Landmark Store Reborn As Cafe

People sent letters, called and made unannounced visits to Marie Lesiak Haley's Tampa home asking whether she would sell the family's vacant business, Pickford's Sundries, on Hillsborough Avenue.

Various inquirers wanted to turn the 1949 building her family built into a pawnshop, a hot dog stand or an office of a bankruptcy lawyer.

None of the proposals appealed to Lesiak Haley, 64, until she received a letter last year from Michelle DeMicco, who suggested running a cafe and bakery out of the building at 2606 W. Hillsborough Ave.

The concept fit with Lesiak Haley's vision of a business that respected the past and remained open to the public. Her family once operated a diner and drugstore in the building, selling items such as comic books, children's toys, cosmetics and women's clothing. It closed in 1998 after Lesiak Haley's uncle died.

"It is like a dream come true," Lesiak Haley said. "I feel the faith and prayers have been answered. I just wanted to keep it. It was my past; it was Tampa's past."

Last week, DeMicco opened Custom Creations Cafe & Bakery at the site, which she leases from Lesiak Haley. She serves breakfasts and lunches featuring omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, salads and soups. She bakes cakes, pies and pastries and prepares fountain sodas.

DeMicco has preserved items that were sold in the store. Shadowboxes are filled with jars of face cream selling for 55 cents, a box of hair curlers and a bottle of Tampa cologne.

She helped restore the original counter and has on display a radio and television tube tester and a refrigerator from the original store.

DeMicco said she visited the store before it closed in 1998. It remained in her mind because of its "nostalgic charm."

DeMicco, who also restored her bungalow home in Seminole Heights, said she is proud she could help keep part of Tampa's history alive. Customers have told her stories of the old Pickford's Sundries, she said.

"Preserving history is very important," said DeMicco, who plans to have a grand opening Wednesday. "Once it's gone, you can't get it back."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Custom Creations Cafe & Bakery

WHERE: 2606 W. Hillsborough Ave.

HOURS: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays (after Wednesday)

DETAILS: (813) 234-3755 or www.cafe-bakery.com