In this vintage view, we peer toward the southwest. Stores along this section of the shopping concourse included the aforementioned Walgreens, as well as Ace Hardware, Mary Jane Shoes and Lerner Shops.

Photo from Library of Congreess

Michigan-based Kresge's opened their first Florida store at CORTEZ PLAZA. 708th in the chain, it carried several new product lines, including small appliances, power tools, lawn mowers, radios, small furniture and barbecue grills.

Graphic from the Kresge Company

The CORTEZ PLAZA Kresge's included a luncheonette; a standard fixture of a mid-20th century 5 & 10 store.

Advert from the Kresge Company

The original supermarket at CORTEZ PLAZA was operated by New Jersey's Grand Union chain. The store was short-lived. After only 9 months in business, it had been bought -and rebranded- by Publix.  

Advert from the Grand Union Company

Crossroads of the Suncoast. The first of four CORTEZ PLAZA plans dates to 1960. From today's jaded vantage point, it seems almost unbelievable that, in 1960, a 185,000 square foot shopping complex could have been promoted as "mammoth," or that it was the largest shopping center on the entire west coast of Florida.

CORTEZ PLAZA TENANTS 1960:

BELK-LINDSEY (with Store For Homes) / PUBLIX supermarket / S.S. KRESGE 5 & 10 (with luncheonette) / WALGREEN DRUG (with Walgreen Grill) / Ace Hardware / Adventurers Cafeteria (outparcel) / Associates Discount & Loan Corporation / Burke's Shoe Repair / Camera's Incorporated / Carter's Family Shoe Center / Coach Butterfield Toy Store / Corn Cabin / Cortez Bakery / Cortez Lanes bowling alley (outparcel) / Cortez Plaza Barber Shop / Florida Casuals ladies' wear / Fremacs For Men & Boys / Gordon's Jewelers / Inter-City National Bank / Lerner Shops ladies' wear / Mary Jane Shoes / One Hour Martinizing / Rita's Beauty Shop / Stauffer Slenderizing Salon / The Cotton Shop ladies' wear / Walter S. Hardin Realty & Insurance / Wash-O-Mat