Tampa nonprofit strives to reopen drop-in center for unhoused, vulnerable

For more than 30 years, The Shop was a daytime drop-in center offering hope to people experiencing homelessness. It came in the form of a hot shower, a steaming mug of strong coffee, or a parcel of laundered clothes. Located off Nebraska Avenue in Tampa, the center offered access to the internet, the ability to collect personal mail, and proximity to social services.

The vibe was welcoming. This was a place to sit, recharge, connect, and find help.

Now, the coffee mugs sit empty. The Shop recently closed because of federal funding cuts. Gracepoint Wellness, which operated The Shop up until its closure, has also merged with a behavioral health nonprofit to become IBIS Healthcare. The drop-in center’s former visitors must rely on mobile shower outreach, which can be difficult to locate, and find respite and support elsewhere. 

But Tampa nonprofit WellBuilt Cities is leading an  effort to reopen The Shop. So far, a community fundraising campaign is about $100,000 short of the estimated yearly expenses for the 8,400 square-foot haven.

Still, the plan is to re-open in November. Community support is still needed to reach the fundraising goal of $240,000, an amount that would cover the lease payment and various necessary elements such as insurance and utilities. It also allows The Shop to serve 200 or more visitors each week for a year. 

Churches, nonprofits, agencies, and university partners have historically offered a robust outreach for those in need who visit The Shop, from mental and behavioral health services to affordable housing solutions to workforce readiness programs. 

During an open house on August 27, potential donors, community members, and media toured the location at 6220 N Nebraska Ave. Long-term plans involve a possible purchase of the building and extended services. Volunteers will be tapped to provide needed manpower.  

“We want to be able to say, ‘This still exists,’” says WellBuilt Cities CEO Jon Dengler. “The Shop is an accepting and necessary space—it’s a needed neighborhood fixture.”

Dengler has witnessed how transformative a place like The Shop can be. His organization once operated a similar drop-in center in Tampa Heights, The Well, and he describes volunteer and visitor experiences there as mutually beneficial. 

“People have a need for these interactions,” he says. “It’s so good for everyone involved.”

The first goal is to save The Shop. After that, it’s to partner and scale. 

Dengler and his team plan to spend the rest of October refreshing the space. An Amazon wishlist is in the works for setup and operations items. 

“We’re leaning in as hard as we can to figure this out,” Dengler says. 

For more information, or to donate, go to WellBuilt Cities and select “Save The Shop.”