Brandon/Winthrop
24
July 2022
Volume 17, Issue 7
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CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
NEW CAUSEWAY & FALKENBURG PLAZA BRINGS SIX NEW RESTAURANTS
By Lily Belcher
Falkenburg Commons offers six new dining options for customers.
“We have a lot of really cool specialty sandwiches,” said Asmar. “We’re the only national sandwich shop that sells shakes, and our shakes are really popular.” Next door is Poke Poke-Sushi Unrolled, which hosted its grand opening on July
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The northeast corner of Falkenburg Road and Causeway Boulevard has brought six new restaurant options to Brandon residents. In the new Falkenburg Commons, there are three freestanding restaurants and a strip of restaurant chains. Culver’s was the first of the stand-alone buildings to open in 2018. On the opposite end of the plaza, Texas Roadhouse and Bubba’s 33 operate out of their own buildings. Between the buildings is a strip of counter-service dining options: Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Poke Poke - Sushi Unrolled and Five Guys. “Especially on this side of the Gulf Potbelly and Poke Poke - Sushi Unrolled are two restauCoast of Florida, there are a lot of rant chains with new locations in Brandon. Midwest transplants, specifically 7. Customers can order custom poke bowls from the I-75 area,” said Potbelly managwith meat, vegetables, sides and sauces. er Ronnie Asmar. “There are a lot of people Poke Poke emphasizes serving fresh and nuthat came in here super excited that moved tritious foods that are filled with flavor for to Florida who haven’t had Potbelly in years. Brandon residents. So, I’m really excited to be here for those “What’s really cool about it is that these people who haven’t had it.” locations in Florida actually have a boba bar Potbelly is new to Brandon residents and inside of them,” Asmar explained about the features both sit-down and drive-through neighboring restaurant. “So, they have a full options for diners. The restaurant celebratboba drink menu as well as cereal infused ed the grand opening of its second Tampa ice cream.” location (the other is located off Dale MabFive Guys, located at the opposite end of ry) on June 14. With 23 employees, the the strip, will be opening soon as well. The fast-casual sandwich shop offers toasted additional two spaces will not be restausubs, salads, soups and shakes perfect for a rants, but new service-oriented buildings quick lunch or dinner out. are expected.
Soul Circus Cowboys Soul Circus Cowboys released its newest single, “Sunshine State,” on June 20. The song is a tribute to Florida that shows off all the beautiful things Floridians experience every single day. Read full article on page 4.
BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL WILL BECOME A COMMUNITY SCHOOL THIS FALL By Libby Hopkins Brandon High nonprofits to School will be help her. “Branmaking some don ECHO has changes for the already part2022-23 school nered with us on year that will several projects,” better the lives Leto said. “Branof its students don Portillo’s has and families. agreed to be a “Brandon High business partner School will be to support teacha community er and student school beginning incentives, and in 2022-2023,” said return, I will send the school’s comprospective stumunity school dents for employresource teachment.” Leto is Lauren Leto, Brandon High School’s community school resource teacher, had helped Brandon High er, Lauren Leto. also working on “The National School become a community school for the upcoming forming a partfall semester. Education Asnership with Keel sociation (NEA) Farms where fully backs students will this program, be able to and principals volunteer at must apply to Keel Farms the community to get more school system connected to and be selected agriculture. as a school of Leto and the rest of need.” the staff at Brandon High Hillsborough School are very excited County will have for their school becom13 community ing a community school schools come this fall. “This has been Student volunteers organizing and clearing on my heart for a while online this fall in an effort to better space for the new food pantry and clothes and I’m glad it is finalcloset the lives of their ly coming to life,” Leto students and families. Other states, such said. “We want our students, their famas Ohio and Wisconsin, have had success ilies, our teachers and our staff to know with the community school model. we are here for them and we are ready to Community schools are a ‘whole child,’ help them in every way possible.” whole school improvement strategy If you are a local business and you where districts and their schools work would like to offer services to Leto to closely with teachers, students and fami- help Brandon High School with its comlies and partner with community agencies munity school program, you can contact and local government to align communi- Leto via email at lauren.leto@hcps.net. ty resources behind improving student outcomes. “The program provides wraparound services for students, parents, teachers and neighbors,” Leto said. “We LARGEST SWIM LESSON..................PG 3 are developing a food pantry and cloth- BRIGHT FUTURES CHANGES.........PG 9 ing closet. I plan to partner with local businesses to have parent workshops as EYE ON BUSINESS..............................PG 21 POLITICAL GUIDE..........BACK SECTION well.” Leto has enlisted local businesses and
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