Brandon Author to Sign Copies of Historical Tampa Book

Residents are invited to drop by , 173 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, Saturday, July 7 to meet author John V. Cinchett.

The Brandon resident and author of "Vintage Tampa Storefronts and Scenes" will be on hand from noon to 3 p.m. to sign copies of his book.

Admission is free, however, a portion of the proceeds from book sales will benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation and the SPCA Tampa Bay.

In his book, Cinchett features more than 200 historic photographs taken of Tampa from the 1940s through the 1960s including never-before-seen images of favorite downtown shopping scenes and neighborhood shops including several legendary Brandon businesses.

The book takes the reader on a walking tour of downtown Tampa, Brandon, Ybor City, West Tampa, Seminole Heights and other neighborhoods, highlighting the most popular stores of that well-loved era in vintage restored original photographs.    

Cinchett is a third-generation Tampa native and a local history writer who dedicates his efforts to the preservation and promotion of historic Tampa photographs. 

He interviewed dozens of longtime Tampa store owners who shared their family’s heritage through stories and nostalgic photographs of their businesses.

The book retails for $21.99 and may be purchased the day of the signing or at local bookstores including Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and Inkwood Books. It is also available at the Tampa Bay History Center Gift Shop and the Ybor City State Museum Gift Shop. Online orders can be placed at www.ArcadiaPublishing.com. Telephone orders can be placed at (toll-free) 1-888-313-2665.

For more information on Saturday's book signing, call 813-438-8910.