Kids R Kids Of Valrico 20 Years Later

By Taylor Wells

Twenty years ago, in the Eye On Business column on page 17 of our September 2002 FishHawk edition, the Osprey Observer published news about Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Valrico breaking ground later that month, later opening around July 2003. Franchisee co-owners Ben Fernandes and Keith Balot created the academy because they saw a need for quality child care and early education. They later opened a second Circa FishHawk/Lithia location in 2011.

“When we opened up the school, there was absolutely nothing in the Valrico area as far as child care on a big scale like we have,” said Fernandes, adding, “It was a very big investment on our part, we definitely took a risk, and it’s been extremely successful.”

Franchising with Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academies came with its rich curriculum and training for all the staf to ensure they were teaching the curriculum properly, Fernandes said, who added it also started with good security measures and a camera system so parents could check on their children. Plus, the academy is accredited through APPLE and NAEYC.

Nowadays, it also has programs like the Brain Waves®, STEAM Ahead® and ABCmouse®, among others, to foster high-quality early learning. Fernandes believes what makes Kids ‘R’ Kids special is its principle, “Hug First, Then Teach,” and its philosophy of children learning through playing. Kids ‘R’ Kids of Valrico has reached max

Te Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of capacity for 10-15 Valrico building, located at 4321 Lynx Paw years and educated Trl. in Valrico. thousands of children, graduated thousands through its VPK program and employed over 50 staf in its lifetime. Several graduates are employed, like local 17-year-old Troy Gilmore who was in the toddler room and graduated Te Eye On Business column of the Osprey VPK there. Currently,

Observer’s September 2002 FishHawk it has almost 200 kids edition, featuring a story about a Kids ‘R’ and over 25 staf, but Kids Learning Academy location breaking students may still enground in Valrico later that month. roll, and positions are available. It has been going strong since opening, even staying in operation during the pandemic to give kids an education and provide staf and faculty employment, though of course diminished in numbers. In addition, it has been working with Hair We Share for the past five years; helping local elementaries; and afliating with The Grow Group, which helps those with learning disabilities gain meaningful employment. Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Valrico is located at 4321 Lynx Paw Trl. in Valrico. It’s second locaiton in Circa FishHawk across from Stowers Elementary is located at 5815 Kids Crossing Dr, Lithia, FL 33547. For information, visit https://kidsrkids. com/valrico/ or call 813-657-4200.

LA SEPTIMA KEEPS TRADITIONS ALIVE WITH MADE-FROM-SCRATCH CUBAN FARE

By Sharon Still

For nearly three decades, La Septima Cafe has served authentic Cuban fare to the Brandon community. Through a change of location in 2011, having to abruptly shut down due to COVID-19 and struggling to find people who want to work, the restaurant is constantly adapting and continues to attract a crowd daily and nightly. “Without our community support, we would probably not be here today,” proclaimed co-owner Dahlia Fernandez.

She and husband Ronnie have spent a majority of their lives in the restaurant business. “We have never looked back. La Septima is our crown jewel,” she said.

Truly family-owned and operated, daughter Jennifer handles human resources and accounts payable while son RJ is the general manager. Recently, eldest granddaughters Ana and Adriana also joined the team. “Working with family has its challenges, but it has more advantages,” said Dahlia, referring to herself and Ronnie as the ultimate overseers. “It is truly a blessing to have all the watchful eyes on the business.”

Throughout the years, the Fernandez family has remained true to its product and true to its loyal patrons.

La Septima’s tagline, “A Taste of Old Ybor,” is exemplified throughout the menu with items like ropa vieja (flank steak), breaded palomilla steak and pescado a la Rusa (whitefish). Other oferings include soup,

salad, sandwiches and combinations. The Cuban sandwich, devil crabs and Seventh Avenue salad are the most popular and come highly recommended. “Our success comes from our passion to keep every menu item consisLocally owned La Septima was founded tent in flavor and more than 30 years ago by the quality,” remarked

Fernandez family and remains a Dahlia. community favorite. La Septima’s family meals, introduced during the pandemic, also are a big hit and a great bang for your buck with most priced at $39.95. Suitable for a family of four, guests can choose from a selection of the signature dishes, all of which come with rice, salad, black beans, Cuban bread and a 2-liter bottle of soda At La Septima, everything is made from scratch, including the salad dressing, soup, flan, cheesecake and everything in between. Dahlia stressed the importance of quality food and a friendly staf, noting that the latter proves to be more difcult. “We have made so many friends along the way through these years; we are mostly grateful to this beautiful community for our success,” she added. La Septima Cafe is located in La Viva Plaza at 702 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. Dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering are available. Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., and is closed on Sunday. Visit www.laseptimacafe.com or call 813-685-0502 for further details.

By Ella Martin

Are you looking for a place where you can drink, dine and shop? If so, a new local restaurant called the White Oak Cottage Bistro is the place for you. Created by Shaunessey Dobish and her business partner, Melanie Bentley-Montanaro, this new restaurant aims to create an immersive experience for all visitors.

Located in Lithia, the White Oak Cottage and White Oak Cottage Bistro has become a one-stop destination that allows customers to eat and drink and shop. It’s perfect for a girls’ day out. The boutique has been around for years, as Dobish pursued her lifelong dream to own a design and home furnishing store. Dobish is also an established interior decorator and wanted to create a boutique shopping experience where she could display and sell many unique decor and furniture pieces that she uses in her design business.

Dobish explained why she wanted to create the bistro, saying, “When I was younger, I would go shopping with my mom and sister and then get food after, which were memorable moments for me.”

However, this restaurant is diferent than others, as it has an executive chef that creates high-end food and features deluxe wines from Idaho. Dobish and her family spend their summers in Idaho since they own a baseball league called the Spuds. This allowed Dobish to have access to many Idaho wineries that other restaurants don’t have. Due to the quality and variety of wines Idaho ofers, Dobish decided to bring them into

Before dining, White Oak the White Cottage has beautiful items for Oak Cottage the home. Bistro. It carries Ste. Chapelle wines from two wineries, Sawtooth and Ste. Chapelle. Guests can sample these premier wines by purchasing wine flights that include four glasses of wine which each have a 2 oz. pour. The bistro ofers red wines, white wines and even fruit wines, which include flavors such as peach. Currently, the White Oak Cottage Bistro is open Wednesday through One of the many wine fights the Sunday from 11 a.m.-7 White Oak Cottage Bistro ofers. p.m. However, sometime in mid-August the bistro is going to expand its hours to include a dinner menu. The expansion of the menu will become a reservation-only dinner experience, as it will showcase elite meal selections. The White Oak Cottage and White Oak Cottage Bistro is definitely a destination that everyone should visit. For more information, visit https://thewhiteoakcottage.com/.

YOUTH ZONE RENOVATION GRANT & MORE AT CAMPO FAMILY YMCA

By Libby Hopkins

Campo Family YMCA was founded based on the core character values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

It continues to flourish because those values are as relevant to today’s world as they were in 1844, when a young drapery clerk named George Williams sought to develop a wholesome place for young people to escape the immorality of the London streets during the Industrial Revolution and founded the first YMCA. “Campo Family YMCA just celebrated more than 20 years in the greater Valrico community,” said Campo Y’s executive director, Robyn Ostrem. “Campo Family YMCA has become stronger because of our community.”

Over the last 20 years, Campo Family YMCA has had a total investment of $214,557 from the community through financial assistance to ensure participation in all programs among individuals facing financial hardship in addition to subsidized programs that fill community voids.

The center has also excelled in youth development. “More than 4,500 kids participated in experiences that cultivated values, skills and relationships that led to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement,” Ostrem said. “In addition to our youth programs, our healthy living programs have impact — more than 17,000 individuals were impacted by Y programs designed to help them improve their health and well-being and connect to new friends.”

Since 1889, the Tampa YMCA has been responding to critical social needs and positively impacting the lives of children, adults and families across Hillsborough and eastern Pasco counties. “More than 2,500 children learned lifesaving skills through drowning prevention programs while thousands of neighbors were served in other

Te Campo Family YMCA has been mission-based prostrengthening the Greater Valrico com- grams at little or no munity for the past 20 plus years through its many programs. cost thanks to charitable contributions,” Ostrem said. “Focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Campo Family YMCA has been strengthening the Greater Valrico community for the past 20-plus years by empowering kids to succeed in school and in life, helping community members get healthier, developing leadership skills in teens and water safety skills for all ages in addition to ensuring seniors have engaging opportunities to mitigate social isolation.” Campo Family YMCA recently received a grant from the GTE Foundation to renovate its Youth Zone. “We can’t thank GTE Foundation [enough] for helping us, and we look forward to opening our new Youth Zone in the winter of 2023,” Ostrem said. “We hope the community will join us for our yearly Halloween Trunk and Treat event on Friday, October 28 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.” If you would like to learn more about Campo Family YMCA, you can visit its website at www.tampaymca.org/locations/ campo-family-ymca or call 813-684-1371. Campo Family YMCA is located at 3414 Culbreath Rd. in Valrico.