Simple mindset has carried the Tampa Sheds family of dealerships for 50 years.
Our story begins in 1976, when Ulmer and Rebecca Pope opened Pope’s Utility Buildings Inc. on the corner of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Orient Road in Tampa. Starting with only a few silver pipe-frame storage units, they laid the foundation for what would become the largest dealership in the Greater Tampa Bay area: the Tampa Sheds family of dealerships.
From the very beginning, Ulmer Pope raised the bar. At that time, no one in the local shed industry offered blocking, leveling, and anchoring with a sale. He believed it was the right way to serve customers, so he included it as standard. Within just a few years, his method became the industry standard in Florida.
As demand grew, the family expanded. Langston’s Utility Buildings Inc. opened in the Plant City/Dover area, led by the Popes’ daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Lloyd Langston.
Later, more locations followed in Mulberry/Lakeland, Port Charlotte, and Avon Park.
Today, the company remains family-run. Ulmer and Rebecca retired in 1994, and I, their grandson, stepped in to lead the Tampa and Port Charlotte locations.
In 2014, Brenda and Lloyd retired, and their son Eric Langston took over operations in Plant City and Lakeland. Eric also launched the Avon Park location in 2024.
Between us, Eric and I have more than 60 years of combined experience, having worked in the business since our teenage years.
What started as one small corner lot with a handful of sheds has grown into a five-location dealership network, serving customers across West Central and Southwest Florida.
The shed industry has changed dramatically over the decades. Customers once drove from lot to lot, while today they often expect to shop online first, design their shed in a 3D builder, and schedule fast delivery. Yet some challenges never change—permitting and local code differences in Florida remain a hurdle, and much of our role is still to guide customers through the process.
Our family’s guiding principle remains the same: “Treat customers the way you’d want to be treated.” That simple mindset has carried us for nearly 50 years and continues to shape how we train our teams, make decisions, and serve communities.
The future, as we see it, will be a balance of digital convenience and hands-on service. Accurate online pricing and live inventory tools will set expectations, but success will still come down to answering the phone, showing up, and standing behind the work.
We’ve been blessed with loyal customers, dedicated employees, and a legacy built by our grandparents. Our hope is to carry that into the next generation of Tampa Sheds leadership.
