AdventHealth Expanding With Resident Program,
By GARY NAGER
If anyone thought that Advent Health Wesley Chapel (AHWC), the first hospital to open in our area more than 12 years ago, was going to sit back and rest on its laurels and let newcomers BayCare Wesley Chapel and Orlando Health Hospital at Wiregrass take the lead in local health care, they were sadly mistaken.
Not only did AdventHealth cut the ribbon on a new 13,000-sq.-ft. space for its AdventHealth Medical Group in the hospital’s adjacent Wellness Plaza on July 16, AHWC president Erik Wangsness also announced the start of a new Family Medicine residency program in the new space.
As if that impressive new office, with its eight new Family Medicine residents and state-of-the-art technology wasn’t enough, the hospital also broke ground on July 9 on a new freestanding emergency room in Meadow Pointe and also is getting ready to break ground on the expansion of the hospital itself.
In other words, when it comes to AdventHealth in Wesley Chapel, to quote Bachman-Turner Overdrive, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”
See “AdventHealth” on pg. 4!
When AdventHealth cut the ribbon at the new 13,000-sq.-ft. Medical Group office in the
more than just a ribbon cutting, as the hospital announced that the eight Family Medicine residents who cut
A PRIMARY ELECTION PRIMER
Our editor breaks down the local and state elections being contested on August 20.
See page 3
new Family Practice residency program that will train eight new residents a year for three years at the new
Check out all of the news about AdventHealth on pages 4-5! (Photo by Charmaine
PHSC’S NURSING EXPANSION!
Thanks to $1.5 million from the state, PHSC’s Porter Campus is expanding its nursing program.
See page 6
CURLEY RD. UPDATE!
Find out a lot more than just whether or not Chickfil-A is coming to this former rural roadway.
See pages 8-12 How Sweet It Is! Coldstone Creamery! Meet the New Tampa location’s new co-owner on pg. 46!
OUR 2024 DINING SURVEY! Your second chance to win up to $200 in FREE dining at your favorite restaurant! See pages 42-45!
AdventHealthWesley ChapelWellness Plaza on July 16, the event was much
the ribbon would be the first to participate in the hospital’s
Medical Group location.
George)
No Matter Which Party You Prefer, Please Vote In The August 20 Primary Election!
An Editorial by GARY NAGER
No matter which party or candidate you support, there can be little doubt that U.S. Vice President’s Kamala Harris suddenly seeming to be the new Democratic candidate for president has made the Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 5, at least more interesting, as well as more controversial.
To be honest, right now I’m much more interested in what happens with our local and state elections — both on Nov. 5 and on Tuesday, August 20 — also known as Primary Election Day.
No, the ballots aren’t nearly as full as they will be for the General Election and there’s no State Constitutional or local Amendments on the Aug. 20 ballot (something else to be thankful for), but there are several important local and two national offices being contested on Primary Day.
For example, incumbent U.S. Senator (and former Florida Governor) Rick Scott faces two Republican challengers — John S. Columbus and Keith Gross — in the primary, with the winner squaring off against the winner of the four-way Democratic primary between Stanley Campbell, Rod Joseph, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and Brian Rush.
Meanwhile, incumbent District 15 U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, who has an office in Tampa Palms, is facing two Republican opponents on Aug. 20 — Jennifer Barbosa and James Judge. The winner of the Primary will face outgoing Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, who is finishing the second of two four-year terms on the Commission, on Nov. 5. Kemp does not face a Primary opponent.
Primary day will include races for two Pasco County Commission seats and one seat on the Pasco School Board (where Dist. 4 incumbent Alison Crumbley faces history teacher Jessica Wright).
Dist. 1 and 2 commissioners Ron Oakley and Seth Weightman — the two districts that include Wesley Chapel — do not face primary challenges and Weightman isn’t on the ballot in November, either. Oakley will face Lisa Moretti, who lists Dade City as her address (as does Oakley), on Nov. 5. Moretti has no party affiliation.
In District 5, which mainly includes Port Richey and Hudson, incumbent Jack Mariano faces Spring Hill resident Gina Finocchiaro on Aug. 20, and the winner will still face opposition in November from Hudson resident Thomas A. Celotto, who is running with no party affiliation.
The most interesting local race on Aug. 20 is between former Commissioner Christina “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick, current Commissioner Lisa Yeager (who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat vacated after the passing of Comm. Gary Bradford in May of this year) and the county’s former community services director Gabriel “Gabe” Popadopoulos. The most curious thing about this race is that the winner will serve only a two-year term (as there is no Democratic or other candidate), since Bradford would not have faced a challenge for his now-vacant seat until 2026.
Please also note that all Pasco residents are able to cast ballots in all County Commission and School Board races, regardless of which of the five districts the candidates represent.
Here Are The Races On The Aug. 20 Ballot
Republican Primary
U.S. Senator
John S. Columbus
Keith Gross
Rick Scott (Incumbent, or “I”)
Representative in Congress - District 15
Jennifer Barbosa
James Judge
Laurel Lee (I)
Superintendent of Schools
John Legg
Michelle Mandarin
County Commissioner - District 4
Christina “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick
Gabriel “Gabe” Popadopoulos
Lisa Yeager (*)
* - Appointed to finish term of the late incumbent Gary Bradford
County Commissioner - District 5
Gina Finocchiaro
Jack Mariano (I)
State Committeeman
Shawn Foster (I)
Stephan Hassler
David Wallis
State Committeewoman
Julia Aguayo de Hassler
Stephanie Pontlitz
Rebecca Yuengling
Democratic Primary
U.S. Senator
Stanley Campbell
Rod Joseph
Dr. Martha Tapia
PHD Philosophy & Counseling
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Individual & Marriage Counseling
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Brian Rush
Universal Primary
Circuit Judge - 6th Circuit, Group 9
Nicole Pearlman
Kate Spurlock
Circuit Judge - 6th Circuit, Group 14
Cornelius Christopher Demps
Jenn Dubbeld
Nick Fiorentino
School Board Member - District 4
Alison Crumbley (I)
Jessica Wright
WE HAVE MOVED OUR OFFICE AGAIN! 27251 Wesley Chapel Blvd., #426 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
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Hablamos tu Idioma
More than 100 people attended the ribbon cutting for the new AdventHealth Medical Group office on July 16, including District 54 State Representative Randy Maggard and Pasco County Commissioners Seth Weightman, Jack Mariano and Lisa Yeager.
“I understand we have a County Commission quorum here,” Wangsness quipped. “We genuinely appreciate the support.”
Also on hand were several of Wangsness’ colleagues, including several of the hospital’s Board members, AHWC Foundation Board members, President & CEO of Administration David Ottati, chief clinical officer Dr. Rajan Wadhawan, Family Medicine founding program director Dr. Omari Hodge, Dr. Robert Rosequist, and AHWC CFO Jonathan Fisher, as well as the eight new residents themselves.
The new facility includes an in-house laboratory, procedure room, classrooms and eleven exam rooms, 4D ultrasound, preventive care, minor procedures and chronic disease management, as well as the residents and their supervising physicians.
“Each year, we will bring in eight new residents into the program, so in three years, we will have 24 new doctors who will be serving the community in the clinic and in the hospital in outpatient settings and it’s going to be a powerful way to serve the needs of not only this growing community but throughout Florida.”
He added, “Across Florida, there’s a dearth of physicians. This new residency program is a way that we can bless this community through
health care. And, we hope and believe that many of them will choose to stay here when they complete their three-year residencies and continue to serve this growing community.”
Dr. Wadhawan mentioned that the new family medicine program, “is one of three GME (graduate medical education) programs we launched this year in our West Florida division.
On July 1, 2024, we had 40 new doctors join these programs as trainees.”
Dr. Hodge, who will be in charge of the resident program, said he was hired by AHWC two years ago. “I took a drive out to one of the beautiful Pinellas beaches and told my wife, ‘I think I can do this.’” He also said he was excited to be starting this program with an outstanding crop of young residents.
(Above) Dr. Omari Hodge
(Below) Dr. Rajan Wadhawan
(Above, l.-r) County Commissioner Lisa Yeager, State Rep. Randy Maggard, AHWC president Erik Wangsness & County Commissioners Jack Mariano and Seth Weightman. (All photos on this page by Charmaine George)
AdventHealth Breaks Ground On ER In Meadow Pointe
A week before the new Family Medicine residency program was announced, Advent Health and Pasco County officially broke ground on the new Meadow Pointe off-site Emergency Room on July 9. This new ER, now under construction, will be more than 13,000 sq. ft. and will cost $26 million. It will be strategically located in the rapidly developing area between AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills at 5170 Chapel Commerce Dr. The new ER will have 12 patient beds, two triage rooms and will offer imaging and lab services.
Construction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025 and will create more than 30 jobs in the Pasco County community.
“Pasco County is growing quickly, and we want to make sure we’re meeting the needs of our community,” said Mike Murrill, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Connerton. “We are committed to expanding our footprint of emergency care services and making it easy for our neighbors to
access AdventHealth’s robust network of care.”
The AdventHealth Meadow Pointe ER joins the organization’s eight other freestanding emergency rooms across Tampa Bay, which also includes an EMS fleet of 21 ambulances and AdventHealth AirStar 1, a medical helicopter dedicated to critical patient transport across the Tampa Bay region.
“I’m excited to see this built,” said Ryan Guynn, Assistant Fire Chief of Pasco County Fire Rescue. “This facility is going to provide us with another place where we can get our Pasco County citizens timely, professional health care.”
AHWC Expansion
Since the hospital first opened in 2012, it’s always been known that the plan to add more beds at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel was for it to be expanded upward. That expansion from its current 169 beds to the ultimate goal of 300 will begin with a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 15. We will tell you all about that event in our next issue. — GN
AdventHealth & Pasco County broke ground on a new 13,000-sq.-ft., $26-million, freestanding emergency room in Meadow Pointe on July 9. (Photo provided by AdventHealth)
PHSC Porter’s Campus Adds Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute
By Gary Nager
Although I attended the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute Grand Opening and ribbon cutting on July 17 at Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC)’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch (where the Institute will be housed), the room selected was so crowded (with probably in excess of 100 people in attendance) that I couldn’t get close enough to sit down and take notes (or record the proceedings), so most of the information provide here is directly from the press release the school put out prior to the event.
At any rate, PHSC received $1.5 million in state appropriations in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ most recent state budget to fund the establishment of the new Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute and the event on July 17 brought together local healthcare leaders, community stakeholders and PHSC staff and faculty to celebrate the establishment of the Institute.
This innovative and collaborative institute will address the well-documented allied health and nursing shortage in the state of Florida and can be used as a model nationwide.
Through a multipronged, comprehensive and collaborative approach, the institute will increase nursing and allied health pipelines on both sides of the equation — increasing the talent pipeline for faculty as well as for nursing and allied health employees.
“Well-trained nurses and medical staff are needed over the next several decades not only for our community, but for our entire state,” said Dist. 54 State Representative Randy Maggard. “I was honored to sponsor this funding request for my Alma Mater, so that we can ensure our best
and brightest have the opportunity to study nursing right here in our community. Through this program, these future nurses and medical professionals will have the tools they need to prevent a crisis level nursing shortage in the future.”
The institute will be housed at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel. The first step in establishing the new institute will be to develop a strategic plan.
“Higher Education institutions, including PHSC, desperately seek highly qualified faculty, and institutions of health services struggle with significant gaps in nursing and allied health employees,’” said PHSC President Jesse Pisors, Ed.D. “The circumstance is amplified because improved retention and development strategies are critically needed, and without a plan in place, a real threat exists in the health care system.
appropriation was District 20 State Senator Danny Burgess, who “appeared” at the meeting via Zoom.
The Nursing and Allied Health Advancement Institute will provide these plans and focus on solutions in collaboration with significant stakeholders.”
In addition to Dr. Pisors and Rep. Maggard, speakers at the event included Lisa Richardson, Ed.D., PHSC’s VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships; Trustee Becky Schulkowski; Andrea Brvenik, PHSC’s General Counsel and VP of Government Relations; and Billie Gabbard, Ed.D., the Dean of Nursing & Health Programs at PHSC. Congratulating the school for receiving the
Among the many dignitaries who attended the Grand Opening event were County Commissioner Seth Weightman, whose District 2 includes the Porter Campus.
The ribbon at the Grand Opening was cut by Schulkowski, Dr. Pisors and Rep. Maggard.
I would have loved to be able to provide more details, but it definitely was an impressive showing by the school. Congratulations!
For more information about the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute, contact Lisa Richardson, Ed.D., VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, at (727) 816-3404.
Among those who spoke at the Grand Opening of the Nursing & Allied Health Advancement Institute at Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on July 17 were (top left) PHSC President Dr. Jesse Pisors, (top right) State Senator Danny Burgess (who appeared via Zoom) and (below) Dr. Lisa Richardson, PHSC’s VP of Advancement, Innovation & Strategic Partnerships. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George)
(Above) The ribbon at the new Nursing & Allied
cut by (l.-r.,
holding scissors) PHSC Trustee Becky Schulkowski, State Rep. Randy Maggard & Dr. Jesse Pisors. (Below) The room for the Grand Opening event was packed to standing room only.
Curley Rd. Is Expanding — And There’s So Much More Still To Come!
The Road Connecting Wesley Chapel To San Antonio Is Rapidly Becoming A
By Joel Provenzano
While growth is inevitable when you’re anywhere along the outside edge of Tampa (the third largest city in Florida), the explosive growth in Wesley Chapel has been pretty much unfathomable, and northern Wesley Chapel (along Curley Road) has been no exception.
In fact, the area near Watergrass and the Epperson Crystal Lagoon (see map) has already grown so much, and so quickly, that the state and county realized a new interstate interchange was needed at I-75 and Overpass Rd. to handle all the current and future traffic this area will produce.
To give an example of the amount of growth we’ve seen, two years ago, Pasco County finally surpassed Hillsborough County in the total number of development permits requiring state approval. In 2013, there were just a handful of these new developmental permits, but each year since then, the number grew almost exponentially, and anyone who’s been here that long (or longer) has been able to see it with their own eyes. Even someone who moved here just three years ago could easily see massive changes around them — and not everyone is a fan of it.
If you go back 20 years or so, Curley Rd. featured unobstructed rolling hills, green pastures (many with cows) and spectacular countryside. There was a sense of calm and serenity many couldn’t find anywhere else. Curley Rd. was like a gateway to peace and freedom. Today, when you turn off S.R. 54 heading north on Curley, things have changed quite a bit.
First, the road itself needed to change. A number of roundabouts were added, and Curley Rd. was redesigned to be easily expandable to a 4-lane divid-
ed roadway in the future, without much reconfiguration. Eventually, the road also will be realigned at its south end through the Chapel Crossings community, where it meets up with Meadow Pointe Blvd. (as we’ve reported before).
But, if you drive in the new neighborhoods, past the houses on the western edge of Epperson, you can still catch glimpses of sprawling vistas between houses, especially near King Lake, which is visible from a section of recently completed M/I Homes. Those few lucky home owners now get to enjoy those million-dollar views for far less. But, long before now, this part of Wesley Chapel has been growing new communities to take advantage of this beautiful landscape.
Along Curley Rd. itself, Bridgewater was the last community that was completed during the pre-recession boom. Watergrass was started soon after, before the Great Recession of 2008-09, but sat stalled for nearly six years, before finally picking up steam again. Then came Epperson. Then came the Sentosa Epperson Apartments, literally centered on the area. Then came the pressing need for more “stuff.”
With the growth in population inevitably comes the need for support businesses like grocery stores, gas stations, medical offices, restaurants and schools. Some of these have already been added along Curley Rd. — such as the new Publix with its drive-through pharmacy and sit-down bar, Starbucks, Circle K and Florida Medical Clinic — and are a joy for most local residents. For entertainment and relaxing, the Epperson Lagoon and the even larger Mirada Crystal Lagoon (just north of Wesley Chapel) have proven to be very popular.
Note - Each of the developments mentioned on pages 9-12 corresponds to a number on this map.
Unique Destination Of Its Own
DDSKim Tran-Nguyen, DMD General Dentists
The map shows the portion of Curley Rd. from S.R. 54 on the southern end to where the northern portion meets S.R. 52. The numbers on the map correspond to the numbers in the story on pgs. 9-12. (Source: Google map modified by Neighborhood News; numeric locations on the map are approximate & map is not to scale)
Louis Cerillo,
1. Apartments and Commercial — On the northwest corner of the signal at S.R. 54 and Curley Rd. is a 26-acre wooded site (adjacent to the community of Pine Ridge; photo) that has caused quite a stir for both the county and residents alike, for a few different reasons.
In the fall of 2021, the first proposed mixed-use development at this site, called “Oakview,” was submitted by Heidt Design for a pre-application meeting with the county, but after many delays, Heidt contacted the county and canceled the meeting and the project itself. Oakview would have included an adjacent parcel (for a total of 42 acres) and would have required a county plan amendment to make it work.
The next proposal came in early 2023, for a corner medical facility with garden apartments in the back. This development also required a plan amendment and the county issued comments, but
no further action was taken. The thing that made many local residents excited (except for the county and the state) was the proposal that came less than one month later (in March of 2023), this time for a Lowe’s Home Improvement store with a gas station in front and multiple other commercial outparcels.
The announcement caused quite a stir in local social media communities, with many excited for the possibility of a Lowe’s being built.
But, this was only a concept proposal and both the county and state were very hesitant about it, due to the Lowe’s causing major traffic concerns, as the property didn’t have the appropriate access to handle the heavy traffic a Lowe’s and additional outparcels would generate. The pre-application meeting with Pasco ended up being canceled by the developer a month later (in Apr. 2023), but people were so excited that they didn’t realize the plan
See ‘‘Curley Rd.” on pg. 10
The sign shows the location of the wooded 26-acre lot (one acre is for the access road) where a mixed-use apartment & office/retail development is proposed north of S.R. 54, on the west side of Curley Rd. (#1 on map) (Photo: Joel Provenzano)
was withdrawn, and the story about Lowe’s kept getting shared on social media well into the beginning of 2024, causing a little confusion, because the next development proposal for apartments came in Aug. 2023. It’s unknown if a Lowe’s is planning to build anywhere else in Wesley Chapel.
As we reported in our Dec. 26, 2023, issue, the “Woods at Wesley Chapel” ended up proposing apartments for the entire 26-acre parcel (with one acre for an access road), which lessened the major traffic concerns (as apartments are much lower traffic generators than a major commercial development), but ended up creating new concerns for the county.
Pasco still wanted to see at least a lower intensity commercial use on the property — like medical/dentist offices or something similar — for job creation and to keep the land use diverse (not all residential), but the developer strictly wanted apartments, and even invoked the recently created “Live Local Act” (a state mandate that allowed “workforce” apartments on land not necessarily set aside or zoned specifically for that purpose, as long as it met certain affordable housing requirements).
Well, as we reported in that June 11, 2024, issue, the county has since opted out of the “Live Local Act,” which required the developer to go back to the drawing board, and they did. The most recent proposal (submitted on July 17) for a new pre-app meeting has now integrated commercial and retail in a very unique and slightly odd way, by “vertically integrating” and setting aside the ground floor of the apartment buildings facing S.R. 54 entirely to commercial use, and also have two traditional commercial outparcels on the east and west corners of the development (totaling 2.5 acres).
S.R. 56, again to appease the county’s desires for land to be used for jobs and businesses. When it’s all said and done, these “Woods at Wesley Chapel” apartments on Curley Rd. and S.R. 54 will have a total of 51,600 sq. ft. of commercial space. There will be eight apartment buildings of four stories each, with ten units per story, for a total of 300 units. Remember that for two of those buildings, the bottom floor will be entirely commercial (what would have previously been 20 additional residential units). Of the 300 units, 90 would have just one bedroom, 150 would be two-bedroom and 60 would be three-bedroom rental apartments.
There’s a proposed connection to Rotella Dr. in Pine Ridge which will give users of this site access to Curley Rd. It’s unknown when the developer for this current plan will be meeting with the county, but we’ll keep an eye on the status and see what the county decides.
2. Gas Station & Small Grocery Store — On the opposite side of Curley Rd. from the proposed Woods apartments, on the northeast corner of the signal at S.R. 54 and Curley Rd., are five connected parcels totaling about five acres that are currently sitting with just a couple of older houses on them.
Back in June of 2023, Solid Rock Property Group submitted a preliminary concept plan for a pre-app meeting (covering these five parcels) that proposed a 6,000-sq.-ft. gas station with 18 fueling positions and an adjacent 20,000-sq.-ft. small grocery store, consistent with something like an Aldi or even (but don’t even think it!) a Trader Joe’s?
Comments were submitted by the county in Aug. 2023, but no further action has been taken, no site plans or other documents have been resubmitted by that developer or any other, so it’s still up in the air what development will be on this property.
facility, totaling approximately 110,000 sq. ft. Plans for this facility started back in spring of 2023, but a rezoning of the property was required, and the plan ended up changing from three stories to only two, but still retaining the same total square footage. In addition, the original two driveways were reduced to only one, to satisfy access management requirements.
The vertical integration is what’s also being proposed for the apartments next to Sam’s Club on
3. Storage Facility — Immediately north of the proposed gas station (on the east side of Curley Rd.), on a 4.5-acre lot, is a proposed two-story self-storage ‘Curley
The developer (Public Storage) is still actively working on getting this facility approved. The most recent plans were submitted in June, but those were denied on a really odd technicality — due to the developer already having plans submitted only a month earlier in May that hadn’t been fully reviewed yet. And, since those plans were still active (not yet withdrawn), the county, according to its staff’s notes, must finish its review on the earlier plans first before starting review on the second set. The first plans (from May) show a minor widening of Curley Rd. to allow for a left turn lane into the driveway. The newer plans were not yet viewable in the county’s system.
4. Townhomes — Immediately to the north of the proposed storage facility (on the east side of Curley Rd.) was a planned 87-unit townhome project (by Resibuilt Homes) on a 13-acre lot, but that plan was withdrawn in Apr. 2022 before the developer even met with the county. It’s likely that the developer was just doing preliminary due diligence as the property has not been purchased yet and is still with the owner from that time (MRM Family Trust). No other plans have been submitted to the county since then, but the property is currently listed for sale by Doyle & McGrath for $13 million.
5. Single Family (Depue Ranch/Vida’s Way) — Immediately to the north of the proposed townhome site (still on the east side of Curley Rd.) and extending north past Wells Rd. to the southern edges of the Bridgewater and Watergrass communities is the massive Depue Ranch Master-Planned
Vida’s Way (#5 below & on map) is a new single-family development that will be built on the eastward extension of Wells Rd. from Curley Rd. (Photo by Joel Provenzano)
Unit Development (MPUD), which encompasses approximately 930 acres. The first community being built in Depue Ranch is Vida’s Way, a 332-acre single-family-home community by Pulte Homes.
One of the most noticeable parts of this community for Curley Rd. will be the eastward extension of Wells Rd., which is a Pasco Vision Road. Today, Wells Rd. serves primarily the Wesley Chapel school complex, which consists of Wesley Chapel Elementary, Thomas Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel High, although there also is an entrance to Bridgewater from the alreadybuilt portion of Wells Rd.
There’s currently a signal at the T-intersection with Curley Rd., where (at some point) Wells Rd. will be extended to the east for almost four miles, to eventually connect with Eiland Blvd., providing residents another way to get to Zephyrhills. Along the route, Wells Rd. will pass through and intersect the Watergrass Pkwy. extension (which currently is
Lavender
under construction) and the future Zephyrhills Bypass extension. The developers along this route will be responsible for building their respective sections of Wells Rd. and then conveying it to the county.
6. Standalone Emergency Room in Epperson
On May 13 of this year, Epperson submitted a zoning verification letter request to Pasco, stating, “I hereby request a zoning verification letter that a Free-Standing Emergency Department is a permitted medical office use in the Epperson Ranch CC-MPUD and is a permissible use in the Service Ready Site Acreage portion of the MPUD. The proposed FSED will NOT allow for overnight stays. See LDC Section 522.9.I.4.c(1). Parcel ID Nos. 34-25-20-0000-00100-0012 and 35-25-20-000000300-0020.”
The two parcels mentioned in this request (totalling 35 acres) make up the entire (and currently
Spa & Nails
vacant) southwest corner of the signal for Curley Rd. at Overpass Rd., across Overpass Rd. from the new Publix. A freestanding emergency room would only take up a small portion of the 35 acres, but this is the very first hint at what might be coming to this corner.
7. Retail & Medical Offices — Immediately to the north of the existing Florida Medical Clinic office building on the east side of Curley Rd. (photo, near right) lies an empty grass field of approximately 2.4 acres, where a single sign installed by the developer, Rave Commercial, currently says “Medical Office Retail For Lease.” This is where a proposed two-story retail and medical office building, totaling 28,000 sq. ft., is going to be built. The site plan received approval on Feb. 12 of this year and the developer has since requested additional development documents to get started with construction, so the moving of dirt may begin soon.
8. Nail Salon — Noire Nail Bar is planning to develop 2,100 sq. ft. of space next to the new Publix in Epperson, as part of the Epperson Commercial-Phase 1 plan, which was started in 2022. Leaders Construction Inc. has been planning the build-out, and has been busy securing all necessary permits, appearing to have received final plan approval on July 24. Noire Nail Bar currently has 180 locations in Florida, including one next to the Mellow Mushroom on S.R. 56. Keep an eye out for it, as it was announced it will be opening with a staff of 20 in the fourth quarter of this year.
9. Dentist, Veterinarian, Spa, Car Wash & Chick-fil-A? — Immediately south of the new Circle K gas station (on the east side of Curley Rd.), lies roughly 4.5 acres of land that are currently being developed with five potential different uses (three of which are under the same roof). The most recent was a permit taken out last month for the build-out of the 4,137-sq.-ft. Heartland Dental. The Goodvets and Ann’s Spa & Nails would occupy the remainder of this 9,220-sq.ft. building (although the exact size of each business was unknown) that’s currently under construction (photo, right).
The most exciting part of this land for most local residents was the Chickfil-A that was reported to be coming as early as last year. Well, Chick-fil-A did submit a preliminary site plan on Oct. 25 (SITEPLN-2023-00234) for a preapp meeting and the chicken sandwich chain also submitted a plan for permit approval of a 5,333-sq.-ft. restaurant on Feb. 28 of this year, which appears to have extra-long dual drive-through lanes.
Time will tell if and when the Chick-fil-A might be built, as no sign announcing its arrival was yet on the property at our press time for this issue.
What was on the sign out front was “Clean Freak Car Wash Powered by Circle K” which is assumed to go next to the 9,220-sq.-ft. Promenade Retail building. Unfortunately, plan specifics for the car wash were not viewable on the county’s permitting site.
10. Wendy’s, Bank & Drug Store — Just north of the new Starbucks (on the east side of Curley Rd.), at the northwest corner of the roundabout with Victory Crossing, sits an empty parcel that is just under four acres. There are a few things in the conceptual planning stage for this parcel. Closest to the Starbucks is a 3,000-sq.-ft. bank that just came in for a pre-app meeting with the county on July 8. Pasco staffers seemed generally favorable but listed a number of requirements for developments in this area to achieve the specific look the county wants.
Immediately north of the bank, on the same parcel, a new 2,239-sq.-ft. Wendy’s is being proposed. Preliminary plans were submitted on July 9 for the county’s consideration. North of the Wendy’s, a new 10,000-sq.-ft. Walgreens Pharmacy has been proposed, but the meeting for Walgreens was back in Oct. of 2023 and nothing additional has been submitted to the county since then.
Many more “support” businesses along the Curley Rd. corridor are currently under construction, in the planning stages, on hold, or may not be coming at all. We listened to the rumors and investigated the facts and will try to continue to bring you more answers about all of these in the future.
11. Education Facilities — But, “more” is definitely still coming, as would be expected with an area of so many residents. Two that are opening now are thankfully education and child-care related.
On July 25, the Amazing Explorers Academy held the Grand Opening of a new 12,110-sq.-ft.
building, located on the southeast corner of Curley Rd. at Overpass Rd. The preschool’s sign says that Amazing Explorers caters to “Infants, Preschool, & After School,” while offering ‘a “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) Investigations Curriculum.”
The other new educational facility — which is expected to open in time for the fast-approaching 2024-25 school year — is the brand new Kirkland Ranch K-8 dedicated magnet school (photo above). Located behind the existing Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, the Pasco School District’s website says that the new K-8 school will be focusing on world languages and entrepreneurship.
Considering how much more of Curley Rd. there is extending north into San Antonio, all of these new and proposed uses are probably only the beginning. Of course, we’ll keep you posted as additional retail, restaurant, office, residential and other uses are announced and opened.
(Photos by Joel Provenzano)
By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent
The Florida Department of Education released school grades for the 2023-24 school year on July 24, assigning a B grade for Pasco County Schools. Pasco has maintained a B rating since 2017.
Superintendent Kurt Browning said in a release, “We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and staff for their hard work and dedication. These grades show that we are on the right track, and our efforts are paying off.”
All of Wesley Chapel’s schools earned an “A,” “B” or “C” letter grade, along with 85 percent of schools throughout the county.
While the vast majority of Wesley Chapel schools maintained the same grade as last year (14 of the 18 schools stayed the same from 2023), only one improved by a letter grade — Pinecrest Academy K-8 school, which improved to an A from last year’s B, while three dropped a letter grade, with Quail Hollow and Veterans elementary schools moving from a B to a C, and Sand Pine moving from an A to a B.
In a letter to Sand Pine families, principal Angie Shauger explained the disappointing change. “We missed the A grade by just one point, scoring 61 when the cut score for an A was 62,” she wrote. “While this news is disappointing, it is important to recognize the hard work and dedication that our staff and students have shown throughout the year.”
She said she’s “very proud of all the
Florida Department of Education 2023-24 Letter Grades for Wesley Chapel’s Public & Charter Schools
THOMAS
KIRKLAND RANCH ACADEMY
The chart above shows all of the letter grades received by all 18 public and charter schools located in Wesley Chapel after both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
progress we have made and the commitment everyone has shown” and is optimistic that Sand Pine will earn an A again next school year.
Five schools maintained their A status, including Seven Oaks Elementary, Union Park Charter Academy, John Long Middle School, Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, and Wiregrass Ranch High School. While Kirkland Ranch has earned an A both school years since opening in 2022, Wiregrass Ranch’s
history of A ratings goes back to 2018.
Principal Robyn White says it’s a team effort that creates such consistent excellent performance. “The teachers work really hard and the kids are very motivated to do well,” she says. “They take what the teachers are providing them and make use of that.”
She says the grade is maintained by encouraging success across the board, not in just one area, but in English, math, social studies, science and more. One area of measurement is the school’s graduation rate, which was an impressive 97 percent for 2022-23, the year that was evaluated for this year’s school grade.
White says that her goal has always been to get a 100-percent graduation rate. She plans to retire from Wiregrass Ranch at the end of the 2024-25 school year, so she has one last chance to hit that mark.
“We look at each individual student and do what’s best for kids,” she says. “I firmly believe that’s why we’re an A school.”
For more information about school grades, visit FLDOE.org/accountability/ accountability-reporting/school-grades/.
The Hub At Lexington Has Gone Vertical; No Tenant Announcements Until
By Gary Nager
If you’ve recently driven by the Sentosa Lexington Oaks Apartments on Wesley Chapel Blvd. (in front of the Lexington Oaks community), you may have noticed that The Hub at Lexington — the 40,000-sq.-ft. dining and shopping center we first told you about back in Oct. of last year, has started to go vertical.
But, don’t get too excited just yet. Co-developer Courtney Bissett-Hayes of Center Connect Development, says that although the walls are now up on Building One and all six foundations for this six-building project are now in place, she still doesn’t expect The Hub at Lexington to open until October of 2025.
“The project will open as a whole, not in pieces,” she says. The build-out will take about 13 months and then the tenants will have six months to build out their spaces.”
Sadly, Courtney, who operates Center Connect with her brother Paul Bissett, also says that no announcements will be made regrading tenants until the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter of 2025.
Even so, she says The Hub at Lexington, like its predecessor, The Hub at Bexley off S.R. 54 near the Suncoast Pkwy., will provide, “Experiential dining & entertainment,” including 15-20 local and regional restaurants and retail shops. And, as we previously
reported, there will be twelve artificial trees (photo from Bexley below) providing shade for the complex, twice as many as at The Hub at Bexley.
Courtney also says that even though Shanks Indoor Golf & Bar’s website still says the indoor golf experience is coming to the complex, she can neither confirm nor deny that at this time.
“What I can confirm,” she says, “is that our 6.5-acre, $24-million project has been designed as a neighborhood amenity, like the Lexington Oaks community’s clubhouse, so we are serious about providing something special for the area.”
She also says that Center Connect plans to build 10 “Hubs” in and around the tri-county area (Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough), with Bexley and Lexington being just the first two. “We will probably announce the third location fairly soon. All of the Hubs will be in front of well-established master-planned communities.”
For leasing info at The Hub at Lexington, call Courtney Bissett-Hayes at (813) 340-7936.
Business Briefs — Rise Dispensary, FiCare & Laceleaf Med Spa Cut Chamber Ribbons!
By Gary Nager
Photos by Charmaine George
Despite the fact that it’s been a long, hot sum mer, the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) stayed busy with several ribbon-cutting events in Wesley Chapel.
The first (which we didn’t have room to write about in our July 9 issue) was held in June at Dispensary (top left photo), the second medical marijuana dispensary to open in Wesley Chapel.
Located at 28053 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (in the former Russell’s Western Wear building), Rise (which has nearly 100 dispensaries in 14 U.S. states, including 18 in Florida) sells “flower,” edibles, vape cartridges and live resin in Indica, Sativa and Hybrid strains (and some CBD, too) for those ages 21 and older with valid medical cannabis cards and offers both in-store pickup and delivery.
For more information about Rise Dispensa ry, visit RiseCannabis.com or call (813) 612-6120.
Next up was the July 10 NTBC ribboncutting event at the new Wesley Chapel branch of FiCare Federal Credit Union, located at 26444 Silver Maple Pkwy.
As explained by president and CEO Denelle Miller (with microphone in lower left photo), FiCare started as the credit union for employees of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa 60 years ago. But today, FiCare also has branches serving health care professionals in Lutz, Clearwater and Gainesville, with standalone ATMs in hospitals in Dunedin, Clearwater, Bartow, Riverview, St. Petersburg and Safety Harbor. The credit union’s “Contact Center” for all of its branches is now at the Wesley Chapel location.
“FiCare exists to serve our members,” Denelle
complete financial services, competitive rates, and per sonal care extending beyond your financial health.”
For more informa tion about FiCare FCU, visit FiCareFCU.org or call (813) 600-5920.
And, last but not least was the NTBC ribboncutting at the beautiful new Laceleaf Med Spa on July 11. Owner Lisa Rezvan (bottom right) and her staff (top right) showed attendees how they can
and Restylane®); laser pigment removal, skin resurfacing and skin tightening; regenerative medicine such as peptide therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and vitamin B12 injections; and skin
dling and treatments for acne scars and sun damage. For more information about Laceleaf Med Spa, which is located behind, but in the same building, as the new Moe’s Southwest Grill (at 5490 Post Oak Blvd.), call (813) 7057277 or visit LaceleafMedSpa.com.
‘Singin’ In The Rain’ Was Another Hit For The New Tampa Players!
By Gary Nager
Photos by Charmaine George
I I don’t know if I’d agree that it is (as some have called it) the “Greatest Musical of All Time,” but I do know that the New Tampa Players (NTP)’s production of “Singin’ in the Rain” at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC, located at 8550 Hunters Village Rd., Tampa) was undoubtedly a super-fun evening (or afternoon) of entertainment for everyone who saw it.
The Neighborhood News was on hand for the opening night of “Singin’,” which concluded its two weekends of performances July 28, and there’s no doubt that the talented cast and crew of NTP’s production of the show — which originally was one of the first great movie musicals starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor and Jean Hagen — definitely did justice to this story of two Hollywood stars trying to transition from silent films to “talkies.”
With great singing and dancing by Kyle Billington in Kelly’s role as Don Lockwood, Olivia Carr in the Reynolds role of talented starlet Kathy Selden, Rhett Ricardo as Lockwood’s best friend Cosmo Brown (the role made famous by O’Connor), and the scene-stealing Melanie Bierweiler absolutely nailing the Oscar-nominated Hagen role as Lina Lamont — the silent film star who can’t sing or dance — and an outstanding ensemble cast, 12-piece orchestra (a record for the Players) and crew, “Singin’ in the Rain” gave you plenty of value for your entertainment dollar.
NTP producing artistic director Nora
Paine directed the show and fellow Players veterans G. Frank Meekins (musical director) and Sarah Walston Pilllips (choreographer) delivered a toe-tapping, tap-dancing, rollicking good time.
The title song, of course, is a timeless classic, but we also loved Ricardo’s “Make ‘Em Laugh,” Kyle and Olivia’s “You Were Meant for Me,” NTP vet Kyle Fisher crooning “Beautiful Girls,” Olivia’s turn on “Good Morning” and the full company’s take on both “Broadway Melody” and the reprise of “Singin’ in the Rain” that closed the show.
And, as this issue is reaching you, the Players are finishing up auditions for the next fun show — “Little Shop of Horrors,” the silly story about a man-eating plant named Audrey II and the nerdy flower shop employee who keeps feeding the ever-growing predatory plant.
“Little Shop” will be performed October 11-13 and 18-20, also at the NTPAC.
(Top) The company of “Singin’ in the Rain” gets ready to take a bow. (Above, l.-r.) Rhett Ricardo as Cosmo Brown in “Make ‘Em Laugh,” Olivia Carr as Kathy Selden & Melanie Bierweiler as Lina Lamont sing “Would You?” & Kyle Billington is “Singin’ in the Rain” as Don Lockwood.
For more info about NTP, visit NewTampaPlayers.org. To find out what shows and event are coming up at NTPAC, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org.
FREE Real Estate Book!
Upcoming Events — Pasco Supervisor Of Elections Brian Corley, Chamber Events & More!
Thursday, August 8, 6:30 p.m. — Wesley Chapel Republican Club Meeting. At Myrtle Lake Baptist Church (2017 Reigler Rd., Land O’Lakes)). Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley will be the featured speaker, less than two weeks prior to the August 20 Primary Election. The meeting also includes coffee, dessert & networking. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813.
Friday, August 9, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. — Nico Brown Productions Presents Jahfari Caribbean Night. At The KRATE at The Grove container park (5817 Wesley Grove Blvd.). For more info, search “Nico Brown” on Facebook.
Saturday, August 10, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. — Highland Canine Connect Therapy Dogs. At New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54). All children are welcome to come in and meet the therapy dogs of Highland Canine Connect and practice their reading with the dogs. For more info, visit PascoLibraries.org.
Saturday, August 10, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. — Nico Brown Productions Presents KRATE Night Out. At The KRATE at The Grove container park (5817 Wesley Grove Blvd.). Featuring freestyle & house music by DJ Eazy E. For more info, search “Nico Brown” on Facebook.
Thursday, August 15, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Celebration. At Expanded Health (2927 Pearson James Pl., Lutz, in the Cypress Bend Professional Park. Expanded Health is a new health clinic specializing in primary care & mental health services with insurance and cash pay option, offering customized health care plans for non-insured patients who
opt out of traditional employer health plans. The Big Red Bus (for blood donations) and MobileMammography will be onsite for this event. FREE swag, refreshments, raffle for sports physicals (while supplies last).
For more info, visit Expanded-Health.com, NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events or call the NTBC office at (813) 994-8534.
Wednesday, August 21, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — North Tampa Bay Chamber Coffee Social. At Hyatt Place Tampa-Wesley Chapel Hotel (26000 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz). Free to attend.
For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events or call the NTBC office at (813) 994-8534.
Thursday, August 22, 4 p.m.-7 p.m. — Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting, Emorys Rock Realty. At Signature Workspace (formerly Forever 21), 28210 Paseo Dr., Shops at Wiregrass mall. Join Realtors Chad and April Emory as they celebrate the official Grand Opening of their office. Free to attend. Light bites will be served and there will be raffle prizes given away.
For more info, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events or call the NTBC office at (813) 994-8534.
Sunday, August 25, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. — Nico Brown Productions Presents Chinchorreo. At The KRATE at The Grove container park (5817 Wesley Grove Blvd.). Sponsored by El Nuevo ZOL (97.1 FM radio). For more in-
formation, search “Nico Brown” on Facebook.
Thursday, August 29, 2 p.m.-3 p.m. — University of Florida’s Institute of Food & Agricultural Services (UF-IFAS) presents “Fall Vegetable Gardening & Troubleshooting Vegetable Problems.” At New River Branch Library (34043 S.R. 54). Presented by the UF-IFAS Extension Pasco County staff. It is possible to grow your own vegetables in Pasco County. The secrets are: proper timing of planting which vegetables in late summer into early fall, learning to spot issues early, and how to troubleshoot them before they become big problems.
Free to attend, but seating is limited, so to pre-register, please visit Eventbrite. com/e/8-29-2024-fall-vegetable-gardeningand-troubleshooting-vegetable-problems-tickets-940307283397.
Friday, August 30, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. — Final Friday Networking Event.. At Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant (6034 Wesley Grove Blvd., The Village at The Grove at Wesley Chapel). For more info, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events or call the NTBC office at (813) 994-8534.
Friday, August 30, 7 p.m.-11 p.m. — Nico Brown Productions Presents R&B Only Night. At The KRATE at The Grove container park (5817 Wesley Grove Blvd.). Advance Tickets cost $5, or $10 at the door & are non-refundable. Kids 12 & under get in free. No outside coolers, food or drinks allowed; bring your own chairs. For more info, visit https://tinyurl.com/krate726
Dr. Nicole Mitchell-Toth Of Blue Water Dental Wants To Be Your Family’s Dentist!
By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent
Dr. Nicole Mitchell-Toth, a highly skilled, caring and dedicated dentist, has been practicing in the New Tampa area since 2006. She offers family, implant and cosmetic dentistry, with an extensive array of dental services — and has the experience and background to match.
Dr. Mitchell (which is what she says her staff and patients call her, despite her recent married name) graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she received her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Chemistry. She earned her Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.) degree from the University of Florida College of Den tistry in Gainesville.
After graduation, Dr. Mitchell served in the United States Army, where she was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, and completed her residency in AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry), as well as the “Spear Curriculum” in advanced comprehensive dentistry. She earned the rank of Major before leaving the Army.
Dr. Mitchell has received implant training from implant educators and has averaged about 100 hours of continuing education per year for the last 20 years. She also completed the Executive Practice Management Curriculum through the University of Florida.
She opened her first private practice office 18 years ago in The Walk at Highwoods Preserve plaza before moving to her current location in the Pebble Creek Collection in New Tampa in 2020.
Having moved just before the Covid-19
timing. We were able to complete everything before building materials became scarce,” she says. “I was very fortunate to be a dentist in Florida, since the relatively lenient restrictions here allowed us to resume seeing patients after only six weeks,” which was a small amount of time compared to the six months some states shut down their dental offices.
Using AI Technology
During the pandemic, Dr. Mitchell says she was introduced to new technologies that continue to benefit her patients, including both hardware and software that utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI). For example, she has a device that attaches
and then transmit pictures of their teeth to the office for evaluation, eliminating the need for some (but not all) in-person visits.
“It’s not just what we see but also what the AI technology analyzes.” Dr. Mitchell explains.
In the office, she adds, AI technology enhances dental care by identifying problem areas in photos and X-rays. “The AI can detect early signs of cavities, allowing me to prescribe medication before they become serious,” she says. This tech also allows her to create 3D models of a patient’s teeth, which can reveal changes over time, such as gum recession or wear and tear.
“We can use these images overlaid to show
the patient how and why things have changed and what they can do to improve.”
For more than a year, Dr. Mitchell also has been using AI software to analyze X-rays.
“The software highlights problem areas in different colors (see photo on next page), making it easier to explain to patients what they need,” she says. “This visual aid helps patients understand their dental health and the necessary treatments.”
Dr. Mitchell’s approach to dentistry is grounded in honesty and openness. She ensures that each patient is fully informed about treatment options and costs, empowering them to make the best decisions for their dental health.
She also emphasizes the importance of education in maintaining oral health. New patients fill out detailed questionnaires about diet and lifestyle to identify potential causes of dental issues.
“You may not realize it, but what you eat or drink can affect your teeth,” she says.
The Blue Water Dental team includes three dental hygienists, four dental assistants, three administrative staff members and therapy dogs Max and Mandy.
“In January of 2016,” says Dr. Mitchell, “we welcomed to the office these two nine-week-old Maltese-Shih Tzu mix pups, who we named after the Maxillary and Mandibular jaws. These therapy dogs were trained for the purpose of providing comfort and kindness to our patients.”
The hypoallergenic pups enjoy roaming the office, “but mostly they enjoy sitting on the laps of patients and getting a good belly rub” says Dr. Mitchell, who adds that most patients find Max and Mandy to be very calming and comforting.
Implant & Cosmetic Services
In addition to general/family dentistry, Dr. Mitchell specializes in cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.
“Creating new smiles is a favorite part of my job,” she says. Her practice offers a number of cosmetic procedures, including veneers, crowns and teeth whitening. She provides comprehensive assessments and multiple treatment options, ensuring that patients can choose the best solutions for their individual needs.
When it comes to implants, Dr. Mitchell handles everything from individual teeth to complete replacements.
“Replacing teeth can significantly improve a person’s appearance and confidence,” she says. “Depending upon what the patient wants or needs, the implant process can take from four months to a year.”
Cosmetic services include single-visit permanent crowns, customized cosmetic veneers, specialty orthodontic care with virtual checkups, dental implants and same-day emergency appointments.
Giving back to the community also is important to Dr. Mitchell. She volunteers with Missions Smiles, a program of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Mission Tampa that provides dental
care via a mobile unit to underserved areas.
“We offer care once or twice a month, and sometimes we see patients in the office as well,” she says. “This program also assists survivors of human trafficking.”
Another volunteer effort is with “Operation Stand Down,” presented by the Chapters Health Valor Program of HPH Hospice in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. This annual event provides comprehensive services to veterans, “many of whom are homeless and haven’t had dental care in years,” Dr. Mitchell explains. The event offers a range of services and accommodations, creating a supportive environment for these veterans in need.
Dr. Mitchell has built long-term relationships with her patients, some of whom she has cared for since they were school aged and are now married with children. She takes pride in building these relationships and doing her absolute best to cater to every patient’s needs
For more info about Blue Water Dental, the Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry office of Dr. Nicole Mitchell-Toth (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite A-1), call (813) 957-5887 or visit NicoleMitchellDMD.com to request an appointment. Or, see the ad on pg. 35. The office is open Mon.- Thur., 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fri.
(Left) Dr. Mitchell uses AI technology to show patients where they have problems with their teeth. (Right) Mandy is one of two hypoallergenic therapy dogs in Dr. Mitchell’s office.
Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa Opens New Office & Adds Memberships & More!
By Jannah Nager
Are you looking for a luxury med spa that offers the highest quality treatments and newest techniques? Well look no further than Defining Beauty Wellness and Med Spa, located in the New Tampa Professional Park off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Pebble Creek, only a mile or so south of the Pasco County line.
Defining Beauty is where curated well ness meets personalized care. The owner, Karma Nguyen, has been a licensed nurse since 2003. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nurs ing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees through a combination of online coursework and on-site clinical rotations, from Chamberlain University, based in Chicago, IL. After graduating with her MSN degree, Karma became an Advanced Practice Registered NurseFamily Nurse Practitioner (APRN-FNP), which makes her well-qualified to educate and administer the latest image-improving treatments.
sions? Karma offers more than a dozen different IV therapies that offer specific combinations of vitamins, minerals and amino acids for different needs, including hydration, mental health, athletic recovery and performance.
Karma has added a number of new services at Defining Beauty, including Eyelase, a laser treatment that reduces skin laxity of the upper and lower eyelid similar to a blepharoplasty (surgical eyelid lift); and Liplase, a laser alternative to lip filler that creates fuller lips, can remove skin tags and allows Karma to utilize non-surgical body contouring solutions that decrease fat by up to 24% while tightening skin, and increasing muscle tone. She has brought on a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) to offer licensed massage services at the spa. Are you interested in intravenous (IV) infu-
Defining Beauty also offers several options for facial skin care. If you have facial hair or acne, no problem. Men, women and teens can receive personalized facials from Karma with recommendations for daily skin maintenance care afterwards. The spa also is known for offering HydraFacial™, a facial performed using a device with a vacuum-like effect to cleanse, moisturize and brighten the skin. You also can get a PRX Derm Perfexion (or PRX-T33) facial, microneedling with or without platelet-rich plasma derived from your own blood, or chemical peels with superficial, medium, or deep skin activity.
APEX
Internal Medicine of Tampa
The Office of Mukesh Satodiya, M.D.
A local Internal Medicine Physician with more than 15 Years of Clinical Experience, Including Geriatric Care
Services We Provide & Conditions We Treat:
•Annual Physical Exams •Wellness Care for Medicare Patients •Diabetes Care •High Blood Pressure •High Cholesterol •Thyroid Disorders
Weight Loss
Accepting:
APEX Internal Medicine of Tampa 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D | New Tampa, FL 33647 www.ApexImt.com
To make an appointment, call 813.725.4983
OPEN HOURS: Mon-Fri, 8 am -5 pm; EVENING Appointments available on selected days
If you want to continue your beauty maintenance process at home after your spa visit, Defining Beauty offers a large selection of ZO® and Obagi Medical® skin care products. From quality cleansers and toners to specialized acne, anti-aging, redness and even cellulite control products, Karma will let you know which product or combination of products will offer you the best possible results.
“Every person has a different anatomy and wants to achieve a different look,” Karma says. “To get pronounced, versus subtle results, it is important to know the different ways to inject or apply products and devices.”
If you have wrinkles or sagging skin, need hair removal or restoration, or have medical conditions like acne, psoriasis and rosacea, there are
many laser and injectable treatments available at Defining Beauty that can help. In order to decide the best option for your needs, you need a specialist like Karma who will be honest about each one’s pros and cons.
Before providing any treatment, Karma will perform a thorough consultation with you to understand your current state of health, address your skin care or body concerns and figure out what you hope to achieve.
“There are often different options for various skin care or body goals,” she says. “I go over the options with you to see your comfort level and interest. And, most important is that I am open with my patients so they have realistic expectations. You can’t achieve surgical-type results without surgery, but I can let you know what you can reasonably expect.”
Karma Nguyen, APRN-FNP, of Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa offers body sculpting (left) and a variety of other services to help men and women look and feel their best. (Right) Check out Defining Beauty’s beautiful new location in the New Tampa Professional Park.
Karma says that one of her clinical rotations exposed her to the work of an aesthetic nurse. That sparked her interest in aesthetic treatments and since then, she has traveled to New York, Texas and different parts of Florida to obtain additional certifications, including her national certification as an FNP through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), as well as hands-on training in aesthetic techniques before opening Defining Beauty in July 2021. Dr. Binu Jacob, M.D. is the med spa’s medical director.
Karma, who lives in New Tampa with her mom Lucy and youngest son Kevin, does her best to accommodate patients by offering weekend and evening appointments.
What’s New? Memberships!
Monthly memberships are now available for clients who want regular treatments at Defining Beauty. Gold ($160), Platinum ($200) and Diamond ($240 per month) members will receive a free HydraFacial® each month plus 50% off any additional facials as well as discounts on products, injectables and packages. Monthly treatments can be gifted to another person once every 4 months for a $20 transfer fee and there is a free add-on given during the member’s birthday month.
For clients looking for weight loss programs, Defining Beauty offers an all natural GLP-1 appetite suppressant supplement that can be taken as an adjunct to semaglutide and tirzepatide or used as a maintenance supplement.
“We also are offering new monthly memberships for weight-loss services, too,” says Karma. Please note that the weight loss membership premiums are applied to monthly medications and services that are included with the member-
ship. All weight-loss memberships are 3-month commitments”
Defining Body Transform - $1,000/month
Includes semaglutide weekly injections, body contouring/sculpting 1 session/week, red light therapy 1 treatment weekly, fat burner weekly injections, (1) Vitamin B12 supplements, nutrition coaching, labs and additional discounts, such as $10/unit Botox, $9/unit Xeomin, $100 off fillers, and a 10% discount on retail, additional supplements and other services, excluding tox/fillers. Also enjoy our annual membership party and receive an anniversary gift.
Defining Weight Loss - $425/month
Includes semaglutide meds, labs, nutrition coaching and retail/supplement/treatment, Botox $10/unit, Dysport $4/unit, Xeomin $9/ unit $50 off fillers and receive 10% discount on retail, supplements, and other services. Also enjoy semi-annual membership party and membership anniversary rewards.
TOX Memberships (minimum 3 month commitment) TOX Premiums are applicable towards services.
Platinum $125/month
Botox $10/unit, Dysport $4/unit or Xeomin $9/unit, $150 off fillers and 10% off retail, supplements and other services (excludes weight loss prescriptions, TOX, and fillers). Also enjoy semi-annual membership party and membership anniversary rewards.
Defining Beauty TOX $25/month
Bank your monthly membership for future treatments and receive your choice of Botox $10/ unit, Dysport $4/unit or Xeomin $9/unit, 5% off retail, supplements and other services (excludes weight loss medications and TOX). Also enjoy
semi-annual membership party and membership anniversary rewards.
Open House August 29!
To experience everything Defining Beauty has to offer, please join Karma on Thursday, August 29, 4 p.m.–8 p.m., for her Open House at her new office location. She will have gift bags worth up to $200 for the first 50 guests, raffles for treatments, event-only pricing on Botox ($9/unit) and so much more! RSVP by Saturday, August 24, to receive a special gift.
Mention Neighborhood News to receive 30% off of your first service. Defining Beauty Wellness & Med Spa’s new location is 8907 Regents Park Dr., Suite 330, Tampa. The spa is open by appointment only. Call (813) 955-0408, visit DefiningBeautyMedSpa.com or see the ad
Facebook or “@definingbeautymedspa” on Instagram for pictures, tips and special offers.
Sunglass Krate is located in one of the largest container parks in the world that attracts visitors from all over the globe. Check out krateatthegrove.com
Sunglass Krate is owned and operated by Jim Lambrou, a Licensed Optician in the state of Florida with over 30 years in the optical industry! His goal is to help you protect your eyes from sun damage.
The ExerScience Center Had A Baby! — Zen Powerhouse: A Visionary Creation!
By Lauren Leiva, DPT
The ExerScience Center, a revolutionary hub for fitness and physical rehabilitation off S.R. 54 in Lutz, has become a place of hope and transforma tion under the guidance of its visionary creator, Dr. Lauren Leiva, DPT.
This state-of-the-art facility has recently expanded to include Zen Powerhouse, a hot yoga and meditation studio next door. With a combined space of more than 3,000 square feet, the center offers a range of innovative therapies, including hy perbaric oxygen therapy, infrared sauna, ice plunges, vibration plates and decompression for the spine, alongside its specialized gait training programs. In addition to all of these amazing technologies, the Center has talented therapists for bodywork includ ing cupping, Graston Technique, Dry Needling, Sound Bath, Detoxifying Lymphatic Drainage, Joint Mobilization and so much more!
You may know Dr. Leiva if you attended yoga classes in at the Crunch or EōS Fitness gyms in Land O’Lakes. She is a highly accomplished individual with a diverse range of qualifications and expertise in the field of health and wellness. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a National
Hear from her clients: “Six months ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the ExerScience Center and I was blown away by the atmosphere and dedication to wellness that Dr. Lauren has created. She uses a combination of healing modalities that best suit her patients’ needs, from traditional physical therapy to personal training, yoga, sauna, cold immersion therapy, weight training and advanced technology — she leaves no stone unturned when it comes to care. I highly recommend The ExerScience Center for anyone looking for health, wellness and healing.” — Patrick Alonso
Patient Patricia Sullivan’s 5-star review says, “The ExerScience center has been life- changing. After four traumatic life events in 2022, I couldn’t sleep. Dr. Lauren Leiva and Kristina are brilliant and the brain tap device helped me get back to REM sleep. They have such love, kindness and compassion. I would highly recommend this center for physical therapy, nutrition, weight loss and other natural methods to help reduce stress. So fortunate to be a part of this center!”
Founded on the belief to do no harm first after Dr. Leiva lost her own mother to medical malpractice in 2019., The ExerScience Center was established with a vision to combine the passions of exercise and science to utilized evidence-based research. Being a physical therapist and a personal trainer, Dr. Leiva has recognized how these two fields were not only similar but also held immense
potential when used in combination. “We believe that achieving one’s best potential required a holistic approach that encompassed both the mind and body,” she says.
The name “ExerScience” perfectly encapsulated Dr. Leiva’s philosophy. It represented the fusion of exercise and science, highlighting the importance of both in optimizing one’s health and well-being. Her goal is not just to help people recover from injuries or get better physically, but to assist them in reaching their ultimate potential.
A Focus On Education
“At The ExerScience Center,” Dr. Leiva says, “we host an internship program and embrace continuing education, understanding the significance of scientific research and the need for continuous advancements in the field. While technology, such as our iPhones, constantly evolves, so do treatment options, therapeutic approaches, recovery techniques, and strengthening methods.”
Dr. Leiva works hard to stay at the forefront of these advancements, ensuring that her clients have access to the latest research and technology available.
One of those interns, Izzy D, says this about her experience working with Dr. Leiva:
“I have enjoyed my time at The ExerScience
See “ExerScience Center” on pg. 32
(Above left)
Doctor of Physical Therapy Lauren Leiva of The ExerrScience Center & the adjacent new Zen Powerhouse hot yoga studio off S.R. 54 in Lutz has been a featured speaker at multiple international conferences regarding not just physical therapy, but many other traditional and holistic medical practices. (Above right) Dr. Leiva (right) and her patient Molly at the Spastic Paraplegia conference. (Bottom) Dr. Leiva founded The ExerScience Center in honor of her mother, who was a victim of medical malpractice. (All photos on these pages provided by Dr. Lauren Leiva)
Center and learning under the tutelege of Dr. Lei va. I had incredible hands-on experience and eyeopening exposure to physical therapy modalities. The clinic focuses on integrative practices to create individualized treatment (plans) and the best pos sible outcomes for patients. Dr. Leiva is wonderful mentor who values educational experiences. She exudes altruism, which makes her an exceptional one-of-a kind physical therapy practitioner.”
Recently filmed for a documentary on Amazon Prime, Dr. Leiva has earned the nickname “The Queen of Biohacking,” thanks to her expertise in utilizing cutting-edge techniques and technologies to optimize human performance.
Called “Biohack Yourself,” the documentary is set to be released on Amazon Prime this December and will provide a platform to showcase her top Biohackers, including Robert F. Kennedy, Dave Asprey, Jim Kwik and so many in this discipline to inspire others.
“Check out the cast on IMDB,” she says. “It’s amazing!!!”
Dr. Leiva has traveled the world and is now speaking at conferences to bridge the gap between traditional medicine, plant medicine and the latest technologies.
Being one of the first medical marijuana card recipients in Florida, she is paving the way through science — researching the effects of ayahuasca (the South American psychoactive typically used by indigenous cultures and folk healers in the Amazon
from surgery, Parkinson’s disease, or an individual adjusting to a new prosthetic, etc., the gait-train ing program at The ExerScience Center provides personalized support and guidance. By optimizing energy and movement patterns, Dr. Leiva and her staff enable individuals to regain their mobility with confidence and efficiency.
Zen Powerhouse
However, The ExerScience Center isn’t limited to rehabilitation services alone.
the center’s commitment to providing innovative solutions for physical well-being.
People from all walks of life are drawn to The ExerScience Center’s unique approach.
“From pain to performance, we take people through their span of care,” she says, “as I believe it’s never a destination, but a lifestyle of longevity
The addition of Zen Powerhouse, the Center’s new hot yoga and meditation studio, is a testament to our commitment after rehabilitation
“Visitors can now experience the benefits of hot yoga and meditation, both of which promote mental clarity, flexibility and inner peace. The integration of these practices complements the Center’s rehabilitation services, creating a comprehensive approach to optimal body and mind
The expanded facility offers a range of other advanced practices designed to support spiritual recovery, physical mobility and overall wellness. The hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber provides a healing environment where individuals can experience increased oxygen levels, which helps promote tissue repair and regeneration. The Center’s infrared sauna aids in detoxification, relaxation and pain relief, while ice plunges offer therapeutic benefits such as reducing inflammation and improving circulation. Vibration plates and decompression for the spine further contribute to
Shameless Plug
“I also recommend stopping in to my husband Jonathan’s store —Leiva’s Jewelry on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (in the New Tampa Center shopping plaza. Let him know I sent you. He has been a part
the past ten years and continues to provide beautiful, custom-designed jewelry, as well as jewelry repair services.”
The ExerScience Center and Zen Powerhouse Yoga & Meditation Studio are located at 24706 S.R. 54 in Lutz. For more information, visit TheExerScienceCenter.com, call (813) 803-7070 or see the ad on pg. 1 of this issue and scan the QR code.
Esthetics813 — The Spa At Saddlebrook — Is One-Of-A-Kind In Wesley Chapel!
By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent
There are only a handful of true resort spas in the Tampa Bay area, icons such as Safety Har bor Resort & Spa and Innisbrook. Guests to these spas are in for much more than a quick massage or facial at a strip mall. Instead, they experience a true resort where they can relax by the pool, eat lunch on the terrazzo and get away for complete rejuvenation.
Now, Wesley Chapel’s only resort spa is open once again at Saddlebrook Resort, thanks to Kyy mara Rosey Scott, owner of Esthetics813.
After the Saddlebrook spa closed due to the Covid pandemic, it sat motionless for four years. That was until September of last year, when Kyymara reopened the 7,000-sq.-ft.. space, now known as Esthetics813-The Spa at Saddlebrook, located at 5700 Saddlebrook Way, a short drive from S.R. 54 near Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. through the Saddlebrook neighborhood.
Local residents and resort guests can experience a variety of luxurious spa services including massages, facials, skin treatments, waxing, microdermabrasion, brow sculpting, spray tans and more in one of the spa’s 14 treatment rooms.
“We’ve been able to make the spa super cozy and intimate,” says Kyymara. “Every person who works here knows the clients come first. We stay on top of our game as far as how we make people feel, helping them improve themselves esthetically, and how they feel inside.”
She says in addition to spa treatments, she also offers workshops and events to help people
truly experience wellness. “It’s not just applying lipstick,” she says. “It’s everything, feeling whole on the inside and outside.”
Kyymara explains the spa’s slogan, “Look Great Bare-Faced Naked.”
“When you’re not wearing makeup, you don’t have to put up walls and barriers and filters,” she says. “Who you are is enough to make you great.”
Often, she says, guests look in the mirror after a treatment and say, “What did you do? I look so beautiful!”
But Kyymara insists all she does is reveal someone’s natural beauty. “This is you,” she
says. “That glow is your happiness.”
Moving To A New Location
Kyymara opening her original location of Esthetics813 in the Windfair Professional Center in 2013. As her business grew, she needed a larger space, and in 2019, Esthetics813 moved to a storefront on Bruce B. Downs at County Line Rd.
Just a few months later, she had to close the doors and wait out the pandemic.
Although she was able to reopen Esthetics813, Saddlebrook struggled to do the same. Kyymara had had her eye on the resort and knew
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that if anyone could make the most of the spa’s potential, it was her.
Walking into that long-dormant space was emotional for Kyymara.
“It was like going into a museum,” she explained. “Everything was the way it was when they told them to close. There were rooms with bowls set up for facials and manicures that had sat there for four years.”
She was thrilled when she was able to come to an agreement with Saddlebrook to open Esthetics813 at the resort, which finally happened in September of last year, after months of updating and refreshing the space.
Although Kyymara was originally hoping to keep the location on Bruce B. Downs open, she ended up closing it, acknowledging it was too hard for her personally to run both locations.
She says the Saddlebrook location offers much more for her guests anyway.
“In terms of space and privacy, it’s totally different,” Kyymara says. “We have different types of saunas and a wet room where we can do true body scrubs and wraps. I can give my guests everything they need in terms of wellness, massage, body scrubs, facials, whether they come in for an hour or the whole day. It’s so versatile.”
The staff includes senior spa coordinator, Valeria Medina, and spa manager, Arely Rosas, plus four massage therapists, four estheticians — including one who specializes in both makeup and permanent brow makeup, a manicurist and a cosmetologist.
While Kyymara’s husband, Kurt Wickiser, isn’t technically on staff, she says she is hugely
Your CBD Store Of New Tampa Still Has Delta & Keeps Adding New Products!
Located in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Your CBD Store of New Tampa has calming blue-grey walls, greenery throughout the store, comfortable seating and an expansive, open layout. With informational displays and posters, exceptional customer support, and product knowledge, the husband-and-wife team of David Calcador and Debra Curler make you feel immediately at home.
David & Debra opened their Your CBD Store franchise location in November 2019 and it has thrived through the pandemic, thanks to the dedication of these two New Tampa residents. “When customers come in, we ask them what they know about CBD,” Debra says. “Some are well-educated and we walk the others through the store and introduce and educate them about our product line. We find out what their problems are health-wise. Are they in pain? Are they having problems sleeping? Do they need energy? We need to know what is happening in their bodies to help direct them to the proper products.”
Your CBD Store is a holistic boutique providing USDA organic and carcinogen-free oral and topical SunMed CBD products for customers and their pets. At Debra and David’s store, CBD comes in both flavored and flavorless tinctures, oils, pills, gummies, weight-loss products, as well as a skincare line, bath bombs, lotions, massage oils, pain creams and products for dogs and cats.
Unlike marijuana, Your CBD Store offers broad-spectrum CBD products that have zero THC, as well as full-spectrum products with the 0.3 legal limit of THC that contain all cannabinoids (CBD and THC), terpenes, or flavonoids.
With anti-inflammatory and other health effects, flavonoids are plant compounds that
give plants their colors and flavors. Flavonoids work with cannabinoids and terpenes, which are naturally occurring compounds in cannabis that shape aroma, taste, colors and therapeutic benefits, to produce the “entourage effect” enhancing their impact. “CBD needs to have terpenes and flavonoids,” David says. “They bond to receptors in your body. Without those, you won’t have the full benefit of CBD.”
doctors who send patients to us because they know the quality is there.”
What’s New?
Debra and David are enthusiastic about their store’s newest products, some of which have been enhanced with more CBD, like their SunMed topical cream, which is now available in 4,000-milligram strength, while others are brand new.
in a gummy form. People love it. I have a lady who comes in weekly and buys two jars. It helps with aches and pains throughout the body.”
Your CBD Store of New Tampa also sells both “Above” (with Delta 8 THC) and “Beyond” (with Delta 9 THC) by SunMed, both of which are all-natural (non-synthetic). Debra says that although both houses of the State Legislature passed a bill reducing the THC limits in Delta 8 & Delta 9 products, “Thankfully, Governor DeSantis vetoed that bill because Delta 8 and 9 help a lot of people. We’re proud to be able to continue to sell them.”
As some prescriptions can conflict with CBD, Debra and David suggest that if you are taking medications, you should speak with your physician before starting any CBD regimen.
Debra and David says that love educating their customers and clear up misinformation about CBD. Their CBD products won’t get you high, aren’t illegal, won’t make you impaired and you don’t need a Medical Cannabis card to purchase them.
Instead, their products help with anxiety, sleep issues, chronic pain and more.
“Our products are all-natural, organic, and non-addictive, Debra says. “You can buy CBD anywhere — a smoke shop or gas station, even on Amazon — but you don’t want to do that because anything you are putting on your body or in your body, you want to make sure it is good quality. You risk getting a synthetic, damaging product that can harm your health.
David adds, “We’re third-party tested. We have QR codes on everything we sell; you can bring up each product’s lab report. We have referring
“Our topical cream is amazing for isolated pain,” Debra says. “I had a knee replacement years ago, and I had not been able to walk long distances. The product came out in December, and my husband and I were going Christmas shopping, and I could walk the entire mall. It’s been selling off the shelves left and right. We’ve always had 1,000- and 2,000-milligram strengths since we opened, but the 4,000 milligrams is amazing.”
Debra also recommends Neuro, a water-soluble CBD, for pain management. While the store’s original daily oil tincture takes time to work, based on your metabolism and weight, the as-needed, water-soluble Neuro CBD effects are felt more quickly. “You take the dropper of Neuro and put it in a Dixie cup size of water and drink it,” she says. “It goes into your body within 10 minutes, comes in 900- and 1,800-milligram strengths, and is also
For pet parents, beyond their regular CBD pet treats, chews and tinctures for health and anxiety, Debra recommends another new product — Broad Spectrum Allergy Aid CBD Pet Chews, which have only been in the store for about a month, to help with “hot spots” and seasonal skin allergies. Debra and David are proud of their store’s Google reviews, which average a 4.9 stars out of 5, based on 170 reviews.
“If you look at our reviews,” Debra says, “you’ll see people love the products and that they’re changing lives.”
Your CBD Store of New Tampa (19651 BBD Blvd. Suite B-1) is open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and 1 p.m.– 5 p.m. on Sun. Ages 55 or older can save 20% off their purchases. The store also has a bonus system whereby customers accrue points for discounts and free products. Free local delivery/free shipping are available for orders of $100+. For more info, call (813) 9940599 or visit GetSunMed.com.
(Above) The friendly, professional staff at Esthetics813-The Spa at Saddlebrook Resort includes (l.-r) Gabi Diaz (guest relations), esthetician & brow artist Lorena Muñoz, esthetician Cassidy Sirmans, spa director & esthetician Kyymara Rosey Scott, esthetician Makya Kendrick & senior spa coordinator Valeria Medina. (Photo by Charmaine George)
Your CBD Store of New Tampa in the Pebble Creek Collection now carries full-spectrum water soluble Neuro by SunMed pain management tinctures & gummies.
“It’s a gorgeous drive,” she says. “You get through that gate and it’s a beautiful two and a half minutes until you get to the spa and hand over your keys.”
The spa is valet only, with Esthetics813 paying for the valet service with any spa service of one hour or more.
Once you enter the spa, your treatment begins with 30 minutes in the sauna to just relax.
“Slow down, put on a robe, and sink in to the sauna,” she says, “then come in and get your service.”
While this level of luxury may seem out-of-
she says. “You feel like you’re in the lap of luxury for a reasonable price.”
She says the drive is farther than the previous location, but it’s quicker than you think.
“And then, when you get there, it’s just a beautiful place,” Melissa says. “You’re by the golf course, you can go swimming in the pool, you don’t have to worry about parking. You just go down the steps and it feels like a grand experience.”
She says her facials are always customized just for her, with remarkable results.
“When you feel good,” Melissa says, “it really
does affect all the areas of your life.”
Nathan Erickson got his first facial when a girlfriend gave him a gift certificate as a gift.
“Now I go every month,” he says. “It’s always a great experience. Kyymara is so easy to get along with, and the results are amazing.”
In fact, he says, sometimes he doesn’t even book a specific facial. He comes in and lets Kyy mara suggest the best treatment for his skin.
“It was already awesome,” he says, “and the new location is even better.”
Esthetics 813-The Spa at Saddlebrook Resort is open Mon., Wed., Thur. & Fri., 10 a.m. –6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sat. & and Sun. For more information, follow “Esthet ics813 – The Spa at Saddlebrook Resort” on Facebook or Instagram, call (813) 474-4486, visit Esthetics813TheSpaAtSaddlebrook.com, or see the ad on page 50.
Smith & Rae Ann Compton Attorneys at Law Former State Prosecutors
Small World Pediatrics — Keeping New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Kids Healthy For 21 Years!
By Gary Nager
I have only met Dr. Nancy M. Silva and Dr. José D. Jiménez a few times in the 21 years they have had their Small World Pediatrics in the Wesley Chapel, but they still feel a little like fam ily to me — even though they were never even my kids’ doctors.
These personable, married M.D.s have been keeping our area’s kids healthy all these years, but my favorite thing about reading their dozens of 5-star reviews on Google and Facebook is how many of these reviewers comment on how caring both doctors are and how quickly they return after-hours phone calls.
Small World Pediatrics is located in the Windguard Professional Center across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. It has been at this location since 2010, when the practice moved from its original loca tion in the Northwoods plaza on BBD in Wesley Chapel, near the SuperTarget.
And, although the Covid-19 pandemic changed a lot of the ways most medical offices do business, Dr. Silva — who joined her husband at the practice in 2014 — says that at least some of the changes definitely have been for the better.
“One of the good changes that came out of the pandemic,” Dr. Silva says, “was that nobody wanted to be around other sick people, obviously, so it allowed us to start doing a lot more Telemedicine, which I will say is really nice. Because sometimes, we are able to see and hear your child and actually treat them over the phone. So now, we’re doing more Telemedicine than ever before, because people are a lot more comfortable with it — even asking for it.”
She also notes that Telemedicine also allows the doctors to “see” patients after hours, “and even when we’re on vacation.”
Dr. Jiménez notes, “As doctors, we sometimes felt that when we were on vacation, we were letting our patients down, because we’d be gone for a week. But now, we can still have contact with our patients, even when we’re away, and we feel like we’re providing better service for them. It’s a nice feeling.”
As for the cases they are seeing more of recently, Dr. Silva — who earned her M.D. degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Health Science Center in Brooklyn in 1997, after earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in an Honors B.S./M.D. program at City University of New York (CUNY) Brooklyn College in 1993 — says that, “Not so much right now, but we saw a lot more flu cases in kids this year. We were actually surprised at how much flu there was.”
With all of the rapid tests now available — including for flu, Covid, strep throat and even RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), it’s definitely easier for pediatricians to quickly diagnose and treat these contagious illnesses.
And, speaking of RSV, Dr. Jimenez — who earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1992, after transferring from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University of South Florida (USF) College of Medicine in Tampa in 1996 — says that, “We didn’t see a whole lot of RSV cases, but most of it that we did see was last fall. In the spring, it
was a good amount of strep and in June and July, we’re also still seeing flu and Covid.”
Dr. Silva adds that early diagnosis and treatment are so important in these cases.
“With any of these illnesses, the sooner you take medication the better,” she says. “The longer you wait, the higher the viral load and the more the virus replicates. And, the anti-viral medications we have don’t ‘cure’ these viruses, but they do help you fight the symptoms better. With flu, you need to treat it within two days, with Covid, 5-10 days, but the sooner you get the medication, the sooner you start to get better.”
Especially with the flu, she adds, if you don’t start that medication within two days of the symptoms, “it’s not really going to help at all. If it’s that second day and your kid still isn’t looking good, just bring them in.”
Both of the doctors completed their pediatric residencies at USF in 2000. Dr. Silva worked for a group in Brandon before joining Dr. Jiménez at Small World Pediatrics.
Meet The New Office Manager!
As for what’s new at Small World Pediatrics, Dr. Silva says the practice has a new office manager — Tonya Weicht.
She says the previous office manager — Shaneka Phillips — “left to pursue her nursing career. She got her degree and now she’s working as a nurse while pursuing another degree. All of us loved Shaneka and she left on very good terms. She just changed her profession.”
But, Dr. Jiménez adds, “Tonya was our receptionist for almost five years, so she already is known by the patients and their parents and is a very good fit for us. The patients probably were more familiar with Tonya than they were Shaneka because Shaneka was the office manager from her start with us in 2015, although she also was a certified medical assistant, so Shaneka could and did also help out with cases, too.”
Dr. Silva notes that there also is a new RSV “vaccine that’s actually an antibody, but we’re not
doing that yet, just because a new vaccine came out. We want to hear more feedback on it before we just start providing it for our patients.”
She adds that, “A lot of mothers are getting this vaccine when they’re pregnant, so their unborn babies will already have those antibod-
ies, just like pregnant mothers were getting flu or Covid shots to protect their babies. I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up offering that antibody shot for children up to two years old. We’re just not there yet because
They also note that whenever a new vaccine or treatment comes along, it also causes a billing problem “for about six months,” Dr. Silva says, “until the insurance companies start acknowledging it and paying for it. Parents then get these bills for thousands of dollars, so we have found that it’s best to wait.”
About “Anti-Vaxers”
“I think we’re steady with the number of people who refuse to give their child any childhood vaccines (such as DPT, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus; chicken pox; MMR, or measles, mumps & rubella, etc.),” Dr. Silva says. “But there are other people who express their worries about these vaccines and we usually try to work with them. But, if it’s someone who really doesn’t want any vaccines, we usually recommend they find another pediatrician, because in that case, you really need to find someone
Photos by Charmaine George
(across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.) includes (l.-r.) — receptionist Marina Abdalla, Dr. Nancy Silva, Dr. José Jiménez, office manager Tonya Weicht and medical assistant Courtney White.
who is connected with you on that level.”
Dr. Jimenez adds that it’s not only about vaccines, though. “When people come in for their prenatal visits to meet us and our staff, we tell them to expect to have at least a dozen visits with us that first year., and that’s if the child is well. So, you definitely need to find someone you’re comfortable with.”
Considering that many people who are against vaccines express concerns about any possible link between autism and vaccines, Dr. Silva says, “We’re still waiting for an accepted genetic test for autism, like they have for cystic fibrosis, but they are finding more and more genetic links for autism, They just don’t have that test yet for autism, but I say ‘yet’ because I am hopeful for the future.”
“However,” Dr. Jiménez says, “All the studies are out there — preservatives didn’t cause it, vaccines didn’t do it and not having vaccines didn’t do it. Parents have the right to make up their own minds, but there has been no link found between vaccines and autism.”
“Look, we’re not car salesmen,” Dr. Silva says. “This car isn’t leaving the lot. The vaccines will still be here tomorrow, they’ll be here next year. If you change your mind, you can always come back to us (although some childhood vaccines do have to be given by a certain age). I’m not going to try to convince you, it’s up to you.”
patients and the community, thank God.”
Taking one final look back at the Covid pandemic, the doctors are happy that they never had to close the office at all. “We stayed on our same schedule the whole time,” Dr. Silva says. “I am really proud that we stayed open and served the community. We did all those Facebook videos (updating people on the pandemic) and were still available on the phone and in the office. We
Dr. Jiménez adds, “We live here (in Meadow Pointe), our kids go to public schools (their son Jonathan just graduated from Wiregrass Ranch High, will attend USF and earned the rank of Eagle Scout), I go to Publix or Starbucks and I see our patients. It’s nice to be part of this community.”
Small World Pediatrics (2527 Windguard Cir., Suite 102) is open Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m., and is accepting new patients. Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, are accepted. For more info, see the ad on page 40, call (813) 907-8001 or visit SmallWorldPediatrics.com.
Primary Care Of Wesley Chapel — Nurse Practitioner-Run Primary Care
By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent
Scarlette Owens, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, has spent her entire career caring for patients. First, as a nurse in obstetrics and gynecology, then as a nurse practitioner.
With decades of practice in the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, the word has gotten out that Scarlette is a knowledgeable, experienced primary care practi tioner who listens to her patients and treats them with compassion and care.
When Scarlette found herself at a ca reer crossroads, the timing seemed perfect for her to open a new primary care practice of her own.
So, Scarlette joined fellow nurse practitioner Megan Dudley, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, to open The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel just after Memorial Day weekend of this year. The office is located in the new Cypress Bend Professional Park, off Wesley Chapel Blvd., next to Harley Davidson of Wesley Chapel.
The letters behind their names mean Scarlette and Megan have advanced credentials and participate in ongoing training to treat both female and male patients, ages 18 and up. They have each received a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, earned credentials as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) and have earned Board certification as family nurse practitioners (FNP-C) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.
Both Megan and Scarlette say they were looking for more flexibility in their work/life balance and thought that opening a new practice, with each of them as part owner, would give them that opportunity.
Megan, as the mom of 10-year-old twins, wanted a schedule that would allow her to chauffeur her kids to soccer games and figure skating practice. Scarlette, after 18 years in internal medicine as a partner at a local Florida Medical Clinic office, was looking to slow down with a schedule that allowed her to work just four and a half days each week.
As a member of the clinical faculty at the University of South Florida, in Tampa, Scarlette says she has trained many nurse practitioners.
“I made a big leap to leave all of that behind,” she says, adding that she had signed a contract to work for a company that was putting primary care practices inside of Walgreens pharmacies. At the last minute, that company pulled the plug on the practice and told Scarlette they no longer had a job for her. She attempted to return to primary care, but the right fit wasn’t available, so she started working in urgent care for Florida Medical Clinic.
“I loved the crew there,” Scarlette says. But, she also says that her former patients were tracking her down, asking her where
reaction, they can speak to a health care provider right away.
they could see her for primary care again.
“It was very humbling,” Scarlette says. “You’re busy doing your job, so you don’t realize how much your patients appreciate you and want to see you.”
In addition to Scarlette and Megan, The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel has two employees who are both cross-trained as front desk staff and medical assistants, Alexis and Maggie. Scarlette says she expects them to become the leadership team as the practice grows.
There also are two other providers in the office. Fellow Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Patricia Moore, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, is a part-time provider who focuses on women’s health. While she’s trained as a primary care provider, Patricia can take the time to have more lengthy conversations surrounding women’s issues and problems, such as hormones, bladder issues and contraceptives.
And, occupational therapist Irfan Choudhry, OT/PTA, is expected to offer occupational therapy services at the practice starting in a couple of months.
Scarlette and Megan say they are both focused on being available, accessible and good listeners, proactive in decision making and taking care of people.
“So many people can’t get in to their primary care provider for six months,” explains Scarlette. Or, she adds, they may have an urgent issue — such as an infection or low blood sugar — and they’re told they can wait three weeks for an appointment or go to the emergency room, because those are the only options.
“They don’t feel cared for,” Scarlette says. “I saw it from the urgent care perspective. All these people were there because they couldn’t get into primary care.”
Telehealth Benefits
So, at The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel, the team has Telehealth appointments available every day. If someone is on vacation and needs antibiotics or has high blood pressure or is having an allergic
“We are small, but that’s what makes us special,” says Megan. “We know our patients expect us to have knowledge and experience but we also want to have kindness and personal interactions. I hope people feel listened to, heard and valued. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Megan says she often has patients she recognizes from her kids’ school or activities in the community, since she and her husband have lived in Wesley Chapel for more than 10 years now.
“We live here, we’re raising our kids here, we go to church here and they go to public school here,” Megan says. “We’re entrenched in our community, and I love that I’m home from work in less than 15 minutes.”
Scarlette says it means a lot to her that her patients continue to seek her out.
“As a former OB nurse, I have patients who remember that I was the one who told them they were pregnant, and I’m still seeing them,” she says. “And now, those babies I delivered are all grown up and sometimes I see them, too.”
One of Scarlette’s long-time patients is Donna, who asked that we not use her last name. She says she first met Scarlette nearly 20 years ago.
“She is always so responsive and caring,” says Donna. “When I first became her patient,
When you visit The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel, located off Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz, you’ll meet the team of (l.-r.) Alexis, Megan, Scarlette and Maggie. (Photos provided by Primary Care of WC)
she spent so much time going through my chart, making sure she was very familiar with everything. She really listens and doesn’t just run in and out of the room.”
Donna says she’s already seen Scarlette at The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel for both an in-person well check and sick visits via Telehealth.
“The whole staff is so personable,” Donna says. “They seem so genuine and caring. And the office is beautiful.”
The Primary Care of Wesley Chap-
el accepts many major health insurance plans, Medicare and some plans from the “Obamacare” marketplace. Patients also can self-pay if they don’t have insurance.
The Primary Care of Wesley Chapel is located at 2935 Pearson James Pl., off Wesley Chapel Blvd. It is open Mon.Fri., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For appointments or more information, call (813) 991-4243, visit PrimaryCareWesleyChapel.com or see the ad on page 51 of this issue.
Megan and Scarlette look forward to being your primary care providers, too.
New Tampa Palms Apartments Offers Luxurious Larger Spaces For Less Money!
By Gary Nager
I have known Warren Kinsler of New Tampa, Inc., for about 25 years. Kinsler, who is still developing what had been known as Tampa Palms Area 3 — from the plaza that includes BJ’s Wholesale Club south to the Compton Place apartments on the east side of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. — is finally getting close to completing his large portion of the Tampa Palms community.
His latest venture, which he calls the New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes, is a 400unit rental community that boasts truly elegant 1-and 2-bedroom apartments with larger living spaces than most others in the New Tampa area, at more affordable prices than you’d expect, based on current market trends.
“I wanted to give the New Tampa community better value for their money,” he says, “and New Tampa Palms delivers on that promise.”
Kinsler, whose New Tampa, Inc., is a subsidiary of New Jersey-based Garden Communities, says the company has developed — and still owns and manages — 100,000 apartment units in Arizona, California, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut (as well as 25 million sq. ft. of retail, office and hotel space).
“Unlike a lot of other apartment developers,” he says. “We don’t build them to sell them. Our tenants don’t have to worry about a new management company taking over every couple of years.”
In fact, the 383-unit Compton Place was the first piece of Kinsler’s puzzle in Tampa Palms a quarter of a century ago and yes, it is still owned and managed by New Tampa, Inc.
“We only have one piece left to develop in Tampa Palms,” he says. “It will be a 600-unit rental community where Commerce Palms Blvd. currently dead-ends next to BJ’s.” Area 3 also includes the New Tampa Family YMCA, on land Kinsler donated. The Y was the cornerstone around which he built his many single-family subdivisions.
Introducing New Tampa Palms
When you arrange or stop in for a tour of New Tampa Palms, you’ll be greeted by Kinsler’s assistant manager Isabella (she goes by Bella) Tamochunas and leasing specialist Simona (who prefers to be called Mona) Beltran, two very happy, helpful and knowledgeable team members who are always excited to show you around.
Since the office is in the clubhouse just inside the community’s gated entrance on Tampa Palms Blvd., your tour starts in the clubhouse’s spacious,
comfortable resident lounge, which features lots of seating areas, a coffee station and more.
Next, Bella and Mona will lead you to the resort-style saltwater pool (top photo on next page), which has a sundeck, veranda, pergola, al fresco dining and lounge area with a fire pit. Next to the pool deck is the entrance to the community’s fitness center, with free weights, circuit training machines, treadmills and elliptical machines.
But, even with electric vehicle charging stations next to each of the community’s 17 buildings, as well as dog parks, a nature trail and walking path that are all under construction (along with several of the buildings themselves), the apartments are still the stars of this show.
Available now are 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom
“Palm Springs” models with 1,264 sq. ft. of living space that currently are ranging in price from $1,705-$1,865 per month, and 2-bedroom, 2-bath
“Palm Shores” units with 1,409 sq. ft. of space and priced from just $1,905-$2,005 per month.
Available August 7 are 2-bedroom, 1-bath
“Palm Bay” units with 1,333-1,571 sq. ft. of space and costing just $1,805-$1,965 per month. Then, on September 13, the 2-bedroom, 2-bath “Palm Gardens” floor plan will become available, also with 1,571 sq. ft. of living area, and priced from $2,205$2,385 per month.
All of these prices are subject to change, but every unit has a spacious patio or balcony, each with a private storage space, with ceiling heights from 9 to 16 ft., a gourmet kitchen with custom white wooden cabinetry, top-grade granite countertops, gooseneck faucets, breakfast bars and pantries. Each unit also has walk-in closets and laundry rooms equipped with full-size washers and dryers, carpeted bedrooms, frameless showers, self-closing kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors and generous closet space. The mail area even has Amazon lockers.
sleeps well at night knowing that he has delivered on every promise he made to the Tampa Palms community.
“We have maintained the character of New Tampa’s original and best-known community,” he says. “And we’re not quite finished yet.”
“The apartments really do sell themselves,” Mona told me. “We just show people around.” She also says that the buildings that have come online since the community first opened in February this
New Tampa Palms Luxury Apart ment Homes is located at 7970 Tampa Palms Blvd. and the office is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
For more information, see the ad on pg. 46
Photos by Charmaine George
tacular kitchen in the beautiful one-bedroom model apartment at New Tampa Palms. (Next page, top) The resort-style saltwater swimming
SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR OFFICE:
•Wellness Dentistry for kids and teens
•Holistic nutritional counseling for teeth and gums
•Ozone therapy for oral care
•Recommendation of non-toxic materials
•Sedation dentistry (nitrous oxide) and Sedation
•Invisalign First for children & Invisalign Teen
•Digital 3D scans, ITERO (no goop) and digital X-rays
•Laser dentistry (release of tongue tie for infants, children and teens)
•Relaxed environment, so your children can enjoy their visit
or
Although our 2023 Reader Dining Survey & Contest was super successful, we’re changing up the format for this year’s contest yet again.
Instead of putting up different categories every issue, we’re going back to showing you the lists of every local or small chain restaurant in a number of categories in both Wesley Chapel (see next page) and New Tampa (see pg. 47) and asking you to name your favorites in each category. One difference is that unlike previous years, you can skip as many categories as you like, but we’re grouping the lists of restaurant by type. On the next page, here are those categories:
1) Your Five Favorite (overall) Restaurants in Wesley Chapel (WC)
2) Your Favorite American Restaurant in Wesley Chapel
3) Your Favorite Pizza Place in WC
These same categories also appear on the New Tampa ballot on pg. 45. Both entry forms also include lists of places that ask you to pick your Favorite in New Tampa (NT) AND Wesley Chapel, often (but not always) because there aren’t enough in a certain category in just one of our distribution areas. Here are those other categories:
1) You Favorite Mexican Place in NT/ WC
2) Your Favorite Latin (but not Mexican) Restaurant in NT/WC
3) Your Favorite Chinese Place in NT/WC
4) Your Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT & WC
5) Your Favorite Thai or Korean Restaurant in NT/WC
6) Your Favorite Italian Food in NT/WC
7) Your Favorite Greek or Mediterranean Restaurant in NT/WC
8) Your Favorite Indian Place in NT/WC
9) Your Favorite Breakfast Place in NT/WC
9) Your Favorite Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt or Gelato Place in NT/WC
10) Your Favorite Bakery in NT/WC
11) Your Favorite Coffee Shop in NT/WC
We’re providing the lists of places, although we’ve left out the large national and regional chains (with more than 50-60 total locations), because you have to write (or type) the names of your favorites in the spaces provided and we’re pretty sure you know those if they’re your favorite in a category — and yes, you can still include them (we just wish you would focus on local).
Fill out as many categories as you like, but please don’t put the same name in every category, because those votes won’t be counted and if a restaurant is on our Wesley Chapel list, your vote won’t count if you write the name of that restaurant in any New Tampa-only spaces and vice-versa. You can submit both New Tampa & Wesley Chapel ballots without being DQed. We have upped the prizes for this year — the Grand Prize is now $200, plus prizes of $100 and $50, chosen at random from among all correctly-filled-out entries received by email or on our NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net website (Note-no U.S. Mail entries will be accepted for this year’s contest!) by Friday, October 18 Good luck! — GN
WESLEY CHAPEL My Five Favorite (Overall) Restaurants in WC (Only):
5)__________________________________
American Restaurants (WC Only)
Bacon Boss HQ
Bagelicious & More
Bahama Breeze
Bebo’s Cheesesteaks
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Brunchies
Bubba’s 33
Burger Monger
Chick’n Fun
Chuck Lager America’s Tavern
Dempsey’s Too (Saddlebrook)
Dummy Crabby
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Flipn’ Fries
Florida Ave. Brewing Co.
Ford’s Garage
Garden Grille (Hilton Garden Inn)
Glory Days Grill
Green Market Café
Grillsmith
Grove Mini-Golf
Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli
Main Event
Marquee Suites (B&B Theatres)
Noble Crust
O’Brien’s Irish Pub
Omari’s Bar & Grill (Lexington Oaks GC)
Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles
Pinchers Crab Shack
PopStroke
Retro Dogs
Rock & Brews
Shake-A-Salad
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
Skybox Rooftop Bar (Residence Inn)
The Living Room
The Placery (Hyatt Place Hotel)
Top Shelf Sports Grille (AH Center Ice)
TrebleMakers Dueling Piano Bar
Tropics (Saddlebrook)
Winghouse Bar & Grill
My Favorite American Restaurant in Wesley Chapel Is______________
Pizza Places (WC Only)
900º New York Pizza
900º Woodfired Pizza
Amici Pizza
Best NY Pizza
Blush Wine Room (flatbreads)
Bosco’s Italian-to-Go
Caprese Pizza House
Fratelli’s Pizza & Café
Mama B’s Pizzeria
Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market
New York New York Pizza
Pasta di Guy (flatbreads)
PizzaMania
My Favorite Pizza Place in Wesley Chapel Is______________
Mexican Restaurants (NT & WC)
Azteca D’Oro
Cantina Mexican Grill
Don Julio’s
Los Vallartas
Señor Tequila
Taco Bus
Taco Son
Tacos el Patron
My Favorite Mexican Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Latin (but not Mexican) Restaurants (NT & WC)
Arepa Mia
Chamo Bites
Cross Creek Gourmet
Don Pan International Bakery
Hummingbird Jamaican Cuisine
La Creacion Xpress
Las Palmas Latin Grille
Latin Twist Café
Lima Peruvian Cuisine
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Mojo Grill
Mpanitas Restaurant
Pisco Express
Rhythm Pon de Grille (Jamaican)
Rice N Beans Express
Rice N Beans Puerto Rico
My Favorite Latin (but not Mexican)
Restaurant in NT/WC is_______________
Chinese Restaurants (NT & WC)
Asian Buffet
China City
China Gourmet
China One
China Wok
Gonna China
Ho King
Hot Wok 88
Ho Wok
Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine
New China King
Rain Bistro
Shang Hai
My Favorite Chinese Restaurant in NT or WC Is_____________________
Japanese/Sushi Places (NT/WC)
Asian Buffet
Ato Sushi
Bluefin Sushi
Bonsai Sushi
Crazy Sushi
FJ Express
Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi
Ha Long Bay
Hibachi Express
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery
Michi Ramen
Poké Island Plus
Poké Lulu
Sushi Avenue
Sushi Café
Sushi Haru (Lotte Plaza Market)
Sushi Raw
Tasty Ramen
Thai Lanna
Token Ramen & Tea
Tokyo Grill & Sushi
Umu Japanese & Thai
Yamato Japanese Steak House
Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill
My Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Thai/Korean Places (NT & WC)
Arroy Thai
bb.q chicken (Lotte Plaza Market)
MyungGa Gyo-dong (Lotte Plaza Market)
Ha Long Bay
Jaws Topokki (Lotte Plaza Market)
Palm Thai
SGD Dubo (Lotte Plaza Market)
Thai Lanna
Thai Ruby
My Favorite Thai/Korean Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Italian Restaurants (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
900º New York Pizza
900º Woodfired Pizza
Amici Pizza
Best NY Pizza
Blush Wine Room
Bosco’s Italian-to-Go
Cali Tampa Palms
Caprese Pizza House
El Pasta & More
Falabella Family Bistro
Frammi American Grille & Italian Food
Fratelli’s Pizza & Café
Johnny C’s Italian Eatery
Mama B’s Pizzeria
Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market
New York New York Pizza
Pasta di Guy
PizzaMania
Taste of NY Pizza
Via Italia
Westshore Pizza
My Favorite Italian Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Greek/Mediterranean Restaurants (NT & WC)
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Al-Sham Palace
Cafe Zorba
El Prince Mediterranean
Fire Up Halal Grill
Garden Mediterranean Grill
Kabob Café & Grill
Little Greek Fresh Grill
The Hungry Greek
My Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________
Indian Restaurants (NT & WC)
Bang-Bang! Bowls
Blush Wine Room
Dosa Hut
Gorkhali Kitchen (Nepalese)
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Indian Street Kitchen
Minerva Indian Restaurant
Namaste Express
Nawabi Hyderabad House
Persis Indian Grill
Saffron Indian Cuisine
Taaza Mart Café
My Favorite Indian Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________________
Breakfast Places (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
Bayscape Bistro
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Brunchies
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Happy Hangar Café
Keke’s Breakfast Café
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
The Bean Bar Co.
Tropics (Saddlebrook)
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Breakfast Place in NT or WC Is_________________
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Gelato Shops (NT & WC)
35 Below Ice Cream
Astro Ice Cream
Bianco Gelato
Hello Sweetness
Ice Dreammm Shop
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Ice SSScreamin
Le Macaron French Pastries
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Paleta Mia
SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Twistee Treat
You Do The Dishes
My Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Gelato Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
Bakeries (NT & WC)
Bakery X
Beirut Bakery & Meat Market
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Ice Dreammm Shop
Le Macaron French Pastries
Mediterranean Market
Mochinut Donuts
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Cake Shop
Urban Sweets
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Bakery in NT or WC Is_____________
Coffee Shops (NT & WC)
Bad Ass Coffee
Coffee Latitudes
Le Macaron French Pastries
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
Raining Berries
Sorbo Coffee
The Bean Bar Co.
You Do The Dishes
My Favorite Coffee Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
To enter to win up to $200 in FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice, please fill out as many of the spaces on this page as you like — plus all of the information requested on the entry form below — and email a picture of the entire form to us at Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, with “Dining Contest” in the subject line of the email by Friday, October 18. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net. No purchase necessary to enter or win, but please see our website for all of the official rules.
You Live In (Hunter’s Key, Grand Hampton, etc.)
NEW TAMPA (NT)
My Five Favorite (Overall) Restaurants in NT (Only):
5)__________________________________
American Restaurants (NT Only)
Bayscape Bistro
Burger 21
Cali Tampa Palms
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Fat Rabbit Pub
Frammi American Grille & Italian Food
Fresh Kitchen
Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood
Hunter’s Green Country Club
Mr. Dunderbak’s (German & Sandwiches)
Peabody’s Grill & Bar
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
Subs & Such (Livingston Ave.)
Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club
The Bean Bar Co.
The Grill at Morris Bridge
The Wexford Irish Pub
Urban Air Trampoline & Adventure Park
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli Co.
My Favorite American Restaurant in New Tampa Is______________
Pizza Places (NT Only)
Cali Tampa Palms
Cappy’s Pizzeria
Capri Pizza-N-More
Johnny C’s Italian Eatery
NY Pizza Express (Livingston Ave.)
Peabody’s Grill & Bar
Taste of NY Pizza
Via Italia
Westshore Pizza
My Favorite Pizza Place in New Tampa Is______________
Mexican Restaurants (NT & WC)
Azteca D’Oro
Cantina Mexican Grill
Don Julio’s
Los Vallartas
Señor Tequila
Taco Bus
Taco Son
Tacos el Patron
My Favorite Mexican Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Latin (but not Mexican)
Restaurants (NT & WC)
Arepa Mia
Chamo Bites
Cross Creek Gourmet
Don Pan International Bakery
Hummingbird Jamaican Cuisine
La Creacion Xpress
Las Palmas Latin Grille
Latin Twist Café
Lima Peruvian Cuisine
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Mojo Grill
Mpanitas Restaurant
Pisco Express
Rhythm Pon de Grille (Jamaican)
Rice N Beans Express
Rice N Beans Puerto Rico
My Favorite Latin (but not Mexican) Restaurant in NT/WC is_______________
Chinese
Restaurants
(NT & WC)
Asian Buffet
China City
China Gourmet
China One
China Wok
Gonna China
Ho King
Hot Wok 88
Ho Wok
Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine
New China King
Rain Bistro
Shang Hai
My Favorite Chinese Restaurant in NT or WC Is_____________________
Japanese/Sushi Places (NT/WC)
Asian Buffet
Ato Sushi
Bluefin Sushi
Bonsai Sushi
Crazy Sushi
FJ Express
Ginza Endless Hibachi & Sushi
Ha Long Bay
Hibachi Express
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi Eatery
Michi Ramen
Poké Island Plus
Poké Lulu
Sushi Avenue
Sushi Café
Sushi Haru (Lotte Plaza Market)
Sushi Raw
Tasty Ramen
Thai Lanna & Sushi
Token Ramen & Tea
Tokyo Grill & Sushi
Umu Japanese & Thai
Yamato Japanese Steak House
Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill
My Favorite Japanese/Sushi Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Thai/Korean
Places (NT & WC)
Arroy Thai
bb.q chicken (Lotte Plaza Market)
MyungGa Gyo-dong (Lotte Plaza Market)
Ha Long Bay
Jaws Topokki (Lotte Plaza Market)
Palm Thai
SGD Dubo (Lotte Plaza Market)
Thai Lanna
Thai Ruby
My Favorite Thai/Korean Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Italian Restaurants (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
900º New York Pizza
900º Woodfired Pizza
Amici Pizza
Best NY Pizza
Blush Wine Room
Bosco’s Italian-to-Go
Cali Tampa Palms
Caprese Pizza House
El Pasta & More
Falabella Family Bistro
Frammi American Grille & Italian Food
Fratelli’s Pizza & Café
Johnny C’s Italian Eatery
Mama B’s Pizzeria
Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market
New York New York Pizza
Pasta di Guy
PizzaMania
Taste of NY Pizza
Via Italia
Westshore Pizza
My Favorite Italian Restaurant in NT or WC Is_________________
Greek/Mediterranean
Restaurants (NT & WC)
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Al-Sham Palace
Cafe Zorba
El Prince Mediterranean
Fire Up Halal Grill
Garden Mediterranean Grill
Kabob Café & Grill
Little Greek Fresh Grill
The Hungry Greek
My Favorite Greek/Mediterranean Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________
Indian Restaurants (NT & WC)
Bang-Bang! Bowls
Blush Wine Room
Dosa Hut
Gorkhali Kitchen (Nepalese)
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Indian Street Kitchen
Minerva Indian Restaurant
Namaste Express
Nawabi Hyderabad House
Persis Indian Grill
Saffron Indian Cuisine
Taaza Mart Café
My Favorite Indian Restaurant in NT or WC Is______________________
Breakfast Places (NT & WC)
365 Caffé Italiano
Bayscape Bistro
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Brunchies
EggTown Breakfast & Lunch
Happy Hangar Café
Keke’s Breakfast Café
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
The Bean Bar Co.
Tropics (Saddlebrook)
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Breakfast Place in NT or WC Is_________________
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Gelato Shops (NT & WC)
35 Below Ice Cream
Astro Ice Cream
Bianco Gelato
Hello Sweetness
Ice Dreammm Shop
Ice Spice Indian Street Food Café
Ice SSScreamin
Le Macaron French Pastries
Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Paleta Mia
SubZero Nitrogen Ice Cream
Twistee Treat
You Do The Dishes
My Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/ Gelato Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
Bakeries (NT & WC)
Bakery X
Beirut Bakery & Meat Market
Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.
Ice Dreammm Shop
Le Macaron French Pastries
Mediterranean Market
Mochinut Donuts
Nothing Bundt Cakes
The Cake Shop
Urban Sweets
Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli
My Favorite Bakery in NT or WC Is_____________
Coffee Shops (NT & WC)
Bad Ass Coffee
Coffee Latitudes
Le Macaron French Pastries
Macondo Coffee Roasters
Provisions Coffee & Kitchen
Raining Berries
Sorbo Coffee
The Bean Bar Co.
You Do The Dishes
My Favorite Coffee Shop in NT or WC Is_____________
Our 2024 Neighborhood News Dining Survey & Contest!
To enter to win up to $200 in FREE dining to the restaurant of your choice, please fill out as many of the spaces on this page as you like — plus all of the information requested on the entry form below — and email a picture of the entire form to us at Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com, with “Dining Contest” in the subject line of the email by Friday, October 18. Or, enter at NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net. No purchase necessary to enter or win, but please see our website for all of the official rules.
Your First & Last Name________________________________________________
Community You Live In (Cross Creek, Tampa Palms, etc.)
Your Daytime Phone Number___________________________________________
Your Valid Email Address_______________________________________________
Cold Stone Creamery Has New Energy To Go With Its New Owners!
By Gary Nager
Photos by Charmaine George
When we first brought up the idea of doing what we call a “Dining Feature story” about his Cold Stone Creamery location off (but visible from) Bruce B. Downs (Blvd.) in New Tampa, franchise co-owner Meet “Sunny” Chaudhary said he saw no reason for us to do so.
“Pretty much everyone knows Cold Stone,” he said. “We’re a chain, like any other national chain restaurant.”
But, while that is true — as Cold Stone has about 1,000 U.S. locations and another 300 around the world — I asked Sunny that since his ads with us tout “Under New Ownership & New Energy,” didn’t he want to share that new energy with, oh, 80,000 or so of his “closest friends” in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code — and another 100,00 or so in Wesley Chapel?
So, Sunny — who only officially took over this 18-year-old location in May, with his partner, Sunil (also Sunny; not a misprint) Patel — did ultimately agree to be interviewed for this story.
“Most of the people who had worked at this location didn’t stay when we took over,” Sunny admits. “But, we took that as a positive because we were able to bring on a whole new crew of young people, mostly high school students, who understand that Cold Stone Creamery isn’t just an ice cream place, it’s an experience.”
To illustrate his point, he adds, “Every time someone walks in, we make sure every team member yells, ‘Welcome to Cold Stone!’ (Yes, they also sing songs for tips!) And, watching the crew mix in your favorite toppings on our cold stone counter is always fun, too. And, we stand behind our ice cream as the best, too!”
The married Wesley Chapel resident says that when his uncles opened the new Cold Stone location in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza on BBD in Wesley Chapel last year, he worked in the store as a team member, receiving the same training as any other employee, “So when the New Tampa store became available, my partner and I decided, ‘Why not? Let’s run our own Cold Stone!’ even though we really were hoping to open a brand new location.”
He notes, however, that he and Sunny still plan to open a new second location of their own, but in the meantime, he is focused on making sure that every time someone hears “Welcome to Cold Stone!,” they leave with a smile on their face.
About The Ice Cream & Mix-Ins
According to the company’s website, “After 35
years in business, Cold Stone Creamery continues to thrive by offering the Ultimate Ice Cream Experi ence®: a super-premium, artisanal ice cream that is made fresh in our stores, with an endless array of mix-in combinations that allows customers to dream up their own Cold Stone Signature Creations™.”
My current favorite flavors are both new — Caramel Truffle and “Despicamallow” (the latter is marshmallow-flavored ice cream turned “Minion
also was a little surprised that even though I’m not usually a sorbet kind of guy, I genuinely enjoyed the peach mango sorbet, as well as the “Silk® Chocolate Almond Milk Frozen Dessert,” which is perfect for those who are lactose-intolerant.
But, no matter which flavor is your favorite, or whether you order yours in “Kid’s Size,” “Like-It®” (small), “Love-It®” (medium) or “Gotta Have It®” (large) at Cold Stone, you always get to make your ice cream unique with the huge variety of available mix-ins.
From fresh fruit, like bananas, raspberries and strawberries, to candy like M&Ms®, Kit Kat® and gummy bears, plus nuts like pecans
(Above) At the Cold Stone Creamery located off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa, co-owner Sunny Chaudhary (in white shirt) and his happy crew are always happy to fold your favorite mixins into your favorite flavor (top left & left) from the store’s huge selection (below).
and roasted almonds and “toppings” like real (not served hot, though) fudge, caramel, frosting and whipped topping (and too many more to name them all here), you can try different combinations every time you visit Cold Stone Creamery. Can’t decide? There also are plenty of actual Cold Stone “Signature Creations™,” from the “Mega Minion Marshmallow Meltdown” and “Peanut Butter Cup Perfection®” to “Mud Pie Mojo®” “Founder’s Favorite®” and many more. If you want to know what’s in each of these “Creations,”, visit ColdStoneCreamery. com or (my suggestion) stop into the store.
And of course, not only is all of the ice cream
(Clockwise from above) In addition to making your favorite creations in-store, Cold Stone also offers Reese’s® Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cups, Signature Ice Cream Cakes like “Cake Batter Confetti™” & ice cream cookie sandwiches in its freezer case at the front of the store.
made in-store, so are the waffle cones and bowls.
“You can smell that, right?,” Sunny asked of the fresh waffle cones, as photographer Charmaine George and I nodded in approval. “I just love having that aroma hit me when I walk in the store.”
Cakes, Shakes, Smoothies & Treats
In addition to those freshly made cones and cups, Cold Stone also offers other specialties, including fresh fruit smoothies (try the strawberry and blueberry) and hand-spun shakes (with your favorite ice cream flavor and mix-in). And, in the freezer at the front of the store, there’s also a variety of pre-packed quarts in four of those
“Signature” flavors, as well as an even larger selection of Signature ice cream cakes, includ ing the new “Heist Cream Cake” (featuring that Despicamallow ice cream), Cake Batter Confetti™ (photo on this page), “Midnight Delight®,” Oreo® Cookies & Extreme Cream” and many more in small (serves up to 8 people) and large (up to 14 people) round sizes. And of course, you can order completely customized cakes, with your favorite ice cream flavors, mix-in and frosting, in a number of different sizes.
“I was never a big fan of ice cream cakes until I had ours,” Sunny says. “And we usually can create your custom cake within 24 hours.”
Also available in the freezer at the front door are four-packs of ice cream cookie sandwiches and six-packs of ice cream cupcakes and my favorites, the Reese’s® Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cups.
“Ice cream brings out the kid in all of us!” The New Tampa location of Cold Stone Creamery (17519 Preserve Walk Ln.) is open every day at 11 a.m. and stays open until 10 p.m. Mon.-Thur. until 11 p.m. on Sun. and until midnight on Fri. & Sat. For more info, call (813) 977-0024, visit ColdStoneCreamery.com or see the ad on pg. 50, where you’ll find this month’s Daily Store Specials. For special orders, call Sunny directly at (813) 469-7954.
Chamber Scores Big Again, Despite The Rain, At Annual Rum & Seafood Fest!
By Gary Nager
Photos by Charmaine George
Congratulations to Florida Penguin Productions and the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) for hosting a super-successful third annual Summer Rum & Seafood Festival.
Despite heavy rains that delayed the start of the event, this year’s Summer Rum & Seafood Festival on July 13 at the Tampa Premium Outlets was four hours of tasting samples of rum (and other spirits), great bands, local vendors and, of course, lots of seafood.
More than 1,000 patrons came out to enjoy samplings from nine different Florida-based distilleries includ ing: St Pete Distillery, Everglades Distillery, West Distilling, Tarpon Springs Distillery, 90 Miles South, Lugo’s Craft Distillery, Preez Distillery (photo below), Reif Rum Spirits and American Freedom Distillery.
Entertainment this year included popular southern rock & country band Southbound 75 and Turn It On Again, A Tribute to Phil Collins/Genesis. Turn It On Again did an amazing job of covering the catalogs of Collins and his former Genesis bandmate Peter Gabriel.
Among the fun returning events were the hermit crab races (above left), a live mermaid tank (photo, right) and 10 different seafood vendors offering everything from crab legs to crab cakes, shrimp skewers, whole snapper and more.
Among the favorite seafood trucks were crab cakes from New Tampa’s own Charm City Eats (top right photo) and From the Soul to the Sea’s shrimp bowl (near right).
Major sponsors of this year’s event were Universal Roof and Pasco County Recycling ,with a media shout out to MOR-TV.
According to Drew Cecere of Florida Penguin Productions, admission fees and sponsorships for the Rum & Seafood Festival raised $2.600 for the North Tampa Bay Chamber Foundation. —
Updates On Steak & Shake, The Alley, 3 Natives & Bosphorous
before the end of August. “It’s definitely been tough,” he says. “But we are confident we will get this place done and open, hopefully soon!”
Todd, who also owns the adjacent Palms Car Wash (5550 Post Oak Blvd.), says that in addition to Grand Opening specials at Steak ‘n Shake, he plans to do cross-promotions between the two businesses.
“We do full detailing at The Palms Car Wash,” he says, “so while your car is being detailed, you can go next door and enjoy a Steak & Shake burger, those famous fries and a milk shake. And, we will have promotions like buy a car wash membership, get a coupon for Steak ‘n Shake.”
He says he and Jason also plan to do kids specials on Thursdays at Steak ‘n Shake.
“On Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., we’ll have a balloon artist and face painter. We’ll also do a Facebook Live from Steak ‘n Shake every week, with drawings for about 10 prizes, like a $30 gift certificate for The Palms for a free Car Wash Club, free value meals at the restaurant and more.”
Todd, who has owned more than 30 different businesses, says he is as excited about Steak ‘n Shake as he has ever been about any previous business.
“I just want to get it open,” he says.
some locations of the 17-store West Coast-based chain do list desserts on their menu, too). The Alley is expected to open on or around Aug. 15.
and healthy — we’ve got you. Our diverse, fresh and extremely delicious menu items are made to order and hand-crafted to satisfy.”
For more information about The Palms, go get your car washed, see the ad on pg. 16 of this issue or visit ThePalmsCarWash.com. Until the Wesley Chapel location opens later this month, visit the Steak ‘n Shake at 17509 N. Palms Village Pl. in New Tampa or SteaknShake.com.
New Food & Beverages At The Mall
Speaking of beverages, the former location of Clean Juice (and a previous juice/smoothie place) at 28216 Paseo Dr., Suite 170, in the mall is getting ready to reopen as 3 Natives Açai & Juicery, which is a Florida-based chain with more than 30 current locations. What appears to be promising about 3 Natives is that in addition to the usual pressed juices and açai bowls, the online menu also includes nice-looking wrap and pressed sandwiches, and salads (see bottom right photo).
3 Natives also is expected to open later this month but is looking for members to join the team. There’s a sign out in front of the place with a QR code to scan if you’re interested.
Owner Todd Webb and general manager Jason Good were hoping to have the new restaurant open at 5542 Post Oak Blvd. (off Wesley Chapel Blvd.) by the time this issue reached your mailbox, but Todd says he is now hoping to open sometime
If you’ve been hoping for some new food and beverage options to open in our area, the Shops at Wiregrass is getting ready to welcome two new places to replace two that closed.
The first is The Alley Tea • Café • Life (photo, left) at 28211 Paseo Dr., Suite 180, in the former location of PhoLicious. But, where PhoLicious was more of a fast casual restaurant with Vietnamese cuisine, The Alley is strictly a place
According to 3Natives.com: “We source the finest and freshest ingredients possible for all of our menu items...Whether you’re on a lunch break, look-
But of course, the new restaurant many people are excited about is Bosphorous, the Turkish cuisine eatery with six existing locations (including one expected to open soon at 714 S. Howard Ave. in Tampa). Unfortunately, according to a spokesperson for the mall, Bosphorous isn’t likely to open much before the end of this year.
We also hope to have an announcement about the replacement for Irish 31 soon. — GN (southwest?) of The Palms Car Wash will indeed be a Steak ‘n Shake.
Saffron Closes; Coffee Latitudes, Bamboo Bowls To Open
After nearly two decades in New Tampa, with one name change and a move to a new location, Saffron Indian Cuisine, located inside the convenience store at the Mobil gas station at 10865 Cross Creek Blvd., has permanently closed.
The restaurant, which was first opened in our area by the husband-and-wife team of Nimesh and Sunita Chheda in the Cross Creek Center plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Kinnan St. (that location is now occupied by the Nepalese restaurant Gorkhali Kitchen) more than 17 years ago, still enjoyed some success, despite being located inside a gas station convenience store. But, Nimesh had told me several months ago that he and Sunita were planning to retire, he just didn’t say when that would happen. Unfortunately, I was unable to reach either of them for comment for this story.
In the good news department, however, I spotted a new sign in the Pebble Creek Collection (at 19651 BBD Blvd.) that a new restaurant called Bamboo Sushi Bowls was moving into the space (Suite D1) previously occupied by 35 Below ice cream, which closed several months ago.
According to the owner, Cristina Chanquin, Bamboo is an offshoot of the Sushi House restaurant she has owned in Ybor City for the past eight years. “We also provide mobile sushi and poké bars at the AdventHealth (three days each week) and BayCare hospitals in Wesley Chapel and other locations (including Raymond James Stadium and Tropicana Field),” Cristina says. “We were hoping to open by August 3, but we still need some additional team members before we can.”
I will say that the pictures of the food shown on the website (and in the photo, right), and the menu itself, look quite promising.
Calling Bamboo “Your new go-to spot for delicious deconstructed (and customizable) sushi bowls that blend traditional flavors with a modern twist,” the restaurant’s menu has tempura-style sushi rolls, miso soup, fried chicken dumplings, edamame, summer rolls, create-your-own and named (like the “Twister,” with tuna, salmon, squid salad, icrab stick, cucumber, carrots, edamame, takun, bamboo sauce, mango and mandarin ginger dressing sushi bowls and more.
Call the restaurant at (813) 4064111 if you or someone you know is looking for work. To get on the email list, visit BambooSushiBowls.com
We also told you last issue that the owners of the Coffee Latitudes kiosk in the Shops at Wiregrass were planning to open the Coffee Latitudes Coffee Café & Wine Bar in the former location of Factory (at 6431 E. County Line Rd., Suite 110, next to Max’s Pets).
Well, owners James and Olga Frank of Coffee Latitudes, which will have not only the delicious coffee you grew to love at the mall, but also fresh sandwiches and baked goods, held a soft opening (that we missed) the weekend of July 27-28 and should be open by the time this issue reaches your mailbox. Olga says that they should also be selling wine in 6-8 weeks.
Visit CoffeeLatitudes.com to get on their email list or call (813) 5758000 for more info and please tell James and Olga I sent you. — GN
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