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CoolHistory   |   Vanessa Wheeler

Webb’s City: Selling Sunshine Through Spectacle

Promotional image of Webb City, a large white building, and a cameo image of Doc Webb, its founder

In St. Petersburg, shopping was never just about buying something. Sometimes, it was an experience all its own.

In 1925, James Earl “Doc” Webb opened a small drugstore that would eventually become one of the most famous businesses in the Sunshine City. Known as Webb’s City, the store grew into a sprawling destination that covered multiple city blocks and offered everything from groceries and clothing to furniture, souvenirs, entertainment, and more.

Doc Webb understood the power of promotion. With eye-catching displays, unusual attractions, and creative advertising, he transformed a simple shopping trip into an unforgettable event. Visitors came not only to shop, but to experience the spectacle of what became known as “The World’s Most Unusual Drug Store.”

Webb’s City captured the spirit of a city that knew how to draw attention, create excitement, and sell the promise of sunshine. It was more than a store. It was part of the St. Petersburg experience.

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