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Grocer Reflects On A Lifetime At The Corner

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By MARK HOLAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

DOWNTOWN - Andrew Massari owns and operates Model Cash Grocery, 125 S. Hyde Park Ave., one of the city's remaining mom-and-pops.

His Sicilian-born grandfather, Nicolo, bought the grocery store in 1927; two years after workers finished the building at Hyde Park and Grand Central avenues.

Massari's father and mother, Dominic and Bessie, ran the store through the middle of the 20th century.

"I grew up in this store," said Massari, 63.

He took over in 1970 and continues to mind the store from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The shelves are thinly lined with soda, juice, wine, canned goods, bread, cookies, crackers and other sundries. The coolers are better stocked with beer and sandwiches, which are cut diagonally and wrapped as triangles, one half atop the other.

"We've always made our own sandwiches," about 50 a day, Massari said.

Cigarettes, lighters and razors are sold behind the worn linoleum-topped counter.

The store's most expensive item is a 12-pack of beer for $9.99.

Cash only.

Q. What has changed over the years?

A. This neighborhood used to be full of rooming houses. There were hundreds and hundreds of people. This was a thriving store. But the situation has changed for mom-and-pop stores. You don't see many independently owned fish markets, drugstores or hardware stores.

Q. How has the store changed?

A. This was a full-service store. We had meat and produce. We used to make deliveries.

Q. How did you make the

deliveries?

A. We had a station wagon. There was no charge. We stopped about 10 years ago.

Q. Is there anything unique about this store?

A. This is one of the remaining few grocery stores where you can legally drink a beer. We have a grandfathered COP consumption on premises license. People used to come in here and drink a beer while they were shopping.

Q. What are your biggest

sellers?

A. Beer, wine, sandwiches; mostly convenience items.

Q. Who are your customers?

A. We have some students from the nearby University of Tampa. Most are people who work in offices.

Q. Is there pressure to sell this property?

A. Not as much anymore. I wouldn't sell it now the way the economy is.

Q. How much longer are you going to work here?

A. About another year. Then we will lease it for some other type of business, probably some type of restaurant.

Q. What have you liked most about having the store?

A. The people. There was a time it was so busy you couldn't get in here. We knew 90 percent of the customers by name.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 259-7651 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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