Downtown Miami

A new Miami food hall once looked like that? See then-and-now photos of 1930s building

Garbage piles up outside the Walgreens at Flagler Street and Second Avenue in downtown Miami in 1969.
Garbage piles up outside the Walgreens at Flagler Street and Second Avenue in downtown Miami in 1969. Bob East Miami Herald File

Julia & Henry’s, a new food hall in downtown Miami, fills a building with a lot of history.

In 1936, Walgreens opened at 200 E. Flagler St. as the country’s largest. The store featured an 88-foot-long soda fountain counter inside a three-story atrium. Miami declared the building a historic and architectural landmark in 1988.

After Walgreens moved out, the building found a second life as the family-owned La Epoca department store from 2005 through 2016. The building was then closed, opened occasionally for exhibits.

Now, there’s a third life, with the Henry & Julia’s food hall opening in June 2023. It’s named after Miami pioneers Henry Flagler and Julia Tuttle.

MORE PHOTOS: See what downtown Miami used to look like

Let’s take a look at the three lives of the building from the Miami Herald’s photo archives:

WALGREENS

People taking a self-guided tour in downtown Miami along Flagler Street.
People taking a self-guided tour in downtown Miami along Flagler Street. Bob East Miami Herald File


The old downtown Miami Walgreens as it undergoes renovations to become La Epoca department store.
The old downtown Miami Walgreens as it undergoes renovations to become La Epoca department store. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File
Eddie Ferment started Working at Walgreens in 1937 and worked his way up to window dresser. This picture was taken in 1987 as the drug store celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Eddie Ferment started Working at Walgreens in 1937 and worked his way up to window dresser. This picture was taken in 1987 as the drug store celebrated its 50th anniversary. Marice Cohn Band Miami Herald File
Downtown Miami Walgreens in 1969.
Downtown Miami Walgreens in 1969. State of Florida Archives

LA EPOCA DEPARTMENT STORE

The atrium of the old Walgreens building when it housed La Epoca department store.
The atrium of the old Walgreens building when it housed La Epoca department store. Miami Herald File


La Epoca department store.
La Epoca department store. Miami Herald File
La Epoca, pictured in 2007, in the old Walgreens building in downtwon Miami.
La Epoca, pictured in 2007, in the old Walgreens building in downtwon Miami. Donna E. Natale Planas Miami Herald File

JULIA & HENRY’S

The three-story wine tower of La Epoca natural wine bar is the centerpiece of the new Julia & Henry’s downtown Miami food hall and entertainment destination.
The three-story wine tower of La Epoca natural wine bar is the centerpiece of the new Julia & Henry’s downtown Miami food hall and entertainment destination. The Louis Collection
Tacotomia by Karla Hoyos at Julia & Henry’s food hall in Miami. Each vendor’s counter is designed in a unique way, and the Tacotomia booth features a photo of Hoyos’ Mexican grandmother.
Tacotomia by Karla Hoyos at Julia & Henry’s food hall in Miami. Each vendor’s counter is designed in a unique way, and the Tacotomia booth features a photo of Hoyos’ Mexican grandmother. The Louis Collection
A view from the second floor wine tower at Julia & Henry’s food hall.
A view from the second floor wine tower at Julia & Henry’s food hall. The Louis Collection
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Jeff Kleinman
Miami Herald
305-376-3561
Consumer Team Editor Jeff Kleinman oversees coverage for health, shopping, real estate, tourism and recalls/scams/fraud.
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