The Smith Arcade

 

The Smith Arcade building across the street from the Punta Gorda post office was built in 1926 by a man named H.W. Smith, who was an early Punta Gorda baker.  Smith originally operated the bakery where the 1905 fire that destroyed much of the early downtown started.  He then built a new shop further east on Marion Avenue near Nesbitt and began expanding from there, first a hotel, the Bayview with shops within it, and later the Arcade.

Covered shopping areas date back many hundreds of years when they were constructed to allow traders to sell out of the hot sun in the Middle East including the vaulted arcades or ‘souks’ found in Jerusalem. However, it was in Europe where these arcades were embraced and eventually evolved into the elegant 19th century shopping arcades which became widespread in the UK and reached Scotland in 1827. Perhaps one of the most famous is the Burlington Arcade in London, which has a similar look to Smith's.

The original Smith's Arcade, one of the earliest in the U.S.,  had glass roof panels like the Burlington Arcade, but given the potential for leakage and the the hot Florida sun these were replaced.  But the Arcade still has the original stain glass windows and gorgeous tile floor with tiles made in Venice, Florida. 

The Arcade Building was the center of activity in Punta Gorda from 1926 to 1958.  During this period the U.S. Post Office was located in the building.  Residents made daily trips to the post office to receive their mail since the area did not have home delivery.  The Maxwell Pharmacy was one of the early occupants along with a new realty office.  Over time it was the home of Dr. Clement's office, the Harry Rich Radio, a small grocery store, a dentist's office, a radio repair business, and a beauty parlor. It was a favorite activity to stop for ice cream while waiting for mail, probably in the drug store which had a soda fountain. 

Today the  indoor Arcade is closed, but building itself houses the Perfect Caper Restaurant and a Florida Department of Correction state probation office.