The Italian Club — specifically, the opulent, 22,000-square-foot brick clubhouse it is known for at 1731 E. Seventh Ave. — turned 100 in September. But with an opera to host that month and a wine festival in October, members of the thriving social club didn’t get around to celebrating until Saturday, with a with a gala that drew 300 people.
A Mass is scheduled Sunday, Dec. 9, to bless the building — at least the third one to host the organization since it was founded in 1894. The hectic schedule reflects the organization’s success at a time when other clubs also created to serve Ybor City’s once-booming immigrant populations are struggling to maintain their ranks.
