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LAND O’ LAKES/LUTZ EDITION
APRIL 15, 2015
Javic Homes showcases Southern Living By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
The outside wrapping is pure traditional white. A pair of rocking chairs sits on the front porch. The metal roofing atop a bay window brings a touch of Craftsman bungalow. Inside, traditional gives way to modern. There’s an open floor plan, colors that pop in purple and copper next to grays and beiges on interior walls, and state-of-the art connectivity and technology. Out back, two covered patios, a fire pit, a waterfall and a flat-screen television add charm to a spacious, deep lawn. “We call it the ‘wow’ lawn,” said Jon Solomon, president of Javic Homes. The company built this luxury 2015 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home in the Brookside subdivision in Wesley Chapel. The tree-lined streets and manicured landscape within this gated community evoke the homey feel of neighborhoods of the past. “I always think it’s a Norman Rockwell neighborhood,” said Solomon. “You just don’t see this anymore. It’s a really nice family neighborhood.” During March, the showcase home, at 29318 Chapel Park Drive, drew between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors. Proceeds from ticket sales benefited two local charities, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Operation Finally Home. Visitors still have a chance to see the home during the 2015 Tampa Bay Parade of
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY JAVIC HOMES
A paved walkway leads to the front porch with a pair of rocking chairs. The scene evokes the traditions often featured in Southern Living magazine.
Homes, from April 11 through April 26. Nearly 150 model homes from 35 builders in 82 communities in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Citrus and Marion counties are on this year’s tour. That makes it the largest new-home showcase in the Tampa Bay area, according to the sponsor, the Tampa Bay Builders Association.
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The association is based in Tampa and has more than 750 members including local builders, developers, suppliers and architectural firms. Homes will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 pm., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday, during the parade. A panel of industry professionals will judge the homes based on site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural details and workmanship. The sales price for the four-bedroom, 4,100 square-foot home in Brookside is $895,000. Planning, design and construction took about a year. About a dozen open lots remain in the subdivision, which is adjacent to Saddlebrook Resort, off State Road 54. This is the second time Javic Homes has been included in Southern Living’s Custom Builder Program for showcase homes. Last year’s home was in South Tampa. “I think it’s a great way to highlight our work,” said Solomon. Making it a charitable event is a plus. “We like to give back to our community,” he added. Southern Living’s custom builder program is by invitation only, and includes about 100
One of the features in the kitchen is an island with acid-treated granite, which creates a leathery finish. It also has maple cabinets, in white, and copper fixtures.
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Lowe’s celebrates Land O’ Lakes opening Famous Tate By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Lowe’s, of Land O’ Lakes, is ready to throw open the doors to its new home improvement store on State Road 54. Work crews busied themselves last week with last-minute details to spruce up the landscaping and sweep clean what has been an active construction site. A week of celebrations will kick off with a Pro Services Day on April 16, to highlight the services and products that Lowe’s can provide business owners and their field representatives. The community also is welcome to this “soft opening,” with store hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Food, demonstrations and a mystery gift card giveaway will be featured during the day. “It’s a great opportunity for business owners to learn about the options Lowe’s has,” said Meredith Kleker, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a gracious way to extend the opportunities to help the business community feel part of the growth of this area.” The 152,000-square-foot store is located at 21500 State Road 54, across from the Village Lakes Shopping Center. It is Pasco County’s third Lowe’s location. Motorists will find new traffic signals at the entrance to Lowe’s that are meant to ease traffic in and out of the home improvement store, and the shopping center, as well. Ongoing festivities will include a preview night on April 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with giveaways, a scavenger hunt, guided tours and refreshments from Benedetto’s. A grand opening on April 23 will feature dignitaries from county government, the honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes and representatives of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The more traditional ribbon cutting will be given over to a “board cutting.” “We’re really, really excited about the partnership (with Lowe’s),” said Kleker. “They’ve made a concerted effort to partner with businesses in our community.” A Lowe’s Fest on April 25 will be an “allout celebration,” according to a Lowe’s press release announcing the special opening events. See LOWE’S, page 9A
Lowe’s opening events Pro Services Day
WHERE: Lowe’s, 21500 State Road 54 WHEN: April 16, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. WHAT: Pro Services Day is dedicated to business owners and their field representatives, but anyone is welcome. Breakfast will be provided by Panera Bread at 7 a.m. Lunch will be from Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Manufacturing representatives will do product demonstrations, there will be giveaways and Lowe’s in-house specialists can help set up business accounts. Giveaways include mystery gift cards ranging from $5 to $500. From here on, the store will be “soft opened.” Regular store hours for this Lowe’s location will be Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Preview Night
WHEN: April 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. WHAT: A scavenger hunt, project starter giveaways, guided tours and refreshments by Benedetto’s.
Formal grand opening
WHEN: April 23, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. WHO: Dignitaries from Pasco County, the honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes and members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the store’s opening.
Lowe’s Fest
WHEN: April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHAT: An all-out celebration featuring food from Marco’s pizza, Pepe’s Cuban Cafe, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que and a dessert truck. Activities will include interactive manufacturing demonstrations, giveaways, a photo booth, a magician, balloon art, face painting, a Build & Grow workshop, mystery gift card giveaways, a kids’ craft station, community hand print banner, a petting zoo and a demonstration by a fire safety inspector.
buys land near Walmart on U.S. 41
By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County’s third Famous Tate is planned for an outparcel, in front of Walmart Supercenter, off U.S. 41 in Lutz. An architect is working on the design of the 14,000-square-foot appliance and mattress store, but a groundbreaking likely is months away, according to John Horst, the company’s president. Famous Tate plans to open a new store in Pinellas County before it opens its new Pasco County location. The Pinellas store could open within the next four months. Horst is eager to get started on the Pasco site, but design and permitting could take as long as a year. The company generally prefers to be conservative and opens a store a year, Horst said. “It will be an attractive building,” Horst said. “We just want to be a player in Lutz as it grows.” Plans in Pinellas are to reopen and rebrand former Apsco Appliance Centers, which were acquired in a bankruptcy. Famous Tate of New Tampa Inc., purchased the 1.5-acre vacant lot by Walmart in March from Tarpon Springs-based Hagman Properties for slightly more than $1 million, according to Pasco County records. The company, which was founded in 1954, has nine current locations including stores in Pasco at 5419 Village Market in Wesley Chapel, and at 8010 Grand Blvd., in Port Richey. There are about 250 employees. Walmart and the County Line Commons shopping plaza are located in a pie-shaped plat of land between U.S. 41 and North Dale Mabry Highway, with entrances off both roadways. Horst said a vacant lot on the North Dale Mabry side was considered, but the entry from U.S. 41 seemed the better option. “It seemed easier to get in and out,” Horst said. “It’s busier and has more local traffic.”