I was walking up and down Duval Street this morning taking photos for an upcoming blog when I passed by 501 Duval Street, the PACE Building, or as it has been known prior to 2000 the Banana Republic building. I was startled to see the windows had been totally covered by brown paper. Then I was alarmed to see the BANANA REPUBLIC signage had been removed. Doom! I thought.
On
May 12, 2012 I wrote that Fast Buck Freddies was closing its doors. Fast Buck Freddies did an orderly liquidation over several weeks. Then it shut its doors forever. Nothing has filled that space. I was fearful that Banana Republic would be leaving the space as well. I returned to my office and learned that the store held a liquidation sale over the weekend. Doom. Doom. And more Doom I thought. I contacted an old pal who told me that the store will be re-opening in November as a Banana Republic outlet. Thank God it's not leaving. I could not bear it turning into a tacky t-shirt shop or taco stand. I dug into the shoebox to look for old photos of what occupied the space at 501 Duval Street before Banana Republic.
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| Drug store in 1965 |
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| 1975 being renovated | |
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| Tacos in 1975 |
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| Banana Republic 2011 |
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| Doors Shut - Movers Ready for Final Move-out August 21, 2013 |
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| Gone Today - Hope it actually returns |
