Volume 33 Issue 26 December 23, 2025 Scan the QR code to your left with your phone to access our website!
Noble Crust Is Our Readers’ Favorite Restaurant In Wesley Chapel! Popular ‘Southern Italian’ Eatery At Shops At Wiregrass Reclaims Top Spot From Cooper’s Hawk! All it took was taking chain restaurants with more than 10 locations off the ballot (while still allowing those who entered the contest to write in any of the chains among their favorites) for last year’s Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel — Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant — to drop from #1 to #17. Moving back up into the top spot, after dropping to #4 in Wesley Chapel last year (following three years in a row at #1) is Noble Crust, the “Southern Italian” restaurant that has been in the top-5 with our readers every year since it opened. Chief marketing officer Bradley Elia (far right in photo) was so excited to regain the top spot that he decided to include his entire Wesley Chapel team in the picture on this page — and we, of course, were happy to oblige! But, as usual, this year’s Reader Dining Survey & Contest wasn’t without its own
pratfalls. While many more locally-owned, mom-&-pop eateries made it into the Top-25s in both Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, I couldn’t help but notice that the last few categories on this year’s ballot all received far less than the 450+ total votes cast by the readers in both of our distribution areas. The last two categories — “Favorite Bakery in New Tampa (NT) & Wesley Chapel (WC)”and “Favorite Coffee in NT & WC” — each received at least 100 fewer total votes than “Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel.” To that end, I plan to go back to only one or two categories in the ten WC issues of the paper between February and November of 2026 and allow everyone to vote as many times as they want in each category. For all of this year’s results, including which readers won this year’s FREE dining prizes, see pgs. 36-43! — GN
Photo by Charmaine George
(Almost) Everyone Is Excited About Whole Foods Coming To Wesley Chapel!
Some Neighbors In Meadow Pointe Adjacent To The New Development Have Concerns About Flooding, Noise & More Although some locals still firmly believe that the area needs a Trader Joe’s market even more, there’s no doubt that the beginning of construction of our area’s first and only Whole Foods market is among the most hotly anticipated new developments in Wesley Chapel. Some of the long-term residents who live in the adjacent Meadow Pointe I community, however, aren’t necessarily as excited. They’re wondering, when it comes to development, how close is too close? With Whole Foods now under construction, some of those neighbors are voicing their concerns to the Neighborhood News.
These neighbors in The Savannahs subdivision of Meadow Pointe I are asking a number of questions, including one big one: If a man-made retention pond was built as an original feature of a community’s design and has been part of your backyard since 1992, don’t you have the right to assume that the pond was there to stay? Why would anyone assume otherwise? In our area, it is virtually unheard of that ponds near established community homesites would end up being removed. But, there is a pond located behind the homes on Openfield Loop that is being removed for this new commercial development — despite multiple failed previous attempts to develop the 16-acre property located north and east of the
intersection of Aronwood Blvd. and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. into a full-fledged commercial site — and the fact that no previous developer had proposed removing the pond. All of the neighbors we spoke with understood that the land would eventually be developed into a neighborhood commercial site, as it has been zoned for that purpose since before their homes were built adjacent to it. What these homeowners could not have anticipated, however, was that the latest developer (SJC Ventures) would propose moving that development even closer to their backyards by eliminating the natural buffer the pond provided — anywhere from 50-200 feet, depending upon which lot your house was located.
If you don’t have an open mind about politics, this editorial probably isn’t for you! See page 3
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel unveils its expansion & Wiregrass Ranch medical building breaks ground. See pages 6-9
After selling its 1,000-acre Kirkland Ranch to the state, the ranching family makes a huge donation! See page 10
Introduction by Gary Nager Story by Joel Provenzano
UH-OH!
STILL MORE MEDICAL NEWS!
See “Whole Foods” on pg. 4
A $1 MILLION DONATION? WOW!
Photo provided by Judy Johnson
MORE DINING NEWS THAN EVER! Our Dining Survey results, Plus the latest news about Tallo, Tien’s Sandwich, Portillo’s & More! See pages 36-53!
It’s Sushi Time, Everyone! It’s no longer “All You Care To Eat,” but it’s definitely better! See pg. 44!
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I’m Sure Everyone Will Have An Opinion About David Jolly’s Appearance In New Tampa An Editorial by GARY NAGER
I’m just going to start off this editorial — which means the opinions stated on this page are mine alone, opinions that I know some of you will disagree with strongly enough to ask me to stop mailing this publication to you. But, here are some facts: 1. I’m a registered Republican. 2. I have almost never voted a straight Republican ticket because I always pick the candidates in every race I believe will best align with agendas that will most help me, my family, my business and my entire community. 3. I really liked what former Republican U.S. Congressman, now Democratic candidate for Governor of Florida David Jolly had to say at the New Tampa Democratic Club meeting held at the New Tampa Regional Library on Dec. 1 — and how he said it, even though I also strongly disagreed with some of the things he said. So, it was with an open mind that I decided to cover that packed (more than 100 people) Democratic Club meeting, when Jolly opened his remarks by saying, “The first group of people I want to thank for being here are the Republicans and independents who are here but won’t admit it...and for even considering supporting a Democrat in this [election] cycle, thank you.” Jolly then moved on to introduce himself. He said he is a fifth generation Floridian who was born in Dunedin, FL, the son of a pastor from Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater in the 1970s, although he said his family moved around a lot and he graduated from Pasco High in Dade City. He and his second wife, the former Laura Donahoe (who is 14 years his junior), live in Belleair Bluffs in Pinellas County, where Jolly served one full term and part of a second term in Florida’s Congressional District 13. They have two children, — a 6-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. Jolly said that our state is gripped by two major crises — “the affordability crisis and the culture wars. And, with these two crises, too many people are now asking themselves, is Florida still a place that I want to call home?” He then laid out his three fundamental values: “#1, that the economy should work for everybody; #2, that government is capable of and should help improve people’s lives; and #3, that we should live in a state where absolutely everybody is empowered and lifted up, regardless of the color of your skin, where you were born, who you love or where you worship.” Regarding the economy, Jolly said that a big part of the affordability crisis in Florida is that, “for homeowners and owners of rental properties, we have a homeowners insurance market in Florida that has collapsed and is not coming back. We are providing secret bail-out money to undercapitalized insurance companies who, when the big storms happen, deny 50% of the claims, pay their CEOs $50 million and then leave the state. What we need is a State Catastrophic Fund. Some would call that ‘socialism,’ but I just call it ‘cheaper insurance.’ It’ll probably take three years to fund a State Catastrophic Fund, but Florida could be a model for the world.” Of course, he didn’t know how the state could actually fund that fund, especially in light Neighborhood News
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of the fact that Hurricane Milton alone caused an estimated $37 billion in damages in Florida. Jolly also admitted that Florida needs property tax relief, he just isn’t sure that eliminating property taxes is the way to go. “I’m afraid that what Republicans are proposing in Tallahassee is just going to defund services — police, water, sewers or libraries. But, let’s not oppose a plan we haven’t even seen yet.” He also said that Florida needs, “a ten-year renaissance in public education. How do we fund it? We take in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in tourism development tax dollars, but all we do is spend that money to bring in more tourism. But, after 20 years of attacking public education, we don’t have a convention center crisis, we have a crisis in education. Let’s take 1015% of our tourist development tax for the next ten years and deploy it into public education.
Let’s pay teachers 30% more, not 3% more. It’s a moral wrong that teachers in the third largest state are paid dead last in salaries.” And, although he supports school choice, “A voucher school in Florida does not have to teach your kids to read. Under my administration a school that accepts vouchers will have to provide the same services as any public school.” On the subject of guns, Jolly said that his goal will be to prevent the next school shooting. “We need comprehensive and universal background checks. But, I promise you I will never take a firearm away from a law-abiding citizen.” He also said that the Democratic Party needs to be tough on crime. “But, what Republicans in Tallahassee have done for too long is conflated immigration with crime. They want you to believe that the greatest threat to our state is the hardworking immigrant who has shown up at work for
ten years without so much as a speeding ticket to put food on his table for his family, learn English and pursue the American Dream. That’s not a criminal. It’s someone who deserves a pathway to becoming a citizen.” He also said that change is in the air in “all David Jolly (Photo by red” Florida, as the two Charmaine George) special Congressional elections in March swung over to Democrats and he predicts that come next November, the news headlines will be that Florida’s Democratic Party “built a new political coalition that hasn’t been seen in decades.” I don’t know if he’s right, but he at least got my attention.
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Publisher & Editor Gary Nager Correspondents Celeste McLaughlin • Iris Vitelli Joel Provenzano • Joey Stanziani Editorial Research by Joel Provenzano Ad Sales & Marketing Director Jannah Nager Video Producer/Multimedia Specialist Charmaine George Graphic Designers Georgia Carmichael • Valerie Wegener Nothing that appears in Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion. The deadline for outside editorial submissions & final advertisements for Volume 34, Issue 2, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Thursday, January 8. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News will not return unsolicited editorial materials. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, nor for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers.
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‘Whole Foods’
Continued from pg. 1
And that, the homeowners told us, is where the true concern lies: the edge of the parking lot would now only be 15’ from some of their backyard property lines — close enough to throw a paper airplane and hit a parked car. The expansive pond buffer — along with the previously approved 20-foot landscape buffer for the southernmost home, as shown in an earlier plat — are being eliminated. In its place, a standard white vinyl fence (possibly) and a uniform 15-foot buffer would directly separate six homes (see map below) from a 160,000-sq.ft. commercial center, while the views of an additional four homes would be indirectly impacted. Put plainly, the pond would be removed to make room for approximately 90 of the development’s 881 proposed parking spaces. That said, the removal of existing manmade ponds for site reconfiguration does occur — just not typically in a young, rapidly growing area like Wesley Chapel, where fresh commercial developments are still popping up all over. This type of development change normally takes place in older areas where outdated commercial developments are torn down, ponds are removed and new drainage facilities are put in place — whether that be in the form of relocated new ponds, or below-ground “vaults” to provide for more building area or parking. It’s crazy to think that at 33 years old, and without any aged commercial development, that this parcel fits that criteria, as it is one of the oldest commercial lots (per zoning) in Wesley Chapel. At its core, this issue reflects the broader tensions that accompany growth and development — where long-held expectations about how things were, or were meant to remain, collide with the sometimes unfortunate realities of change. It is a familiar struggle, one that increasingly places evolving commercial developer interests at odds with those of existing residents — a dynamic we have found ourselves reporting on with growing frequency. Can more compromise and common ground be found, so everyone still gets what’s important to them?
The Developer’s Goal
The goals of neighborhood commercial development are to provide needed services and jobs for nearby residents and, of course, to make money. Having options of where to shop, where to eat and where to get health care can make an area more desirable and more enjoyable as a place to live, because people generally appreciate having proximity, freedom of choice and variety. The affected homeowners we spoke with understand this, and wanted to make it clear that they’re not against the commercial development now under construction from SJC Ventures, but they do have some concerns. Meanwhile, most everyone who isn’t directly abutting the property has taken to social media to let everyone know how happy they are that the area is getting the major anchor tenant: Whole Foods — The 35,518 sq.-ft. modern grocery store owned by Amazon. As mentioned earlier, only a Trader Joe’s might have caused more excitement, but unfortunately, we spoke with Trader Joe’s corporate, which said the company currently still has no plans for a Pasco location. Many Amazon Prime members, howev-
(Above) The site plan showing the locations of Whole Foods & Lifetime Fitness on developer SJC Ventures’ site plan. We don’t yet have info as to exactly where, or even in which buildings, the other businesses mentioned in the story will be located. (Below) The map of the area showing where the development (outlined in red) will be located. Please note that the location of the red line is approximate and is not intended to provide an exact location of the boundaries of the project. (Inset photo) The flooding on Openfield Loop caused by Hurricane Milton. (Site plan source: Pasco County; Map source: Google maps modified by Neighborhood News) er, are rejoicing, because of the benefits and deals offered by Whole Foods to Prime members. Lifetime Fitness — The club is to be the second (and larger) standalone tenant. Lifetime is a slightly more upscale full-service gym that will offer everything — including two large outdoor swimming pools. Some of the homeowners we spoke with said the pools will cause additional noise and lighting at night (the Lifetime gym on Harbour Island stays open until 10 p.m. on weeknights and until midnight on weekends) that might not have been necessary if everything was fully indoors. As gyms go, Lifetime Fitness will be quite large, offering two levels and nearly 84,500 sq. ft. of indoor floor space, plus the outdoor pools. Anyone familiar with gyms understands that this means a very large amount of parking is needed. The Lifetime building will have a maximum height of 45’, according to the site plan. The edge of the gym building will be 92’ from the closest residential property. The remaining property will be 40,450 sq. ft. of strip-style shops and restaurants and will include the following tenants: PopUp Bagels — A highly rated bagel shop with existing locations in Carrollwood and the Westshore business district. Pop-Up Bagels serves hot, whole bagels with a variety of rotating shmears (cream cheeses). It’s a place for bagel purists. CAVA — A popular quick-service Mediterranean restaurant that serves healthy food fast (ordered and made at the counter), a chain that is quickly spreading across Tampa Bay, with 10 current locations. Naked Farmer — A very highly rated American-style “farm-to-table” quick service restaurant (ordered and made at the counter; like a more upscale Fresh Kitchen) with flavorful, healthy options. Naked Farmer has two existing locations in South Tampa, including one in the Water St. area of downtown Tampa. Petfolk — Veterinary & Urgent Care with
multiple locations across Florida. The Tox — A popular wellness and detox spa with a highly rated location in South Tampa. Nail Salon — Tenant TBD. According to an SJC Ventures release, there’s still roughly 15,000 sq. ft. available. Health, wellness and wholesomeness seem to be the overarching themes for this development, with SJC expecting to have these businesses start opening in the 2nd quarter of 2027.
Digging Deeper
We had a chance to meet with many of the affected homeowners in person, and speak with them as a group. They’re all long-time residents
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in one household each in The Savannahs: • Judy Johnson (8-year resident) • Laura Knight (name she asked us to use, a 17-year resident) • Jill McDaniel (32-year resident) • George Ryan (32-year resident) Each had a chance to share what they felt were their important personal issues with the project, and a few common themes emerged: 1. Flooding 2. Privacy/Security/Noise 3. Lighting 4. Setbacks/Buffers We reached out to SJC Ventures through its general contractor (VCC Construction), and Neighborhood News
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although SJC has been responsive to the homeowners, the company did not respond to our inquiry (at least not by this issue’s deadline). However, both Pasco County and the Engineer of Record for the developer’s project, David Fauxan, did speak with us to provide some clarity about the development codes and practices being called into question by the homeowners, as well as our own technical questions. Fauxan also has been an engineer on the original Meadow Pointe project since its conception in the early 1990s. Amanda Hunter, a public information officer for Pasco County, says that, “The county is aware of the homeowner concerns and has attempted to address those.” However, the homeowners told us they were not impressed with the county’s communication and that no one from the county had visited with them in person, to see their concerns first hand, including: Flooding — For the residents, the proposed removal of the pond has created concerns about flooding, especially considering that flooding during Hurricane Milton left water coming literally right up to their doorsteps (see inset photo on previous page). The residents fear that if the pond wasn’t there, that water would have come right into their homes. Hunter responded to the flooding concerns with the following statement: “The developer is retaining storage for stormwater under the parking lot, via a vaulted system, instead of an open stormwater pond.” Fauxan added that the vault system would provide just as much, if not greater retention, than the pond to be removed. We confirmed that the plans do show an extensive vault sys-
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tem under most of the parking lot. “Honestly, the whole site could have been a pond, and it still would not have fixed the issue,” Fauxan says about last year’s flooding. Ironically, he mentioned that the adjacent Trout Creek watershed, which goes all the way up to S.R. 54, has been strained by development over the years, changing the flood plain from what it used to be. He added, “The flood elevation used to be ‘X’ back in 1992 (when the homes were built). But now, it’s ‘X’ + 4 feet,” meaning that the flood zone boundary actively shifted from where it used to be. “We’re raising the [project] site elevation [by up to] 2 feet because the new buildings need to be 1 foot above that new flood elevation.” Homeowner George Ryan confirmed what Fauxan explained, saying that his home, which was previously in Flood Zone X, is now in Zone AE “per the revised boundary,” so he has to have flood insurance for the first time in the 32 years he’s lived there — and that occurred before the SJC development ever broke ground. What does all this mean for the homeowners? Allegedly, if the area sees another Miltonlike storm, which dumped 15” of rain, the water will rise again to exactly where it was after the hurricane, regardless of the pond. But, only time will tell if all of those calculations are correct. Fauxan explained that one small improvement is planned to address existing conditions. Once a more detailed survey of the area between the residential and commercial properties has been completed, the developer intends to grade the commercial site to actively collect any water that falls near the shared property line — close to the existing wall — and redirect it into the site’s stormwater management system.
Privacy/Security — Since the pond was previously supposed to act as a natural buffer, the community only built the roughly 6-foot-tall brick wall (photo) up to the first home at the pond’s edge, where it abruptly ends. This means that three other homes will have no physical separation between them and the development’s parking lot, other than the planned landscaping. Fauxan said that the developer intends to install a white vinyl fence to mitigate this concern, stating that the fence was shown in the The retention pond to the left of this wall will be removed under development’s landscaping plans. the SJC Ventures development plan. (Photo by Joel Provenzano) However, the homeowners from the previous plat was reduced to 15’, the said that, based on what they were told, the fence county responded: “The plat in [that question] would be at the developer’s discretion, and a is a reference to an older project that was not review of the August landscaping plans showed pursued. Per Table 905.2-D of the land developonly trees and hedges along the property line, ment code (LDC), a type ‘B’ buffer is required but no fence. between commercial and residential uses. A type It’s possible the latest landscaping plans ‘B’ buffer is 15 feet wide. Note — a landscape were not uploaded to the permit site. buffer and its width are different than a building Lighting — With a building and parking setback, per our Zoning Code in Chapter 500 of so nearby to their homes, the homeowners are the LDC, which is what you’ve referenced.” concerned about lighting spilling into the propIn addition, “As a note, this project meets erties, but we were not able to locate a light plan the building setback requirement. It’s not a conor a lighting analysis, so it’s difficult to analyze struction setback, but a setback from a structure. what those levels may be. Trees and shrubs in the The structures are set back appropriately and in buffer should help to reduce the light pollution. accordance with the land development code.” This means that while commercial Setbacks/Buffers — According to Fauxan structures must be set back at least 30’ from the and Pasco County, all of the project’s buffers adjacent residential property line, parking is permeet the current code. But, while it’s within the mitted to be within 15’ of it, underscoring how acceptable threshold, is it still too close? technical compliance does not always equate to When we asked the county why a 30’ neighborhood comfort. Paper airplanes away! setback wasn’t used or why the 20’ buffer
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AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Cuts A Ribbon On Its New Expansion By Gary Nager
Although the title may change hands at some point in the future, Wesley Chapel’s first hospital is still its largest and an exclamation point has been added to that sentence following the Nov. 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony and Grand Opening of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (AHWC) hospital’s “North Tower” upward expansion. More than 200 hospital staffers, hospital and hospital Foundation Board members, as well as North Tampa Bay Chamber Board members were on hand when AHWC president and CEO Ryan Quattlebaum (above left) and chief medical officer Robert Rosequist (with scissors in upper right photo) cut the ribbon on the 80,373-sq.-ft. expansion. The project adds three additional floors (only the top one of which is open) and 24 more licensed beds, with room for two 24-bed units in the future, as well as 21 additional pre-op and post-op beds, two additional operating rooms, two additional endoscopy suites and one hybrid operating room. The expansion also gives the award-winning hospital — which has been named one of the top hospitals in the U.S. by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report magazines, as well as earning an “America’s 250 Best Hospitals” grade by Healthgrades and a 21st consecutive semester Hospital Safety Grade of “A” from Leapfrog — expanded sterile processing and imaging capabilities, including MRI and radiology. All told, AHWC now has 193 private patient beds, 34 ER beds, 12 operating rooms, three endoscopy suites, two heart catheterization labs, one C-section suite, and too much other robotic surgery and other advanced technology to mention here. Following an opening prayer, Quattlebaum said, “This expansion project is truly monumental for AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. I am so excited to celebrate with everyone here today because this is truly a celebration for our community.” Quattlebaum then thanked all of the elected officials in attendance, including District 1 Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman (middle right) and District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano. He also acknowledged and thanked all of the hospital Board members, medical executive committee members, AdventHealth West Florida Division leaders and fellow Pasco County AdventHealth leaders, as well as all of the companies that participated in building the hospital expansion project.
“The journey at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is one that reads like a fairy tale storybook, as it relates to health, faith and community,” Quattlebaum said. So, I’ll go back to the beginning — to 2012, when this campus opened (as Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel) with 80 beds and a community that welcomed us with open arms. And, as the community has grown, we have grown with it. And, what that growth really signifies is that we have [greater] access to care.” He added that when he first heard about AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, “I was in California and I heard about this amazing place where they have these great, quality stores and the team is so engaged. It really speaks to the heart of what makes Wesley Chapel special — our people. A building is a place where people receive care, but it’s delivered by people and the people who work here are truly what makes us unique and special.” Quattlebaum concluded by saying that when they had orientation for the new expansion, he asked his team members where they came from, where home was for them. “One of them said, ‘I live in Zephyrhills but I remember this spot, this part of Wesley Chapel, as a place where we used to come to watch meteor showers.’ And I thought that meteor showers are moments that reminds us how brilliance is possible. It’s fitting that our hospital stands here today because it symbolizes what brilliance can look like. Our mission calls us to continue to be brilliant for our community every single day and to extend Christ’s healing ministry through healing, comfort and hope. While meteor showers come and go, the light and brilliance that extends at this place endures.” Next up was Commissioner Weightman, who said, “AdventHealth entered Pasco County in 1985 and the reason for that was that Com-
missioner Oakley’s dad donated the land that AdventHealth Zephyrhills sits on today. And it’s an honor to sit with him today, as Commissioner Oakley has carried on that legacy by being part of that foundation. And, here we are today in Wesley Chapel, on a road that used to be called the ‘road to nowhere.’ But now, that roads leads somewhere, to the North Tower of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. How spectacular is that?” Also speaking at the event were AHWC chief of staff Dr. Kalpesh Patel and Dr. Rosequist, but before the ribbon-cutting and tours of the new wing, Quattlebaum also thanked the AHWC
marketing team for putting the event together. For more info about AdventHealth Wesley Chapel (2600 BBD Blvd.), visit AdventHealth. com or call (813) 929-5000. — GN, all photos except the rendering above by Charmaine George
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Ground Broken On Wiregrass Ranch Medical Building Near Orlando Health Hospital
By Gary Nager So, as we’ve previously reported, despite all of the new stuff and everything that has already been built, the Wiregrass Ranch development is still at less than 40% of its approved capacity. But, with the Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital nearing completion, that number is going to rise and it will also bring two affiliated medical office buildings into the fold in the future. But now, Wiregrass Ranch, the Porter family and its Locust Branch Development are partnering with Flagship Healthcare Properties (which is based in Charlotte, NC) to begin building a separate 46,000-sq.-ft. medical outpatient building (rendering below) within walking distance of the second hospital to open in Wiregrass Ranch. On Dec. 9, Flagship and Wiregrass Ranch hosted a groundbreaking event at the site of that new medical office building, which will have as its anchor tenant Florida E.N.T. (Ear, Nose, Throat) & Allergy. Those entities were joined by Precise Construction, Ardurra Engineering, Kasper Architects & Assoc. and Atlantic Union Bank for the groundbreaking, which was led by Flagship’s executive VP of development Dev Gregg (4th from left in photo, right),
who first thanked everyone involved in the project. “All we build are medical outpatient projects,” Gregg said. “We have been working on this project for about three years and are proud to be here today.” Gregg also thanked Florida E.N.T., “(Physician partner) Scott Powell and his team. Florida E.N.T. will occupy 12,000 sq. ft. of the building and is also a partner in the project. We’re really proud to be working with them.” He then thanked JD Porter and Scott Sheridan (5th
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& 6th from the left in the photo above) of Locust Branch. “They’ve been wonderful to work with. It’s harder and harder to put these projects together, but they’re partnering with us on this project and we’re excited to have it come out of the ground.” He added that, “We’re looking forward to this project being an asset to the community, the health care providers in the area and the patients.” For more information, visit FlagshipHP.com.
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U-F Agriculture Students Receive $1 Million From Kirkland Ranch Property Sale We receive a lot of press releases in our Neighborhood News inbox, but I honestly can’t remember ever having seen a press release saying that someone was donating a million dollars in a ceremony in Wesley Chapel we were invited to attend. So of course, when we were invited by the Community Foundation Tampa Bay to visit the Kirkland Ranch property on Curley Rd. on Dec. 8 because the Foundation was going to be presenting a $1 million grant “on behalf of the Marvin & Elizabeth Holloway Foundation to the Alpha Gamma Education Foundation,” I knew that I wanted to be on hand for it — even though I had never even heard of the Holloway or Alpha Gamma foundations before. And, while we never just run press releases, as it turns out, this is the best way to understand why the event was being held: “The philanthropic investment builds on the recent sale and permanent conservation of nearly 1,000 acres of Kirkland Ranch, a historic Pasco County property owned by the Kirkland family for generations. The State of Florida purchased the ranch earlier this year following a multiyear effort championed by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and supported by the ranch’s leadership and shareholders. The sale preserved the land in perpetuity and generated more than $20 million in philanthropic assets now stewarded by Community Foundation Tampa Bay.” OK, but who are Marvin and Elizabeth Holloway? Elizabeth Kirkland Holloway, who passed away at age 103 in 2024, was the sister of Cicero Kirkland, who began developing the Kirkland Ranch in 1949 with his son Raymond.
The release also said, “With the initial gift of the land to Community Foundation Tampa Bay, the Community Foundation was able to ensure the Kirkland and Holloway families’ legacy by converting a complex donation into lasting charitable impact that benefits agriculture, youth services, health care, and environmental education.” “The Holloway Foundation’s $1 million grant is a powerful example of how charitable giving can create meaningful, long-term impact,” said Marlene Spalten, president & CEO of Community Foundation Tampa Bay. “We are honored to carry forward the Kirkland and Holloway families’ philanthropic legacy and grateful that this gift will support the next generation of Florida’s agricultural leaders.” But, what is the Alpha Gamma Education Foundation? “This grant to the Alpha Gamma Education Foundation (Alpha Gamma Rho, or AGR, is the agricultural fraternity at the University of Florida in Gainesville) will support students in the [U-F] agriculture program, including scholarships that will help prepare them for careers in agriculture and related fields — an enduring priority for the
Kirkland and Holloway families.” At any rate, on hand for the check presentation were (l.-r. in the photo above) Alpha Gamma Foundation pres. Steven Hall, Kirkland family & Holloway Foundation trustees Caesar Rinalvi and Bob Sharp, Dist. 54 State Rep. Randy Maggard, Spalten and Comm. Simpson. At right is a photo of Betsy Holloway Elizabeth “Betsy” Holloway and far right is the plaque presented in her Rho and the future of Florida honor to Rinalvi and Sharp by AGR, Agriculture.” How will the grant help AGR “in grateful appreciation of the generous gift remembering (Betsy’s and its Education Foundation? Hall said, “Some of the money father) Cicero, Jack & Raymond Kirkland (Betsy’s brothers) to create will be used to pay off the mortgage on the AGR frat house (in Gainesa lasting legacy for Alpha Gamma
10 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
ville). But, the bulk of the money will fund $20,000-$40,000 per year in scholarships for agriculture students at the University of Florida in perpetuity.” Congratulations to all! — GN, photos by Charmaine George
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
11
Charlene Joyce Files To Run For State House District 54 Seat Against Randy Maggard By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent Charlene Joyce has filed to run in the Nov. 2026 mid-term elections for the State House District 54 seat which covers parts of Pasco County, including Dade City and some of Wesley Chapel, and is currently held by fellow Republican Randy Maggard. Charlene is a conservative Republican who lives in Dade City and says she disagrees with legislation Rep. Maggard filed in November to prohibit counties and cities from adopting their own rules related to water quality, wetlands, and pollution control. “The State House is trying to put more emphasis on [its own] power,” Charlene says, “rather than trying to let the people make the decisions for where they live.” She says overdevelopment is a big issue, and that Pasco County needs smarter ways to grow. “It shouldn’t take an hour to get somewhere that’s 20 minutes away,” she says. And, while she says she has nothing personally against Maggard, “God put it on my heart that I need to try to make a change, and make a difference in the lives of others.” Charlene says it’s important to her to listen to her future constituents, and to maintain the beauty of Pasco County. “I listen more than I talk,” she says. “I want to ask people questions, [find out] what’s important to them, keeping it grassroots, conservative, and helping others protect their rights as parents and landowners.”
Charlene grew up in Wesley Chapel and is a single mom of two children, ages 6 and 3. She attends Life Church in Wesley Chapel, and says faith is central to her campaign, which she sees as a calling. She also is a licensed registered nurse and obtained her R.N. degree through Rasmussen College in Tampa in 2018. She is the health care administrator for a residential facility in Hillsborough County for the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), where she cares for female residents, ages 12 to 18. “One of my pushing points for running was when I started working at DJJ,” she says. “I saw a lot of things that could be implemented through legislation and a lot of loopholes that could be closed.” For example, she says, while DJJ employees are drug tested before they are hired, there is no Florida statute that requires testing throughout employment. “I’ve encountered people who came to work smelling like marijuana,” she says, “and that’s unacceptable in a place with youth.” However, she says, since residential facilities are contracted out to third party providers, they stick closely to legal requirements. “They do what they have to do,” she says, “but not anything extra, because it’s money out of their pocket.” She says her experience working with the youth in the facility where she works has been moving. On the weekends, she volunteers there with a team from a ministry called Set Free out of Pinellas County.
Local Realtor and registered nurse Charlene Joyce is a conservative Republican running in Nov. 2026 for the Florida House District 54 seat currently occupied by Rep. Randy Maggard. (Photo by Charmaine George) For kids who want to participate in the Set Free program, Charlene and the team bring Christian music and Bible teaching. She says she brings hope to the youth in her facility, most of whom have experienced trauma such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse. “No one is hopeless,” she says. “God always finds a way, letting them know they are loved and valued. It’s so important for a child to thrive and to walk a different path. These children may have made some bad decisions that put them in a position that might alter their lives for the worse, but I want to take that opportunity to change it for the better.”
Charlene also is a licensed real estate agent who obtained her Florida real estate license in 2024. She says she is looking forward to the election, which will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. For more information about Charlene’s campaign for State House, visit CharleneforStateHouse54.com, or follow her on Facebook or Instagram @CharleneforStateHouse54. She can be contacted at (813) 333-8612, or see her ad below. For more info about Charlene’s real estate business, visit CJoyceHomes.com.
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13
‘I Just Want To Give Back To My Community’ - Nelson Agholor
Former Liberty Middle School standout & NFL wide receiver Nelson Agholor & his nonprofit called ‘Our Kids Our Responsibility, Inc.’ donated 500 turkeys the day before Thanksgiving. By Gary Nager
Photos by Charmaine George
If you don’t know the name Nelson Agholor, you’re likely not a big football fan. Nelson, who attended Liberty Middle School in Tampa Palms, went to Berkeley Prep instead of Freedom High, and then played his college ball for the University of Southern California (aka USC), where he caught 104 passes for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. He was the first pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2015 NFL Draft (the 20th overall), after forgoing his senior year at USC. He played five seasons with the Eagles, including 2017, the season the Eagles ended up winning their first Super Bowl championship, over the Tom Brady-led New England Patriots, 41-33. Nelson caught nine passes for 84 yards from backup QB and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles in the Big Game. “Don’t forget that I also had a 9-yard run for a key first down in that game, too,” he says with a smile. But, Nelson always wanted to do more than just make millions of dollars playing football. He’s always wanted to help people who weren’t as fortunate as he’s been. He officially started his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit, called “Our Kids Our Responsibility, Inc.,” a little more than a year ago, but he says he’s been serving the communities where he’s played football and lived, “for 13 years. But now, I’m serving and giving back to the community where I grew up and it just feels right.” Nelson grew up in the USF area, what some people still unaffectionately call “Suitcase City.” He was the second youngest of five kids, with two brothers and two sisters. “I still sort of think of myself as the baby of the family because I basically raised my baby sister,” he says. “We weren’t as bad off as some of the kids I went to school with, but there were definitely holidays where we went without.” To help those who might not otherwise have a turkey for Thanksgiving, Nelson purchased “about a hundred” turkeys and got Publix to donate 400 more frozen turkeys of 12-16 pounds each. He picked them up in a truck and brought them to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, where Nelson also
Former Liberty Middle School standout and NFL wide receiver Nelson Agholor helped make Thanksgiving 2025 a little brighter for a lot of area residents who might not have had a Thanksgiving turkey this year when he donated 500 turkeys at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus the day before the holiday. (Inset) Nelson Agholor on the cover of the Neighborhood News after he helped the Philadelphia Eagles win their first-ever Super Bowl title back in 2018. recently started a training program for young athletes called Provision Strength & Skill (photo). “We decided to do the turkey giveaway here at the Sports Campus, so that people could come see this facility,” he told me as he carried another turkey to a waiting vehicle. Nelson also acknowledged the help of Licensed in FL and NY | UF and Duke Law grad Florida Sports Coast Elite Volleyball director 14+ Years of Experience Monica Ewalt (photos on next page), whose teen volleyball players, also based at the Sports Campus, volunteered to help get the turkeys loaded into the canvas bags Nelson purchased. The volleyball squad also helped load the bagged turkeys onto a long series of tables outside the Sports Campus, so Nelson could personally deliver them to the vehicles that pulled up in the
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parking circle at the front entrance of the facility to receive them, usually offering to give anyone who said it was their first time ever making a turkey (or if they said they had a friend who may also have needed one) two of them — “Just in case, you know?” In less than five hours, all 500 turkeys had been given away and the well-traveled wide receiver — who moved with his family from Lagos, Nigeria, to Tampa when he was five, played for USC at 18 and for five different NFL teams during his ten-year career — says, “it just feels good to be back home.”
He adds, “I just want kids whose families are in need to know that someone cares about them. I want them to be dreamers, just like I was, no matter what their situations at home might be.” Speaking of dreaming, does Nelson still dream of playing again in the NFL? “All I can say is that I’ve had calls from six teams,” he says, smiling, while holding a finger to his lips. “But, shhh. I’m happy right now.” For more info about Our Kids Our Responsibility, visit OurKidsOurResponsibility. org. For more info about the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, visit PlayWiregrass.com.
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Upcoming Events — ‘Spotlight On Talent,’ A Local New Year’s Eve Celebration & More
Now through Thursday, February 12. Applications are being accepted for the 43rd annual “Spotlight on Talent Competition.” This competition is for children through 12th grade and is a chance for students to compete in the performing arts for cash prizes. The Preliminary Competition is being held Saturday, February 28, and the Final Competition will be held Saturday March 28, both at the Pasco Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC; 8657 Old Pasco Rd.). Application fees: Solo - $50; Group - $50 for 1st participant, $10 for each additional person up to $100 max. For more info, call (352) 424-0135 or visit HeritageArts.org/spotlight-on-talent to apply online.
Wednesday, December 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. – New Year’s Eve Celebration. At the Hyatt Place Tampa/Wesley Chapel Hotel (26000 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz). There will be a DJ and dancing, food stations, 4-hour premium open bar also serving mocktails, photo booth, champagne toast and breakfast at midnight. Overnight packages & table purchase options also available. For more information (including pricing) or to purchase tickets, call (813) 803-5600. Saturday, January 10, 10:00 a.m.-4 p.m. – Raising Cane and Moonshine Festival. At Pioneer Florida Museum (15602 Pioneer Museum Rd., Dade City). Sugar Cane Syrup and Moonshine Tasting event. There will be live sugar cane syrup making at our fully operational cane mill, a Southern Syrup-Makers Association Syrup
Band and the Barking Dogs (old time music), Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom, food and craft vendors, blacksmith demonstrations, model trains, and more. Tickets $10 adults, $5 students, under 5 free. Tickets at the event only. Parking is free, donations appreciated but not required. For more info, call David @ (352)567-0262 or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. Saturday, January 10, 12:00 p.m.2:00 p.m. – Flu Shots & Health Screenings with BayCare. At New River Branch Public Library (34043 S.R. 54). BayCare will provide free flu shots (age 9+), health screenings (age 18+) for blood pressure, lipids, BNI and diabetes, plus information and prevention education. For more info, call (813) 788-6375 or visit PascoLibraries.libnet.info/ event/15252642
Friday, January 16, 7:00 p.m.9:00 p.m. – Tampa Qipao Team: 10th Applications are being accepted now for the Heritage Arts Anniversary Celebration. At New Tampa Center’s 43rd “Spotlight on Talent Competition,” which will Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters be held at the Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional Village Rd.). Join the Tampa Qipao Team Performing Arts Center beginning February 28, 2026. for a dazzling evening celebrating their 10th Anniversary alongside the 2026 Tasting Competition. Taste and vote for your favorite. Explore the Moonshine Shed exhibition, Chinese New Year! Hosted by the Florida Hubei listen to local moonshine stories and savor the fla- Chinese Association, this festive showcase will vors of FREE moonshine and whiskey samples or feature vibrant performances by singers, dance cocktails, meticulously crafted by Tarpon Springs troupes, and cultural ensembles, including Anna Dance Academy and Tampa Sunshine Choir. Distillery. Live Entertainment, the Geared Up
16 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
Tickets cost $8. For more info or to purchase tickets, contact the Florida Hubei Chinese Association at wangruojing223@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 17, 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. – New Tampa Jazz Nights: Chuck Redd with La Lucha. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Catch world-renowned vibraphonist and drummer Chuck Redd, joined by Best of the Bay jazz trio La Lucha. Redd emerged on the jazz scene at 21 as drummer for guitarist and bossa nova pioneer Charlie Byrd, and recorded and toured with notable artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Torme, and more. Tickets $10-$35 depending on seat selection. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit TampaJazzClub.com. Sunday, January 18, 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. – New Tampa Unplugged: Alexis Carra. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Tampa native and musical theatre maven Alexis Carra returns to the New Tampa Unplugged stage after earning glowing praise for her heartfelt hometown performance last season. Her entertainment career has spanned from the Broadway stage (Wicked, Sweet Charity) to Hollywood (Mixology, Two and a Half Men). Tickets $17.50-$25 depending on seat selection. Select tickets are available for $10 through NTPAC’s Affordable Art commitment. For more info, call (813) 829-2760, or to purchase tickets visit NewTampaArtsCenter. org/events/new-tampa-unplugged-alexis-carra.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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The North Tampa Bay Chamber Introduces Tony Benge As Its New Board Chair • Major advocacy win with the elimination of the office rent tax, putting real dollars back into the hands of our businesses • 6 major groundbreakings marking significant economic development in our region • Memorandum of Understanding partnerships with seven surrounding chambers, expanding collaboration and regional impact • 127 new members welcomed into the NTBC’s Chamber family • Strategic workforce collaborations with key partners to prepare today’s talent for tomorrow’s jobs • A renewed commitment to the local nonprofit community, strengthened through the Chamber’s growing partnership with the Community Foundation • The opening of the Chamber’s new office in The Shops at Wiregrass, a reflection of our continued growth and a shared space
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Congratulations to the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC) as it introduced its new Board of Directors (photo below) and closed out another outstanding year at its annual end-of-year breakfast meeting on Dec. 2. NTBC president & CEO Hope Kennedy (bottom right photo) introduced new Board chair Tony Benge, who received the gavel (top right photo) from outgoing chair Angelique Lenox. Kennedy also provided a recap of the Chamber’s accomplishments in 2025: • 135 events connecting businesses, leaders and the community • 30+ ribbon cuttings (it seemed like a lot more) celebrating growth and entrepreneurship • $150,000 in grants from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, directly invested into our small businesses — with 75% awarded to minority-owned businesses
now available for our members to utilize for meetings, collaboration, and connection • The addition of the Emorys Rock Realty Podcast Studio at the new office For more info about the NTBC, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com or call (813) 994-8534. — GN; photos by Charmaine George
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Chamber Ribbons Cut At All Children’s OBGYN, Miracle Ear & SkyMor WC
In addition to its annual meeting (story on the previous page), the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) recently cut ribbons at the following businesses since our last issue: Nov. 17 — Miracle-Ear Wesley Chapel (1752 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the Publix-anchored Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza.) - (813) 903-0016 • MiracleEar. com/WesleyChapelFL Nov. 18 — All Children’s Hospital Specialty Physicians Group OBGYN (17907 Aprile Dr., Suite 200, Land O’Lakes) - (813) 910-5195 • HopkinsMedicine.org Nov. 20 — SkyMor Wesley Chapel Townhomes (6274 Caroline Dr., Wesley Chapel) - (813) 518-7474 • SkyMorWesleyChapel.com Miracle-Ear, of course, is one of the largest and best-known hearing aid retailers in the United States. It is a subsidiary of Amplifon, which is the world’s largest hearing care retailer. The new Wes-
ley Chapel Miracle-Ear, one of more than 1,500 locally-owned retail locations across the U.S., is owned by hearing specialist Ryan Robbins (holding scissors in photo below left) and is located between Home Sense and Asian Buffet in the Publix plaza at the intersection of S.R. 56 and BBD. “We check patients for hearing loss,” Robbins said. “And provide a variety of hearing aids, some using Bluetooth technology. We definitely change lives every day.” The next day, we celebrated with the NTBC and gynecologist Dr. Randdie-Joyce (“R-J”) Rameau, D.O., M.P.H., at the opening of the All Children’s Specialty Physicians OBGYN (located off of S.R. 54, near the Suncoast Pkwy.), one of many new offices being opened that is affiliated with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital — which, of course, is opening a new pediatric hospital in Wesley Chapel by 2027. While most of the other affiliated offices
serve only children, this is the only All Children’s office serving adult patients in our area (although there is another OBGYN office in St. Petersburg). “You might be wondering why a children’s hospital has OBGYN,” said Dr. Suzanne Thi Icely (in blue holding scissors above), who helped open the St. Petersburg office. “But, to really take care of our children, you need to start with the moms.” Dr. Rameau (also holding the scissors) added, “I am honored that all of you are here today to join our vision, and our mission. At the end of the day, we strive to provide excellent care for our patients from adolescence through pregnancy and beyond.” And finally, SkyMor Wesley Chapel, located north of S.R. 54, almost directly across from Saddlebrook Resort, is an attached townhome community with 150 total 2- and 3-bedroom units ranging in size from 1,348-1,774 sq. ft., with rents currently starting at $2,195-$2,495 per month, according to leasing agent Natalia Espino (at right in photo, right). SkyMor is being developed by Greystar, a
global real estate company that specializes in the investment, development and management of rental housing. — GN, photos by Charmaine George & Jannah Nager
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19
Saddlebrook Prep Is Successfully Mixing Elite Athletes With Academic-Only Students By Joseph Stanziani
Neighborhood News Correspondent In June 2023, Saddlebrook Preparatory School (aka Saddlebrook Prep or Saddlebrook Academy), traditionally known as a middle and high school educating elite golf and tennis athletes, began enrolling academic-only students. Currently, there are only three students in the academic-only program, representing less than 5% of the student population. However, the presence of these students has started to reshape how Saddlebrook Prep manages student life and academics as it adapts to serving both its elite athletic and academic-only students. All three of the academic-only students live locally, in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area, and do not board at Saddlebrook Prep. The size of this local enrollment reflects the program’s initial phase, which appeals to local residents rather than bringing in national or international students. Patrick Farrell, the vice president of international sports at Saddlebrook Prep, said the academic-only program was started in response to the community growth in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa areas. Farrell noted that Saddlebrook saw this as an opportunity to expand the school by allowing academic-only students to attend. Deanna Garrett, head of Saddlebrook Prep School, has only nice things to say about the progress the academic-only students have made in integrating with the school’s renowned student-athlete population. “They get along very well, forming unique
friendships with friends from 18 different countries around the world,” Garrett says. “It’s really a joy to see how the different cultures all come together and accept each other.” Farrell further noted the improvement he has seen in students now interacting more across the two student groups than they did in the past. “Now there are other things to have conversations about, other than the golfers staying only with the golfers and the tennis students staying with the tennis people,” Farrell says. “There’s now much more interaction between them as well as with our academic-onlys.” Farrell further explains that the inclusion of academic-only students also has increased participation in student life activities. “There are more kids (L.-r.) Saddlebrook Preparatory School Head of School Deanna Garrett, Saddlebrook VP of international sports Patrick Farrell, director of racquet sports Sean McQuillan, director of golf instruction Mark Hirschey and golf for prom, more kids for the instructor Jan-Michael Norman. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George) off-property events we do, and for our community outreach Saddlebrook Prep’s prom. Additionally, students school’s athletic facilities are a prominent reason events at Saddlebrook Prep to benefit the comparticipate in volunteering, as part of their com- families continue to stay at the school. munity,” he says. “For the most part, our middle schoolers munity service, with nonprofit organizations Those events include Spirit Week; “Sadtransition into high school once they’ve decided like the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and dlebrookathon” (a four-day themed event with that this is the kind of training facility that they Metropolitan Ministries. mid-morning games); and the Fun Run, a onewant to attend,” she says. “A lot of times, our Saddlebrook Prep continues to follow its to two-mile fundraising event that supports middle school students also have siblings who established academic structure and curriculum are in high school. So the family is here for both for both athletes and non-athletes. The school their children so they stay and move on to high maintains a 10-to-1 student-teacher ratio and ofschool with us as well.” fers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, National Even with the recent academic expansion Honor Society (NHS) participation, and STEM at Saddlebrook Prep, athletics remain a major electives. The school has dual accreditation from focus of the school’s identity. Saddlebrook Prep the Florida Council of Independent Schools and does not participate in the Florida High School from Cognia (a global nonprofit organization Athletic Association (FHSAA) circuit and that provides accreditation and school improvetherefore does not hold any state titles in tennis ment services to educational institutions). While there are only three current academ- or golf. Instead, Saddlebrook Prep athletes compete nationally in tennis tournaments oric-only students, past graduates are already ganized by the United States Tennis Association attending college in the state. (USTA), the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), and Universal Tennis Rating (UTR). For Middle School Program golf, Saddlebrook participates in the Hurricane In regard to the Saddlebrook Prep middle school, Garrett reports that a majority of middle Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) and tournaments by school students continue to stay at Saddlebrook the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). Farrell says that Saddlebrook athletes have Prep through high school. Garrett cites that the
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Se Habla Español earned “a lot” of placements and trophies across these tournaments each year. Recent graduates include Aline Krauter, a 2017 graduate who now competes on the LPGA Tour after playing at Stanford University and having won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in England in 2020; and Carl Billups, a 2020 graduate who earned his PGA Tour card for the 2024-25 season after being named the Korn Ferry Tour (the leading pathway to the PGA) Rookie of the Year and earning himself a “battlefield promotion.” (Note-A battlefield promotion occurs when a golfer earns automatic advancement to a higher tour by winning three events in a single season.) Other notable alumni include Andy Roddick, recognized as a Saddlebrook Prep alumnus because he trained there. Roddick went professional instead of attending college and rose to world No. 1, winning the U.S. Open and reaching multiple Grand Slam finals. Keegan Bradley, also considered a Saddlebrook Prep alum because he trained for about a semester at the academy, became famous for winning the 2011 PGA Championship in his rookie year on the PGA Tour. Bradley has won a total of eight PGA Tour titles. Along with Saddlebrook Prep’s athletic reputation, the school has built a strong academic reputation for sending students to top-tier universities. Fourteen graduates, spanning from 2020-25, have attended top-tier universities including Stanford, Georgetown and New York University and U.S. military service academies. Out of the 38 students who graduated during those five years, 97 percent (37 students) went on to higher education.
For families intent on enrolling their children in the academic-only program at Saddlebrook Prep, the admissions process consists of a personal statement essay detailing their interest in attending the school, along with official transcripts from all previously attended schools. Due to Saddlebrook Prep’s commitment to sustaining small classroom sizes and engaging learning environment, the evaluation process, conducted by faculty and leadership team members, can be rigorous. Tuition costs per academic year are $25,000 for non-boarding students and $48,275 for boarding students. With only three academic-only students currently enrolled at Saddlebrook Prep and graduates beginning their college journeys, the program remains small, making it a great alternative to other area private high schools. For more information about enrollment deadlines and the admissions process, call (813) 907-4300, visit SaddlebrookPrep.com or see the ad on pg. 31 of this issue.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
21
Saddlebrook Resort Is Reborn As Mast Capital Begins Unveiling $92M Investment By Gary Nager
All Photos by Charmaine George Whenever I hear a number like $92 million being thrown around, especially to completely redesign a clearly dated resort like Saddlebrook — which had been the jewel of Wesley Chapel since the early 1980s (and the only “attractor” bringing people to the S.R. 54 Exit 279 off I-75) for more than three decades — I know what I was picturing (and hoping for) in my head. Even so, I had no idea what to really expect from new owner Mast Capital. But, now that I have attended the “Media Preview Day” for the fully revamped Saddlebrook Resort on Nov. 20, it’s obvious that Mast is putting every penny of that $92 million into bringing resort founder Tom Dempsey’s Saddlebrook back to its old glory. Knowing Mr. Dempsey as I did, I’m a little sad he’s not still here to see it reborn. I’ve already been telling you about the restaurants that are both already open and coming soon — the delicious RARE 1981, which is located in the space previously occupied by The Tropics off Saddlebrook’s beautifully reimagined lobby (top right photo on next page), the also-open BREW coffee and breakfast counter, the opening soon (in early 2026) sports bar in the former Dempsey’s Too space adjacent to RARE 1981, and the hotly anticipated (at least by yours truly) revamped pool bar at the resort’s fabled Super Pool. When I rented a condo in the Saddlebrook community (not in the resort itself) when I first moved to Florida with my family in 1993, that pool bar served the best grilled hamburgers and hot dogs in town. It also had a nice, full-liquor tiki bar that was a great place to have a drink as my kids played in the Super Pool. Well, the pool bar is all-new and now open (photo, right), and will have an upgraded food menu from the “good old days.” The “lagoon-style” Super Pool itself and especially, the patio around it (bottom photo on next page), also has been completely revamped, with dozens of umbrellas and a number of beautiful cabanas that will make hanging by the Super Pool a pleasure once again. But, for those who are wondering what’s happening with the building that previously was home to Dempsey’s Steak House, it is being completely repurposed as a clubhouse for Saddlebrook’s members that will be unveiled in 2026. As we’ve mentioned in multiple previous stories, the resort’s twin 18-hole, Arnold Palm-
er-designed Saddlebrook and Palmer golf courses have been replaced by three 9-hole courses and an on-site golf driving range and practice area, which will make getting ready to play a lot more convenient than the driving range’s old location near the resort’s S.R. 54 entrance. I haven’t played (and most likely won’t ever play) any of the golf holes, but District 5 Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano (who was
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on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 20, as was District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman) has played all 18 of the holes that are already open and he praised the golf course’s redesign during the ribbon-cutting ceremony (see next page). Commissioner Mariano also participated in a pickleball clinic (he’s shown returning the ball in the photo above), which allowed Media Day
participants to check out the eight gorgeous new pickleball courts for themselves. The Media Preview began with the aforementioned ribbon-cutting ceremony and was led by Saddlebrook’s managing director Jeff Mayers, who thanked Mast Capital for its huge investment to bring the resort back to life, before introducing Commissioner Weightman, who said “The round of applause really has to
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go out to Mast Capital. The names Saddlebrook Resort and Pasco County go together — they’re synonymous. Saddlebrook put Pasco on the map before it became the popular place it is today. I couldn’t be more excited to be a small part of the journey to help bring Saddlebrook back to life.” He then introduced Commissioner Mariano, who said, “I am so thrilled with what Mast Capital has done. I was concerned about whether or not the golf course would be long enough, but they brought in Rees Jones, who specializes in renovations, and this is now a great golf course. You can now host any type of golfers at any level and have a great tournament. And what you’ve done with the lobby...spectacular, right? The pool? Incredible. Every chair is now a great place to sit, with all those umbrellas. It’s all top quality. You’ve done a phenomenal job here. Thank you, Jordan and Mast Capital for over-delivering on your promises.” Next up was Mast Capital’s chief investment officer Jordan Kornberg, who said his Neighborhood News
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firm’s goal was to, “honor the incredible legacy that Saddlebrook has had, while breathing new life into this place. And, we are really proud of the product that we’ve delivered. At the end of the day, it’s not about us, it’s about our employees, our members and our guests. And, the feedback we’ve gotten so far from the community, in just a few weeks, has been so positive, which we really appreciate.” He also thanked all of the people who helped make it happen, “especially our on-property team. We couldn’t have made this a reality without all of you.” We then toured a couple of the guest rooms (top photo) and all I remember saying was, “Wow, what a difference.” The dated, worn furniture and musty smells are all gone and the furnishings are modern, bright and cheery. Jannah and I now look forward to staying once again at the all-new Saddlebrook Resort. For reservations and more information about Saddlebrook Resort, visit Saddlebrook. com or call (813) 973-1111. Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
23
Call Attorney Rachel Stevens Of Stevens Law When You Face Criminal Charges By Iris Vitelli
Neighborhood News Correspondent
Attorney Rachel Stevens knows that when people call or walk into her Stevens Law, P.A., office for the first time, they are often scared, overwhelmed or confused about what is happening to them. “I believe the most important thing I can offer in that moment is support,” Rachel says. “My goal is to make sure every client feels like someone has their back.” Stevens Law is located just off U.S. Hwy. 98 in Dade City, giving clients a straightforward, easy-to-find location at a time when simplicity and clarity often matter most. Rachel says her path to criminal defense started at the Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, FL. She always knew she wanted to be in the courtroom and imagined a career centered on litigation. One day, she asked a professor what type of law she should pursue if she wanted to spend her days inside courtrooms, instead of drafting contracts. The professor suggested criminal law, and Rachel took that advice. She says it has proven to be exactly where she belongs. Rachel earned her Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Paralegal Studies from St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg, FL, in 2008. After earning her Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Stetson Law in 2012, she worked for eight years as an assistant public defender with the 6th Judicial Circuit, covering Pasco and Pinellas counties. She worked primarily in Dade City but also in New Port Richey and Clearwater, and says that those years helped her become the defense attorney she is today. Her years as a public defender taught Rachel how much the approach to a case can change from one county to the next, even though the laws themselves are the same. She says that each city and county are their own “universes,” with different expectations, tendencies and personalities shaping how cases move through the system. “The strategies, negotiation styles and internal dynamics differ from one jurisdiction to another,” she says. “Each courthouse has its own pace. Some judges prefer certain types of evidence or arguments and some counties offer programs or alternatives that others do not.” Because of these differences, two people facing the same charge in different cities or
nearly identical can fall into very different categories depending upon the details. For example, some drug-related offenses are misdemeanors because they involve small personal amounts, while others become felonies when larger quantities or signs of distribution are involved. Many people don’t realize how confusing the criminal process can be until they are suddenly part of it. Rachel says a common misunderstanding is the belief that being arrested means someone is already destined for a conviction. She helps her clients separate fear from reality so they can understand what is truly Legal assistant Nick Sanders (left) and attorney Rachel Stevens of Stevens Law, P.A., which is located in Dade City but happening in their case. “A case that appears simple handles cases throughout Hillsborough, Pasco & Pinellas counties, are here to help when you need help defending any one day can quickly become comcriminal legal case. (Photo by Charmaine George) plicated,” she says. “Unexpected counties may need completely different strateShe adds, “In Florida, criminal law is com- factors can change the direction of a case, such gies depending upon where their case has been plex. Depending upon the offense, a conviction as new evidence surfacing, a witness changing filed. Rachel makes it a priority to understand can result in significant penalties, including their story, or the state deciding to pursue how each courtroom operates so she can tailor fines, jail time, loss of driving privileges and a harsher penalties.” her approach to the community and system permanent criminal record that can affect your Even something as routine as a client’s each of her clients is facing. personal and professional life.” prior record, a missed court appearance, or conShe also makes sure every client underRachel’s years of experience include flicting statements in a police report can shift stands what is happening in their case, so they defending clients against misdemeanors & the entire strategy. Rachel says that criminal feel involved, rather than overwhelmed. Rachel’s felonies, DUIs (driving under the influence), cases, “rarely move in a straight line,” which is exclusive focus on criminal defense allows her to drug offenses, theft & property crimes, violent why she pays close attention to every detail and be fully present, fully prepared, and fully dedicrimes, domestic violence and weapons charges. always prepares her cases — and her clients — cated to guiding the people who rely on her. She says that the seriousness of a charge for multiple possible outcomes. She explains Criminal defense isn’t just one area she isn’t always obvious. Two cases that sound that a win is not always a dismissal of a charge handles; it is the ONLY area she devotes her entire practice to, allowing her to pour all of her time, training, and professional energy into mastering one field rather than spreading herself across multiple types of law. One of the beliefs that guides her practice is the idea that most people charged with crimes are not inherently bad. Many had a bad day or found themselves in a situation that spiraled beyond their control. Her job is to understand the event, the circumstances that led that client to that moment, and the future that hangs in the balance. Her clients are fighting for their freedom, and she says she takes that responsibility very seriously. “Social media has made defending clients a bit more difficult,” she explains. “A mug shot can circulate publicly long before someone ever steps into a courtroom.”
24 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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or a “Not Guilty” verdict. Sometimes, success means securing probation when the state wanted to send a defendant to prison. One of Stevens Law’s clients recently wrote: “Rachel took my fiance’s case at the last minute when we felt like all hope was lost and after we had been turned down everywhere else. She was able to get several charges dropped and a win for his case. If you’re looking for someone honest, smart and willing to fight for you, this is the law firm you should choose.” This isn’t unusual in the case of Stevens Law, as all of the firm’s Google reviews are five stars out of five. Rachel and her legal assistant Nick Sanders have an open communication style via text messaging and they make sure clients have easy access to their documents. Stevens Law uses a modern, secure client-portal system designed for law firms that provides encrypted, password-protected access so clients can view case documents from anywhere, on any device. Once documents are uploaded to a client’s private portal, the client can log in, review the papers and, if they have questions, add comments or message directly within the portal. Both Rachel and Nick receive those messages immediately and can respond online, avoiding the need for an in-person visit. This streamlined process safeguards sensitive information, keeps everything organized, saves the client time (and money) and ensures that the client always stays connected to their case. Stevens Law maintains a 24-hour return call policy, although most clients hear back much sooner. When someone leaves a voice message or text indicating an emergency, Rachel
Louis Cerillo, DDS
will review the situation and respond immediately, if necessary. “This way,” she says, “clients never feel ignored or dismissed.” Rachel has built her practice around the belief that everyone deserves clarity, fairness and someone who will stand up for them. Her clients leave not just with legal representation but with a sense that someone truly cares about what happens next in their lives. It’s the reason clients continue to trust Stevens Law when the stakes are highest and feel most personal. Stevens Law, P.A., is located at 38008 Live Oak Ave., Suite 8, Dade City. It is open Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For a free consultation, call (352) 437-4900 or email contact@ stevenslawpa.com. You also may visit Facebook.com/RachelStevensLawFirm or see the ad on pg. 39 of this issue.
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
25
Prime Barbershop Celebrates Five Years With Downtown Avalon Park Location By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent
After opening its first location in November 2020, Prime Barbershop is celebrating its five-year anniversary this year. In 2023, Prime Barbershop opened a second location in Lutz (at the corner of Livingston Ave. and County Line Rd.), and a third location opened in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel this January. Ed Velasquez and his wife Melinda own Prime Barbershop, along with their partners, Omar and Kristi Lugo. Kristi is Ed and Melinda’s daughter, while Kristi’s husband Omar, is an experienced barber whose career was the inspiration for opening the business. No matter which Prime Barbershop location you visit, Ed promises you’ll receive the same high level of care and service. “We put four things at the forefront,” he says, “unparalleled customer service, a safe and professional environment, genuine community engagement, and the success of our barbers.” With its three current locations, Prime Barbershop’s team of barbers has grown to 34. Ed believes the barbers’ success is the key to the success of the business, saying that many of them have stayed with the company for a long time. “We know that if you have happy, supported barbers who are committed and loyal to the brand, everything else will fall into line,” Ed says. “Our philosophy is simple: a successful barber provides an exceptional client experience.” The partners look for ways to continue elevating the client experience, too. For example, Prime Barbershop now has an app available, where clients can book appointments and also get to know a little about the barbers. “It’s about giving our clients control, convenience, and connection,” Ed says. Services at Prime Barbershop include all styles of haircuts, plus beard trims, shape-ups, hot towel shaves, head shaves and eyebrow trims. Cuts are available for men, kids and yes, even for women. “We don’t do salon services, like color,” Ed says, “but we do offer short haircuts for women.” Meanwhile, Melinda is a licensed cosmetologist who worked in upscale salons in New York City. In 2001, the couple had an opportunity to open their own salon in New Windsor, NY. They operated that salon for a few years before moving to Florida, and Ed started a
five-star (out of five) reviews on Google between the three locations. “We take immense pride in our reviews,” he says. “They consistently highlight the cleanliness of our shops, our efficient management, and, of course, the fantastic skill of our barbers. Our team’s dedication is what allows us to deliver on our promises every day.” A big part of running the business, Ed says, is “edifying the team,” and making sure employees are recognized and feel important. One way the ownership team does that is by hosting an annual Christmas party, where more than 90 people gather for an event that includes catered food, recognitions, (Above, l.-r.) Ed and Melinda Velasquez & Omar and Kristi Lugo are the co-owners of the three Prime Barbershop awards and giveaways. locations in our area, including two in Wesley Chapel. (Bottom photo) Jonathan Festa (facing front) and Chris Fer“It’s completely out of the nandez are just two of the super-talented and experienced barbers at Prime. (These photos by Charmaine George) (Next box for what any other barber shop page) Prime Barbershop’s annual Christmas party brought together all of the employees and their families from all three does,” Ed says, noting that the event of Prime’s locations, as well as from Ed’s home inspection business. (Photo provided by Prime Barbershop) includes not only the barbers and business doing home inspections. Ed says his vision for Prime Barbershop other Prime staff members, but also He originally considered opening a was rooted in his experiences growing up the staff from his home inspection business and different business at The Grove when develaround barbershops in New York. their families, too. oper Mark Gold’s vision to open The KRATE “We wanted to take it to the next level,” “We have a great team of front desk people Container Park was just a dream. While that he says, “with an upscale feel and environment, who work at the shops who provide a crucial business didn’t work out, Ed still wanted in on no profanity, no loud rap music. It’s a familayer of hospitality,” he says. “Many barber the excitement Mark had for The Grove. He shops don’t have that, either.” ly-friendly space, where moms can come in turned to Kristy, and Omar and pitched the He says it’s difficult when barbers are conwith their kids and feel comfortable, and profesidea of opening their own barber shop. stantly interrupted by phone calls and people sionals come in and feel their time is valued.” They agreed, and the two couples opened walking in for appointments. He is proud that reviews of Prime Barberthe first Prime Barbershop at The Grove. At Prime, Ed says the barbers focus comshop consistently reflect what the partners want “The Grove has done wonderfully,” Ed pletely on the clients in their respective chairs. customers to experience, with more than 2,000 says, “with ample parking, and has helped our business thrive from the beginning.” In 2020, the partners signed a letter of intent to open a shop in Downtown Avalon Park, but it took until January 2025 to open the doors. “It was a long time coming,” Ed says, “but the wait was worth it.” He notes that Prime is the only barbershop located within the Avalon Park community itself, and he’s glad to be part of this new, bustling neighborhood that embraces a philosophy of living, working and playing in the same community. “Starting our business in 2020 during the height of the Covid pandemic was a daunting challenge,” he says, recalling days of opening early, closing late and people waiting in their cars for their appointments. “However, we persevered and continued growing.”
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James Morales is one of the barbers who has worked at Prime’s location at The Grove since 2021. “It’s a pleasure to work here,” James says, “and to be able to share that with the clients.” At the time, James had been in the business himself for 20 years in many places around the Tampa Bay area, including shops that were kind of run down, and he wanted to work somewhere that felt like it matched his skills. “What caught my attention is the environment, the way it looks,” James says. “It’s very clean, and you can tell it’s family-oriented.” He immediately felt he would fit in, and
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would be able to prosper. He credits Ed with hiring barbers who value the same priorities. “We mesh well and have the same mindset of respecting each other, the workplace and the clientele,” James says. “We created a culture where work ethic is our priority. It’s such a nice place, that we’ve all got to match the energy of the environment.” Dylan Lonsway lives in Wesley Chapel and has been to all three locations of Prime Barbershop, although he typically goes to the one in Avalon Park. Dylan says he stops in weekly for a cut, and
says the convenience of the location is a main reason why. Dylan also says he likes the way the shop is designed, and that “it’s always clean.” But, he adds, he recommends Prime to everyone he knows, because of the high-quality cuts and the consistency of the style. “Omar knows my haircut, and it’s been that way for ever,” Dylan says. “He makes it happen and it always looks the same as the first time he did it.” And while Dylan sees Omar weekly, he says it doesn’t bother him if Omar goes on vacation or isn’t around for any reason.
“I’ll see someone else,” he says. “All of the other barbers are friendly and nice, too. And all of them are really good.” Prime Barbershop has two Wesley Chapel locations — The Grove at 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd. & Downtown Avalon Park at 4424 Friendly Way. The Lutz location is at 2747 E. County Line Rd. in the Livingston Marketplace plaza. Visit PrimeBarbersWC.com to make an appointment online. Or, download the Prime Barbershop app or see the ad on page 50 of this issue for more information.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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28 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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29
Dr. Teena Hughes Pediatrics — Decades Of Experience & Personalized Care! By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent
Teena Hughes, M.D., is a Board-certified pediatrician who opened her private practice 25 years ago. And, it’s now nearly five years ago that Dr. Teena’s son, Roger Hughes, D.O., joined the practice. Located on E. Fletcher Ave. near Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., Teena Hughes Pediatrics is just a few minutes south of New Tampa. It remains privately owned, and, in addition to the Drs. Hughes, also includes three additional providers — advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) Kelsey Overton and Carly Reeves, and physician assistant (PA) Courtney Conklin. Together, the team sees patients from birth through adolescence, providing wellness care and treatment for illnesses, and offering a personal touch that isn’t nearly as common in corporate medical practices. “We are a smaller, more family-like environment,” Dr. Teena Hughes says. “We don’t have a big phone queue. People say they like that someone answers the phone.” There are a lot of other things the parents of the office’s patients say they like about the practice, too. Victoria Lord used to bring her children to Dr. Hughes. Now, her grandchildren are 14, 11, and 6, and they are seeing her, too. “I’ve always seen Dr. Teena Hughes and now we see Dr. Roger Hughes, too,”Victoria says, “and both of them are excellent, and very thorough.” She says the doctors’ actions show they
Christy Cedeno is a mom who lives in Carrollwood who says she refers all of her family and friends to Dr. Hughes’ practice. Her children are now ten, nine, five and almost one. “Dr. Hughes has seen my four kids since birth,” Christy says. “I fully trust her, and I wish I could go to her as an adult.” Christy says that she personally prefers a holistic approach to health, and Dr. Hughes is respectful of her preferences. “She’s really friendly and doesn’t knock your ideas,” Christy says. “I feel like she always finds a solution, like trying a natural approach so I don’t have to (L.-r.) Medical assistants Ebony Ransom, Leeann Griffith & Charnelle Miller, Dr. Roger Hughes, Dr. Teena Hughes, overmedicate my child.” Christy also appreciates that office manager Crystal McCullen, physician assistant Courtney Conklin, front desk assistant Kayley McCullen & medical assistant Naomi Jones will take great care of your children at Dr. Teena Hughes Pediatrics, located minutes from the doctor is willing to explain her New Tampa on E. Fletcher Ave. near AdventHealth Tampa hospital. (All photos on these pages by Charmaine George) recommendations so that she feels comfortable with all of the decisions truly care about their patients, including making Dr. Roger Hughes says this is important being made about the health of her children. personal phone calls to follow up in some cases. for families. “We’re pretty flexible with sched“One time, I was concerned about a vaculing,” he says. “We have a lot of same-day “They are awesome, dedicated doctors,” cine, and she explained it to me so thoroughly, appointments, and we’re able to get people in Victoria says. “They are very concerned and so I learned new things I didn’t know,” she says, urgently because we have plenty of providers. don’t hesitate to [let you] bring children in on adding that she appreciates that the office does We understand that you don’t want to wait if the same day if there’s an issue.” ear piercing, too, so she had her daughter’s ears your child is sick or you’re worried.” Being available for patients is a hallmark pierced there. The convenient location is another reason of the practice, which offers extended hours to “When my kids have kids,” Christy says, be sure parents can bring their children in when the practice continues to stay busy. “I hope to take them to her.” “We’re close to New Tampa and Wesley needed. The practice is open Monday-Friday, Helping To Advance Medicine Chapel, but our patients come from all over,” 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday. The practice also participates as a private Dr. Teena Hughes says. “Sometimes people try Walk-ins are accepted right at 8 a.m. every investigator for multiple research studies that other places and then come back.” weekday morning.
30 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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benefit their patients and all children, as they learn important information about vaccines, infant formulas and others. Currently, the clinic is participating in a research study about the Prevnar 21 vaccine, which updates Prevnar 20. Dr. Teena Hughes had co-authored a study on Prevnar 20, which is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against more strains of pneumococcus (aka pneumonia) than previous vaccines. The practice also is participating in a study of an alternate chicken pox vaccine. There is one currently on the market, but another company wants to make a different option available to patients. Parents of new babies also can participate in a study of infant formula. The study
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gives parents formula at no cost for four to six months and also provides compensation for their time. “It’s a good program,” Dr. Teena Hughes explains, saying these products are established and safe, and that the program benefits patients while collecting important information.
son, who joined the practice in July 2021. After earning a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Microbiology from the University of Florida in Gainesville and completing his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree at the Bradenton, FL, campus of Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed a three-year residency at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL. About The Doctors Roger has three younger brothers. Casey Dr. Teena Hughes earned her Doctor of has completed medical school at the St. Louis Medicine (M.D.) degree from the University University School of Medicine in St. Louis, of South Florida and completed a three-year MO, and is doing a residency in family practice pediatric residency at All Children’s Hospital at Ascension Resurrection Hospital in Chicago, in St. Petersburg. She then spent several years gaining experience with a large healthcare group IL. Spencer teaches music locally, and Teena’s youngest son Holden is in his last year at the before opening her own practice. University of Florida, majoring in business. Dr. Roger Hughes, III, is Teena’s oldest
With four sons and one grandson, Dr. Teena Hughes embraces family at the heart of all she does. And, Dr. Roger Hughes says that after nearly five years in practice with his mom, it feels normal and routine, and he’s happy to be part of the team. “I like seeing all the kids, and seeing the babies,” he says. “In pediatrics, things are generally pretty positive. It’s fun to watch kids grow, and even our sick visits are often short-lived.” Teena Hughes, M.D., P.A., Pediatrics is located at 4444 E. Fletcher Ave., Suite C. It is open Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. & 8 a.m.-noon on Sat.. The practice accepts most medical insurance plans. For appointments and more info, call (813) 903-0060, visit TeenaHughesPediatrics.com or see the ad on pg. 36.
Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
31
Attorney Derek Usman Of The Usman Law Firm Uses New Tech To Benefit Clients By Celeste McLaughlin
Neighborhood News Correspondent After a decade of running the Usman Law Firm, P.A., in Tampa, representing clients in business and employment law, as well as real estate law — and handling litigation, when necessary, for those clients — attorney Derek Usman says his business continues to grow. Derek has brought on a legal assistant to help manage cases, and says that using technology — including artificial intelligence (AI) — helps to streamline his work so that he can serve his clients even better. “AI is a viable tool,” he says, “you just have to be smart about it.” For example, Derek says, instead of using Google for research, he is able to use AI to be more efficient. “When you’re using AI, you don’t do deep rabbit hole dives as much,” he says. “It’s up to you if you want to learn more.” Derek says he uses AI to narrow his searches, using good questions and feeding it facts, and then confirming everything AI tells him. “It can almost be like talking to a partner,” he says, “bouncing ideas around.” He adds that since using AI helps him to do his research more efficiently, he is able to handle more casework and serve more clients than he could before AI became so embedded in our society. Derek also says, however, that it’s very possible to lean on AI too much, but he is careful not to do that. While AI can draft a
Attorney Derek Usman of the Usman Law Firm is an experienced litigator who specializes in business, employment and real estate law. He has an office on Bruce B. Downs Blvd., just south of County Line Rd. in New Tampa. (Photo provided by Derek Usman) lawsuit complaint or motion, he knows where to draw the line. “Lawsuits aren’t cookie-cutter,” he explains. “They aren’t all the same.” That’s where his many years as an attorney provide the expertise he needs to ensure that his clients get the best possible representation. Derek earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business from Indiana University in Fort Wayne and a Juris Doctor (J.D., or
Law) degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in DeKalb in 2001. He is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Illinois, as well as in federal courts, including the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This wide reach allows Derek to assist clients across jurisdictions with a deep knowledge of litigation and business law. He moved to Florida in 2015 to be closer to family, and opened a small office on Bearss Ave. He moved that office to its current location just south of County Line Rd. on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in 2018, then opened a second office downtown in 2021. Having both offices allows Derek to work in the heart of the community where he lives, in New Tampa and just south of Wesley Chapel, while also having a presence near the various courthouses downtown. This makes it easier for him to meet with other attorneys who work in that area. His experience in litigation includes both federal and state courts, which have different judges and different rules. “In federal court, you have to be laser precise,” he says, noting that his familiarity with the judges and courts helps him to know exactly how to approach each case, especially with some employment cases that could be filed in either federal or state court.
More Tech, More Efficiency
In addition to AI, Derek’s embrace of technology extends to using case management
software to be more efficient in his practice. “We might have a checklist of 10 things we need from a client,” he says. For example, if someone is buying a house, the client needs to provide documentation to the law firm — from tax returns to other financial paperwork, the home’s inspection and more. “Using our client portal makes it much easier to transfer those documents,” he explains. That means no more sending a bunch of emails with large attachments and hoping they all make it through. Instead, Derek’s legal assistant, Erika Kuntsmann, makes sure clients understand how to use the software and helps them upload everything the firm needs. The use of technologies like these allows Derek to continue to help more people in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel without sacrificing the quality of his work and his availability to actually meet with clients. He provides a free evaluation to anyone who needs advice on whether or not they have a potential case for litigation, whether related to employment, business or real estate law. For example, Derek says he can help if a company has a problem with a vendor not completing a job in a timely manner. He also can provide advice for a company that has a concern about an employee with a disability or when they request leave for maternity. “If an employee is pregnant, you have to accommodate the need for maternity leave,” he says, “but you also need that position filled with an employee who can do the job.” He also can advise companies that need to know what their
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obligations are in that type of situation. Likewise, Derek also can help if you are an employee who has a problem with your employer, as is the case with client Rawleigh Armes. Rawleigh says he was frustrated that his former employer let him go two weeks before his planned retirement, so Derek is helping him to navigate a possible lawsuit. “I was referred to him a few months ago,” Rawleigh says. “I’m not really a litigious person and I’ve never used a lawyer before, but he seems to know what he’s doing.” He says Derek returns calls promptly and has been great to work with so far, and he’s looking forward to his case being resolved. The Usman Law Firm also can help you when you want to buy an investment property or start leasing out a property you own. Derek
can set up a lease and help landlords understand if a renter needs a guarantor (someone who agrees to be financially responsible if the primary tenant fails to pay), what rates and terms to include on the lease and answer a long list of questions before a renter moves in. It’s also important to Derek to be involved in the community. In addition to being an investor in the Pasco Economic Development Council, he is active with the Holy Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hyde Park and participates in the Rotary Club of Tampa. The Usman Law Firm’s New Tampa office is located at 20701 BBD Blvd., Suite 207. The downtown Tampa office is at 505 E. Jackson St., Ste. 305. For more info, call (813) 377-1197, visit UsmanFirm.com, or see the ad on page 40.
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35
The Readers Have Spoken! Noble Crust Is Your Favorite Restaurant In Wesley Chapel! Stonewood Is Still Your #1 Favorite In New Tampa! But, Did You Win Free Dining? Read On! The “bad” news is that, despite my best efforts to make it easier for you to enter, fewer of our readers — 450 vs. nearly 600 — entered this year’s Dining Survey & Contest. The good news, however, is that my intention of having more mom-&-pop, individually-owned restaurants make it to the Top-25 this year — by again not including the names of the chain restaurants with more than 10 locations on the ballots — DID work, especially here in Wesley Chapel. Case in point: Moving up into the Top25 in WC this year were the Happy Hangar Café (#11), Rice-N-Beans Puerto Rico (#14), Brunchies (#16), NY NY Pizza (#21), Latin Twist Café (#23), Burger Monger (#234) and Mama B’s Pizzeria (#25). Those seven restaurants replaced the following restaurants — all of which are at least mini-chains: the out-of-business Chuck Lager (which was #9 last year), Ford’s Garage (dropped out from #10), Glory Days Grill (from #15), Bahama Breeze (from #17), Bubba’s 33 (from #19), The Hungry Greek (from #22) and First Watch (from #23) Meanwhile, in our New Tampa voting, there were eight restaurants that made it into this year’s Top-25 which did not last year, and all but one of them aren’t chain eateries. The newest of them was Box of Cubans, which debuted at a solid #9 with our readers this year. Others moving into the Top-25 included: Ha Long Bay (#12), Michi Ramen (#13), Cantina Mexican Restaurant (#18), Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli (#19), Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi (#22), The Little Greek (#23 & the only chain among the newcomers) and Bayscape Bistro (#24). Dropping out of the Top-25 in New Tampa were: EggTown Breakfast & Lunch (#9 last year), Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood (from #13), Fresh Kitchen (from #14), Lima Peruvian Cuisine (from #15 down to #27), Thai Lanna (from #18), Taste of NY Pizza (from #21), Burger 21 (from #22), and Gorkhali Kitchen & Peabody’s (which tied for #25 last year). As for the restaurants that moved up in the rankings from where they were last year in Wesley Chapel, they are Noble Crust, which
Congratulations To This Year’s Dining Contest Winners! $200 — Gina Murphy, Valencia Ridge $100 — Alejandro Garcia, New Tampa $75 — Carol Caruana, Meadow Pointe $50 — Monica Yap, Cross Creek $25 — Alberto Ramirez, Heritage Isles Please call (813) 910-2575 or email ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com ASAP to tell us which restaurant you choose for your FREE gift card.
bounced back from #4 last year up to its fourth #1 ranking in the past five years; Grillsmith (from #3 up to #2), Zukku-San (from #11 up to #4), The Living Room (from #6 up to #5), Señor Tequila (from #14 up to #6), Falabella Family Bistro (from #12 up to #7) Umu Japanese & Thai (from #16 up to #9), EggTown Breakfast & Lunch (from #20 up to #15), Crazy Sushi (from #25 up to #19), Arroy Thai (from #24 up to #22) and this year’s most upwardly mobile WC restaurant — Amici Pizza, which rose all the way up to #10 from #21 last year! Only a few WC eateries that stayed in the Top-25 actually dropped, with the biggest fall being Cooper’s Hawk Wine Bar & Restaurant — from #1 down to #17, despite how packed the place is every day. Not falling nearly as far were Azteca D’Oro (from #2 down to #3), Los Vallartas (from #5 to #12, Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli (from #7 down to #13) and PizzaMania (from #13 down to #20). Meanwhile, the New Tampa restaurants that finished lower in the Top-25 this year than last, are: Liang’s Bistro (from #4 last year down to #6), The Grill at Morris Bridge (from #6 down to #8), Johnny C’s Italian Eatery (from #12 down to #14), Cappy’s Pizzeria (from #16 down to #21, Las Palmas (from #2 down to #20), and Thai Ruby from #19 down to #25). There were two restaurants in each of our distribution areas that remained in the exact same spot they finished last year. Here in Wesley Chapel, the Florida Ave. Brewing Co. remained at #8 and Yamato Japanese Restaurant stayed at #18. Over in New Tampa, Stonewood remained our readers’ #1 Favorite
Our readers love Noble Crust’s open kitchen — and the delicious “Southern” Italian cuisine made in that kitchen — enough to vote it as their Favorite Restaurant in Wesley Chapel for the fourth time in the last five years. (Photo by Charmaine George)
for the 10th year in a row and Mr. Dunderbak’s continued to hold down the #7 ranking.
Changes Coming For 2026
As I said on page 1, one of the trends I couldn’t help but notice was that the deeper into this year’s survey our readers got, the fewer votes there were cast in that category. Nearly all of the 450+ ballots cast included at least some (but definitely not all complete) Top-5 votes in each reader’s distribution area (although not all of the ballots cast were by people who live in, or even close to, New Tampa or Wesley Chapel). Just about 100 of those who entered didn’t vote for a Top-5 at all in the other market, which I’ll admit was a little disappointing for yours truly. I honestly run this contest every year not just to fill space but to really let the restaurants in both of our distribution areas know what our readers think about not only them but also their competitors. The year that generated the most response, only a few years ago, was when I only put two or, at the most, three categories in each
issue and let all of you enter as often as you wanted. That generated more than 1,500 total entries and didn’t give anyone the chance to get bored midway through marking their ballots. I am seriously considering going back to that format, I would just again only allow either online (on our website) or emailed ballots — the much smaller entry forms were much easier to lose when they came in by U.S. Mail. I also plan to start the balloting earlier in the year, when no one is away on summer vacation and I can fit in more categories. I may even up our Grand Prize to $500 in FREE dining. So, do me a favor and keep an eye out for it! Anyway, congratulations to the readers who won this year’s FREE, drawn at random (from all correctly-submitted entries) dining prizes (see yellow box at the top of this page) and of course, to all of our ranking restaurants. But, please realize that if you did win a prize, 1) you have to tell me which restaurant you want a gift card to and 2) I am no longer putting those prizes in the mail, so please call or email me to claim your prize! — GN
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2025 Dining Survey & Contest - Wesley Chapel Top-25 2025 Dining Survey & Contest - New Tampa Top-25
1. Noble Crust (photo) 2. Grillsmith 3. Azteca D’Oro 4. Zukku-San 5. The Living Room 6. Señor Tequila 7. Falabella Family Bistro 8. Florida Ave. Brewing Co. 9. Umu Japanese & Thai 10. Amici Pizza 11. Happy Hangar Café 12. Los Vallartas 13. Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli 14. Rice N Beans Puerto Rico 15. EggTown Breakfast & Lunch 16. Brunchies 17. Cooper’s Hawk Wine Bar & Restaurant 18. Yamato Japanese Restaurant 19. Crazy Sushi 20. PizzaMania 21. NY NY Pizza 22. Arroy Thai 23. Latin Twist Café 24. Burger Monger uveia,25. The GrillB’satPizzeria Morris Bridge Mama xecutive Chef Daniel Friley.
1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern (photo) 2. Via Italia Wood Fired Pizza & Bar 3. Kobé Japanese Steakhouse 4. Fat Rabbit Pub 5. Cali Tampa Palms 6. Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine 7. Mr. Dunderbak’s Bier Garten 8. The Grill at Morris Bridge 9. Box of Cubans 10. Acropolis Greek Taverna 11. Minerva Indian Restaurant 12. Ha Long Bay 13. Michi Ramen 14. Johnny C’s Italian Eatery 15. Sushi Café 16. Frammi American Grille & Italian Food 17. Don Julio’s Mexican Restaurant 18. Cantina Mexican Restaurant 19. Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli 20. Las Palmas Latin Grille 21. Cappy’s Pizza 22. Koizi Endless Hibachi & Sushi 23. The Little Greek 24. Bayscape Bistro 25. Thai Ruby
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2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your #1-#6 Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel! 1. Noble Crust 3. Azteca D’Oro Mexican Restaurant 28330 Paseo Dr., Shops at Wiregrass (813) 703-2602 • Noble-Crust.com
Even though it was bumped down to #4 Favorite last year by our readers after a three-peat in the top spot, Noble Crust’s “Deep South Italian” fare and always-cool vibe moved it back up into this year’s #1 Favorite in Wesley Chapel ranking with our readers. From upscale and unusual items like pear and burrata pizza (right) and comfort foods like boneless crispy chicken wings (below left) and rigatoni beef ragu (below right), plus the always-happening craft cocktail bar, Noble Crust continues to please the masses in Wesley Chapel. And, with its seasonally changed menu, there’s probably something new you haven’t tried that should bring you back, especially if it’s been a while since you last visited.
2. Grillsmith
2000 Piazza Ave., #100, Shops at Wiregrass (813) 907-1900 • Grillsmith.com Grillsmith has consistently finished in the top-5 among our readers’ favorites every year and moved up one spot from last year’s #3 “Favorite in Wesley Chapel.” This fiveunit mini-chain continues to offer a large menu (photo, right) of quality American cuisine, including alwaysfresh fish plus assortments of flatbreads, salads, steaks, burgers, chicken (like the lemon feta chicken, right) and pasta options that keep our readers coming back for more. Like its fellow Shops at Wiregrass staple Noble Crust, Grillsmith also is a popular weekend brunch spot with everything from bananas Foster French toast to chicken & waffles Benedict and always attracts an upscale bar crowd, too.
2000 Piazza Ave., #170, The Shops at Wiregrass (813) 527-6033 • AztecaDOro.com (see the ad on pg. 37)
Rounding out The Shops at Wiregrass mall’s consistent top-3 is Azteca D’Oro, which has never finished lower than third in WC with our readers. From the gorgeous ultra-premium bar (with an amazing tequila selection) to upscale, authentic Mexican fare, like the mixed grill known as parrillada (right), plus outstanding appetizer like made-tableside guacamole, Azteca D’Oro aims to please.
4. Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill
25916 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz (813) 419-1351 • ZukkuSushi.com (see the ad on pg. 51) Although there are a lot of Japanese and other Asian restaurants in our area, there’s a reason why Zukku-San moved back up into this year’s top-5 faves in WC — consistently fresh sushi that is served on unique art palettes and always-imaginative menu options like the sushi tacos shown here. It also has the best variety of appetizers, including all different kinds of veggie tempura. Zukku-San also is one of only a handful of Japanese restaurants boasting a full-liquor bar and you definitely need to try
its new weekend brunch — especially the fried chicken and ube waffles.
5. The Living Room
2001 Piazza Ave., #100, The Shops at Wiregrass (813) 934-7911 • TLR.Restaurant Despite the continuing complaints online about its automatic 20% service charge, there’s obviously a lot our readers like about The Living Room, which moved up to give The Shops at Wiregrass four of the top-5 Favorites in WC this year. The Living Room definitely brings a creative touch and an ever-changing menu to go with its tasty craft cocktails.
6. Señor Tequila
1640 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel (813) 428-5411 • TheSenorTequila.com (see the ad on pg. 2) Jumping up eight places to its highest-ever finish with our readers is the second Mexican restaurant to crack this year’s top ten — Señor Tequila. With its huge menu, it can be hard to make a decision, so why not try the Señor Tequila Sampler appetizer shown here? Also offering great Happy Hour, Margarita Tuesday and Thirsty Thursday specials at its beautiful premium-liquor bar.
38 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your #7-#10 Favorite Restaurants In Wesley Chapel! 7. Falabella Family Bistro 9. Umu Japanese & Thai 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105 • The Village at The Grove (813) 428-6957 • FalabellaBistro.com
I’ll admit that I was surprised when Falabella Family Bistro fell out of our readers’ Top-10 in WC last year, considering how delicious and creative its food is — including the creamy cajun trio (shrimp, chicken & Italian sausage) bucatini pasta shown here — the fact that the place is elegant, but comfortable, there are different specials every week, the bar has full premium liquor (and a great wine selection) and the owner is Steve Falabella.
2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., #120A • Wesley Chapel (813)591-6121 • UmuJapanese.com
There’s no doubt that Umu Japanese & Thai continues to grow in popularity (jumping seven places this year to #9) because people love the restaurant’s amazing selection of fresh sushi, both standard and exotic, at its beautiful sushi bar, plus “From the Kitchen” favorites like Umu Teri (with marinated chicken or NY strip steak), Chilean Seabass Misoyaki and Pad Thai. The restaurant also is elegant and intimate and offers imported and domestic beer, wine and sake.
8. Florida Avenue Brewing Co. 2029 Arrowgrass Dr. (at S.R. 56), Wesley Chapel (813) 452-6333 • FloridaAveBrewing.com
Although Florida Avenue Brewing Co., keeps changing its food menu, one thing hasn’t change — how much our readers enjoy it! With newer items like General Tso’s cauliflower and Gulf Coast mahi & chips, plus standards like Florida Ave. wings and cheese curds (photo), it also has a large, comfortable bar that features not only the in-house brewery’s many beers, ciders and seltzers, but also premium full liquor, it’s easy to understand why Florida Ave. Brewing Co. continues to be among our readers’ favorites.
DUI
10. Amici Pizza
26602 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (CR 54) • Lutz (813) 973-9734 • Amici-Pizza.com Even though Amici didn’t win for Favorite Pizza Place in NT/WC (it finished third), the long-time local favorite soared to its highest-ever “Favorite restaurant in WC” finish in our Reader Survey with its 10th-place finish this year. Yes, our readers love the NY-style pizza, but also the real Italian favorites like chicken, eggplant or shrimp parmigiana, chicken Marsala, linguine with clams, meatball and Philly cheese steak subs and so many more. The Mannino brothers are great people serving delicious Italian food.
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39
2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your Favorite Pizza Places In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Both of last year’s Favorite Pizza places repeated as the favorites in their distribution areas, even though we didn’t divide the competition this year into New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Via Italia again got the most votes overall, with NY NY second.
1. Via Italia (photo) 2. NY NY Pizza 3. Amici Pizza 4. PizzaMania 5. (tie) Taste of NY Pizza 5. (tie) Mama B’s Pizzeria
Your Favorite Burger Places In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa
After not having a Favorite Burger category last year, we brought it back this year and Burger Monger snuck past Fat Rabbit Pub by only two votes. Burger 21, Culver’s and Mac’s were all several votes behind the two leaders, but I think the burger category is back to stay.
1. Burger Monger (photo) 2. Fat Rabbit Pub 3. Burger 21 4. Culver’s 5. Mac’s Custom Meats & Deli
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Four of the top-5 finishers in this category legitimately specialize in chicken — Raising Cane’s for its tenders and Fat Rabbit, locally famous for its wings, took the top two spots, with Chick-fil-A and Chick’n Fun close behind those two.
1. Raising Cane’s (photo) 2. Fat Rabbit Pub 3. Chick-fil-A 4. Chick’n Fun 5. Grillsmith
Your Favorite Steak Places In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa This was perhaps the most competitive new category we had, at least for places 2-5, as Stonewood dominated the vote to take the top spot. Grillsmith and Grill at Morris Bridge were within a couple of votes of each other for 2nd & 3rd, as were Roadhouse & Kobe for 4th & 5th.
1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern (photo) 2. Grillsmith 3. The Grill at Morris Bridge 4. Texas Roadhouse 5. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
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2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your Favorite Asian Restaurants In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Congrats to Liang’s Bistro, but this was probably my biggest fear about this year’s contest — and it proved prophetic. Because so many of our readers in previous years have skipped voting for Favorite Chines, Favorite Japanese, Favorite Thai and Favorite Indian restaurants, I lumped them all into one category, which I will not do again. The separate categories will return next year, even if many people skip them. No Indian places made this year’s Top-7, with Minerva finishing 8th and only Umu making the top-5 among Thai places, with Thai Ruby finishing 6th, Arroy Thai 7th and Palm Thai 8th.
2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your Favorite Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa With locations in both NT and WC, Twistee Treat again grabbed the top spot over Ice Dreammm Shop, and by a wider margin this year. Surprising. Coldstone jumped up from #6 last year to #3 this year and 365 Caffé and Bruster’s both joined the Top-5 after missing the top-8 last year, with Le Macaron down to 8th.
1. Liang’s Bistro (photo) 2. Zukku-San 3. Umu Japanese & Thai 4. Kobe Japanese Steakhouse 5. Sushi Café
Your Favorite Bars In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa
1. Twistee Treat (photo) 2. Ice Dreammm Shop 3. Coldstone Creamery 4. 365 Caffe 5. (tie) Bruster’s Real Ice Cream 5. (tie) Ice Ssscreamin’ 5. (tie) Culver’s
Your Favorite Bakeries In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa
Every time I post the Favorite Bar winners, I get comments like “Those are all restaurants, not bars.” Yes, I know, but with only three actual bar-only bars — The Brass Tap, Linkster’s and Joe Whiskey’s (see ad on pg. 53) — in NT & WC, and Jannah and I doing most of our dining at the restaurants with bars, I personally have no problem with Fat Rabbit Pub at #1 and any of these five taking down the top spots. Joe Whiskey’s did finish 7th and Brass Tap 8th in this year’s voting.
This category was almost all newcomers, as the new Paris Baguette easily grabbed the top spot and Bakery X moving up from #3 to #2. But, I was surprised Publix got so many votes, beating out the two locations (one inside the Lotte Market) of Tous Les Jours and Moschella’s beating out Zio’s for #5, with Brooklyn Water Bagel dropping to #7 and The Cake Shop in at #8.
1. Fat Rabbit Pub (photo) 2. Florida Ave Brewing Co. 3. Peabody’s 4. Stonewood Grill & Tavern 5. O’Brien’s Irish Pub
1. Paris Baguette (photo) 2. Bakery X 3. Publix 4. Tous les Jours 5. Moschella’s
Your Favorite Breakfast Places In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa
Your Favorite Coffee Places In Wesley Chapel & New Tampa
All six of the breakfast places on the list below jockeyed for position as the votes came in this year, with Keke’s dropping from #1 last year to ties for 5th this year and EggTown’s two area locations ascending to the top spot, with First Watch, also with one location in NT and another in WC, jumping up to #2 after missing the top-8 last year. Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. finished 7th.
1. EggTown Breakfast & Lunch (photo) 2. First Watch 3. Happy Hangar Café 4. Brunchies 5. (tie) Zio’s NY Bagel & Deli 5 (tie) Keke’s Breakfast Café
This year’s Top-2 didn’t make the Top-5 last year, as Coffee Latitudes (8th last year) and Sorbo (6th) grabbed the most votes this year. Provisions and Macondo stayed close behind, but dropped from #2 to #3 and #3 to #4, respectively. The biggest surprise in this category was that last year’s top vote-getter, The Bean Bar, Co. dropped all the way to #6, behind Starbucks & just ahead of Bad Ass Coffee & Raining Berries.
1. Coffee Latitudes Café (photo) 2. Sorbo 3. Provisions Coffee & Kitchen 4. Macondo Coffee Roasters 5. Starbucks
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Sushi Time — Excellent Sushi & Japanese Fare At Affordable Prices! The Former Location Of Ginza No Longer Offers All-You-Can-Eat, But Is A Big Step-Up In Quality! By Gary Nager
I can honestly say that I’ve never been a big fan of all-you-can-eat restaurants. Especially when you don’t know which dishes you even like at a place, all-you-can-eat basically means you’re “forced” to sample a number of different items in order to find the ones you like — and by then, you’re usually too full to enjoy those items. Once you’ve been to a particular all-you-can -eat restaurant more than once, and know what items you like there, I’ll admit that there is a certain value in this type of dining, but it usually causes you eat more than you normally might to “get your money’s worth.” That’s why I wasn’t upset when the owners of the new Sushi Time restaurant — which opened a couple of months ago in the former location of Ginza All You Can Eat Sushi & Hibachi (on E. County Line Rd., next to LA Fitness, just south of the Pasco County line) — decided to do away with Ginza’s all-you-care-to-eat concept. In fact, the first thing those of you who loved Ginza should know is that even though you no longer receive unlimited food for one price, the quality of the food — especially the sushi — at Sushi Time has been upgraded significantly, as has the presentation of that food (as evidenced by photographer Charmaine George’s beautiful pictures on these pages). Let’s start with the sushi. Jannah, Charmaine and I were treated to a beautiful and delicious sushi boat (top photo), which included three rolls — Jannah’s favorite California roll, a spicy tuna roll topped with avocado and a black dragon roll (tempura shrimp and avocado with eel and eel sauce on top) that I couldn’t eat but Jannah and Charmaine both loved. The grilled eel on top was so sweet that they both thought it was cooked banana — and loved it! It was Jannah’s first time ever even eating eel and she was stunned to find she actually enjoyed it! The boat also included thick slices of raw tuna, white tuna (escolar), salmon and yellowtail, plus nigiri (sliced sushi on rice) of salmon, yellowtail and my favorite — red snapper. Slices of the snapper also were formed into a pretty flower and topped with ikura (salmon roe). The boat alone would have been more than enough for the three of us, but we had already ordered Charmaine’s favorite Naruto Roll (above right), which is an extra-large sushi roll with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, spicy krab, avocado
and tobiko (flying fish roe) wrapped in cucumber. Simply amazing. Charmaine and I also really enjoyed the yellowtail jalapeño (below left). which was only slightly spicy, as well as a salmon “sprint,” which is slices of salmon wrapped around julienned cucumber in a mild chili sauce (below right). And, since my companions loved the eel so much, we also had three pieces of eel nigiri. All of the sushi was incredibly fresh. But, since Jannah is only a casual fan of sushi, we also got an order of crispy and delicious gyoza (fried pork dumplings; top left photo on next page) and equally crisp Chinese-style pork egg rolls (top right photo on next page). Both were yummy! And, even though we were totally stuffed by now and took much of the food home with us, we wanted to sample (and of course, photograph) at least one hibachi dish, so we had the chicken hibachi, which featured big chunks of chicken and broccoli florets in a zesty sauce. Please note that Sushi Time does not have teppanyaki (hibachi) tables. The hibachi dishes are made in the kitchen, but well worth having. Other hibachi options include tofu, sirloin steak, shrimp, scallops, king salmon and a variety of combos.
Other entrées include favorites like sesame, orange and General Tso’s chicken (or tofu), Mongolian beef or chicken, beef & broccoli and “Dragon & Phoenix” (shrimp with mixed veggies & General Tso’s chicken). There also are ramen and udon noodle dishes and all of the entrée categories feature vegetable-only options. So, despite already being barely able to get up from the table, we finished off our meal with one order of fried (chocolate) ice cream (topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce; bottom right photo on next page), an order of fried bananas (which were done to crisp perfection) and Jannah’s favorite green tea ice cream. Best of all, Sushi Time is a pretty restaurant
44 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
with a variety of Japanese (Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin) and other beers, plus red and white wine, green, jasmine and boba tea, as well as a variety of soft drinks, including Japanese soda. The portions are large, the prices are very fair and as I said, the quality is a quantum leap above Ginza and other all-you-can-eat places. Need more incentive to try Sushi Time? With the coupon in the ad on pg. 49, you’ll save 20% off your total bill when you dine in! Sushi Time (6417 E. County Line Rd., #104) is open every day for lunch and dinner, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For more info, call (813) 9071688 or visit SushiTimeFL.com. Reservations are not required. Please tell them I sent you!
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Tallo Caribbean/American Restaurant Adds A Deliciously Unique Weekend Brunch! If you still haven’t tried the new Tallo American/Caribbean Restaurant at 4424 Friendly Way in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, my question to you is, “Why not?” Not only is Tallo an elegant, one-of-a-kind mom-&-pop restaurant — the kind that our readers and so many online posters say they crave — it offers Executive Chef José Soto’s Caribbean twist for dinner and now, for weekend brunch. We were invited to sample Tallo’s new brunch on Nov. 23 — the first weekend it was offered — and Jannah and I were super-pleased with everything we sampled. Our “Warmup” started with a beef-&-cheese empanada (below left), which was extra-crispy and served with a creamy garlic aioli dipping sauce. Chef Soto says he will vary the “surprise” filling of the empanadas every week. Jannah also appreciated the way Tallo does its “Mamita’s Mimosas” — providing a 375-ml (or half) bottle of her favorite La Marca prosecco with your choice of two delicious juices — orange, peach, cranberry, pineapple or mango. Jannah only chose the peach (top left photo) and savored every sip. For our brunch mains, my wife picked Tallo’s omelette, which was overstuffed with arugula, green and red peppers, onions and smoked gouda cheese and served with well-seasoned breakfast potatoes. We added the side of crispy bacon shown in the bottom right photo. Meanwhile, I absolutely loved the super-crispy, deliciously different fried chicken & sugar waffles I ordered. The two big waffles were topped with powdered sugar and butter (although I didn’t really need either one) and served with a side of bourbon maple syrup — the syrup was a game-changer for yours truly. The fried chicken on the bone isn’t typical of other places. Instead, it has a Caribbean-spiced zing that I totally ate up! (Pun intended? Maybe!) The brunch menu also features avocado
bruschetta; creamy smoked fish dip served with artisan toasts, fried shishito peppers and pickled red onions; and a different-each-day Puerto Rican bread I totally will be trying on our next visit. There also are four flatbreads on the brunch menu, including a meat & egg variety with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, chicken, capicola ham and yellow cheddar cheese we saw someone else order — and devour. If you feel like a salad
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instead, there’s a Caribbean mixed green salad with fried sweet plantains, red onions, tomatoes, fried cheese, Duroc bacon and a lime dressing; as well as a burrata caprese, which adds peaches to the usual tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze. Other brunch entrées and handhelds include a Tallo Cuban sandwich, a chimi burger, two Benedicts — one featuring baked salmon and the other with pork belly, both on a bagel with arugula, tomato and herbed Hollandaise, and served with those yummy breakfast potatoes. There’s also French toast with citrus cream, maple syrup, mint and fresh berries; a “Great America” option with two eggs, bacon, sausage, fried sweet plantains and an English muffin; skirt steak a Caballo (with a sunny-side-up egg on top,
chimichurri sauce and mamposteao rice); a fourstack of pancakes (bananas Foster, pecan or plain); and the Mallorca — with scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, white cheddar and powdered sugar. And, there are actually two desserts on the “Warmup” menu — a dulce de leche cinnamon roll with roasted pecans, and the P.R. donuts shown above, covered in sugar & cinnamon, chocolate sauce & caramel. Oh so decadent! I’ve written before about Tallo’s amazing dinner options, but if you’re looking for a truly unique and beautiful brunch place with a full premium liquor bar, call (813) 355-3603 or visit TalloRestaurant.com for reservations and go check it out this weekend! For more info, see the ad below! — GN
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Sarasota-Based Food + Beer Opens In Former Shuckin’ Shack Location! We told you last issue that Sarasota-based mini-chain Food + Beer was taking over the space at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. that was previously occupied by Shuckin’ Shack. But now, Food + Beer has opened — and after our first few visits, we’re pretty psyched that the full-liquor sports bar has found a new home in our area (just west of the Tampa Premium Outlets and Costco, in the same small strip plaza as Chicken Salad Chick and Ann’s Nail Spa)! Food + Beer’s eighth location is a scratch kitchen which has an entrance off of the Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension just south of S.R. 56. Co-founders Mike Whalen and Casey Daniels were on hand for the restaurant’s opening day on Nov. 28 (aka Black Friday). “We’re excited to be open in the Lutz/Wesley Chapel area,” Casey has told us. “Everything we’ve heard from the people who have joined us here so far has been super-positive.” The newest Food + Beer seats 150 guests, has plenty of TVs (perfect for the upcoming NFL playoffs and Lightning hockey) and stays open until 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. On our first visit, after I sipped my Jameson on the rocks and Jannah enjoyed a Strawberry Feels Spritz craft cocktail crafted by
our bartender Des (top right photo) on Friday night, photographer Charmaine George joined us the next day for a small sampling of the menu. “Most sports bars don’t usually have this many options I want to try,” Jannah said while perusing the menu. “But, this selection will keep me coming back.” She particularly loved the weekend mimosa bar, which invites you to pour your own with a variety of rotating juices — which included berry, watermelon and orange juice and Jannah’s favorite peach the day we visited. We started that first meal with two excellent appetizers — the crispy Cuban eggrolls (right), which are stuffed with mojo pork, ham, pickles and Swiss cheese and served with a zingy mojo mustard dipping sauce); and some of the
best Mexican street corn (below right) I’ve tasted. It’s served tender, on the cob, and topped with chipotle mayo, feta cheese, paprika and cilantro — messy, but with just the right kick. I also devoured my Basic Cheeseburger (next page), which came with my choice of cheese (I chose cheddar), lettuce, tomato, pickles and onion (I left off the onions), plus my upgrade (for
48 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
$3) to crispy-but-tender sweet potato tots. Jannah liked the combo of flavors in the Burrito Bowl (with tomatillo stewed chicken, Monterey jack, black beans, corn salsa, cherry tomatoes, tangy lime crema, honey-lime vinaigrette, cotija cheese and lime atop sticky rice). Charmaine sampled one of Food + Beer’s more adventurous brunch options — the citruscured salmon tostada (“It’s our take on bagels &
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lox,” Des said), which is served openface on a crispy corn tostada, with a heavy “shmear” of spicy chipotle cream cheese, fresh avocado, radish and lime crema, and garnished with cilantro. On our visits since then, Jannah and I flipped for Food + Beer’s extracrispy wings (top left) and equally crispy (and tasty) Buffalo cauliflower bites. We got the mild Buffalo sauce on the side for both of these. Awesome! Food + Beer also offers crab Rangoon mozzarella sticks, Nashville-hot gator bites, fresh fried (or blackened) grouper, “Legalize Marinara” (a chicken parm hero), birria and other tacos, a variety of eggoriented brunch dishes (as well as chicken & red velvet waffles), chicken fajita wrap (left) and much more. Go check ‘em out & please tell them I sent you! For more info, call (813) 815-8001, visit foodandbeer.com or @foodand.beer on social media. — GN; photos by Charmaine George & GN
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Olive Garden & Wendy’s Are Coming Soon, Portillo’s Demolishes Rock & Brews A number of new restaurants are coming to Wesley Chapel. Unfortunately for those of us who don’t get excited about more national or regional chain eateries, almost all of them are exactly that — still more new links in chains most, if not all, of us have experienced before. Let’s start with the one newcomer: Tien’s Sandwich — Coming to 2557 Mansfield Blvd. at Wiregrass School Rd., in the Mansfield Wesley Chapel Shopping center plaza next to 7-11 that also has MH Nail Studio and Enterprise RentA-Car (map below), Tien’s Sandwich will be a 2,066-sq.-ft. shop that will bring “the authentic taste of Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches to Wesley Chapel — “fresh, vibrant & full of heart” and also will feature coffee, boba tea and other comfort bites. According to its Instagram page, the Vietnamese sandwich place’s slogan is, “Good bread, good mood.”
At our deadline, the vacant store still had a dirt floor, so there’s no telling how long it will be before Tien’s Sandwich opens. Portillo’s — For those of us still lamenting the loss of Rock & Brews, which has now been demolished (photo, above), there is some small consolation that this 6,160-sq.-ft. (with a 415-sq.ft. outdoor patio) Chicago-style hot dog, sausage and burger place will replace the giant guitar on S.R. 56. Although there will be no full-liquor bar (sigh), Portillo’s does serve beer to go with its Chicago-inspired fare. The Lutz/Wesley Chapel location will feature Portillo’s “Restaurant of the Future” design (rendering above right). There currently are 77 Portillo’s locations in 10 states (including the closest location to us — on E. Fowler Ave. in front of the University Mall — and the company is in the process of an aggressive expansion plan to add approximately 920 more restaurants over the next 20 years, including both full-scale restaurants and pickup-only locations. Approximately 800 of these will be full-scale restaurants and the remainder will be pickup or drive-thru locations. Wendy’s — This location at 7803 Curley
Rd. at Victory Crossing Dr. (near the Starbucks north of Overpass Rd.; see map below) appeared to be ready to open (photo, top right) at our press time, as the electronic menu boards were already operational. The restaurant, featuring a covered outdoor patio, is 2,239 sq. ft. and will have the usual Wendy’s fare, from breakfast to Frostys.
acre site (below) and will have right-in, right-out driveway access to both Curley Rd. and Wesley Chapel Blvd., plus dual ordering boards. It will be the fourth McDonald’s in Wesley Chapel. — GN
McDonald’s — Ironically located across S.R. 54 from the AdventHealth Meadow Pointe Emergency Room at the corner of Curley Rd. (map, right), ground was recently broken on this freestanding, 3,859-sq.-ft. McDonald’s on a 1.76-
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51
Baba Dough Opens In The Palms Connection Plaza On E. Bearss Ave. Congratulations go out to Zaid, the owner of the new — and definitely unique — restaurant called the Baba Dough Pizza Bar in the Palms Connection Plaza at 2824 E. Bearss Ave. (a little west of Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). Zaid previously owned the Truth Wine Bar & Hookah in the same location in the plaza (next to the former Woodfired Pizza & Wine Bar location, which is close to USF. “When I decided to close Truth,” Zaid says, “I started studying New York-style pizza. I learned everything I could about making it and, after about six months of trial and error, I decided to open a restaurant specializing in not only New York-style pizzas, but also using the same dough to create different menu items.” With his Mediterranean background, decided to use Arabian spices to give many of his dishes a totally different flavor. For example, his bruschetta is actually a bruschetta pizza (Zaid’s holding it in the top right photo) using that NY-style dough as a crispy base, topped with what looks — and tastes — like a tabbouleh salad. And, although Baba Dough’s pepperoni and plain cheese slices (photo below) taste pretty legit (and the thin, crisp crust is darn near perfect), Zaid’s specialty pizza is called “Levant” (middle left photo), which is a “house mix of ground beef with tomato, onion and Arabian spices, with cheese being only optional. And, although Jannah and I visited the day Baba Dough opened, we saw several Levant pizzas being ordered. There also are veggie pizza options like the “Fungi Dream” shown far right, as well as a pistachio pie, a Tampa Verde,(with zucchini, arugula, mozzarella, ricotta, garlic and no sauce), plus Meat Lover, steak, chicken parm and sausage options. All of the pizzas come in 12” (think personal size) and 16”. Also unique is the no-sauce Baba Dough Chicken Parm sandwich, which is breaded chicken and mozzarella baked inside a round NY-style pizza crust, but instead of marinara sauce (we ordered a side of marinara), it is stuffed with lettuce, tomato and mayo and is served with three garlic knots (the knots are shown in the near right photo). Although we didn’t sample any of them, Baba Dough’s oven-baked wings, again with those Arabian spices (far right), smelled heavenly. There also are house, Caesar, caprese and
a burrata canvas salad, plus burgers baked inside that NY pizza dough, cold sandwiches (Italian combo, ham, turkey and garden), calzones and strombolis. There’s even a choice of dessert pizzas,
including pistachio or strawberry Nutella and “Banana Riverwalk.” Baba Dough is very pretty inside (bottom right photo) and does offer beer, wine and liquor.
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For more info bout Baba Dough, call (813) 999-1814, visit BabaDough.com or follow @babadoughtampa on Instagram. And, all students receive 20% off every day.— GN
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___CLEANING SERVICES __ New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Classifieds DUARTE CLEANING SERVICES, LLC has
HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE SALT AIR HOME SERVICES. Drywall Repairs, Texturing, Painting, Wood Rot Repair, Insulation Blown & Spray Foam. For a free quote please call 904-333-4678 DRY WALL SPECIALIST. Not a handyman. Affordable, Quality Work repairing water damage, ceilings & walls, re-texturing, popcorn removal, room addt’ns, cracks, holes, plaster & stucco repair. 30+ years of exp. WC resident. State Certified. Call Ron for a free estimate: 813-7845999. Lic. #SCC131149699 AQUATEC POOL SERVICE has been keeping pools clear & swim safe since 1994. WE DO POOLS RIGHT! Commercial & Residential. CPO #33-303052 Licensed & Insured. Service guarantee. Call 813-312-5694 TODAY & get 1 MONTH of quality service FREE. For more info, visit AquatecPools.org. FLOORING- Luxury Vinyl Plank Installed! Buy anywhere, we will install it!. $1.69/sq. ft. (over 300 sq.ft.). Regular-size bedroom - $399, We will haul away carpet/tack strip & move major furniture pieces. Call for free estimate 813-417-7689. Let’s save some money! BATHROOM & KITCHEN REMODELING. Top quality, professional, licensed, & insured contractors. Family owned & operated for over 30 years. We take the hassle out of remodeling. Call Ken of Hangliter Residential for an estimate. 813-460-4548 or see our display ad on the next page for additional info. Flooring/Waterproof Vinyl Plank Installation! Affordable & knowledgeable service, $4.99/sq.ft, including a 20-mil Luxury vinyl plank. We’ll move appliances, heavy furniture & existing floors & haul them away as recommended. Free in-home estimates always offered. Call today: 813-804-2544.
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MISCELLANEOUS
HEALTHIER CHOICES: “Deliciously Simple!” ‘Seed-ate’ your senses w/nutritionally dense treats made w/back-to-basic ingredients. Satisfying goodness in every bite, perfect for cleaneating snack lovers seeking flavor & nourishment w/no unwanted fillers. Gluten, wheat & oat free. Naturally sweetened w/dates, packed w/wholesome seeds & no added sugar. Call Seed8me New Tampa @ 813-293-9209. GREAT WATER ISN’T A LUXURY, IT’S A DAILY ESSENTIAL. From the water you drink to the water you shower in, quality matters. Our purification systems help protect your family’s health, improve your skin and hair, and extend the life of your appliances. Discover what pure water really feels like. Call (813) 692-6057 or VISIT naturaltapwater.com. TENNIS & PICKLEBALL LESSONS! Master the court with a certified elite teaching professional. Offering individual and group lessons from beginner to top tournament levels. My holistic program focuses on skills, strategy, and mental toughness to help you unlock your full potential. Contact Steve at 843-422-3993 PHOTOGRAPHERS & CREATIVES: Looking for a photo studio space in New Tampa? We offfer a weatherproof, luxury exp. for your clients in this 705-sf creative space. Nat. light, white walls & light laminate floors makethe space bright & airy. Studio lightg, props, furniture, paper & cloth backdrops & more avail. Book/ inquire online: Jessicabuttererphoto.com/ rent-the-studio or call Jessica 914-844-2894 SHARPENING SERVICE. Knives, Scissors & Garden Tools. Every Friday, 9am-4pm, through March 2025. NEW LOCATION: @ Harvey’s Hardware, 5400 Land O’Lakes Blvd., LOL. Contact M&M SHARPENING, Mark Bertsche @ 518-260-5916.
ELITE RIDES. Private rides in a sanitized 2023 Tesla, plus concierge services. Airport, schools, medical appointments, shopping, etc. Courteous, reliable professional. New Tampa to Tampa Int’l Airport - $45 (one way). Cory Lake Isles resident. For more info, call or text 813.765.2037.
HUGHES SCHOOL OF MUSIC is now accepting new students! Study Saxophone, Piano, Music Production, Composition or Theory w/a Master of Music. Zoom sessions also avail.! Contact us at 813-748-3216.
_COMPUTER SERVICES
FITZPATRICK’s TREE SERVICE, INC. 27 yrs of Prof. Svc. Licensed & Insured. Free Estimates. Tree Trimming & Tree Removal. Dead-Wood Removal. Tractor Work. Affordable Rates. 24-Hour Emergency Storm Service. Free Mulch. Call 813495-9541 or 813-788-TREE.
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DO YOU HATE YOUR COMPUTER?!? WE CAN HELP YOU! Troubleshooting, Installation, Networking & Virus Removal. WE COME TO YOU! Residences & Businesses, more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.
10+ years of exp. in Tampa Bay! We specialize in move-in/out, deep/regular svcs, post-construction, home, apt & comm’l cleaning. Our prof’l team delivers reliable, spotless results every time! First-time clients get 10% off 1st svc. Call (813) 836-3974 or visit DuarteCleaningServices.com for free estimate.
CLEANSWEEP CLEANING CO, LLC. Fully licensed/bonded, 8 years exp, satisfaction guarantd. Prof’l staff. On-time. We can bring our own products or use yours, if you prefer. Christian-based, family-owned company that lives in New Tampa, serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel. Call (813) 340-0908 for a no-obligation free quote. Ask for John. ROSE’S CLEANING SERVICE. We make sure your home will be shiny & clean. Whether you need one-time, weekly, biweekly or monthly svcs, we will customize a plan to accommodatesyour needs. Residential/offices/airBnB,etc. Call/text Roseli for a free estimate anytime: 813 400.4946. Or, email:rrduar@yahoo.com. PATY CLEANING SERVICE. Comm’l or resid’l cleaning service. We have our own supplies & 10 years of experience. Free estimates. Call 813 790-8715 or email paty8624@proton.me. NEXT HOME CLEANING. With 20+ years of prof’l house & ofc cleaning services available. Trustworthy, efficient & affordable. Transform your space into a spotless sanctuary. Ecofriendly products. Satisfaction guaranteed. Book now & enjoy a pristine home! FREE ESTIMATES! Contact us today at 813-860-1524 or visit nexthomecleaningservices.com.
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NAIL TECH WANTED! Noire Nail Bar (25682 Sierra Center Blvd., near Mellow Mushroom) seeks an experienced Nail Tech! Must know how to do Acrylic, Dip & Nail Designs. Start Immediately! Call 813.536.0161 or stop in at Noire Nail Bar.
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REAL ESTATE & OFFICE___ __
HOME FOR RENT. 4 bdrm/2 bath home in Oak Creek Wesley Chapel. Call 954-347-6748 OFFICE/RETAIL SPACE AVAILABLE! Pebble Creek Collection plaza space for lease, approx. 500 sq.ft. Perfect for someone in Health/Wellness/Cosmetology. Contact Deborah at SunMed - Your CBD Store of New Tampa (19651 Bruce B Downs) @ 813-994-0599.
Steven Kessel, REALTOR® w/Future Home Realty, Inc., has created just for you, the most advanced, up-to-date, user-friendly propty search engine for homes for sale in the Tampa Bay & Central Fla area — & it’s FREE to use & enjoy. BuyYourDreamHome.com.
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(�®@[n)=�� FamilyOw.r;ied Cleaning for 25 years in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel
Vour#l Cleaning Service
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___TREE SERVICES ___
Directly Mailed to 42,000 Residences & Businesses (112,000+ people!) in Zip Codes 33543, 33544 & 33545
Epperson Estancia at Wiregrass Ashley Pines Fox Ridge Avalon Park Wesley Chapel Hamilton Park Belle Chase Lexington Oaks Bridgewater Meadow Pointe Areas I-IV Brookside New River Township Chapel Pines Northwood (NW) Citrus Trace Palm Cove Country Walk
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54 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
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REMODEL • RESTORE • REPAIR Professional Licensed Contractor Family Owned & Operated For More Than 25 Years! • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling • All Flooring Types • Water Damage Restoration • Call for a FREE Estimate!
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Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net • For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575
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56 For Advertising Information, Call 813-910-2575 • Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News • Volume 33, Issue 26 • December 23, 2025 • NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net
Neighborhood News
@neighborhoodnews