The Kapok Tree

The scene is rural post-Civil War Florida - the 1870's. Tampa's population is under 5,000 and Clear Water Harbor is home to about 18 families. Nurseryman Robert Hoyt settles inland of Cooper's Point on the western side of Old Tampa Bay. He builds a home and plants citrus groves near a new rail line that feeds produce from Pinellas Peninsula north through central Florida. He runs "Seven Oaks Post Office", shipping citrus and pecan trees worldwide. In his greenhouse he raises two seedling kapok trees brought from India. He eventually plants one across from his house at the future location of the Kapok Tree Inn.

Kapok Tree founder Richard B. Baumgardner is born in Frederick, Maryland in 1908. After Richard graduates from high school, his mother converts their historic family house into a restaurant, opening the Peter Pan Inn in 1926. Richard becomes a singer and band leader, appearing in movies and on radio as Dick "Hot-Cha" Gardner. He takes over running the Peter Pan Inn upon the death of his mother in 1946. In the 1950's, Richard and wife Ethel¹ raise two boys and a girl. With the Peter Pan Inn closed during winter months, the family spends its vacations in Clearwater. Richard eventually buys the Hoyt orange grove and its already-famous kapok tree. He and friend Jim Jones decide to build a restaurant there. Like the Peter Pan Inn, the Florida restaurant will offer country dinners in an elegant setting.

Info courtesy of www.benzplace.com/kapok/history.html

Baumgardner's

In the 1970's, Kapok Tree Inns, Corp. embarks on an ambitious expansion program. In 1971, they open a suit-and-tie restaurant across the street from the Kapok Tree and name it "Baumgardner's". A second Kapok Tree Inn opens in Madeira Beach in 1972, a third in Fort Lauderdale in 1974, and a fourth in Daytona Beach in 1978. Seats are added almost annually at the one Maryland and five Florida restaurants. In 1976, the Clearwater Kapok Tree Inn is named one of the 100 best restaurants in the United States by Sales and Marketing Management magazine. With both sales and profits still rising, founder Richard B. Baumgardner dies in October of 1976, leaving 75% of his estate to his wife June, who takes over as CEO and chairman.

Eventually Baumgardner's Clearwater Restaurant is purchased by Kenneth Sauder, who turns it into "Savoy Antiques", a fine art and antique mall that becomes well-known in the Bay Area. After several years, a strip of retails shops is constructed adjacent to the former Baumgardner's site, and Shoppes at The Savoy is born.

In 2004, Mike Dabiri purchased The Shoppes at The Savoy and invested a lot in upgrading and improving the plaza, resulting in several big name tenants such as BB&T Bank and The Brew Garden.

Info courtesy of www.benzplace.com/kapok/history.html

Shoppes at The Savoy

Today, Shoppes at The Savoy is one of the most well-known shopping plaza's in the Tampa Bay Area. It's convenient location, along with it's historic background, make it a frequent stop for everyone from locals looking to shop, grab a brew, or take advantage of the Kapok Pilates classes, to tourists marveling at the 400+ year old trees in the garden.

Shoppes at The Savoy is conveniently located on McMullen Booth Road, directly across the Kapok Tree Pavillion, just south of Ruth Eckerd Hall.