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Rock-solid humor in a world of words

The owner of Tampa Antiquarian Books loves her neighborhood's charm and welcomes to her store a seller of modern books.

By MICHAEL CANNING
Published July 21, 2006

Stephanie Beckel displays a rock at her store, Tampa Antiquarian Books and Collectibles in Old Seminole Heights.

It's the one burglars used to break into her shop July 10.

She keeps it as reminder that she can't be beaten. She also uses it to show her unbreakable sense of humor - she put a price tag on the rock of $663.67, the amount she lost during the burglary.

Beckel bought and moved the longtime store on N Armenia Avenue to 6116 N Central Ave. in December 2005. It didn't take her long to embrace the community.

"I've become part of the neighborhood," said Beckel, who herself plans to move to Old Seminole Heights in the next few weeks. "I love the charm, and everybody is just so fantastic."

Earlier this month, Upper Story Books opened in part of Beckel's store.

"The neighborhood's just gorgeous," said Upper Story co-owner John Shevrock, who lives in Historic Hyde Park.

"I honestly didn't know that much about Seminole Heights. But there's a lot of foot traffic; we're right on the corner (of Central and Hanna avenues). It has surprised me."

Shevrock started Upper Story two years ago on the second floor of his backyard garage apartment, conducting sales mostly through the Internet.

Eventually, Shevrock wanted a retail store front. So in September 2005, he moved his stock of books into another independent used book store, Imperial Book Lodge on Kennedy Boulevard near Howard Avenue.

The eclectic setting, a rambling 1930 Arts and Crafts bungalow, was a good fit for Upper Story. But in May, the house was sold and the new owner announced plans to convert the building into Deck Pizza and Pub. The Book Lodge's owner, Ryan DeRamus, must vacate by Aug. 31.

Shevrock said he likes his new spot in Tampa Antiquarian.

"We don't conflict," Shevrock said of Beckel's and his books. "I sell a lot of modern first editions." Beckel's stock mostly dates from the mid 1800s to early 1900s. "And I also have a lot of American history titles and European history titles."

Tampa Antiquarian's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

[Last modified July 20, 2006, 13:34:18]