When Chris Cunningham scooped up a worn-out feed store and the surrounding block on North Nebraska Avenue, he was not aiming for just another corner hardware joint. He turned the site into True Value America, a full-service hardware store that doubles as a neighborhood retail anchor and a business-to-business supply hub for contractors. The move has added e-commerce sales, local jobs and a visible commercial presence in a stretch where neighbors say choices used to be slim.
According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal, Cunningham paid about $1.6 million for the parcel, then reworked the storefront and the lot to widen the retail footprint. The deal covered multiple buildings on nearly two acres of land, giving him control of the whole block instead of just a single bay. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that the property purchase and overhaul were central to his plan to turn the site into a neighborhood anchor.
Industry profiles say Cunningham stocked roughly 20,000 SKUs, installed 72 linear feet of power equipment and set aside a janitorial aisle aimed squarely at professional buyers. They also note that the store's e-commerce site started generating orders before the physical doors reopened, helping to pay for renovations. As reported by The Hardware Connection, the product mix is intentionally described as "urban rural" - a blend of pro-grade tools and feed-store staples intended to serve both contractors and neighborhood residents.
Built For Businesses, Not Just DIYers
Cunningham has leaned into B2B sales more than a typical neighborhood hardware owner, securing contracts and repeat orders from institutional buyers including Tampa Electric Company and Tampa General Hospital, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal. That kind of steady, bulk purchasing provides a more predictable revenue base than walk-in traffic alone and supports deeper inventory in janitorial and pro-grade lines. The commercial focus also ties into Cunningham's other businesses and distribution channels, which helps keep stock levels and service tightly aligned with what local contractors need.
Block-Scale Redevelopment Comes Next
Because Cunningham owns nearly two acres and several buildings, he has options that go well beyond retail. Local reporting says he has discussed the possibility of converting parts of the site into affordable townhomes and mixed-use space as the neighborhood continues to grow. In a profile, 83 Degrees Media notes his long-term strategy of pairing property ownership with operating businesses to help stabilize and revitalize an entire block.
For nearby residents, the change is straightforward and tangible - faster access to supplies and a local employer within walking or driving distance. For contractors, it means a reliable, service-minded supplier close to job sites. Cunningham's experiment in vertical integration - blending restoration, distribution and retail under one local owner - could end up serving as a playbook for other small-scale developers around Tampa Bay.
