TAMPA, Fla. — Britton Plaza, a historic shopping center in South Tampa, has been sold to Brixmor Property Trust, sparking curiosity among local business owners and residents about its future.
The 30-acre site, built in 1956, has seen several anchor stores close recently, fueling speculation about redevelopment.
Despite the sale, Brixmor has already put up "for lease" signs, indicating a willingness to maintain current tenants while exploring new opportunities.
“We are here. We’re going to be here,” said Kevin Clarke of Play it Again Sports, emphasizing the resilience of existing businesses amidst the changes and rumors of the plaza’s demise.
Gary Dunkin has lived in South Tampa his whole life, with fond memories of Britton Plaza. He's now wondering what will become of it.
"A lot of the stores have been closing down and stuff," he said "Steadily, one at a time. The movie theater used to be over there now it's gone. It's been replaced. Certain ones have been replaced. Certain ones just never came back."
Rumors started swirling about the sale of Britton Plaza earlier this year, when many of the retail center's anchor stores started leaving. This includes Stein Mart, Big Lots, Bealls and more.
Kevin Clarke, who owns Play it Again Sports in the plaza, says those rumors have been tough on business with the holidays approaching.
"Yeah, with all the rumors going around about the supposed demise of Britton Plaza, it's been slow," he said. "People aren't coming in as much as they used to and the rumors false."
10 Tampa Bay reached out to Britton Plaza's new owner, Brixmor, asking them what's next for the property.
Officials say they look forward to delivering a shopping experience that returns the plaza to the center of the South Tampa community.
