“A summer job? More like a family tradition!” That’s the motto at the Village Motel, or rather, the Village Inns. Our story begins not with this Village Motel, but with another one just a short drive away, at 215 N Dale Mabry Highway. The year is 1961. Dow and Mary Sherwood, newcomers to Tampa, open the first Village Inn in Florida. Little did they know, they were planting the seeds for a family dynasty. The Village Inn quickly became a Tampa institution, loved for Mary’s home-style cooking and Dow’s charm. Their daughter, Mary Kay, remembers Dow telling Mary, “This town needs a pancake house!” The original location, open 24/7, drew everyone from Cincinnati Reds players during spring training to local celebrities like George Steinbrenner. It was a true mom-and-pop operation. The Sherwoods’ grandchildren spent their summers working at the restaurant, creating lasting memories amidst the clatter of plates and the sizzle of the grill. The tradition continues to this day. The Sherwood’s great-grandchildren, like Emma and Dow Walker, carry the torch. They bus tables, greet guests, and learn the ropes of the family business, just like generations before them. Though the menu has been standardized and the bow ties replaced by polo shirts, the heart of the Village Inn remains the same. It’s a place where families work together, guests become friends, and the sweet aroma of pancakes fills the air. Even though the Village Motel we stand before today may not be the original location, the story of the Village Inn is Tampa history. It’s a testament to family, hard work, and the enduring power of a good breakfast.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to