people recently gave it a new paint job, replaced some windows and cleaned up the lot. Now they can start the business of planning television ads, neighborhood walks and signmaking.

"We're looking real good," Ober said of his campaign.

NEW BANKS: The two South Tampa branches of Republic Bank have become BB&T banks, a result of the North Carolina bank's acquisition of Republic's 71 Florida branches.

The new burgundy and white signs at 218 N Dale Mabry Highway and 1322 S Dale Mabry Highway has left some to wonder what the letters BB&T stand for. It means "Branch Bank and Trust." The "Branch" is a reference to Alpheus Branch, who founded a predecessor of BB&T in the late 1800s.

Meanwhile, AmSouth plans to open a branch on the south side of Kennedy Boulevard, two doors east of Lois Avenue. An old, abandoned house on the site will be demolished to make way for a two-story, red brick building, AmSouth marketing director Susan Lang said.

Construction should begin by February or March and be finished by June. The 10,000-square-foot branch will serve as a hub for AmSouth, offering mortgage lending and wealth management services in addition to the traditional bank branch amenities, such as ATMs and a drive through.

Also, the new AmSouth branch at 2405 W Swann Ave. opened Monday. The office, just west of Howard Avenue, will have a grand opening event Aug. 21, Lang said.

- Information from Times files was used in this report. Do you know something that should be everybody's business? Call 226-3394 or e-mail mikecanning@hotmail.com

[Last modified July 1, 2004, 11:26:08]