Swampy’s Matchbook Game: Jimmy Fazio’s House of Prime Ribs

by on May 19, 2011 at 10:22 am
Posted In: Florida Advertising, Florida Food Stops, Swampy's Collectibles, Swampy's Florida Matchbooks

Jimmy Fazio moved to Broward County in ’52 and continued a string of food and entertainment establishments he had started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His House of Ribs was one of the best known. Fazio died in ’98 and here is his obituary with much more information. Joe Namath was amongst the famous that frequented the establishment. This was also a hot spot for live dinner entertainment, which has virtually disappeared throughout the country. One exception is nearby Tropical Acres that still has a live piano player.

The building still stands. Interesting that it is now the home of the local offices of Planned Parenthood.

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Swampy’s Postcard Wednesday: Lakeland – Southgate Shopping Center

by on May 18, 2011 at 1:23 am
Posted In: Florida Architecture, Florida Postcards, Swampy's Collectibles

See the arch? It’s still there in Lakeland on Florida Avenue! So is the Publix and the Hardware store. The rest of the stores are gone. This card is from around 1970. Interesting that the lineup of stores of W.T. Grant to Publix was nearly identical to the lineup at Colonial Plaza Mall in Orlando. Is there another location of a strip mall that had a similar lineup? I would guess there was.

This is the same mall used in the film ‘Edward Sissorhands’.

Below is a closeup to the last line of shops.

If you have any stories or memories of the mall, please feel free to leave them in the comments below!

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Swampy’s Matchbook Game: Farrell’s Ice Cream

by on May 12, 2011 at 12:46 am
Posted In: Florida Advertising, Florida Food Stops, Swampy's Florida Matchbooks

Today begins Thursday posts about match books from Florida. The first one being quasi-Florida. The Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlours were only in a select location around the state, like Tampa, Altamonte Springs, etc. They came in the mid-70s and were gone by the late ’80s.

However in that time the scoop shops created memories that endure to today. Including with myself. It’s hard to forget the fun atmosphere, the ice cream troughs and the red and white outfits.

Do you have “Happy-itis”???

In the spirit of Matches, the old gameshow came to mind. So here’s the subject as the theme of the line to fill in. You can put your word(s) in the comments area. There’s nobody except yourselves to match, nothing to win (or lose), but I thought it might be fun to start this off with.

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Tubby Tom said to the server at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour,” I’m in a hurry. Don’t put that ice cream in a cone. Just put it in my _____________.”

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