The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Two Lutz companies win Florida business awards

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Two Lutz-based companies, Dixie Belle Paint Co., and Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, are among an elite group of 50 finalists named as “Florida Companies to Watch,” according to a news release from GrowFl.

“These stand-out companies are all led by entrepreneurs, and have demonstrated their capacity and intent to grow,” Tom O’ Neal said, in the release. “They also all have critical intellectual property or a niche position that gives them a competitive edge in their markets.”

Suzanne Fulford, founder of Dixie Belle Paint Co. (Courtesy of Dixie Belle Paint Co.)

O’Neal is executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

Dixie Belle sells chalk mineral paint and other related products. Founder Suzanne Fulford opened her company in 2013. She is a 2015 graduate of the CO.STARTER program managed by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

The program aids startups or small business owners seeking to expand their enterprises.

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice is a mobile unit-based service that provides hospice and in-home euthanasia for pets. Co-founders and veterinarians, Dani McVety and Mary Gardner, started their company in 2009.

McVety received the “Pet Industry Woman of the Year” award in 2016 from the Women in the Pet Industry Network.

Dr. Dani McVety, co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice (File)

GrowFl selected the 50 honorees from more than 500 nominees.

Florida Companies to Watch is a statewide program managed by the economic development group, GrowFl, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

The finalists are described as “second stage companies” with momentum for significant growth. GrowFl is the only program that focuses solely on these kinds of companies rather than startups or incubator businesses, the release says.

To qualify as second stage, the businesses must employ six to 150 people and have $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue.

Together the award-winning companies generated a total of more than $1 billion in revenue, and added more than 1,300 jobs between 2011 and 2015. Also, collectively for 2017, they anticipate a 53 percent increase in revenue and a 36 percent increase in job growth, compared to 2016.

An awards ceremony will be held Oct. 14 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.

Published July 26, 2017

Business Digest 07/26/2017

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Chris Black

Pasco bank adds board member
First National Bank of Pasco welcomed Chris Black to its board of directors, according to a news release from The Creative Stable Inc.

Black is owner of Lutz-based Chris Black Insurance.

He joins eight other members who serve on the board of Pasco County’s oldest, independent community bank. They are Chairman A.P. Gibbs, Vice Chairman Paul P. Midili, President and Chief Executive Officer Steven D. Hickman, Stephen D. Carle, Glen Greenfelder, John E. Henson and Marlene Mann.

Black is a native of Pasco County and founded his insurance agency in 2008.

First National Bank of Pasco was chartered in 1986 and is owned by local residents of east Pasco. The newest branch is scheduled to open in Lutz in fall of 2017.

For information, visit FnbPasco.com.

Volcom opens at Tampa Premium Outlets
Volcom, a sports-centric store with clothes, shoes and accessories for young men and women, is open at Tampa Premium Outlets.

The outlet malls’ developer, Simon, made the announcement in a news release July 17.

The new 2,400-square-foot shop is near Under Armour and PACSUN.

Tampa Premium Outlets is one of several outdoor malls in the portfolio of Simon Premium Outlets. The mall offers shoppers more than 110 store options including Banana Republic, Michael Kors and Nike Factory Store.

For more information, visit Volcom.com.

For information on the mall, visit PremiumOutlets.com/tampa.

Pasco economic development briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly economic development briefing luncheon July 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.

Guest speaker will be Shauna Nadeau of CareSync.

The cost is $15 including lunch.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Wesley Chapel breakfast
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting Aug. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus, at 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel.

Guest speaker is U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

The cost is $15 for members who register in advance, and $20 thereafter. Non-members pay $20.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

Oggi Italian grand opening
Oggi Italian restaurant will have a grand opening Aug. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at 214 E. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.

The Italian restaurant also has a location on Davis Islands.

The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host the grand opening event, which is free.

Registration is requested to get a head count.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180, or email .

Cry-X ribbon cutting
Cry-X, a holistic health care provider, will have a ribbon cutting Aug. 2 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 3820 Maryweather Lane, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel.

Appetizers and beverages will be served.

Cry-X offers Whole Body Cryotherapy as a natural treatment for inflammation, pain, athletic injuries, post surgical recovery, weight loss and improved circulation.

A drawing will be held at the ribbon cutting for four sessions of cryotherapy. Other discounted packages will be available until Sept. 2.

For information, call Cry-X at (813) 591-6366, or email the chamber at .

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly business breakfast Aug. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Coral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Sponsors are Bahrs Propane Gas & AC and IR Staffing.

The cost is $8 for chamber members and $10 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913, or email .

Women-n-Charge
Join the Women-n-Charge Aug. 4 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa. The women share their talents and resources, and they build relationships with other women in business.

Guest speakers will be Women-n-Charge Tea Director Barbara Brekke and Women-n-Charge Play Director Anne Childers. They will give a presentation on the upcoming Tea Party and Dinner Theatre fundraiser – Mayhem on Maui.

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for all guests.

Please register at Women-n-charge.com.

For more information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Central Pasco general meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its general membership meeting Aug. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Pkwy., in Lutz.

Guest speaker will be Dr. Robert Carlson of Envizion Medical.

Members and guests are welcome.

The cost for members is $20 if you RSVP by Aug. 3, and $25 at the door for members and non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Golf course gives way to new development

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Residents came away disappointed when Pasco County commissioners approved a plan to replace Quail Hollow Golf Course with houses, offices, retail and a day care center.

Nearby homeowners had argued for months that the project would devalue their property and harm the neighborhood’s residential character.

They also expressed concerns about flooding and increased traffic on inadequate roads.

Boom Boom Drive is the entryway into Quail Hollow Golf Course, and the surrounding subdivision. Residents are opposed to a redevelopment plan to build houses, shops and a day care center on the golf course. (Kathy Steele)

Despite those concerns, commissioners voted 5-1 for the redevelopment project on July 11.

The matter first came before commissioners in March, but a final vote was postponed several times.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore cast the dissenting vote.

“We know we can’t keep the golf course open. I get it,” Moore said. “I was hoping we could stay more consistent with what the neighborhood is. That’s what (residents) were expecting for a long time to come. It sounds like they are losing that today.”

Andre Carollo, of Pasco Office Park LLC, plans to close the unprofitable golf course.

In its place, there would be up to 400 single-family houses, 30,000 square feet of office/retail and 10,000 square feet of day care.

The approval includes a long list of conditions — stemming from objections raised by residents.

There was little common ground between residents and the golf course’s owner.

When the matter came before the county’s Development Review Committee in March, it received a favorable vote.

Throughout the process, Pasco County planners also have stuck by their recommendation for approval.

“I understand. It comes down to a land rights thing,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr. “We can’t tell him what he can and can’t do with his golf course.”

But, residents also claimed they have property rights. They hired Maureen Jones, a Sarasota-based attorney, to represent the Quail Hollow Neighborhood Citizens Group Inc.

Homeowners who bought their properties years ago cited a marketing campaign that convinced them that they were buying into a golf course community.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, who represents Carollo, countered that the golf course was built prior to the subdivision. She also said the existing zoning of the golf course would allow residential development, likely at a greater density than the proposed project.

Jones said no decision had been made on whether to pursue legal action to challenge the project.

Published July 19, 2017

Pasco approves $4.6 million for Ridge Road project

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The Ridge Road extension is still on the drawing board, waiting for a permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

But, at their July meeting in Dade City, Pasco County commissioners took a step forward in the nearly 19-year process of qualifying for the coveted permit.

They updated a contract with NV5 Inc., and approved about $4.6 million toward the final design and construction plan of about 8 miles of roadway that will cut through the Serenova Preserve.

If approved, the Ridge Road extension would link west Pasco County at Moon Lake Road with central Pasco at U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Currently, Ridge Road dead-ends at Moon Lake. (File)

The first phase of the project, if approved, would extend Ridge Road from Moon Lake to the Suncoast Parkway. In a second phase, the road would extend from Suncoast to U.S. 41 across from Connerton Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes.

Environmentalists oppose the project, which they say will harm wetlands, water quality and wildlife habitats. But, county officials place a high priority on the road extension as an east/west evacuation route during emergencies.

“It’s a long time coming,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. “I’m glad to see we have some good momentum on building this road.”

County officials estimate that a decision on the federal permit could be known by June 2018. A month earlier, they also believe the Southwest Florida Water Management District could issue its permit.

If permits are approved, construction is scheduled to begin in July 2018.

County officials were encouraged in April, when the Corps selected one of 17 proposed routes as “the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative.”

In recent months, lobbying efforts to win approval of the federal permit have included support from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Gov. Rick Scott, and the administration of President Donald Trump.

The Suncoast Sierra Club and grassroots activists with the Save the Serenova Preserve from the Road to Nowhere are organizing and gathering petition signatures to oppose the project.

The Corps of Engineers is waiting on additional information on construction and environmental impacts before making a decision.

Published July 19, 2017

In the Loop is ready for live music, more hours

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Patrons of In the Loop Brewing will be able to quaff their favorite craft beers while enjoying live music on an outdoor deck on the shores of Lake Padgett.

Pasco County commissioners approved a request from the brewery’s owners to allow live music that previously had been banned. The hours of operation also were expanded to allow more flexibility for hosting special events, yoga classes and private parties.

The item appeared on the consent agenda at the county commissioners July 11 meeting in Dade City. No one spoke in opposition, and commissioners unanimously gave their approval.

In the Loop opened in 2016, at 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in a restored two-story home. There is an on-site brewery, tap and tasting room. A beer garden, with a deck, overlooks Lake Padgett.

Co-owner Joe Traina has described the live music as acoustic guitar playing, similar to Jimmy Buffet’s style. Typically, live music would be on weekends, and would complement the relaxed atmosphere of In the Loop, said Traina, speaking at a hearing before the Pasco County Planning Commission in June.

The expanded hours, as approved by the county, would allow In the Loop to operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Live music would be allowed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Monday through Friday; and, from noon to 9 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday.

Owners have said they plan to schedule operating hours that are less than what is allowed.

The first live music event will be “Rhythm & Brews” on July 28 at 7 p.m., according to the brewery’s Facebook page.

For information, visit Facebook.com/InTheLoopBrewing.

Published July 19, 207

Pasco offers loan to boost office development

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Encouraging construction of upscale office and industrial space is a high priority for Pasco County officials who want to diversify the county’s economic growth.

A 10-year, $7 million loan to HP Asturia is aimed at adding up to 200,000 square feet of what is known as Class A office buildings to the mixed-use, master-planned community of Asturia.

The development is off State Road 54 in Odessa, about 1.5 miles west of Suncoast Parkway.

Pasco County commissioners approved the loan at their July 11 meeting in Dade City. Tampa-based Harrod Properties Inc., will be development partner on the project.

If certain goals are met in signing tenants and delivering jobs, the loan could be forgiven in its entirety — which, in essence, would make it a grant instead of a loan.

Private capital investment in the project is estimated at about $26 million.

The loan will aid in design and construction of a northern spine road connecting to Tower Road from State Road 54. Funding is available through the Penny for Pasco program.

“We’re going to have some true Class A office space up here in Pasco County, which we’ve been patiently waiting for for the last couple of years,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

Up to 400 new jobs are anticipated. Total salaries from the project are estimated at about $11 million, and the county could add about $32 million to its gross domestic product annually.

The 200,000 square feet of office and industrial space would be built in phases, and on speculation, without pre-signed tenants.

The loan will be forgiven in phases, including $4 million when the roadwork is complete and a minimum of 80,000 square feet of industrial/office space is built. That will be followed with $1 million on proof of 5-year leases for the first 80,000 square feet. The final $2 million would be forgiven at build-out, with additional leases, for the total 200,000 square feet.

Harrod Properties has a track record in other counties, including the Brooker Creek Corp. Center in Oldsmar, Feld Entertainment headquarters in Ellenton, and Cypress Bay Corporate Centers I and II in the Westshore district in Tampa.

“For probably seven years, we’ve been trying to find opportunities up here,” said Graham Mavar, partner in leasing and development with Harrod Properties. “Somebody always has to go first. That’s always a challenge.”

The loan from Pasco is critical, he added.

“Without having assistance with the road and being able to help lower costs, no way we could deliver the product we need to do in order for tenants to be able to afford it,” said Mavar. “The rent jump would be too much.”

Mavar said construction of about 100,000 square feet of the project likely would begin by the end of the year.

Published July 19, 2017

Pasco County proposes 2018 budget

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Fees for parking at Pasco parks may end

Pasco County’s proposed 2018 budget of about $1.3 billion will be sweetened with an extra $3 million spoonful of property tax revenues.

The extra cash could mean the end of parking fees charged at nine beach and wilderness parks.

Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City is among the locations that charge the $2 parking fee.

Utah Ferris sold his flutes at last year’s annual Silverhawk Native American Flute Gathering at Withlacoochee River Park. County commissioners may end $2 parking fees charged at some county parks. (File)

Final tallies on the total for assessed taxable property increased to about $24.6 billion, a 7.7 percent increase.

Initially, the county was expecting a total of $24.2 billion, which represented a 5.8 percent increase.

The revised numbers account for the county’s unexpected windfall of $3 million.

This data came from the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office.

With the good news on revenues, county commissioners voted to put most of additional revenue into reserves, but also to eliminate parking fees at nine parks. However, the $5 fees at boat ramps would remain. The county collects about $75,000 annually from those fees.

Pasco County Commissioners Jack Mariano and Mike Wells Jr., pushed to end the parking fees.

“I think there are folks who can’t afford to go to the parks because of the $2 fee,” said Wells. “That’s reality.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey supported the decision on parking fees. But, she had a caveat.

“I’m not in favor of getting rid of money (parking fees) for parks, unless we give them more money,” she said.

County commissioners agreed to add $320,000 to the parks department’s budget to cover lost revenues from the parking fees. Starkey also wants the county to create municipal service taxing units next year to directly benefit parks and libraries.

At their July 11 meeting in Dade City, commissioners also agreed to leave the property tax, or millage, rate unchanged.

However, some homeowners could see a slight increase of less than $10 in their annual tax bill, based on a 2.1 percent increase in homesteaded property values.

Revaluations totaling slightly more than $1 billion account for some of the increase in property tax revenue projections. Early numbers indicated about $624 million in revaluations.

About $693 million in new construction accounted for about one-third of the increase. That is about $5 million more than last year.

One more item could make it into the budget.

County commissioners will consider giving $25,000 each to the West Pasco Historical Society Museum and Library in New Port Richey, and the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City.

“I think reaching out to them would be a good thing,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley.

However, he was asked to provide details on how the money would be spent before commissioners give their approval.

Two public hearings will be held on the 2018 budget, which would be effective October 1.

The first hearing is Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at the Pasco County Historic Courthouse in Dade City. The final hearing would be at the West Pasco Government Center boardroom in New Port Richey on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.

If Pasco County’s proposed budget is approved, the following nine parks would no longer collect parking fees.

  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
  • Anclote River Park
  • Moon Lake Park
  • RJ Strickland Memorial Park
  • Crews Lake Park
  • RK Rees Park
  • Anclote Gulf Park
  • Key Vista Park
  • Withlacoochee Park

Published July 19, 2017

Business Digest 07/19/2017

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CORRECTION: The Salute to Small Business Mixer is set for Aug. 23 at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. An incorrect date for the event was published on July 12 in The Laker/Lutz News.

Thrift store pop-up for charity
CenterState Bank will host the Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe’s Pop Up Shop in its lobby every Friday through Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 6930 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Proceeds will benefit Gulfside Hospice and its patients in Pasco County.

Items for sale will include jewelry, purses, collectibles, antiques and more.

Employees at the CenterState Bank donated more than $300 to Gulfside Hospice during casual Fridays.

Other area businesses are invited to host their own “pop up” shops for Gulfside Hospice.

Gulfside is the only hospice that serves Pasco exclusively. The nonprofit serves more than 375 hospice patients and more than 100 palliative patients daily.

For information, or to host a pop up, contact Tammy Johnson at (727) 845-5707 or .

The scoop on Ice Dreamery
Land O’ Lakes resident Joe Schembri is dishing handcrafted ice cream and sorbets at Ice Dreamery, at 23912 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Schembri’s ice cream shop opened in May, behind Big Apple Bagel.

The shop serves creamy vanilla bean, rice pudding, sweet corn, Xtreme Snickers and chocolate bacon toffee.

Vegan options, such as coconut and almond joy, also are available, along with adult flavors, such as sangria and Rum Haven. Some flavors change weekly. Everything is made fresh in the shop.

For information, visit Facebook.com/icedreamery, or call (813) 586-3767.

Irish 31 pub in Wiregrass
Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery opened its fifth location on July 6 at The Shops at Wiregrass, at 28358 Willet Way in Wesley Chapel.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting.

Other Irish 31 pubs are in Hyde Park Village, WestShore Plaza, Westchase and the Chase Club level at Amalie Arena.

The Wesley Chapel location is the first stand-alone pub house, at more than 2,700 square feet. The pub has wall-to-wall televisions and an outdoor patio. There will be live music nightly, trivia, ladies’ night and a daily happy hour.

Irish 31 is an official partner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and will host several watch parties during the season.

For a limited time, guests who join Irish 31’s loyalty club, iSociety, will be eligible for cash rewards. One lucky member will win an autographed Steven Stamkos jersey.

For information, visit Irish31.com.

The Learning Experience grand opening
The Learning Experience of New Tampa-Academy of Early Education will have a grand opening July 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 20780 Trout Creek Drive in New Tampa.

The academy serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age. Come for a tour and meet the staff. Light refreshments will be served.

For information, contact The Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534 or .

Central Pasco meeting
Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly Community Affairs Committee Meeting July 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Guest speaker will be Chase Daniels of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

The meeting is open to all chamber members.

For information, contact Sandy Graves at (813) 817-3011 or .

Small business mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Salute to Small Business Mixer Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, in the meeting room.

The free mixer is sponsored by Copperstone Executive Suites and The Laker/Lutz News. Sponsors are available for $50.

For information, call (813) 298-7363, or email .

Family Fitness cuts ribbon
Land O’ Lakes Family Fitness will have a ribbon cutting on July 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suites 104-106, in Land O’ Lakes.

The free event will have food and giveaways.

For information, visit LolFamilyFitness.com, or call the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722.

Pasco economic development briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly economic development briefing luncheon July 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.

Guest speaker will be Shauna Nadeau of CareSync.

The cost is $15 including lunch.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

More construction pops up on State Road 56

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Until recently the south side of State Road 56, by the Interstate 75 interchange, created the most commercial buzz.

Tampa Premium Outlets and a slew of restaurants turned grassland into a shopping and dining mecca.

More is on the way.

Construction is nearly complete on Wendy’s and Taco Bell, on Sierra Center Boulevard at Cypress Creek Town Center. The restaurants will join Ford’s Garage and Pollo Tropical, which opened a few months ago. (Kathy Steele)

Starbucks is the latest opening on the south side of the highway. It’s next to Culver’s.

But, now it’s the north side of the state road that’s starting to see a surge of new restaurants and shops as the next phase of Cypress Creek Town Center kicks into gear.

Sierra Center Boulevard, off the entryway at Grand Cypress Drive, is the center of the activity.

The town center straddles both sides of State Road 56, at its juncture with Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Interstate 75. The southern side largely is being developed by Simon Properties and Richard E. Jacobs, with Sierra Properties in control on the northern side. Its properties are listed under the ownership of Pasco Ranch, Inc.

Ford’s Garage and Pollo Tropical, which opened in recent months, were first up for Sierra.

Now, Wendy’s and Taco Bell are nearly ready for fast-food delivery.

Heading east along Sierra Center, work crews are rolling out a parking lot and laying landscaping for a multi-store retail center.

According to county permitting records, Men’s Wearhouse, Mellow Mushroom, Mattress One, T-Mobile, and Great Clips are future tenants.

Hutton, with headquarters in Chattanooga, is developing the retail center. Hutton representatives could not be reached for additional details.

A stand-alone Chuy’s Mexican Restaurant is slated for a spot just east of the shopping strip, according to county records.

In January, a pre-application meeting was held with county planners to discuss a location on Sierra Center for Bahama Breeze Island Grill.

Another restaurant headed to Cypress Creek is Newk’s Eatery. According to QSR Magazine, the company, based in Jackson, Mississippi, plans to open as many as 30 new restaurants in Florida in five years. Central Florida and the Tampa Bay area are target markets, with a menu of fresh-made soups, salads, sandwiches and California-style pizzas.

According to its website, the founders also opened McAlister’s Deli.

On the northern side of Sierra Center, permits for infrastructure have been issued attached to brand names of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Pet Smart and Burlington.

Five Below also is landing in the town center. The shop is a cornucopia for teens and preteens looking for games, jewelry, candy, makeup, computer gear, DVDs, books, school supplies and novelties. Everything is low-budget at $5 or below.

A six-story, 132-room Hyatt hotel is in permitting stages for infrastructure on another outparcel in the eastern area of Cypress Creek.

Cypress Creek could end up with two grocery stores.

Aldi representatives inquired in March about opening one of its discount grocery stores on an outparcel owned by Sierra that is at an entrance into Tampa Premium Outlets.

In June, a pre-application meeting was scheduled to discuss an approximately 24,000 square-foot grocery store at the northwest corner of State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard – across from the Aldi site. That grocery store was not identified.

Plans also call for another 11,500 square feet of retail.

Published July 12, 2017

Merger yields largest chamber in Pasco

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The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce have merged to create the largest chamber in Pasco County.

Mike Cox, chairman of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce; and Hope Allen, president and chief executive officer of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, shake hands on a deal to merge their chambers.
(Courtesy of Stephen John Photography)

The new chamber has more than 860 members, and it is growing. Wesley Chapel contributed about 615 members in the merger, and Greater Pasco nearly 250 members.

The first event of the merged chambers will be a Final Friday mixer on July 28 at the Cheval Golf and Athletic Club, in Tampa.

A consolidation resolution received approval in mid-June from the chambers’ board members.

The merger was announced on June 28 at a press conference at the Academy of Culinary Arts at Land O’ Lakes High School. Hope Allen, president and chief executive officer of the Wesley Chapel chamber; Michael Cox, chairman of the Greater Pasco chamber; Bill Cronin, president and chief executive officer of the Pasco Economic Development Council; and, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore were among those who attended.

Allen will assume leadership duties of the new chamber.

“I don’t have a crystal ball on what the impact will be, but we hope our impact is to be the voice of the business community,” said Allen. “We can speak with one voice, one very large voice.”

The merger follows a decision in January to sign an affiliation agreement to allow members to join both chambers at discounted fees.

“That’s what got us working together,” said Cox. “We realized it was well-received by our members.”

Bill Cronin, president and chief executive officer of the Pasco Economic Development Council, left; Jennifer Cofini, chairwoman of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors; Hope Allen, president and chief executive officer of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce; Mike Cox, chairman of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Moore, chairman of the Pasco County Commission, had a press conference to announce the merger of the Wesley Chapel and Greater Pasco chambers.

It’s been a natural progression since January, said Allen.

“We were officially courting,” she said. “We were engaged and now we’re married, blending our two families.”

The new chamber and the Pasco EDC can complement one another in supporting the business community, Cox said.

Pasco EDC is a nonprofit that works with Pasco government to create jobs and attract targeted industries to locate or expand in the county.

“The chamber really picks up where the (Pasco) EDC leaves off,” Cox said. “There are a lot of businesses that aren’t targeted industries, but they are vital to our local economy.”

Some details remain to be worked out on the merger, including the new chamber’s name.

A marketing consultant will be hired to do research and gather public input on the name selection. Issues to be sorted out include names related to the geography of the new chamber, but also the Wesley Chapel branding already in place.

“We want to make sure it is a very well thought-out process,” said Allen. “We want to do it right.”

Members will be able to vote on the matter, she said.

A task force initially created to explore the merger will continue to operate until December. Task force members will aid in working through transition details as the merger proceeds.

According to the consolidation resolution, the board of directors will expand from 17 to as many as 24 members, with five to seven members from Greater Pasco added to the board.

The Lutz office of the Greater Pasco chamber will stay open for now. If needed, a new location will be found in Trinity, Odessa or Lutz.

What: Final Friday mixer for chamber members
When: July 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Prime 19 @ Cheval Golf and Athletic Club, 4312 Cheval Blvd., Tampa
Cost: Free
Information: Call Wesley Chapel chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email

Published July 12, 2017