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Hungry For The Good Old Days? Whaley's Is Back

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Paul Ruel and Todd Whaley, right, co-owners of the new Whaley's on Kennedy Boulevard check out the market's new sign going up Wednesday.

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Published: October 15, 2008

TAMPA - Whaley's Market, a thread in the fabric of South Tampa for 74 years, wasn't gone long.

The iconic store closed in August, but Todd Whaley has opened a new, scaled-down version on Kennedy Boulevard. The sign is set to go up today, although Whaley has been on the job for almost a week.

Whaley, whose family started with an open-air market and expanded into a 10,000-square-foot grocery store, formed a partnership with Paul Ruel and took over the old Paul's Meats at 3917 W. Kennedy Blvd., just west of Dale Mabry Highway.

"With his expertise and passion, and someone like Todd with his name recognition, it was a slam dunk," Ruel said.

Even without a sign to mark the new location, former customers found their way to Whaley's on Tuesday.

"I've got to tell my friends," said a jubilant Vilda Barton after encouraging Whaley to stock her favorite fresh greens.

John Carbonneau, who shopped at the old store for 35 years, was in to get some meat Tuesday.

"I was there the day it closed. I couldn't believe it when I heard it was open again," he said.

The new store is a fifth the size of the old one and won't carry as much, but it will feature customer favorites such as chicken salad, steaks and prepared meals.

"The future of Whaley's are satellite stores this size," Whaley said.

The new location is about two miles from the old one on South Howard Avenue, which the family had to leave because it couldn't work out satisfactory lease arrangements there.

The new place should be close enough to draw former customers, Whaley said.

"They won't have to go north of Kennedy."

Reporter Neil Johnson can be reached at (813) 259-7731.

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