The following contains excerpts from an April 1, 2012, article in the Naples Daily News by Elizabeth Kellar on the restoration of the Olde Naples Building. As you’ll read, this wasn’t the first time this task was undertaken. And even though this is but a snapshot in time, renovations and the building continue to make headlines.
Restoration underway for Olde Naples Building
If it were a Nancy Drew story, it could be called “The Secrets of the Sandwich Shop.”
But even the girl detective herself might be bewildered by all the mysteries contained within the ordinary-looking building at the corner of Third Street South and Broad Avenue South.
Known as the Olde Naples Building, the structure was completed in 1921. Since then, it has housed an array of Neapolitan necessities, including serving as the first town hall, City Council chambers and courthouse. It also takes the honor as Naples’ first pharmacy, playhouse, library, movie theater, post office, real estate office, doctor’s office and church. Most recently, it was home to Fantozzi’s, a popular grocery and sandwich shop…