TAMPA, FL — The annual Chiselers Marketto support the preservation of the historic H.B. Plant Hall at the University of Tampa is right around the counter.
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Bargain hunters can find great deals on various items — collectibles, garden accessories and plants, furniture, art, household goods, jewelry, books and more — during the shopping event, which takes place March 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Plant Hall. The market is free to enter.
“The market is our major fundraiser. So, that is how we bank a lot of money for these future projects that we have coming up (at Plant Hall,)” Beth Garcia, Chiselers president, told Patch. “I heard somebody say earlier in the week, ‘You can shop for a treasure while saving a treasure,’ and I thought that was pretty cool. It’s one of those things where you never know what you’re going to find.”
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The market and the ticketed Minaret Mixer, which is held the night before on March 8, 6 to 8 p.m., and features live music, shopping, appetizers and a silent auction, are the Chiselers’ largest fundraisers of the year.
The money raised is used to support Plant Hall, “one of the most iconic buildings in town” and a national historic landmark, Garcia said. It usually brings in anywhere from $250,000 to $300,000 in donations.
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Major upcoming projects this year include the installation of new “historically appropriate” composite decking for the west veranda that costs about $400,000 and will be split between the university and the Chiselers, she said.
There are also plans to replace the music room roof. The organization has partnered with the state on the $1 million project, each putting $500,000 toward it.
The Chiselers and UT will also split the cost of an implementation plan to review what preservation projects should be on their radar.
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