Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, Volume 34, Issue 2, January 20, 2026

Here’s (Almost) Everything Coming To Wesley Chapel In 2026!

When I was at the University of Florida, I was stuck in construction traffic with my summer roommate, who looked at the 30-minute delay and stated proudly:

“Ahh, progress. I love it!”

I had no idea what he was talking about then, but I definitely do now.

As 2025 was ending, I mentioned to Jannah that what I should do is attempt to update all of the new buildings coming on line this year, all of the road projects that may or may not be completed and all of the new residential “stuff” that is expected to open in our area.

I enlisted the help of my outstanding researcher/correspondent Joel Provenzano, but even with Joel’s help, I realized that there was no way I was going to be able to provide updates on all of those projects — but I was still determined to tell you about as many of them as possible in this issue.

I am quite aware, however, that not everyone who reads this publication and/or our online posts is as enamored with progress as my old college roommate was — or I am.

Yes, Wesley Chapel is already crowded. The traffic already stinks and is likely to get worse before it gets better — if it ever will. The road projects (Wesley Chapel Blvd. between the S.R. 54/56 junction and Exit 279 off I-75) and Old Pasco Rd. — both of which have made significant progress but won’t be finished anytime soon (perhaps not even this year) will likely be overrun with additional traffic as soon as they open.

And, where will all of the people who keep heading our way live? How much more packed will our malls and restaurants be and how much more impatient can our drivers possibly become when all of this new “stuff” opens?

Ahh, progress. I love it —

even if not everyone who reads all of these updates agrees with me.

At any rate, on pages 4-19 of this issue, you’ll find more updates than I personally have ever done or seen in any single publication. But, as I said earlier in this story, I

also know that I have not covered everything that’s still coming (and immediately adjacent to) Wesley Chapel in 2026, so feel free to let me know what I’ve left out.

I also want to thank the amazing Charmaine George for all of the drone photos and most of the other pictures in this feature. We ran around the area for four consecutive days and I still kept coming up with more places we forgot. At any rate, feel free to let me know what you think. — GN

From 3 to 6 pm Monday through Friday • 2-for-1 draft beer, wine & margaritas

So, What Actually Qualifies Someone To Be An ‘Influencer?’

An Editorial by GARY NAGER

Before this past year, the only people I had ever heard of who were referred to as “influencers” were national and worldwide celebrities.

But, as the months went by in 2025, it seemed that half the people I met whenever Jannah, Charmaine and I would visit a new restaurant for the first time were either calling themselves or, more often, being referred to by the owners of those restaurants as “influencers.” Several were actually invited to be there to help the restaurants announce their respective openings, while yours truly had to drive by the places months before they were set to open, write about them multiple times and follow up still more times in order to attend their soft openings, “Friends & family” pre-openings or the actual openings of the places.

When I’ve asked some of these restaurant owners why they invited some of these influencers — many of whom I’ve had really nice chats with at these events; some of whom have even told me they’re “fans” of mine, the Neighborhood News or both — at least three or four restaurant owners have told me, “We always try to invite local influencers to help get the word out for us.” O.K.

Hey, I know I’m old school, but I can see now why so many young people are iPhonerecording every moment of their lives in an effort to become influencers. But, since I didn’t have any idea how many of them actually qualify for the title — or what criteria actually makes them able to qualify for it — I decided to do a little Google/ AI searching to try to find out what those criteria are and whether or not I and the Neighborhood News already meet those qualifications.

Here’s what I found:

Key Characteristics of an Influencer:

Authority/Expertise: They are seen as knowledgeable or an expert in a specific field. √

Audience & Reach: They have a dedicated following on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. (OK, not so much, at least not yet)

Trust & Authenticity: Followers trust their recommendations & value their perspective. √

Niche Focus: They typically focus on a particular interest area (e.g.,Wesley Chapel) √

Content Creation: They consistently produce engaging, entertaining/informative content. √

Engagement: They actively interact with their community, building relationships. √

Impact: Their endorsements or opinions can sway followers’ behaviors and buying choices, making them valuable partners for brands. √

Types of Influencers by Follower Count:

Nano Influencers – 1k-10k followers. Nano influencers have a following ranging from 1,000-10,000 followers and are considered to be mid-tier influencers. Influencers in this category can earn anywhere from $50 to $250 per sponsored post.

Micro Influencers – 10k-100k followers. Micro influencers are defined as having between 10k-100k followers. Despite having a larger following than nano influencers, they still manage to maintain a similar “relatability” or “authenticity” factor. Which, in turn, means they still have high engagement rates. Often,

influencer (noun)

1. A person or thing that influences another. “He was a champion of the arts and a huge influencer of taste.”

2. A person who has become well known through regular social media posts and is able to promote a product or service by recommending or using it online.

more followers on TikTok or Instagram (IG) than we do, although our Facebook numbers (17,000+ followers) would put us in the “Micro” category — if Facebook even “counts.” We only started attempting to increase our Instagram following about three months ago, and we’ve increased our number of IG followers from about 100 at that time to more than 700 today

Top NN Facebook Posts 2025

Source: Oxford Language Date Post

micro influencers fall into a particular niche or influencer category that can be specific to a particular location, job, or hobby. √

Most of the local influencers I’ve looked up fall into one of these first two categories. The difference between them and us is that they have

At any rate, I’m proud that we had nearly 3 million views of our 350 Facebook posts in 2025, led by our top-10 posts of the year in this chart.

And that doesn’t include the number of you who still read — and dare I say, are “influenced” by us the old-fashioned way — by holding our publications in your hands and reading them.

You’re still the main reason so many advertisers are willing to spend money with us in a supposedly dead medium — so, thank you!

9/3 Chuck Lager closes

9/18 Cheesecake Factory hiring 443,876 5/27 Rodizio Grill delayed** 328,470 12/10 Aldi Grand Opening 122,728 7/9 Celebrating Dave Rathbun 112,434 11/10 Cheesecake Factory opening 111,333 9/13 The Wexford is open 104,113 4/12 Connected City developer* 76,900 7/22 Einstein Bros. Bagels opens 70,735 5/24 Chick-fil-A Curley Rd opens 65,991 Total 2025 NN FB Views (350 posts) - 2,991,010

- This post had the most 2025 click-throughs to our NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net website — 4,920

- This post had our most 2025 “engagements”— 1,282

Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News

27251 Wesley Chapel Blvd., #426 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

OFFICE HOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!

Advertising & Editorial E-mail: Ads@NTNeighborhoodNews.com

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 4, of Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News is Tuesday, February 3.

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.

Wesley Chapel 2026 — Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital

Hospital That Will One Day Be The Largest In Wesley Chapel Gets Ready To Open Apr. 21 With A Hiring Event

With everything that’s coming to Wesley Chapel this year, perhaps the biggest addition is the Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital, which has tabbed Tuesday, April 21, as its scheduled opening date.

The new hospital — the third in Wesley Chapel (AdventHealth WC and BayCare WC are the others) will open with 102 beds, with room to expand to 300 beds in the future, which would make it Wesley Chapel’s largest.

In anticipation of the hospital’s opening, Pasco Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, located less than a half-mile away from the facility, hosted a hiring event which attracted hundreds of potential employees — everyone from nurses and nursing support professionals to allied health and support staffers.

We also got to meet many of the hospital’s team leaders, including (l.-r. in the top photo on this page) talent acquisition manager Richard Pelaia, chief nursing officer and assistant vice president Susan Dolezal, chief financial officer and assistant VP Tanya Knepp, director of human resources Jennifer Alexander and Richard Matte, the assistant VP of business development & non-clinical operations.

Charmaine also got drone photos of the cleared land for the two large medical office buildings to be built on the hospital’s campus (right), which should begin going vertical soon. Wiregrass Ranch Also Is Adding...

But, while the hospital will be the single

Wiregrass Medical Plaza

largest addition to open in Wiregrass Ranch this year, there are multiple other projects that are expected to be completed and open in the 5,000acre property owned by the Porter Family Trust.

We told you about the 46,000-sq.-ft. Wiregrass Medical Plaza (bottom left photo) being developed by Flagship Healthcare Properties (in conjunction with the Porters’ Locust Branch Development) last issue, which will have Florida E.N.T. as its anchor tenant.

What we didn’t know about at that time, is the two-story, 50-bed in-patient injury rehabilitation facility that will be called Encompass Health Rehab Hospital being constructed by Brasfield & Gorrie (below), across from the Wiregrass Medical Plaza, closer to S.R. 56. Both of these buildings are separate from the Orlando Health hospital’s medical buildings.

We also told you back in October about the Arcadia at Wiregrass Ranch apartments, the 320unit luxury rental community now under construction behind the planned Publix near the intersection of S.R. 54 and Wiregrass Ranch Blvd., across from Walmart. As you can see in the photo below right, those apartments have now gone vertical.

Much closer to completion, however, is the 50,000-sq.-ft. Post Acute Medical (PAM) Rehabilitation Hospital (top photo on next page) directly to the north of the Amberlin apartments on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. We first told you about PAM Rehab back in March of 2024 and although the building is looking pretty close to being com-

pleted, we were not yet able to find out a planned opening date for it, but we’ll keep you posted. Also not too far from being completed is the Ace Medical Plaza, a 15,000-sq.-ft. medical office building located between the entrance to Amberlin and BBD, across from Eagleston Blvd.

What we sadly don’t have yet is the information everyone wants — the name of the upscale restaurant(s) that will be built next to Cooper’s Hawk and when the selection of the contractor and the construction of Legacy at Wiregrass Ranch, the community’s “downtown hub” will begin. Hopefully, we’ll have that information by sometime later this year, but we’re pretty sure that those highly-anticipated developments will not be completed by the end of 2026. — GN

Also Coming In 2026 To Wiregrass Ranch: Arcadia Wiregrass Apartments

Encompass Health Rehab Hospital

Wesley Chapel 2026 — Mary W. Sierra YMCA & Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks Library

As you can see in the top photo on this page, the 49,319-sq.-ft. building that will one day be home to the Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA in Seven Oaks (just south of BayCare Wesley Chapel Hospital, at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. & Eagleston Blvd.) is pretty close to completion.

As you also can see, however, the additional 36,000-sq.-ft. outdoor aquatic center, although clearly outlined in the photo, is nowhere near as close to completion. As we reported back in June 0f 2025, the $35-million YMCA’s aquatic center will be home to three pools — a covered 25-yard, 8-lane, 4,465-sq.-ft. competition pool, a 1,229 -sq.ft. therapy pool, and a 2,625-sq.-ft. “main pool” with interactive water features and slide structure, pool equipment area and pool deck with shade coverings.

And of course, there are plenty of features and activities planned for inside the building that will still take time once the building, aquatic center and parking areas have been finalized, so the YMCA that is being named for the wife of Bob Sierra, who already has a local YMCA named for him (the Bob Sierra YMCA in Northdale) is likely right on time to open, as planned, sometime this summer.

Meanwhile, back in September of 2023, we first told you about the planned Wesley Chapel Seven Oaks Library, a 13,000-sq.-ft., $11-million library that we were originally told could be completed by as

early as sometime before the end of 2025.

Well, although that didn’t happen, the new library does look pretty close to being completed and ready to open, although the official website PascoLibraries.org says that, “Post-construction, Library Services will ready the location with collection materials, programming supplies and technologies prior to opening doors to the public.” Hopefully, we’ll find out more about the library’s planned “makerspaces” and be able to check out its books, DVDs, audiotapes and more very soon.

District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said that the staffing costs for the new library located on Mystic Oak Blvd. is in the 2026 budget, so the opening date should be announced “soon.” Comm. Weightman said he would try to provide me with an opening date before we went to press with this issue, but at our press time, had not yet gotten back to me.

No Update On Sam’s Club Gas Pumps

Speaking of Seven Oaks, one of the updates we were hoping to have for this issue was news about the possible expansion and reconfiguration of the often impossible to navigate fuel station at the front of the Sam’s Club on S.R. 56 that we first told you about back in 2023.

But, as we said back in Aug. 2025, it still appears that the gas pump expansion is off the table for now. — GN

Seven Oaks Mixed-Use Apartment Project Moves Closer To Reality Next To Sam’s Club

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

More than three years after it was first reported that a developer had finally secured approval for the long-discussed Seven Oaks mixed-use apartment project just north of S.R. 56 and east of Ancient Oaks Blvd., new details indicate that construction on the long-vacant land next to the Wesley Chapel Sam’s Club could begin at any time.

The mixed-use development, currently referred to in county documents as “Seven Oaks Parcel S-19 Multifamily,” is planned for the still-empty lot immediately adjacent to the Sam’s Club parking lot (see map)

While the project does not yet have an official marketing name, its scope and design are now firmly in place.

According to recently submitted plans, the developer applied for a site development placard in November 2025, signaling that the project has cleared most major hurdles and is eligible to move forward.

Final construction plans were submitted to the county at the beginning of 2026, another key milestone that positions the project for an imminent groundbreaking.

The Seven Oaks Parcel S-19 project will span approximately 10.6 acres and feature a blend of residential and commercial space designed to complement the rapidly developing S.R. 56 corridor.

Plans call for two four-story buildings containing a total of 320 apartments — 188 one-bedroom/studio, 113 two-bedroom and 19 three-bedroom apartments. Similar to The Flats at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel project, the apartments will all sit above ground-floor commercial space, creating a walkable, truly mixed-use environment.

The commercial component will include approximately nine flexible retail or office ground-floor suites, located on the north side of Building 2A, totaling 26,099 square feet. These spaces are expected to attract a mix of small shops, professional services or (hopefully, at least from our standpoint) dining options that will cater to both residents and nearby shoppers.

A number of amenities are a major part of the project’s design. A central swimming pool will be located in the middle of Building 1, providing a shared outdoor space for all residents. Building 2A will include a four-story parking garage, helping to manage traffic and reduce surface parking.

In total, the site will provide 610 parking spaces, exceeding minimum requirements to accommodate residents, visitors and commercial tenants alike.

The land has remained vacant for years, despite its prime location, just steps from Sam’s Club and minutes from I-75.

November 2022 in an article entitled “Developer Finally Gets Approval for Seven Oaks Project,” many residents expressed cautious optimism that the property would finally be put to use after it was met with significant pushback — after the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners had placed a moratorium on new apartments in the Wesley Chapel area.

Now, with permits for the project advancing and construction authorization in place, that optimism appears increasingly justified.

While no official groundbreaking date has yet been announced, county records suggest construction could begin at any time, now that the site development placard has been requested.

Seven Oaks Parcel S-19 Multifamily, located between Sam’s Club and S.R. 56, east of Ancient Oaks Blvd., may finally be ready to move forward with a mixed-use residential/commercial project. (Map source: Pasco County, modified by NN)

Once under way, this mixed-use project is expected to bring new housing options, additional commercial services and increased activity to one of Wesley Chapel’s already-busy central intersections.

When the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News first reported on the project in

And, as growth along S.R. 56 continues, the Seven Oaks Parcel S-19 development represents another significant step in

the area’s transformation from suburban crossroads to a denser, more urban-style commercial and residential hub. Residents can expect to see additional updates in these pages as construction begins and leases for the commercial tenants are announced.

Wesley Chapel 2026 — The Hub At Lexington Restaurants & More To Begin Opening Soon!

Have you driven by The Hub at Lexington recently? If it looks like it’s ready to open, your eyes are not deceiving you. But, before you think you’ve already missed something, co-developers Courtney Bissett-Hayes of Center Connect Development and her brother Paul Bissett say that now that the buildings themselves have been completed and turned over to the tenants, it will be several weeks before the first businesses start turning on their lights to several months for all of the previously announced restaurants — and two new ones recently added to the lineup — to be fully open.

“The first businesses could start opening this quarter,” Bissett-Hayes told me just before my deadline for this issue. “And we are planning a big Grand Opening event for a few months from now, but we will definitely keep you posted about the date for that event.”

The two new eateries are both growing national chains that have existing locations not too far from us.

The first is Hummus Republic, a counter-serve Mediterranean eatery offering customizable bowls, pita bread and wrap sandwiches that has an existing location at 7021 E. Fletcher Ave. (between USF and I-75).

Hummus Republic, which has more than 60 locations in 15 states, offers bases like rice, couscous and warm garbanzo beans, plus a variety of hummus flavors and other spreads, five different proteins (including falafel, chicken or mushroom shawarma, gyro meat and lemon chicken), more than a dozen toppings (from beets to kalamata olives) and six different dressings and you get to choose all of your favorites.

Fried Chicken, which has a nearby location at 24814 S.R. 54 in Lutz among its nearly 150 U.S. and nearly 500 worldwide locations.

In addition to crunchy Korean drumsticks, wings and boneless options (below) with five different sauces (from Korean BBQ to sweet & spicy Yangnyeom sauce), Bonchon offers starters like pork, veggie, shrimp and even octopus (really!) dumplings, plus Bao buns, Korean tacos and edamame, main dishes like udon noodle soup, bibimbap bowls, bulgogi, chicken katsu and more).

For more info, visit Bonchon.com.

And, don’t forget all of the other eateries coming to The Hub we previously announced:

• La Creacion Bistro, the sister restaurant to La Creacion Express in the KRATEs, which will be serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a completely different menu than what they serve at the container park.

• Brew Bar Self Pour, which will share a space with Urban Crunch Creamery Café.

The Brew Bar/Urban Crunch combo will offer self-pour beer and wine, similar to what the Brew Bar offers at the KRATEs, plus ice cream, açai, coffee and perhaps most important of all, frozen drinks like daiquiris.

• The Landing Bar & Grill, which is where you’ll watch all of your favorite sports.

• The Monk’s Indian Fusion Cuisine, a “Desi-Chinese” eatery combining the different flavors of India and China in one location.

location called Banh Mi & Boba at The Hub at Bexley. Saigon Pho also will feature beloved Vietnamese fare, including pho noodle soups, grilled plates, banh mi sandwiches and more.

• Farmer’s Milk, which is a café and bakery with a sister location in Hollywood, FL.

• Cinnaholic Gourmet Cinnamon Rolls

• Island Grill Caribbean fusion restaurant The other non-food businesses previously announced as coming to The Hub are :

• The Clubhouse golf simulator

• Headlines Barber Shop

Hub business that had a sign on it as we went to press with this issue.

Of course, we will keep you posted about all of the openings as they happen, in these pages and on our Facebook & Instagram pages! — GN

For info, visit TheHummusRepublic.com.

The other newcomer is Bonchon Korean

• Saigon Pho Wesley Chapel, which has a

• Suncoast Charging (for electric vehicles)

• Lexington Nail Lab, which is the only

Wesley Chapel 2026 — Old Pasco Rd. & Wesley Chapel Blvd. Widening Projects

There is little doubt that the two major roadway widening projects under way in the Wesley Chapel (WC) area are much-needed — and both have made significant progress. That’s the good news.

On the other hand, neither project can be considered close to being completed. I had photographer Charmaine George take the drone photos on this page (right) and the one on page 1 of the Old Pasco Rd. widening project, as well as the big photo on the next page of the WC Blvd. widening because I thought one or both of them might have a chance to be completed during calendar year 2026.

It is possible that the widening to two lanes in each direction of the 1.4-mile stretch of Old Pasco Rd. (also referred to as “Phase 1” of three planned, but only two funded phases) from north of Deedra Dr. to north of Overpass Rd., and the 4.1-mile portion of Wesley Chapel Blvd. from north of S.R. 56 (near PopStroke) to north of Old Pasco Rd. could both be “significantly completed” by the end of the year.

However, the $22 million contract for Phase 1 of Old Pasco Rd. doesn’t require completion un-

til April 2027. The current widening also includes new traffic signals at Lindenhurst Dr. and at Access #3 to the North Tampa Bay 75 Business Park.

But then, of course, the design for the $42million Phase 2 of Old Pasco Rd. widening — the 2.4-mile stretch from Wesley Chapel Blvd. to north of Sonny Dr./Deedra Dr. — is funded in Pasco’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, with construction likely not beginning before 2029. There is no funding yet in Pasco’s budget for the final phase of Old Pasco Rd. widening from north of Overpass Rd. to south of S.R. 52.

As for the $69.4-million WC Blvd. project, which includes only one new traffic signal (at the intersection with Compark Dr.) but will widen the often-gridlocked roadway from two lanes (for most of its length) to six lanes, it is not scheduled to be completed until May of 2027. As we reported back in May of 2024 (after the contract was awarded to David Nelson Construction Co.), this project is complicated by the multiple subdivisions and apartment/townhome communities on both sides of this section of WC Blvd.

Of course, we’ll keep you posted.— GN

Also Coming In 2026 To Wesley Chapel Blvd. — Ellerbee Point & Lexington Oak Crossings

David Nekouee of Capital Design Development is getting ready to open two small retail strip centers along Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54 — Lexington Oak Crossings, less than a quarter mile south/west of The Hub at Lexington, and Ellerbee Point Crossings, at Ellerbee Rd. and WC Blvd., about a quarter mile west of Curley Rd.

At Lexington Oak Crossings, Nekouee will have Pizza World (previously announced as Jets Pizza), Barberito’s, Harmony Dental, an animal hospital and Pups & Cups Café.

Nekouee says he is close to closing a deal with an ice cream shop and still has one space available. He also says that the building itself

Lexington Oak Crossings

(below left) is nearly complete, so we should see businesses opening in Lexington Oak Crossings within the next 2-3 months.

Meanwhile, at Ellerbee Point Crossings, Nekouee has signed up the second Wesley Chapel location of Smoothie King (see story on pg. 42), Eliano’s Coffee (which has 70 locations in FL, GA & AL), Wing Snob (a Midwest-based chain with 75 locations, including one in Riverview, FL) & IT Solutions. There also is one space available in this plaza. For leasing & more information about either of these plazas, call David Nekouee at (770) 833-4507. — GN

Ellerbee Point Crossings

Despite the significant amount of work already done on the widening of Wesley Chapel Blvd. between the S.R. 54/S.R. 56 intersection to just south/west of Old Pasco Rd., the improvement project isn’t scheduled to be completed before May of 2027.

Wesley Chapel 2026 — New Light At Overpass Rd. & Epperson Blvd. Just The Beginning

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

Residents and commuters traveling through the Epperson community are beginning to see long-anticipated improvements finally taking shape along Overpass Rd., the main east–west corridor connecting Epperson Blvd. to Curley Rd.

Construction is currently under way to widen this short, but critical stretch of roadway, a project that aims to significantly improve traffic flow, safety, and daily travel times for the growing northern Wesley Chapel area.

When finished, the work being completed by Epperson developer Metro Development Group will allow this portion of Overpass Rd. to transition from its current two-lane divided configuration to a four-lane divided roadway, with an additional through lane added in each direction.

This expansion reflects the rapid growth of the Epperson community and surrounding areas and the increasing traffic volumes, especially during peak morning and afternoon hours.

One of the most impactful changes is occurring at the signalized intersection of Overpass Rd. and Curley Rd. Additional eastbound leftturn lanes are being added so that two eastbound through lanes will be able to continue straight through the intersection.

This improvement will align the roadway configuration with the existing layout on the opposite side of Curley Rd. in the Watergrass development, eliminating a common bottleneck that has caused backups during busy times of day.

In conjunction with the widening project, a

new traffic signal has been installed at Overpass Rd. and Epperson Blvd., replacing the former four-way stop located in front of the entrance to the Epperson lagoon. This signalization is expected to enhance safety and improve traffic operations at one of the community’s most active entrances, benefiting residents, visitors, pedestrians and bicyclists alike.

Perhaps the most welcome news for daily commuters is what comes next. Once construction has been completed, the existing eastbound right-turn-only lane along Overpass Rd. (approaching the new signal) will be re-striped and converted into an additional through lane.

This change will allow traffic to move more efficiently eastbound, particularly during peak travel hours, and should substantially reduce the delays that drivers have been experiencing.

While construction can, of course, be just as inconvenient, these improvements represent a major investment in the area’s transportation infrastructure — facilitated with private funds instead of taxpayer dollars.

The expanded roadway, improved intersections and upgraded signalization are designed to support continued growth while making everyday travel smoother and safer.

Motorists are encouraged to remain patient during the construction, follow posted signage and exercise caution while crews complete the work. Although we don’t know exactly when the work is expected to be completed, it will be in 2026, so residents can look forward to a more efficient and commuter-friendly drive through the heart of their Epperson community soon.

Wesley Chapel 2026 — Saddlebrook, Fire Station #2, Pinecrest Academy High School...

If you were thinking there couldn’t possibly be more “stuff” coming to Wesley Chapel this year (or at least by early 2027), think again.

Among the projects that are well underway but that we don’t have any kind of timelines for include:

• The completion of Mast Capital’s $92 million improvements to Saddlebrook Resort (right). We showed you the improvements that have already been completed in our last couple of issues, but there is still more to come.

Since the Brew coffee shop and Rare 1981 restaurant opened, the Palm House Grill out by the resort’s revamped Superpool also recently opened. We’ll show you pictures of the Palm House’s food and beverages next issue. We also were told that all 27 holes of Saddlebrook’s golf courses also are open. Still to come? The Sports Tavern off the resort’s lobby and the Saddlebrook National private club for members only. We’ll update you about all of these improvements in future issues.

Here & There, This & That...

(Photos on next page)

Avalon Park — In addition to Phase 2 of Avalon Park’s downtown expected to begin building, Avalon Park Blvd., connecting the community’s single-family subdivisions with the downtown area, could be completed any day now and may even be open as you’re receiving this issue.

In addition, although the existing buildings at the Pinecrest Academy charter school are already

serving kids in grades K-11, the separate, new Pinecrest Academy High School will open to grades 9-12 for the 2026-27 year, which will allow kids in Pinecrest Academy’s middle school (Grades 6-8) to have their own building.

Pasco Fire Rescue Station No. 2 — The much-needed new fire station on S.R. 54, less than a mile east of the new AdventHealth Mead-

ow Pointe Emergency Room, should be ready to open before the end of this year.

New Walmart — Located southwest of the intersection of Morris Bridge Rd. and S.R. 56, Wesley Chapel’s second Walmart store hasn’t broken ground yet, so it’s possible that it may not be completed by the end of 2026, but it should at least begin building this year.

Two Rivers Updates — Even though Two Rivers is all technically located in Zephyrhills (with a portion in Thonotosassa south of the Pasco-Hillsborough county line), the private club to be called The Landing at Two Rivers is well under way and could be completed before the end of 2026. We have no further updates on the planned Peak Surf Park in Two Rivers, but will try to update that story in an upcoming issue. — GN

Wesley Chapel 2026 — Skilled Nursing & The Goddard School-Oakley Near The Grove

The area near The Grove at Wesley Chapel has been busy, with both the new Target store, Woody’s Wash Shack and now, the Belk Market all opening recently. And yes, there have still been many changes in the KRATE at The Grove container park, too (see pg. 51).

But, while it’s possible that neither of these projects — both of which are located across Oakley Blvd. from the entrance to The Grove (both also are in front of the Avasa West apartments) — will be completed before the end of 2026 (since only one of them has broken ground), we also wanted to tell you about them.

We’ve already mentioned the planned 202-bed Oakley Place Skilled Nursing Facility at the northwest corner of Oakley Blvd. and Grove Isle Dr., but we recently heard that the facility may be getting ready to break ground soon. Of course, we’ll keep you updated, but a large additional skilled nursing facility would be a welcome addition to the area.

We also recently saw that The Goddard School-Oakley — which will be the second Goddard School private pre-school in Wesley Chapel (the other is off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., across from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel — has cleared the land in preparation of getting ready to build on the southwest corner of the same intersection, across from the Goddard School.

New Clubhouse At Valencia Ridge

The upscale Valencia Ridge community being developed by GL Homes (next to the

builder’s successful Winding Ridge community) is getting an equally upscale 29,000-sq.-ft. clubhouse on a 7-acre recreational complex. The facility will include on-site dining, a poolside bar, sports lounge, racquet club & pro shop, resort-style pools, a shaded yoga garden, fitness center, exercise studio, massage room and more.

Swig #2 Coming To Epperson

The day before we went to press with this issue, correspondent Joel Provenzano found that Swig Drinks had received its site development placard from the county in December, which means that construction of the area’s second Swig (the other, of course, is between Academy Sports & PopStroke on the north side of S.R. 56) could begin any day now off Curley Rd. Joel said that plans for the new Swig were not downloadable at our press time, but we’ll keep you posted.

Whole Foods & Lifetime Fitness

And of course, we also had to show a drone shot of the progress on the new plaza on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. north of Aronwood Blvd. in Meadow Pointe that will be home to both Whole Foods and Lifetime Fitness. We just provided a big update on this plaza — which also will have a Pop-Up Bagels, CAVA Mediterranean, Naked Farmer, Petfolk, Tox wellness spa & a nail salon in our Dec. issue or this would have been one of this issue’s biggest stories!

Feel free to let me know anything we’ve left out of this issue and we’ll try to cover it in our next edition! — GN

New Clubhouse Coming To Valencia Ridge

What’s Also Coming To The Area In 2026? The Stunning Views In Pasadena Ridge!

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

In 2025, the premiere residential ‘talk of the town’ in eastern Pasco County was Two Rivers — a community we covered numerous times in this publication, given its massive scale, located just outside the southeastern edge of Wesley Chapel.

Now that we’re in 2026, however, the excitement has shifted just outside of Wesley Chapel’s northeastern edge, to an even bigger development, the Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) — and one new community inside VOPH has positioned itself to literally be at the top of housing market.

If you think our area is fully flat, think again. What if we told you that this new community, known as Pasadena Ridge, delivers not only the views one might expect — water and conservation — but also adds stunning (for Florida) high-elevation ridgeline views, all visible from the same lots!

Previously, some of the best new development views you could get were from the limited number of lots inside Epperson overlooking King Lake — truly million-dollar views. Those are all occupied now, but in our opinion, the views from Pasadena Ridge are on another level — and are coming available on a first-come, first-served” basis.

On Dec. 4, we attended an event for real estate agents at the adjacent Handcart Garden Center, which is providing all of the landscaping for the community. We were taken on a tour of Pasadena Ridge in buses that looked just like trolleys.

Located on the east side of Handcart Rd., north of the rear entrance to the Watergrass community, Pasadena Ridge is shaping up to be something very unique. Honestly, we were so impressed with the brief views from the tour, that we drove back on Dec. 12 to get proper photos to share.

Not What We Expected

The Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) area is building fast, REALLY FAST, with multiple communities currently under construction.

Back in our September 2025 article, “Where Are The Villages Of Pasadena Hills & Why Should You Care?,” we first talked about Pasadena Ridge as an upcoming community in Pasadena Hills (Villages G & H), that was proposed to have 579 single family homes.

The ‘Ridge’ name has become very popular around Wesley Chapel; however, this “Ridge” community is not being done by GL Homes like the “The Ridge at Wiregrass,” “Winding Ridge,” and “Valencia Ridge” (all off S.R. 56), but is instead a new WestBay Community — with the creative tag line “Elevated Living.”

Very fitting, as Pasadena Ridge is located on top of a large (and somewhat steep) sprawling hill, which reaches a maximum height of 250’ above sea level. That might not seem like much to some from “up north,” but with the adjacent land to the north, east and west dropping away by 100’, new houses at the top of the hill’s ‘ridge’ will have the equivalent view of a 10-story building at sea level.

This means you can literally have a view that is unobstructed for miles — and those views are a breath of fresh air in what can seem like a monotony of perfectly flat new developments.

The community’s 250’ maximum height is actually pretty impressive,

considering that the highest elevation in the entire region is only 305’ above sea level — a point on Clay Hill Rd, nearly 10 miles north of this Pasadena Ridge — and only 95’ shy of the state’s highest point, Britton Hill, located in the panhandle just south of the Alabama line.

The expansive ridge view photo (right) was taken at ground level, so you can imagine how much more impressive the view will be from a second story balcony, which is being offered by WestBay on some of their models (photo below).

The builder representatives at the event stated that these premium views will never change, as most of the land nearly a mile north of the development is protected wetland conservation (for the adjacent Buddy Lake).

If you’re interested in a house in Pasadena Ridge, you’ll definitely want to see the actual lots in person (not just on a map), as the elevations, grading and views from each lot vary wildly, but the best view we identified was looking north from the backyards of the lots along Peak Willow Trace — it honestly didn’t even feel like Florida.

The builder knows what they have, so their representative told us, “Expect to pay a substantial lot premium for the absolute best ones,” but unfortunately, pricing on those premiums have not been released yet.

What We Do Know

Pasadena Ridge offers homes by three builders — Homes by WestBay ($600k-$1M), Casa Fresca Homes ($300k-$500k) & Mattamy Homes ($300k+). Since this community is part of a VOPH model, parcels leading into the community off Handcart Rd. will be future commercial, and there is a future school site set aside within the development. The plan also shows a future Pasco County park site immediately to the west.

The development also promises to provide an amenities “club” and, while it does advertise a large resort-style pool, dog park, fitness center, pickleball courts, playground and event space, the cost of this club is not being absorbed by the CDD fee, as a separate club membership fee ($44.94/month) and club expenses fee ($115/month) will be charged once the club opens in 2027.

Add that to a $90.67 monthly HOA fee

(which DOES include high-speed, 2-gigabit internet and trash) and up to a $217.66 monthly CDD fee for Casa Fresca, the only one we could currently find (Note-those fees could be higher for the WestBay homes, based on lot width), and monthly association fees could stack up quickly to $467/month ($5,610 annually), which is a little on the high side considering there’s no lagoon, restaurants or other standout amenities.

The only ones we’ve seen higher in a similar category, are the total association fees for Two Rivers West, due to the required “Landing Private Club” membership. But, when comparing, Two Rivers offers substantially more in a true club sense, including personal/pool-

side food & beverage service and a full restaurant, along with tennis clubs, spin instructors and other things not mentioned for Pasadena Ridge. For more information about Pasadena Ridge, visit PasadenaRidgeFL.com.

What’s Happening With Morris Bridge Rd.? The Big Changes At 3 Key Intersections

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

If it feels like Morris Bridge Rd. (MB Rd.) has been in a constant state of change lately, you’re not imagining it. From New Tampa through Wesley Chapel, this important north–south corridor, once considered little more than a two-lane country road, has seen closures, construction crews and long-awaited reopenings — with even more changes on the horizon.

As Neighborhood News has reported over the past several years, MB Rd. is gradually transforming from a quiet rural connector into a critical link between several fast-growing communities in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

Here’s a closer look at what’s recently been completed, what’s under way and what’s still to come — with a focus on three intersections that are shaping the future of the MB Rd. corridor. MB Rd. At Future K-Bar

Ranch Pkwy.

As we first reported in April 2024, the final phase of K-Bar Ranch in Hillsborough County is more than just another residential expansion — it’s a long-planned transportation connection that will finally open all of K-Bar Ranch to MB Rd., benefiting both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel residents alike. That vision is now becoming a reality.

Construction is under way on the eastward extension of K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. past Easton Park to MB Rd. Once completed, this connection also will allow access from Wesley Chapel, including from Union Park and Meadow Pointe, via the planned Wyndfields Blvd. extension to the south and the existing Meadow Pointe Blvd. extension.

Although the Neighborhood News first told our

readers the story of this future connection about a year and a half ago (see map), crews are now actively building the new phase of K-Bar Ranch, and the collector road that will extend Wyndfields Blvd. south into the New Tampa development. For Union Park residents in particular, this means a new and more direct route into Tampa — and fewer bottlenecks on already-crowded roads.

Turn lanes are currently being added along MB Rd. at the future K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. intersection (photo on next page), and a traffic signal will follow. The signal is required under the developer agreement and will help manage the increased traffic once the road opens.

According to the K-Bar Ranch III CDD Preliminary Engineer’s Report (Jan. 2025), construction on the overall final build-out is planned to run from Mar. 2025 through December 2028, and is broken into two phases.

Phase 1 includes 471 single-family homes, followed by 188 townhomes in Phase 2. Based on issued permits and the pace of construction, it’s likely the road connection will be completed before Phase 2 even begins — possibly even this year.

In short, the long-anticipated direct connection between K-Bar Ranch, Union Park, Meadow Pointe and MB Rd. is now closer than ever.

MB Rd. At Bonnet Hole Dr.

Just north of Cory Lake Blvd. (less than two miles south of Cross Creek Blvd.), the Hillsborough County section of MB Rd. reopened the week of Christmas after a full closure that frustrated many residents — particularly those still remembering the road’s prolonged shutdown following Hurricane Milton in Oct. 2024.

(Above) The map of the planned K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. extension we ran in Apr. 2024. (Source: NN file) (Next page) Construction at the intersection of K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. at MB Rd. (Photo by

The Dec. 8-Dec. 22 closure was necessary to complete stormwater drainage repairs between Apache Dr. and Bonnet Hole Dr., as Hillsborough County explained in a public release. To put it plainly — collapsing and aging culverts under the roadway had to be fully replaced.

Although only a small segment of MB Rd. was actually shut down, detours were lengthy due to the lack of alternative routes. During our communications, county officials acknowledged the inconvenience to residents.

Typically, fully closing the road allows crews to complete the work much faster than staged lane closures would have, especially on two-lane roads where it’s harder to shift traffic and breakup the digging into two phases, due to limited space.

Chris Wilkerson, senior media relations strategist for Hillsborough’s Public Works Dept., told us this single stormwater project cost approximately $240,000. When asked if more closures are coming, Wilkerson confirmed that two additional stormwater-related closures are

expected on MB Rd. in 2026 — one just north and one just south of the recent work area — so residents will need to keep an eye out for when those closures are announced.

MB Rd. at Chancey Rd. (Pasco)

Meanwhile, in Pasco County, the long-closed intersection of MB Rd. between S.R. 56 and Chancey Rd. finally reopened just before Christmas, ending months of detours and speculation about what went wrong.

Despite early rumors of the closure being caused by a “sinkhole,” Pasco officials clarified that the issue was actually a damaged, buried 16-inch water main. When the main failed, it washed away soil beneath the roadway, creating a large underground void that looked like a sinkhole, but was not a traditional limestone collapse.

The unexpected discovery of the water line — struck during routine work — complicated the repair. Replacement parts had to be specially ordered, delaying construction for months. Pasco officials had warned residents back on Sept. 19 that delivery and installation of the water main alone could take at least eight weeks, followed by another five to eight weeks to rebuild the road.

In the end, the project was completed almost exactly within that extended timeframe.

But, while the intersection is now open, some residents have been disappointed to see no

new left-turn lanes added. According to Pasco officials, those improvements are part of a larger widening project that is still in development.

The county’s current Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) list, adopted in June 2025, shows plans to widen MB Rd. to a four-lane divided roadway between S.R. 54 and S.R. 56. Construction is tentatively scheduled in two phases:

2028 - From S.R. 54 south through the Chancey Rd. intersection

2029 - From south of Chancey Rd. to S.R. 56

Of course, the project has already been delayed once and the timelines could change again.

The Big Picture

Taken together, these three intersections tell the story of MB Rd. today — a corridor under pressure from rapid growth, environmental challenges and aging infrastructure — but also one that’s steadily being improved.

Some work is finished, some is still under way and more is coming in the next few years. For residents of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel alike, the changes along MB Rd. promise better connectivity in the long run, even as the short-term disruptions unfortunately continue.

As always, the Neighborhood News will keep you updated about what’s happening with the MB Rd. corridor — one closure, one construction zone and one reopening at a time.

SERVICES PROVIDED IN OUR OFFICE:

• Wellness Dentistry for kids and teens

• Holistic nutritional counseling for teeth and gums

• Ozone therapy for oral care

• Recommendation of non-toxic materials

• Sedation dentistry (nitrous oxide) and Sedation

• Invisalign First for children & Invisalign Teen

• Digital 3D scans, ITERO (no goop) and digital X-rays

• Laser dentistry (release of tongue tie for infants, children and teens)

• Relaxed environment, so your children can enjoy their visit

Upcoming Events — ‘The Spongebob Musical,’ REVolutions Dance, ‘KidQuest’ & 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 will be held on Saturday, February 28, and the Final Competition will be held on Saturday March 28, both at the Pasco Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC; 8657 Old Pasco Rd., Wesley Chapel). Application fees: Solo - $50; Group$50 for 1st participant, $10 for each additional person up to $100 max. For more information or to apply online, visit HeritageArts.org/spotlight-on-talent. Or, call (352) 424-0135.

Monday, January 19, 6:30 p.m. – East Pasco Democratic Club Meeting. At the Genesis Center (38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills) and on ZOOM. Topic is planning to win back the US House. All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Free to attend. For more info, visit EastPascoDems. com or call (813) 383-8315.

Wednesday, January 21, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Coffee Social, hosted by Assisted Living Locators. At the North Tampa Bay Chamber Office (28329 Paseo Dr., Ste. 195). A relaxed morning designed for casual networking and meaningful connections. Join fellow Chamber members for coffee, light refreshments, and great conversations — with no agenda & no speeches, just community. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit

The New Tampa Players Mainstage & Ampersand group present three performances of The Spongebob Musical” Jan. 30-Feb. 1, at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. See page 21 for ticket info & more details.

Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Wednesday, January 21, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. – KidQuest. At The Shops at Wiregrass (28211 Paseo Dr.). A morning of music, movement and smiles with Mr. Tommy and GiGi and Friends. This is an interactive, high-energy singalong that kids will love. Free to attend. For more info, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com/event/35021-january-kidquest.

Wednesday, January 21, 6 p.m. – Central Pasco Democratic Club Meeting. At Meadow

Pointe I Clubhouse (28245 County Line Rd.). and on ZOOM. Topic is planning to win back the US House. All friends of the Democratic Party are welcome. Free to attend. For more info, visit CentralPascoDems.com or call (813) 453-1663.

Thursday, January 22, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – REVolutions Dance Presents: “REVMoves (TYA).” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). REVMoves explores and celebrates the contributions of all people by sharing real life, personal stories through dance and contemporary choreography. $10 general admission tickets. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. Or, to purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events/rev-moves-tya

Thursday, January 22, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon Cutting. At Primrose School of Wesley Chapel (26031 County Line Rd.). Light refreshments will be served. There will be a diaper drive for West Lakes Early Learning Center. All donations are welcome. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Friday, January 23, 8 p.m.-11 p.m. –REVolutions Dance Presents: “REV20.” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Join the REVMoves company as the dancers present their favorite

dance pieces spanning the past two decades, along with brand-new works by choreographers who have recently joined the company’s mission to REVolutionize dance performance! Tickets cost $17.50-$25, depending upon 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/ revolutions-dance-presents-rev20

Sunday, January 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – The Shops at Wiregrass Auto & Truck Showcase. At The Shops at Wiregrass (Paseo Dr.). Paseo Dr. will transform into a walkable car lover’s playground, featuring everything from vintage classics to modern builds and powerful trucks. There will be a live DJ and kid-friendly activities. Presented by Unhinged International. Free to attend. For more info, visit TheShopsatWiregrass.com/ event/32059-the-shops-at-wiregrass-auto-andtruck-showcase.

Wednesday, January 28, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. – Wesley Chapel Outpatient Care is Turning One. At All Children’s Specialty Physicians (2905-2907 Allegra Way, Lutz). Meet the specialists and tour the center. Refreshments will be served. Free to attend, but please RSVP. For more info and to RSVP, visit t.jh.edu/ ACH25WCAnniversary.

Friday, January 30, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. – North Tampa Bay Chamber Final Friday. At SpringHill Suites Marriott Tampa Suncoast Pkwy. (16615 Crosspointe Run, Land O’Lakes). Engage

and network with fellow Chamber Members in a relaxed environment. There will be a cash bar. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 9948534 or visit Business.NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Friday–Sunday, January 30-February 1. Performances: Friday & Saturday, 8 p.m., & 3 p.m. on Sunday — “The SpongeBob Musical.” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). A joint production between New Tampa Players (NTP) Mainstage and NTP’s Ampersand group, this unique full-length production experience combines the exceptional talents and strengths of all NTP actors to create a fun, heart-warming and stunning theatrical production of “The SpongeBob Musical.” Tickets cost $22-$36, depending upon seat selection. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit NewTampaPlayers.Thundertix. com/events/251500

Monday, February 2, 7 p.m. – New Tampa Democratic Club Monthly Meeting. At New Tampa Regional Library (10001 Cross Creek Blvd.). Guest speakers are Democratic Candidates for U.S. Congress, District 15. Free to attend. For more info, visit NewTampaDemocrats.com or Facebook.com/NewTampaDemocrats

Friday, February 6, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. –North Tampa Bay Chamber Leading Ladies Network. At USF Credit Union (20610 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.). This meeting aims to empower and support women in various fields. This month’s speaker is Robyn Ostrem, CEO of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. For more info, call (813) 994-8534 or visit Business. NorthTampaBayChamber.com/events.

Friday, February 6, 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

– Pavlo in Concert. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). A night of Spanish, Flamenco and Mediterranean guitar! Pavlo returns home for a very special concert with his full band and special guests. Tickets cost $50. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit itsmyseat.com/events/700882.html

Sunday, February 8, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. - Connection Lab Presents: Relational Symposium 2026. At the Hilton Garden Inn (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy.). With world-renowned psychologist, therapist and counselor titled: “What Was God Thinking?,” this symposium is for everyone. Lunch with be provided and there will be swag bags and raffle giveaways. Free to attend, but you must register. For more info, call (470) 283-4245 or email info.relationshipgonewild@gmail.com. Or, to register, visit relationshipgonewild.com/ events-1/what-was-god-thinking.

Sunday, February 8, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. –New Tampa Unplugged: Cypress Creek Jazz Band. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Experience the lively sounds of New Orleans-style jazz, uplifting spirituals in traditional jazz style, and classic gospel music with the Cypress Creek Jazz Band. 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-tampaunplugged-cypress-creek-jazz-band.

Monday, February 9, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. –Broadway Open Mic Night. At New Tampa

Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Broadway Open Mic Nights are for everyone — whether you’re a seasoned performer, practicing for an audition, or just love to sing. Free to attend. For more info, call (813) 8292760. Or to sign up, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/events/open-mic-feb.

Wednesday, February 11, 10:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. – Creative Arts Theatre Presents: Angry Lizard – An Experiment by Dr. Kramer (TYA). At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). This funny and touching play by Chris Leyva explores Dr. Kramer’s experiments to teach emotions with dinosaurs, but the plan goes wildly off the rails. Best for ages 5 and up, Free to attend, but please register. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. Or to register, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/ events/angry-lizard-tya.

Friday, February 13 8 p.m.-11 p.m. –Tampa Bay Symphony: Strings of Fire, Echoes of Empire. At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). The Tampa Bay Symphony consists of more than 80 musicians and has been described as “one of Tampa Bay’s hidden jewels.” Come and experience the excitement of live classical music. General Admission $25, student tickets are free with a student ID. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. Or, to purchase tickets, visit TampaBaySymphonyInc. thundertix.com/events/248429

Saturday, February 14, 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. & Sunday, February 15, 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. –Solo Spotlight Series: “Til Death Do Us Part… You First!” At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Celebrate

Valentine’s Day weekend with humor. Directed by Chazz Palminteri, an Academy Award nominee and the author and star of Broadway’s (and the hit movie) “A Bronx Tale,” this multimedia theatrical show stars Peter Fogel in an award-winning performance that takes audiences on a journey through the ups and downs of love and marriage, reminding us all of the funny side of relationships. Tickets $15-$20 depending upon seat. 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/solo-spotlight-series-til-death-do-us-part-you-first

Tuesday, February 17, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. – The Tampa Taiko Japanese Drumming Ensemble (TYA). At New Tampa Performing Arts Center (8550 Hunters Village Rd.). Tampa Taiko Japanese Drumming Ensemble will entertain and educate young audiences with this heart-racing presentation of an ancient Japanese art form. Tickets $10 general admission. For more info, call (813) 829-2760. Or, to purchase tickets, visit NewTampaArtsCenter.org/ events/taiko-tya.

Saturday, February 21, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. — 2nd Annual Sean Bartell Charity Bingo. At Cypress Creek High Cafeteria (8701 Old Pasco Rd.). Doors will open at 3 p.m. Bring your own dauber or you can purchase one for $2. With 20 Rounds, 4 cards per game you’ll have 80 chances to win. Donation to play is $25 if you pre-purchase or $30 at the door. For more info, email SPBFoundation@hotmail.com. Or, to purchase bingo cards, visit Zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2nd-annual-sean-bartell-foundation-bingo.

Wesley Chapel’s Tesla Dealership Is Open, Bringing Sales & Service Closer To Home !

By Joel Provenzano Neighborhood News Correspondent

When the Wesley Chapel Tesla dealership and service center was first announced, it gener ated plenty of curiosity. But when it actually opened, there were no balloons, banners, or hoopla. In fact, many local residents are just now realizing that the location has been open on Eagleston Blvd. in Seven Oaks, just east and south of the Wesley Chapel Blvd. exit (Exit 279)off I-75 (behind Blue Heron Senior Liv ing), next to the new Verve apartments, since October of last year.

According to Tesla representatives, that low-key approach is intentional. There’s no need for fanfare — people find the brand.

Unlike traditional car dealerships, Tesla locations are entirely corporate owned and operated. There’s no pressure sales model, no commission-driven tactics and no need to lure customers in with promotions.

Everything — from browsing inventory to purchasing a vehicle — is standardized and handled online through Tesla’s website or app. Staff are on hand primarily to answer questions, guide customers through the digital buying process and offer test drives, including demonstrations of Full Self-Driving for those who are feeling adventurous.

longer repairs, Tesla offers loaner vehicles.

That approach has resonated with local resident Michele Curtin, Broker/Owner of Shells Florida Realty in New Tampa, Michele says the Wesley Chapel location is a welcome addition. “The Tampa location was fine, but the traffic made it a hassle,” Michele says. “Having one so close is a big deal.”

Michele purchased her first Tesla, a Model Y, in 2021. She upgraded to a newer Model Y in June 2025 and says the improvements are noticeable. “Everything that was an issue with my earlier model has been fixed in the latest generation,” she says.

Just a few weeks ago, Michele and her husband Frank added a striking new vehicle to their collection: a Cyberbeast, Tesla’s top-ofthe-line Cybertruck. The couple test drove it at the Wesley Chapel location and decided to place their order on site with the help of sales representative Sohil Desai.

“Fantastic service,” Frank says. “It was a great experience.”

Service is where the Wesley Chapel location truly stands out. Customers drive directly into a fully air-conditioned building, pulling up next to the service desks to hand over their vehicle — no heat, no rain and no parking lot shuffle.

Behind the scenes is a massive service and detailing area equipped with 24 lifts and space to accommodate roughly twice as many vehicles at once. Inside, a comfortable lounge helps waiting customers pass the time.

Why Tesla?

While Michele admits that Teslas may not match the luxury feel of brands like Lexus — which she was loyal to for years — she says the driving experience and technology more than make up for it. “It’s more utilitarian,” she says, “but the acceleration is unbeatable. It makes pulling into traffic effortless.”

She’s also a fan of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving feature, which she subscribes to for $99 a month. “I could buy it outright (for $8,000),” she says, “but I don’t keep vehicles that long.” For buyers who want to own the feature, Tesla also allows it to be rolled into their financing.

proved significantly since 2021. “I go through the app for most everything,” she explains, not ing the live chat support and smoother service experience. She also has a Tesla wall charger at home. “It’s amazing,” she says. “I plug in at night, and no more gas stations.”

Like many new EV owners,Michele says she did experience a learning curve, especially on longer trips.

“At first,” sa says, “I ignored the car when it told me where to stop for charging. I had plenty of charge, but it was planning ahead for me.”

After a few tense moments, she learned just how precise Tesla’s trip estimator is. “It’s scary accurate,” she laughs, adding that she now trusts it completely.

For those considering a Tesla for the first time, the Wesley Chapel dealership offers Model 3s starting at around $36,000 and Model Ys starting near $40,000. The top-of-the-line Cyberbeast AWD sells for $117,235.

Financing options currently include interest rates as low as 0%-2% on select models. Lease terms also are available for 24-36 months.

Tesla prides itself on a straightforward, nopressure buying experience, a claim backed up by hundreds of customer reviews. Staffers don’t

“need” to sell anything, locals say — they’re there to answer your questions, encourage visitors to sit inside the vehicles, explore the technology and imagine what driving might look like in the future.

The Wesley Chapel Tesla dealership and service center is located at 4980 Eagleston Blvd. It is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sat. & noon-6 p.m. on Sun. For more information, call (813) 953-4467 or visit Tesla.com.

Moffitt’s Speros Campus Celebrates Outpatient Center’s Grand Opening!

Even though it’s located at least 20 miles from any part of Wesley Chapel, perhaps the biggest news story in Pasco County for 2026 is the opening of the sprawling new 775-acre Speros FL campus of the Moffitt Cancer Center — the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida — located on Wilton Way in Land O’Lakes.

The first building to open in this amazing innovation hub, where science, technology and patient care will converge in the fight against can cer is the 120,000-sq.-ft. Moffitt Speros Outpa tient Center, which was introduced to an invited crowd on Jan. 9 with a huge event attended by an estimated 500 people, including Florida Secretary of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, State Senator Danny Burgess, State Rep. Kevin Steele, all five Pasco County Commissioners and 84-year-old former Speaker of the Florida House of Represen tatives H. Lee Moffitt, the man who founded the nonprofit cancer center named for him.

The event included the following speakers:

•Dr. Patrick Hwu, the president & CEO of Moffitt, who noted that 2026 is the cancer center’s 40th anniversary year. Dr. Hwu also played the keyboards in the Speros band following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dr. Hwu noted that the next building to open in the Speros campus will be the Richard M. Schulze Proton Center, which will open in just a few months and will be home to one of only three proton radiation machines in Florida. That opening will be followed by the opening of the 100,000-sq.-ft. research center. Dr. Hwu also noted that the first patients will begin being treated at the outpatient center, “within a few weeks.”

•Dr. Josh Carpenter, the president of Sper os who also is the VP & chief integration officer of Moffitt and who noted that Speros means “hope” and who thanked everyone who played a part — and those still playing a part — in the construction and opening of the many buildings coming to the Speros campus

•Speros Board chair Marty Lanahan, the executive VP of First Horizon Bank, who introduced Moffitt Cancer Center’s Institute Board chair Tim Adams. Adams said that Lee Moffitt charged him with the task to cure cancer and sent him to Tallahassee in 2005 to talk to Simpson, who was then a State Senator who was going to be the president of the Florida Senate within three years. “Wilton told me that he’s had his eye on Moffitt for a long time, but if we really want to cure cancer, you’re going to have to start thinking a lot bigger than a 20-acre campus in Tampa.”

•Comm. Simpson, who said he knew Pasco had the land to “do something like this and that people could fly into Tampa International from all over the world and be here in 30 minutes to get treatment. I’m very proud of the tens of thousands of lives, starting now, that we’re going to be saving on an annual basis. How many grandparents will now get to see their grandchildren get older? How many children are going to be cured? How many moms and dads will see their kids get married because of the

work that Moffitt will be doing on this site?”

•H. Lee Moffitt himself, who said, “What a day! The reason we’re here is because of the hard work of every single person in this audience and I can not thank you enough for your dedication, zeal and vision to help us get to where we are today. I would like to thank and applaud the efforts of all of our friends that have worked for us since I started the cancer center 40 years ago and embraced our mission and contributed to the prevention and cure of cancer. By golly,

we are making a difference and I appreciate all of your efforts in this quest!”

• The final speaker was Debra Schulze, speaking on behalf of her father Richard M. “Dick” Schulze, the founder of Best Buy Co., the largest electronics store in the U.S., who was unable to attend the event but whose family foundation supported the Speros Center with a $15-million investment in the campus’ Proton Therapy Center, “which is more than just advanced technology. It is a place where skilled

patients will come together in the pursuit of healing and progress. On behalf of my father, our family, and our foundation, thank you to the Moffitt leadership and staff. We are proud to stand alongside you and share in the excitement and the impact that this Richard M. Schulz Family Foundation Proton Therapy System Center will have on the future of cancer care.”

For more information about Moffitt’s Speros Outpatient Clinic & Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation Proton Center (16370 Wilton Way, Land O’Lakes), visit Moffitt.org.

4 Ever Young Anti Aging Solutions Cuts A North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbon!

Congratulations go out to Marcus McCants (below) and his wife Kim (at right in bottom right photo), the owners of the new 4 Ever Young Anti Aging Solutions location at 19040 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza.

Marcus, Kim and their staff celebrated the Grand Opening of their new med spa with a well-attended North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event (right) on Jan. 8, where Marcus explained why 4 Ever Young — which specializes in anti-aging products like Botox and Restylane, plus a variety of facials, hormone replacement and peptide therapies for weight loss, injury recovery and much more — literally has something for everyone.

“We are so proud to be able to bring 4 Ever Young to the Tampa Bay area,” Marcus said during the Grand Opening event.

“If you wake up during the night to go pee, if you have trouble sleeping, have low energy or low-T (testosterone), or you

just want to look and feel better and younger, we can help.”

The former long-time owner of multiple WingStop locations (including the one on BBD in Wesley Chapel) says he was looking for a new challenge and that he was convinced to buy a 4 Ever Young franchise after being able to return to working out only two weeks after tearing his bicep muscle while weightlifting, thanks to peptide therapy at another 4 Ever Young location.

The New Tampa location is offering a variety of Grand Opening specials.

For more info, call (813) 5657740 or visit 4EverYoungAntiAging. com and please tell Marcus and his professional medical team we sent — GN

Coach Vishal Jain Introduces The Excel Cricket Academy!

Former Pro Cricketer Says He Is Training The U.S. National Team’s Stars Of The Future!

By Gary Nager

I’ll be honest — I don’t understand the sport known as cricket. I know it is similar to baseball, in that it has pitchers, called “bowlers,” catchers called “wicket-keepers” and hitters, called “batsmen,” and that the object of the game is to score more runs than the other team.

But, how the teams score runs, how they record outs (there are three different ways) and why the batsmen run while still holding their bats after hitting the ball are all mysteries to yours truly. Even so, it is still a super-exciting game to watch, whether live or on TV.

Fortunately for anyone in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and the entire Tampa Bay area whose child is interested in learning how to play cricket like the pros, Vishal Jain, a former pro cricketer, from the Indian capital of Mumbai, is now available to teach kids ages 8 and older all of the fundamental techniques and rules of this hugely popular sport. Jain’s Excel Cricket Academy meets every Saturday and Sunday on Field #2 at the Wesley Chapel District Park, which also hosted a cricket tournament the day I visited. And, Jain says, he hopes to be able to one day teach kids how to play cricket at the City of Tampa park now being designed that will one day open in K-Bar Ranch.

(Note-Although the city budgeted the money to design the park in K-Bar [which also will include other facilities, in addition to a cricket pitch], the necessary funds to build it are not yet in the city’s budget.)

Jain has all the credentials anyone who wants their child to learn how to play cricket could possibly want. He played for both Mumbai and Goa and won India’s premier first-class cricket tournament, known as the Ranji Trophy, which was named for K.S. Ranjitsinhji, the first Indian to play Test cricket. The Ranji Trophy is India’s oldest and most prestigious domestic red-ball competition, with Mumbai being the most successful team historically, having won the prestigious trophy more than 40 times.

Jain was trained by the esteemed Ramakant Achrekar, the legendary coach of Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as the biggest icon in the history of the sport — which will be played for the first time since 1900 as a medal sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in

Los Angeles. And, in addition to playing cricket at the highest level, Jain (who also owns Excel Cricket Academies in Mumbai) also has been the head coach of the Mumbai Central Zone U19 and U23 teams.

His bio on the “Excel Cricket Academy Tampa Florida USA” Facebook page says, “Known for his expertise in diverse coaching methodologies, Coach Vishal is dedicated to helping players unlock their full potential. His approach emphasizes mindset, discipline and continuous learning, incorporating personalized training, workshops and motivational sessions.”

He also has battle scars on his hands and arms, from fielding the balls hit with the heavy cricket bats bare-handed. Only the batsmen and wicket-keepers usually wear gloves in cricket.

All I can tell you, after watching one practice with his younger Excel Academy group, he definitely has the attention and admiration of not only his young athletes, but also of their parents, many of whom travel from Brandon and as far away as St. Petersburg to have their children trained by Jain.

And, it was immediately obvious why.

While “bowling” the harder-than-baseball balls to each Academy student, he not only told but also showed each one how to execute a defensive “shot” one moment, how to drive the ball the next and which foot to focus their weight on for each batting maneuver.

And, the kids and parents all really seemed to love him, and he certainly seemed to be in complete control of them, without ever raising his voice. When he tried to get his younger players all to pose for the picture above and some of them were acting up, all he had to do was point at them and say “Discipline” and they all got the message. Super impressive.

“And, if they ever still don’t listen, I will pack up their stuff, bring it over to their parents and tell them to take them home and come back next week. They get so embarrassed I’ve never had to do that to the same player twice.”

Training Future U.S. National Stars

It’s clear that virtually all of the young players Jain coaches are of Indian descent, but the Excel Cricket Academy is open to anyone who wants to learn the proper way to play this

sport that continues to grow in popularity here.

“The U.S. National Team is one of eight teams (India, Australia, England, Afghanistan, South Africa, Bangladesh and the West Indies are the others) that qualified for the 2026 [ICC Men’s T20] World Cup,” Jain says. “In other words, cricket is growing in this country and I want to train the future stars of the sport here.”

And, best of all, he says, there are no set fees to train with Coach Vishal — who also offers individual coaching sessions for those who want them. “The parents usually agree to an amount to each pay me (for the team sessions),” he says. “I’ve already made money playing cricket. All I want now is to find and train the best players I can and help each one reach his or her potential.”

For more info about Excel Cricket Academy, call (813) 523-5871, email Coach Vishal at excelcricketacademytampa@gmail.com or stop by the Wesley Chapel District Park, Field #2 (7727 Boyette Rd.) any Sat., 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Small Kids 10-11:30; Leather Ball Kids 11:301:30) or Sun., 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (Small Kids 8-9:30; Leather Ball Kids 9:30-11:30).

Equitable Advisors — Local Expertise & The Strength Of A National Financial Firm

By Celeste McLaughlin Neighborhood News Correspondent

Patrick Bungo and Jacob Bubenik met as co-workers at the Tampa branch of Equitable Advisors — one of the largest financial services firms in the U.S.

The pair found they had a lot in common — both are husbands, dads and recently escaped cold weather to raise their respective families in Wesley Chapel.

Both are financial advisors, and together they have more than 50 years of combined experience in the industry.

Now, they want to use that expertise to provide personalized financial guidance to their neighbors in Wesley Chapel, including retirement tools such as rolling a 401(k) investment account into an IRA or Roth IRA, purchasing life insurance or other estate planning strategies, and exploring competitive strategies for savings, including CDs and fixed annuities and more.

“We help people with all phases of retirement planning,” Pat says. “We can help you get to retirement with a plan, then into and through retirement.”

Pat and Jake’s clients include individuals, families and small businesses, although they say they work mostly with families.

Pat and his wife Kara came to Wesley Chapel from Pittsburgh in 2022, where Pat had been in the financial services industry since 2004. They live in Epperson with their three children, ages 12, 11, and 7.

Jake and his wife Nicole came from Kansas

City in 2023, where he had been with Equitable since 2001. They have two children who are ages 10 and 8.

Both Pat and Jake remain based out of the Tampa office of Equitable Advisors on W. Kennedy Blvd. in the Westshore area, but as Wesley Chapel residents, they say they hope to work more with their neighbors.

“A lot of our clients become almost like family,” Jake says. “We know their spouses,

children and even their grandchildren.”

More often than not, they say, people need help with retirement, whether or not they realize it. “It’s something people often overlook,” Jake says. “People don’t really have the understanding of how to tackle this on their own and need an advisor. They need that help to accomplish their goals.”

In fact, they say, many people don’t even know what a financial advisor is or what they

do, so they have no idea they need one.

When Pat or Jake first meet with someone, they start with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. At that meeting, they’ll discuss your personal financial situation and goals for retirement, and make personalized recommendations for insurance or investments that can help you meet those goals.

If you choose to purchase an insurance product, your advisor is paid by the insurance company for that sale. If you choose to make investments, the fee is typically a percentage of that investment, usually 1-1.5%.

Pat and Jake usually prefer to meet in person with a prospective client, but will meet with people via videoconferencing, if that’s what the client wants. Meetings can be scheduled at the Tampa office of Equitable Advisors, or they are happy to meet clients where it’s most convenient for them, whether that’s at their home, office or out to coffee or lunch.

They say that Equitable is the top provider in the nation for teachers, helping them manage their 403(b) retirement plans. Because of that, they sometimes offer online virtual meetings for teachers through Pasco County.

The pair also plans to host in-person events in the future to introduce themselves and their services to the community. Be sure to see their Neighborhood News ads in future issues, which will announce any such upcoming events.

A Little History...

Equitable started out in 1859 as an insurance company. During its 167-year history, the

firm evolved from only an insurance company to now selling both insurance (benefits and life insurance, not property or casualty insurance, such as car insurance) and investments. Today, Equitable has more than 8,000 employees and serves 4 million clients across the U.S.

Jake says that, as an employee of Equitable, “it’s the best of both worlds,” in that employees get benefits and have the backing of a large firm behind them, but are given the flexibility to work with multiple investment and insurance companies.

For example, Pat says, he also works with LPL Financial, which he says is the largest financial institution in the country.

Pat and Jake say one reason they’re happy to work together is that they have a similar philosophy in how they treat their clients.

“When we make recommendations,” Jake says, “we always look at putting the clients first and foremost. I always tell my clients what would I do personally, if this was for me or my family.”

Pat agrees, saying, “We take pride in doing the right thing for people, and treat them as they would want to be treated. That’s how you build long-lasting relationships.”

In fact, they explain that working with

Equitable, they have a fiduciary responsibility. Being a fiduciary is a legally-defined term, meaning they are “held to the highest standard of conduct” for their clients and obligated to act in their client’s best interest, not their own.

“After 25 years in Kansas City,” says Jake, “my wife and I have loved moving to Wesley Chapel. We love the wonderful sunshine and beaches, and love the activities, and that there’s always a lot going on.”

Pat says that he most enjoys playing golf in the area.

“We meet a lot of people from all over the country in our neighborhood,” Pat says. “If they are looking for advice, have lost connection with an advisor they had before the moved here, or don’t have an advisor, we want to be able to help them.”

The Tampa office of Equitable Advisors is located at 4890 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 800.For more information about Pat and Jake, see the ad on page 39 of this issue, visit JakeBubenik.com or contact Jake or Pat directly. Pat Bungo can be reached at (813) 421-7351 or Patrick.Bungo@equitable.com and Jake Bubenik can be reached at (913) 696-2422 or Jake.Bubenik@equitable.com.

Absolute Air Systems Is One Family’s Commitment To Customer Service

By Joey Stanziani Neighborhood News Correspondent

Absolute Air Systems, Inc., is a family-owned heating and air conditioning company that has been serving Central Florida for three decades. Founded by Steve DeRolf and Mike Thornton, who met while working together at a previous HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) company and continue to operate the business alongside Steve’s wife Tammy and Steve and Tammy’s daughter Amber DeRolf. Amber oversees office operations and marketing, while Tammy manages office administration and employee coordination.

Absolute Air Systems is North American Technician Excellence (NATE)-certified and serves Wesley Chapel, New Tampa and most of Central Florida.

Steve says the company was created after he and Mike both saw way too many customers being charged for unnecessary full-system replacements and/or repairs by other HVAC companies.

“That’s why we started Absolute Air,” Steve says, “to help people save money and stop them from being taken advantage of.”

According to DeRolf, many HVAC companies rely on sales-driven business models that prioritize replacement over repair. He estimates that 80–90 percent of heating and air conditioning customers are oversold on parts or services, a practice he attributes to those companies employing salespeople rather than trained technicians.

“Most of them couldn’t service a unit if their life depended on it, because they aren’t service guys,” Steve says. “If your unit can be fixed for $300, [many of these other companies] would rather charge you $12,000 for a new system [you don’t need].”

Amber says that Absolute Air Systems’ pricing structure differs from other HVAC

companies because the business is family operated and because they evaluate each job individually, rather than relying on flat sales pricing.

“My dad and I are the ones who run everything, so every price is made per job,” Amber says. “We take the time to understand what the job needs and how long it will take, and then we price it fairly.”

When determining whether a system should be repaired or replaced, Amber says the age of the unit and the severity of the issue are the primary factors.

“If the unit less than 10 years old, we always offer to repair it first,” Amber says. “If it’s more than 10 years old, what we offer depends on the issue it’s having.”

The Value Of Memberships

To help customers avoid emergency repairs, Absolute Air Systems offers an annual preventive maintenance membership.

The basic preventive maintenance normally costs $100 per year, but members receive $5 off the service the first year and $15 off the second year. Additional benefits include priority service, yearly maintenance reminders, a single annual payment with no additional monthly charges, 10 percent off service fees for additional repairs, and $250 off a full-system installation anytime during the membership period.

Maintenance under the membership can occur once or (usually) twice per year. Heating systems are typically checked shortly before colder weather kicks in — typically around October — while air conditioning systems are ideally inspected between January and March, before Florida’s scorching summer heat arrives.

Routine maintenance is especially important in Florida, where heating systems are rarely used and are too often left unchecked. When cold weather does arrive, a system that has not been maintained may fail due to problems that went unnoticed. It also is recommended to check air conditioning systems well before summer to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns during peak heat waves, catch small issues early and to ensure your system’s drain lines are clean to prevent clogs that may cause system failures.

In addition to standard HVAC services, Absolute Air Systems installs UV lights to improve indoor air quality for homeowners with pets or allergies by reducing mold, bacteria, allergens and viruses. The company also installs and repairs so-called “smart thermostats” that

allow homeowners to turn their air on or off and monitor system performance remotely and to receive alerts if a unit experiences an issue while they are away. Absolute Air also services mini-split systems, which are ductless air conditioning units commonly used in studio-style apartments, garages and converted lanais.

The company also provides ductwork services, including inspections, repairs and replacement. Properly operating ductwork is important for HVAC system efficiency, as disconnected sections, holes and damaged ducts may cause systems to overwork or fail to cool.

Online customer reviews frequently praise Absolute Air’s professionalism, reliability, and pricing. The company has more than Google reviews with an overall rating of 4.8 stars out of 5, including 60+ 5-star reviews. In his recent five-star Google review, customer Craig V said,

“Steve is great!! He was on time, professional, and knowledgeable. Friendly, reliable, and his quote was significantly less than the others I got. Super happy with the work and the price — [I] highly recommend these guys for HVAC needs!”

For the DeRolf family, success in the HVAC industry is measured by customer satisfaction. “I just love the customer service aspect and how people are so grateful when they find out that we’ve saved them $5,000 or $10,000 or even more than that,” Steve says.

Neighborhood News readers who mention this story or the ad on page 38 will receive $600 off a new AC system install.

For more information about Absolute Air Systems, call (813) 779-0101, visit GetColdAir.com or see the ad on page 38.

Wesley Chapel Estate Planning Attorney Celebrates 100 5-Star Reviews & 2nd Location

Special to the Neighborhood News

Life changes — sometimes in wonderful ways, sometimes without warning. A new child, an unexpected illness and other major transitions can shift everything. While we adapt to life’s changes every day, many people avoid planning for one certainty we all share: what happens when we’re no longer here?

Who will protect our families?

What happens to our assets?

Will our wishes actually be carried out?

Estate planning isn’t an easy topic — but failing to plan can leave families overwhelmed, stressed and navigating legal complications during the most difficult moments of their lives.

That’s exactly what attorney Paul J. Monsanto seeks to help families avoid.

At The Law Office of Paul James Monsanto, P.A., Paul and his team emphasize clarity, protection and peace of mind. The firm focuses on wills, trusts, probate and comprehensive family planning and also assists with long-term care planning, special needs planning, asset protection and trust administration.

Avoiding an overcomplicated, one-sizefits-all approach, Paul believes that estate planning should be straightforward and built for real life. He believes this practical, common-sense approach to solving complex issues has fueled his firm’s reputation and growth.

Since opening its doors in 2021, Paul’s law office has reached 100 five-star reviews on Google, a milestone that, he says, reflects consistent client satisfaction, trust and results.

Now with two locations — one off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel and the other on Gunn Hwy. in the Carrollwood area, attorney Paul J. Monsanto of the Law Office of Paul James Monsanto specializes in wills, trusts & all aspects of estate planning. (Photo provided by Paul J. Monsanto)

“Thanks to everyone who took the time to give us their feedback,” Paul says. “Positive word of mouth has been a crucial part of our success. I’m so happy and honored that my past clients have had such positive experiences.”

Accompanying the reviews, clients comment that Paul thoroughly explains complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable

way. Reviewers highlight the friendly, empathetic and responsive demeanor of Paul and his staff, noting that clients felt valued and understood. They also mention that documentation and processes are organized and high-quality. Paul’s clients appreciate his law office for its transparency about pricing and reasonable costs for excellent service. They add that Paul tailors

estate plans to their specific needs rather than recommending unnecessary services.

“Many people assume they need a complicated plan because of something they read online or heard from a friend or a neighbor,” Paul explains. “For most families, that simply isn’t the case. Simplicity, when done correctly, is powerful. I believe providing simplicity and value is what is driving the growth of our law practice.”

Now With Two Locations

Part of that growth now includes a second location. With proud roots in North Tampa Bay — the law office will mark the five-year anniversary of its Wesley Chapel location this summer—the Law Office of Paul J. Monsanto has added a second location in Carrollwood to better serve that community.

“It’s a natural next step,” he says. “Like Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood is home to families, retirees and professionals seeking convenient access to quality estate planning services. We are going to fill that need.”

Paul’s expertise has grown as well. He now brings more than 16 years of legal experience to every client relationship. He is licensed to practice law in both Florida and New York, holds a Finance degree from the University of Florida in

Gainesville, and earned his Juris Doctor (J.D., or law) degree from the Duke University School of Law in Durham, NC. He practiced as a litigation attorney for major banks and insurance companies in New York City before returning home to Tampa to serve individuals and families.

Paul’s diverse experience has shaped his understanding that no two families are alike.

“I’ve helped single individuals, large families, blended families, same-sex couples, unmarried domestic partners, people without children, people who are on their first marriage, second marriage, third marriage — you name it!,” Paul says. “Every situation is different and every plan should reflect that.”

The personal aspect of estate planning is what drew Paul to the practice area and why he plans to continue to practice estate law for years

to come. “After practicing commercial litigation for big banks and corporations, it’s been so refreshing to help everyday people,” he says. “Speaking to my clients and hearing about their lives and their families is my favorite part of the job.”

He adds, “The legal services industry has become so impersonal and disconnected, but dealing with a death, major illness or catastrophe is very personal. My staff is like family, and we bring that same personal touch to our clients. I hope that comes across.”

To schedule a consultation with attorney Paul J. Monsanto, call (813) 997-5290, visit PJMAttorneys.com or or see the ad on pg. 44. The Law Office of Paul James Monsanto, P.A., is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102, Wesley Chapel. The new Carrollwood office is located at 3808 Gunn Hwy., Tampa.

Club Pilates Wiregrass Offers The Power Of Pilates Classes For Everyone!

By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent

I stood outside the New Tampa Club Pilates location in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms with a familiar mixture of hope and hesitation. Years ago, a car accident left me with a fragile back, and every time I have tried to exercise beyond walking or swimming, pain would chase me. Over time, I stopped trying.

So, when I was given the opportunity to take a class at Club Pilates and write about my experience, I accepted the challenge. I wanted to push myself and work hard, but I was afraid of paying for it later with pain, especially in muscles I had neglected for so long.

Walking inside, I noticed the rows of Pilates reformer machines lined up neatly across the room. I had done some research prior to visiting Club Pilates, so I knew that the reformers have a bench-like frame, sliding platforms and adjustable springs. I looked at these machines and it felt as if they were looking back at me, quietly saying, “I’m waiting for you and I will twist your body into a pretzel.”

The reformer is the foundation of the Club Pilates experience. It uses your own body weight, combined with adjustable spring tension, to create resistance through controlled movements, which help build strength and stability without pounding the joints or spine.

The equipment traces its roots back to Joseph Pilates, who developed his method during World War I while living in England, where he used bed springs to help rehabilitate injured soldiers. After emigrating to New York City in the

(Above) Neighborhood News correspondent Iris Vitelli

was proud to complete a 50-minute workout without pain at the New Tampa Club Pilates in Tampa

is

1920s, Pilates refined his apparatus further and opened his first studio, laying the groundwork for the reformer-based practice that is still used by Pilates studios around the world today. The springs provide resistance for both upper and lower body work while allowing movements to stay controlled and joint-friendly.

My instructor, Mackenzie, introduced me to the equipment by explaining how the springs worked and walked me through what the class would include. When I shared my concerns about my back, she told me about her own experience after having an accident and the back issues that followed. “Pilates,” she

explained, “was the only thing I could do and what was recommended for my rehabilitation.”

The class began with lights turned low, and the only thing I heard was the smooth sound of Mackenzie’s voice guiding us from one movement to the next.

Part of why Pilates works for so many people, including those with injuries, is not just the reformer machines but also the additional equipment used throughout the class. There also is a springboard wall that includes a ballet bar which, for this beginner class, was used for stretching, which I found especially helpful between sequences.

For more challenging elements, tools like the Bosu ball and hand weights are incorporated. Bosu balls looks like inflatable rubber domes on flat platforms. They can be added to exercises like squats, push-ups, or planks, increasing difficulty without adding impact. There also are TRX (Total Resistance eXercise) suspension straps, developed by U.S. Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick, which use your body weight to build strength, balance and flexibility.

I spent the entire 50-minute class moving slowly and deliberately, completing light stretches and resistance work, when something remarkable happened. I felt safe. I felt supported. My muscles were engaged, not strained. To my surprise, I actually felt good.

I’ll admit that 50 minutes sounded like a long time to me. But, once the class began, I lost track of time entirely. And, when it ended, I felt proud of myself.

Before class, MacKenzie had asked me to let her know if I experienced any pain during the session. It never got to that point. At one moment, when I was lying flat on the reformer, my back felt some discomfort, but not pain. That distinction alone felt significant to me.

She explained that the precise, slow movements of Pilates help create muscle around affected areas, while strengthening the core, which in turn supports the back. Not only did it help with her post-accident pain, she also fell in love with it enough to become an instructor.

Club Pilates trainers go through a 500hour certification — and the company has its own certification program — although you can

are exactly the same, which allows each instructor to adapt to the needs of the people in the room.

Classes are offered at progressive levels from Level 1 through 2.5, allowing participants to build strength, confidence and technique gradually. For those who need or prefer more individualized attention, private and semi-private sessions also are available.

For gentle, rehabilitative movement, there are classes like Center + Balance and Reformer Flow 1.As members progress, classes such as Reformer Flow 1.5 and Reformer 2 introduce more complex sequences. Specialty formats like Control, Suspend and Cardio Sculpt incorporate balance challenges, functional strength and cardiovascular elements.

Melissa Boetjer, the regional manager for

age, fitness level, or physical limitations.”

A Little History + Membership Info

The first Club Pilates opened in 2007 in San Diego, CA, and the brand started franchising in 2012. Nathan and Ayesha opened their Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel (in The Shops at Wiregrass) franchises in 2017, and their New Tampa location in 2019.

The Philyaws live in Wesley Chapel with their two children. Both are retired pharmacists who say they were drawn to Club Pilates because of its focus on health, wellness and helping people improve their quality of life.

Their franchises are among more than 1,200 Club Pilates studios throughout the U.S.

today, including about 115 in Florida.

The company offers a Club Pilates Pass port, which allows members to use all of the studios in the U.S. This is great for “snowbirds” who live in another city but come to Florida for a few months every year. You can purchase single classes at Club Pilates, as well as monthly and yearly memberships, which will provide significant savings when you pay in full. With an annual membership, members can take unlimited classes at all three locations. You can pay for the whole year or monthly, but must commit to a full year for unlimited classes.

The Club Pilates app gives you access to a points system. Join for free and earn points by taking classes, which can unlock free classes and other rewards. Take four classes in your first four weeks of enrolling and unlock 400 bonus points. Take eight classes in your first four weeks of enrolling and unlock 800 bonus points. Members can redeem these points for retail discounts and

Before I left, I reflected on how different this experience felt from every other workout I had tried since my accident. I walked out of Club Pilates feeling something I hadn’t in a long time: excited about movement again. Not because the class was easy — it wasn’t — but because it opened the door to a new possibility. Club Pilates Wiregrass is located at 28330 Paseo Dr. It is open Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sat. & 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sun. For info, call (813) 6076655. Club Pilates New Tampa is at 15341 Amberly Dr. For info, call (813) 461-6010. To schedule a free class at either location, visit ClubPilates.com/location/newtampa. com, follow on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, or see the ad on pg. 52.

369 EyeWear & Sunglass KRATE — The Best-Kept Secret In Wesley Chapel?

By Iris Vitelli Neighborhood News Correspondent

When Jim Lambrou originally opened Sunglass Krate at The KRATE at The Grove container park in September 2023, he envisioned a small, well-run shop that reflected everything he had learned over decades in the optical industry. He wanted shopping at Sunglass Krate to feel personal, approachable and different. What he did not anticipate was how quickly that idea would evolve.

Today, Sunglass Krate shares space, energy and identity with William Toledo’s 369 EyeWear, following a merger that officially took place in November 2024.

“What began as a simple expansion has quietly grown into what many of our customers now describe as one of Wesley Chapel’s bestkept secrets in eyewear,” Jim says.

While Sunglass Krate and 369 EyeWear each maintain their own branding, signage and website, the heart of the business now centers on the 369 concept — a straightforward, consumer-first approach built on value, transparency and access.

The idea itself is refreshingly simple. Customers can purchase three, six or nine pairs of glasses for a single flat price. There is no insurance involved and there’s never any pressure to upgrade. The pricing is clear: three pairs for $99, six for $189 and nine pairs for $269. Each “stack” includes one complimentary upgrade, such as tint or anti-reflective coating, with additional upgrades available at modest costs.

For example, polycarbonate lenses can be added for as little as $10 more per pair.

“Insurance tells you how your practice has to be run,” Jim explains. “William and I decided we didn’t want that. We wanted to control the quality, the pricing and the experience.”

As a licensed optician, Jim is not a Doctor of Optometry, so he his clients are not his patients, but his credentials do allow him to fill prescriptions and ensure that customers receive

eyewear that meets professional standards. That distinction plays an important role in the trust customers place in the business.

As Sunglass Krate was gaining traction, Jim found himself at a crossroads. The shop was doing well, and he began considering whether to sell it or bring in someone else to manage daily operations. Around that time, he reconnected with William, someone he had known through the industry. Their initial conversations

centered on the possibility of William purchasing Sunglass Krate.

William was no stranger to the optical world either. With more than 30 years of experience, he had built and operated optical businesses in multiple markets, including a long-standing presence in Puerto Rico and a store in Brooksville that opened in 1988. Rather than a straightforward sale, the conversations between the two evolved into a partnership.

In November 2024, Sunglass Krate and 369 EyeWear officially became one.

The physical space reflects that merger. One side of the store remains dedicated to sunglasses and the designer brands that helped establish Sunglass Krate’s reputation.

The other side introduces customers to the 369 concept and often stops them in their tracks. “Imagine getting three pairs of glasses for $99,” Jim says. “That’s usually where people stop and ask, ‘So $99? Then, how much for the frames?’”

For customers accustomed to paying hundreds of dollars for a single pair of glasses, the idea of walking out with three pairs for under $100 can feel almost unbelievable. That skepticism is something Jim and his team encounter daily, and it also is one of the things that makes the experience so memorable.

Jim says the pricing model works because of how the business operates behind the scenes. Frames are purchased in high volume, which helps keeps costs low. Even more important is that the company owns its own lens lab. By controlling production from start to finish,

without sacrificing quality.

“What customers don’t realize,” Jim says, “is that the true cost of producing a good pair of glasses is far lower than retail pricing suggests.”

That control gives the business flexibility. “We could charge more,” he adds. “We just choose not to. We want people to walk out with a really good pair of glasses — or three — at a really good price.”

Jim says that many customers walk in skeptical. “Three pairs for $99?,” they ask. “Six or nine for a set price? No insurance? No hidden fees? It sounds too good to be true.” Yet, not long after completing their purchase, those same customers often return, bringing spouses,

Referrals have become the strongest driver of the store’s growth. Word spreads quickly once people experience the concept first-hand.

Online reviews also play a significant role. Many new customers say they came in after seeing consistent five-star Google reviews for both 369 EyeWear and Sunglass Krate.

Marivi Garcia, a satisfied customer, shared her experience online: “Today I received my son’s glasses; they’re so perfect. The people at this store truly go the extra mile with the customer service. They advised me very well on the options they had and were patient enough for my son to choose [his own] glasses.”

See “369 EyeWear” on pg. 40

Inside the store, Jim is careful to stock frames for every budget. While 369 EyeWear focuses on affordability and everyday eyewear, Sunglass Krate continues to offer premium brands for customers who want designer options. Jim says that Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, and Pit Viper (photo, right) remain top sellers. And, even as the 369 side gains momentum, high er-end frames still have a loyal following.

“There’s something here for everyone,” Jim says. “Some people want the best deal. Others want a specific brand. We don’t force anyone into one lane.”

The store also continues to carry some of the unique products that helped Sunglass Krate stand out early on, including dog goggles and novelty eyewear. A newer high-end addition is Zilli titanium eyeglass frames, a luxury line hand made in France. With specialty frames, customers simply pay the difference. Shoppers also are welcome to bring in their own frames, an option many are surprised to learn is available.

Jim says he appreciates his daily conversations with customers who feel they have finally found an honest alternative — people who walk out believing they have discovered one of

The location at the KRATEs provides steady foot traffic and a relaxed, approachable atmosphere. The business also participates in The Market Elaine, an event which features dozens of small businesses on the first Friday of each month from 5:3 0 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

And, additional growth is already underway. The Brooksville location remains active, and plans are in motion for a future store in Jacksonville. Jim also says that online expansion also is a priority, with virtual try-on technology currently in development for the 369 EyeWear

Wesley Chapel’s best-kept secrets. 369 EyeWear is located at 5827 Grand Oro Lane, #105. Mondays are reserved for private consultations by appointment. Regular store hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Learn more at 369EyeWear.com and SunglassKrate.com, or follow @sunglasskrateFL on Facebook and Instagram. For more information or to set up an appointment, call (813)994-6700, email info@369eyewear.com or see the ad on pg. 51.

Smoothie King: Delicious Smoothies & A True Wesley Chapel Success Story! High

Protein? Check. No Added Sugar? Check. Healthy? Check. The Original Smoothie Shop

By Gary Nager

by Charmaine George & GN

When you first meet Anthony and Andy Patel, the brothers and co-owners (their brother-inlaw Raahul Patel also is a partner) of the Smoothie King located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at County Line Rd., in front of Wesley Chapel’s original Target store, there’s one thing you can’t help but notice right away — they’re identical twins.

But, talk to these long-time Wesley Chapel residents for even a few minutes and you’ll quickly realize something else — they’re some of the nicest people you’ll meet in this area. They are also outstanding businessmen who will always go above and beyond for not only their customers, but also for businesses who partner with them.

Oh yeah, they also sell delicious smoothies, bowls and more from all-natural ingredients. We’ll get back to the Smoothie King product lines in a moment, but first, I want to tell you a story.

When Jannah was the marketing director at the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus a few years ago, Anthony and Andy signed a sponsorship agreement in order to be able to bring their mobile van (photo, right) and sell smoothies and bowls at the Sports Campus during all of its weekend tournaments.

After the first tournament, where they sold literally hundreds of smoothies and bowls, Andy and Anthony marched into Jan nah’s office with a large amount of cash. They said the money was 10% of the profit they had made over the course of the weekend.

The “problem” was that donating money back to the facility’s operators was never part of the agreement they signed.

“We just thought it was the right thing to do,” Anthony told me when I mentioned the story to him. After two or three more tour naments and bags of cash, Jannah told them “This is really nice, but it would probably be better if you brought us a check next time.”

Flashback sequence over. Today, after previously owning the Best Western Hotel off Oakley Blvd. in Wesley Chapel and the Edible Arrangements store on BBD in Wesley Chap el, Raahul was working at the Walmart on BBD in New Tampa and every time he’d drive past the Smoothie King, he saw that is was al

most always crowded and that, with people becoming more and more health conscious, “We realized it wasn’t just a trend, it was a lifestyle choice and we wanted to be part of that,” Anthony says.

It’s A Protein Thing Protein is a big thing these days, and almost all of the smoothies at Smoothie King use fresh fruits and vegetables and pack up to 45 grams of protein (in the Gladiator® “Get Fit” smoothie with Gladiator® protein).

Andy says, “We have protein for people who want to lose weight (the Slim-N-TrimTM & Power Meal SlimTM smoothies, both with 0g of added sugar), protein for people who want to gain weight, protein for people who want to have a smoothie as a meal replacement and we now offer ‘Power EatsTM’ — loaded

Has It

ries and a honey drizzle) and the Chocolate Hazelnut with Purely Elizabeth® granola, strawberries and blueberries (photo above).” There’s now also “Grab N’ Go Protein Boxes with eggs & cheese (with 26g of protein) or peanut butter & fruit (21g).

Also available are “Be Well” smoothies, including Vegan, Veggie Blends, Collagen Power®, Immune Builder®, Power MealTM and Gut Health, all with 0g of added sugar. The “Feel Energized” smoothies include cold brew or espresso and the Pure Recharge® smoothie includes pure recharge enhancer with naturally derived caffeine.

And yes, there are even smoothies for people who just want a delicious treat, like Jannah’s favorite Angel FoodTM smoothie (with strawberries, bananas, nonfat milk and turbinado).

Charmaine and I split the delicious “PB SwizzleTM” smoothie bowl (photo on previous page), with nutrient-rich açai blend, Purely

butter. It was huge, super filling and oh so tasty. Other smoothie bowls are made with goji berries, pitaya blend or “Creamy Cooling Coconut” base instead of açai.

And, with the coupons from the ad on pg. 53 of this issue, you can get a BOGO (Buy One, Get One FREE) smoothie deal or $2 off a 32-oz. or larger smoothie. The partners also are opening a second location on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, in the under-construction Ellerbee Point Crossings plaza near Curley Rd. (see story on pg. 8).

In other words, if you love delicious smoothies served by great people committed to serving the Wesley Chapel area, please visit Anthony, Andy, Raahul and their staff — and please tell them I sent you!

For more info about Smoothie King (1029 BBD Blvd.), call (813) 994-9606, see the ad on pg. 53 or visit SmoothieKing.com.

Stonewood Is Again Our Readers’ Favorite Restaurant In New Tampa!

Tampa Palms Staple Stretches Streak To 10 Years In A Row! Noble Crust

By Gary Nager

The thing that’s perhaps most amazing to me about Stonewood Grill & Tavern’s 10-year run as the #1 Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa is more than just the delicious food, the always-happening bar or even the amazing people who work there (photo) — although all of that is true.

As the person who tabulates our readers’ votes every year for the Dining Survey & Contest, the thing that always stuns me is that not only has Stonewood always received the most first-place votes, it also regularly gets the most 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th-place votes, too. And, no matter which other New Tampa restaurants finish 2nd and 3rd each year, whether you count total votes or use my point system to score the results, Stonewood still comes out ahead by a wide margin.

In other words, our readers have loved the place since it opened and, every year, people who never participated in our annual Reader Survey before, as well as many of the newcomers to our area, hear about Stonewood’s quality from their friends, try it for themselves and agree that it’s the best or at least one of the best restaurants in our area.

And yes, that starts with both the food and the people. Executive Chef Danny Manzur (far left in photo) and operating partner Dennis Diaz (far right) bring not only years

of experience to the Tampa Palms Stonewood, but also a shared understanding of how to manage people.

For example, when I told Dennis that Stonewood had won again this year and that we needed to take pictures of at least him and his top management, he turned it into a previously unplanned pre-holiday

breakfast party for his entire appreciative staff. He had them come in hours before the restaurant opened for the day and Chef Danny, kitchen manager Gary Zimmerman (2nd from right) and their kitchen staff got the grills fired up early to create three of the new dishes on the menu for our photo shoot.

“We appreciate that the Neighborhood News readers continue to rank us #1,” Diaz told the staff before we took the photo above. “I know it’s because every one of you is just as committed to being the best as we are. And, I thank all of you for that!” Congrats again to all of you!

2025 Reader Dining Survey - New Tampa’s Top-25

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

Note — Although the New Tampa Top-25 list above also ran last issue next to the Wesley Chapel Top-25 list, we didn’t include the introduction about Stonewood on the previous page, nor did we include the longer descriptions and photos for our readers’ New Tampa Top-10 Favorites for 2025 that appear on pages 46-47.

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

Next issue, because I never fully agree with the list determined by the votes of our readers, we will run our always-controversial lists of “Gary’s Favorites for 2025” in Wesley Chapel & New Tampa — which also will include a number of categories that I didn’t include among our readers’ categories.

Thanks, as always, for reading! — GN

2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your #1-#6 Favorite Restaurants In New Tampa!

1. Stonewood Grill & Tavern

17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Shoppes at The Pointe, Tampa Palms (813) 978-0388 • StonewoodGrill.com

What else can you say about the restaurant that has been our readers’ favorite for ten years in a row and close to 20 times in its 20+ year local history?

Stonewood is an elegant, upscale restaurant with a happening bar crowd and some of the best steaks and fresh seafood in our area.

The top photo is of the new grouper Giovanni, which is a limited time special that is served with a tomato cream sauce and butternut squash ravioli. Yum!

Below is the delicious new baked brie with a raspberry glaze, fresh fruit and nuts served with crispy toasted bread. And of course, Stonewood serves some of the best prime rib (right) among its #1-rated steaks.

And, although Stonewood is a

mini-chain, now with seven locations, we are fortunate that the chain’s executive chef Danny Manzur, who creates many of Stonewood’s seasonal dishes, is based at the Tampa Palms location. Congrats!

2. Via Italia

8644 Hunters Village Rd., The Village at Hunter’s Lake (813) 475-4857 • EatViaItalia.com

Our readers have placed Via Italia in their top-3 in New Tampa every year since it opened, so clearly the restaurant being sold by original owner Roberto Maganuco to Sanjay Patel in early 2024 hasn’t affected what our readers think of New Tampa’s largest selection of fresh pasta dishes, like the spaghetti con zucchine e gamberetti (shrimp) shown above.

Via Italia also serves outstanding woodfired pizzas, salami and cheese platters, appetizers like four different kinds of bruschetta, two different capreses, polpetta della Nonna (Grandma’s meatballs), chicken wings and the suppli’ al telefono (Arborio rice croquettes with premium shredded mozzarella, handmilled pomodoro sauce and cut basil) shown here.

3. Kobe Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse

17641 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., North Palms Village (813) 680-5800 • KobeSteakhouse.com

Our readers were happy to see Kobe reopen in its new New Tampa location in Sept. 2023, as it was ranked #10 in our 2024 Reader Survey and shot up seven places to #3 for 2025. Serving some of the highest quality Japanese hibachi fare in our area, Kobe finished ahead of Liang’s Bistro (see below) overall with our readers for the first time, but somehow only finished 4th for “Favorite Asian Restaurant.” Go figure.

4. Fat Rabbit Pub

16029 Tampa Palms Blvd. W., City Plaza at Tampa Palms (813) 252-3004 • FatRabbitPub.com

After coming in at #5 Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa each of the last two years, Fat Rabbit moved up to #4 this year and also finished second for both Favorite Burger and Favorite Chicken in NT & WC and as the #1 Favorite Bar in NT & WC.

Our readers definitely seem to love Fat Rabbit’s food — like the Buffalo chicken sandwich shown here — and beer and craft cocktails. Many readers rave about its wings, sliders and loaded fries and tater tots, too. There also is now a popular second location on Main St. in downtown Sarasota.

5. Cali at Tampa Palms

17004 Palm Pointe Dr., Shoppes at The Pointe (813) 975-1222 • EatCali.com

Moving up three spots with our readers this year, Cali continues to be a consistent performer in our annual Reader Survey, thanks to its high-quality fare, like the Hot & Crunchy bowl shown here (with seared ahi tuna). Cali also features hand-tossed pizzas, small plates like garlic & lime edamame and turmeric hummus, plus “chill” salads and more.

6. Liang’s Bistro Asian Cuisine

17515 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. (813) 978-1225 • LiangsBistroTampa.com

Moving down a couple of spots with our readers this year (perhaps due to a brief closure shortly before our voting began for health department violations), Liang’s is still the go-to Chinese and Asian fusion restaurant in New Tampa, for its outstanding appetizers like egg rolls, NY-style BBQ spareribs and the Thai coconut shrimp shown here, as well as wok-fired classics in a variety of styles — from Korean BBQ to Mongolian to Sichuan & Thai. Although we didn’t have a “Chinese” category this year, Liang’s ran away with the 2025 “Favorite Asian Restaurant” title.

2025 Dining Survey & Contest — Your #7-#10 Favorite Restaurants In

7.Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten und Brauhaus

14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Oak Ramble Plaza (813)977-4104 • DunderbaksBeer.wordpress.com

Mr. Dunderbak’s has only missed being in our readers’ Top-10 Favorite Restaurants in New Tampa a couple of times since moving from University Mall to the Oak Ramble Plaza more than 20 years ago. Its limited menu of deli sandwiches and a few German favorites, like the Jägerschnitzel shown here, continues to attract plenty of votes and its unquestionably huge beer selection and cool vibe keeps Mr. D’s high on the “Favorite Bar” list, too, despite not having full liquor.

8.The Grill at Morris Bridge

10920 Cross Creek Blvd., Cross Creek Commons (813)388-5353 • TheGrillatMorrisBridge.com; or see the ad below

I find it hard to believe that The Grill, which peaked at #2 Favorite Restaurant in New Tampa three years ago, has fallen as far as #8 this year. Owner Frank Gouveia and chef Mike Touranjoe continue to offer some of our

9.Box of Cubans

17512 Doña Michelle Dr. (813)632-9021 • BoxofCubans.com

It came as no surprise to yours truly that Box of Cubans was this year’s highestrated newcomer in New Tampa. So many people have told me how much they love the authentic Cuban sandwiches and dishes like the tasty red bean chicken bowl shown here. It’s also a great place for huge Cuban breakfast sandwiches and specialties, plus some of the best café con leché in our area. If you’re one of the few locals who hasn’t yet tried it, definitely go check it out & please tell them I sent you!

10.Acropolis Greek Taverna

14947 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Oak Ramble Plaza (813)971-1787 • AcropolisTaverna.com

After barely making the Top-25 Favorites in New Tampa list in last year’s Reader Survey (it was 23rd), Acropolis jumped 13 places to return to its usual spot among the Top-10 Favorites in New Tampa with our readers for 2025. I guess it took a year or so for the new ownership — which has beautifully redesigned and opened up the restaurant’s interior and improved on many of the traditional Acropolis favorites (like the always-yummy Athenian fish shown here) — to recapture some of the restaurant’s former customers and attract new ones.

Haraz Coffee House Opens On BBD To Large Crowds!

Jannah, Charmaine and I arrived at the new Haraz Coffee House at 1722 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza (south of S.R. 56) at about 11 a.m. on the day it held its “soft opening” — Jan. 8 — and the place had been packed since before the spacious and beautiful (photo, right) new coffee and dessert place opened its doors.

Abed (at the register in the photo below), the local franchisee of this growing chain (now up to more than 30 locations in 13 states, but this is the first in the Tampa Bay area), and his hard-working crew took proper care of the steady stream of customers and, considering the crowd, our wait really wasn’t very long.

Haraz, which was founded by Hamzah Nasser is “on a mission to share the rich heritage of Yemeni coffee with the world. As we expand across the U.S., we’re committed to creating unforget table coffee experiences that connect communities and celebrate culture.”

And, based on our first visit, I’d have to say that Haraz is right on track to do just that.

I, of course, had to start with a French press regular coffee, which was strong, but without the bitterness of some coffee chains. Jannah enjoyed a delicious caramel frappe and Char maine sampled the unique lavender matcha tea (she doesn’t drink coffee, poor thing). And yes, Haraz does serve authentic Turkish coffee, too.

But, all three of us were even more impressed with the delicious variety of dessert items

and baked goods. The butter croissants are small, but taste pretty authentic and we all decided to try the cheese “bee bite,” a Yemeni pastry (above) filled with cream cheese, toasted and drizzled with organic honey. Definitely unique.

Among the desserts we “forced” ourselves to

biscoff-covered “mosaic,” a triangular slice (also above) of dense, no-bake cake also available in

—

tell Abed & his staff we sent you! — GN

Fazoli’s Out, Gronk-Co-Founded Greenlane Salads & Wraps In On S.R. 54

The small strip plaza on S.R. 54 in Lutz, less than a mile west of the Tampa Premium Out lets continues to see a lot of activity, as Fazoli’s (24791 S.R. 54; photo, right), the first tenant to open in the plaza 18 months ago, also became the first to close after shutting its doors last month.

Owner Carlos Saenz attached a note to the door that says “After 18 unforgettable months, our Fazoli’s family is saying goodbye to this loca tion.” Fazoli’s received a share of the $1 million in post-hurricane grants from the Glazer Family Small Business Fund less than a year ago, but apparently, that was not enough to help save the restaurant, which shared the plaza with Los Cha pos Tacos and Lightning Orthodontics

Although we have no word yet on what might replace Fazoli’s, construction is nearly com plete on the adjacent Greenlane Salads & Wraps (photo below), the healthy drive-thru restaurant of which former Tampa Bay Bucs and New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (far right photo above) is a partner and co-founder.

This will be the fifth Tampa Bay area location of Greenlane — including one on S.R. 54 in Lutz, about 6.5 miles west of the new location, and another in South Tampa. The restaurant’s website says that Greenlane is “Fast. Filling. Fresh.” and that “We have sought to prove that quick, convenient, affordable meals can be more than a burger and fries.”

Greenlane’s menu features a variety of fresh salads and wraps, including the newest addition, called simply “The Gronk” (with roasted broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes, crispy bacon, green

onions and cheddar jack cheese on a bed of romaine lettuce, paired with a house-made Greenlane Goddess dressing, although there are ten other dressings from which to choose). There also are eight other salads (all of which also can be made as wraps with a spinach tortilla), from Creamy Caesar and Classic Cobb to Mexicali, Tuscan Sun and the new Winter Maple. Although no firm opening date has yet been set for the new

NOW OPEN for Brunch!

Saturday & Sunday, 11am-3pm

Tallo Restaurant & Bar and La Creación Bakery have teamed up to bring you an exclusive weekend brunch!

Join us to enjoy the perfect blend of flavors, crafted together for your Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Tallo American/Cariibbean Restaurant & Bar 4424 Friendly Way, #105 Downtown Avalon Park, Wesley Chapel

OPEN FOR DINNER TUESDAY-SUNDAY (check website for open hours each day) For reservations & more info, call 813.355.3603 or visit TalloRestaurant.com

Mo Cookies Out, Twisted Rolls & Triamo In

Also only lasting about a year was Mo Cookies, the cookie store that replaced my beloved Urban Sweets at 5903 Goldview Pkwy., Unit #103, in the KRATE at The Grove con tainer park in Nov. 2024.

Already claiming that spot as its own is Twisted Rolls Chimney Cakes (photo, right), which has an original location on 56th St. in Temple Terrace and a newer location at 19406 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in New Tampa. As we told you in Apr. 2025, “the “Twisted Rolls” at the des sert location are an Eastern European treat made of dough and sugar that is rolled around a stick and then baked in an oven until hot and semicrispy...then dipped in a variety of glazes and other Latin cuisine to the container park’s alreadyTriamo Brazilian Food, which briefly opened, closed and is now ready to reopen at 5804 Grand Oro Ln., Unit #104, also Tutti Frutti Café space next door (photo).

We did not know at our press time when Triamo was planning to open, although Google seems to think it already is. We will keep you posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages once we get to visit

For more info, call (813) 465-2425 or search @triamotampa — GN

New Tampa’s 2nd Aldi Finally Opens In Former Winn-Dixie Location

Our area’s third Aldi Supermarket — now two in New Tampa and one next to the Tampa Premium Outlets off S.R. 56 — finally opened (photo below) on Dec. 11 (at 6425 County Line Rd., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in the former Winn-Dixie location next to LA Fitness and Sushi Time

As you might expect, some online commentators are thrilled to finally again have another grocery store open to help serve northern New Tampa, while others are lamenting that the store isn’t a Trader Joe’s or a Whole Foods or a Kroger.

As for this editor, who lives across the street from the Aldi on S.R. 56, I have already purchased some pretty nice raspberries and strawberries in the new Aldi’s large pro duce section (far right) — at lower-than-Publix prices. I also got some great deals on excellent Moser-Roth dark and milk chocolate bars (photo above), but I was less impressed with the new store’s smaller wine selection and underwhelm ing meat and “fresh fish” choices (the only seafood options are salmon, tilapia and some shrimp).

I have only been to a couple of Trader Joe’s stores (including the

crazy-popular location in South Tampa), but I honestly don’t see much difference between Aldi and Trader Joe’s. And, although the two grocery chains aren’t owned by the same company, they are owned by different branches of the same Albrecht family. No surprise there.

And, while I’m not offended by it, as some people seem to be, I’ll admit I don’t understand how charging people a quarter to use the Aldi store’s shopping carts makes any sense. For more info about the new Aldi, call (855)955-2534 or visit stores.Aldi.us. — GN

N ew T ampa & w esley C hapel Classifieds

HOME IMPROVEMENT

JOE’S GLASS SHOP. Glass. Mirrors,Table Tops, Impact Glass. Laminate Glass & more! We also offer Patio Door, Window & Screen Repairs. CALL TODAY! 1-(800) 333-7326.

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.

__TRANSPORTATION _ 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.

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.

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.

___TREE 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.

___CLEANING SERVICES

DUARTE CLEANING SERVICES, LLC has 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.

____HELP WANTED __ _ 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.

___ 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.

more than 25-Years Experience. Contact Jeffrey Blank at 813-973-4507, visit WSICA.COM or email Wsica@wsica.com.

NEED TO

PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD?

Our Classified Ads Are Still The Least Expensive Way To Reach 180,000+ People In New Tampa & Wesley Chapel! Visit NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net or call (813) 910-2575 to order/renew yours today!

The Ridge at Wiregrass Union

Valencia Ridge

Villages at Wesley Chapel Watergrass

Wesley Pointe

Westbrook Estates Williamsburg

Winding Ridge