Kathy Steele

Business Digest 08/15/2018

August 15, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Future site of O’Reilly Auto Parts in Land O’ Lakes (Kathy Steele)

O’ Reilly auto store
O’ Reilly Auto Parts is coming to Land O’ Lakes.

Construction is underway at 3600 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

County records indicate that permits have been issued for a building of about 7,200 square feet.

This will be the auto parts store’s first location in Land O’ Lakes. O’ Reilly has existing stores in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

The auto parts chain began in 1957 with a single store in Springfield, Missouri, which remains the company’s headquarters.

According to the company website, the chain currently has more than 5,100 stores in 47 states.

Breaking ground at Del Webb Bexley
Pulte Group plans to break ground in August on six model homes at Del Webb Bexley, according to a news release from Pulte Group.

The 850-home, age-restricted community is within the Bexley by Newland Communities master-planned neighborhood, off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

The Del Webb homes are designed for pre-retirement and retiring baby boomers.

Del Webb communities target the age 55 and older population.

The Bexley project is the first Del Webb community to be built from the ground up in the Tampa Bay area since 1960.

Home designs include the one-story, two-bedroom “Steel Creek” model; the two-story, four-bedroom, four-bath “Pinnacle Grand”; and Stonewater.

The six model homes are among 17 designs offered at Del Webb Bexley, which is being developed on about 490 acres with Bexley.

The model homes are expected to be completed, and open to buyers by January.

Del Webb Bexley residents can enjoy a lakefront club and café.

They have the option to purchase additional access to Bexley’s all-ages amenities, including 10 miles of multi-use Avid trails; parks and play areas; soccer field; dog parks; two resort-style pools; bike park; and a schedule of social events.

For information, visit DelWebb.com/bexley.

Lutz rental costs rank high
Lutz landed in seventh spot among the most expensive cities for a one-bedroom rental in the Tampa Bay area in July, according to a report from Zumper.

The median cost for a one-bedroom in Lutz in July was $1,060, about 5 percent more than in June. That put Lutz in a tie with Brandon.

Two-bedroom rentals in Lutz rose 1.6 percent, month to month, at a median cost of $1,290 in July.

New Port Richey was the most affordable, with median rents at $720 in July. Hudson was second at $780 a month.

But, New Port Richey also was near the top in fastest growing cities for one-bedroom rentals, up more than 14 percent over July 2017, the report found.

The median rent in Florida in June was $1,185.

For information, visit Zumper.com.

Water quality reports
Pasco County Utilities customers can now view the latest water quality testing results online in the annual 2017 Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR), according to a news release from Pasco County.

Customers can access specific information on their residential area through a direct link provided on their water utilities bill, or by selecting their report at bit.ly/2017pascowaterreport.

Pasco County Utilities routinely monitors drinking water based on federal and state laws.

August is #WaterQualityMonth nationwide.

To join the conversation about how Pasco County Utilities protects drinking water, connect on Twitter@PascoWater.

For information, visit PascoCountyUtilities.com.

Awards banquet
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host “Zephyropoly,” a membership appreciation and community awards banquet, Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 38750 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

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

East Pasco networking
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Aug. 14 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Guest speakers will be Roxxy Geisenheimer, executive director of the Samaritan Project; and, Madonna Wise, a local author and historian.

For information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 872-9491 or , or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1140 or .

Coffee social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its Monthly Coffee Social on Aug. 21 at 8 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

This is a “no agenda” event with time for social networking.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Chamber mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a mixer Aug. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Asturia, 14575 Promenade Parkway in Odessa.

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

Women-n-Charge
Join Women-n-Charge Sept. 7 from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Guest speaker will be Brenda Alloco, a client-focused mentor, writer, and time management consultant.

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by Monday prior to the meeting.

Afterward, the cost is $20 for members and $23 for guests.

Wesley Chapel to get a new fire rescue station

August 8, 2018 By Kathy Steele

A new fire station in Wesley Chapel will replace an aging facility that has become inadequate to handle the needs of a growing population.

Pasco County’s Fire Rescue Station No. 13, off Old Pasco Road, is expected to open in January 2019. A groundbreaking was held in mid-March on the same day the Pasco County commissioners approved the construction contract of about $2.6 million.

Funding is partially from the Penny for Pasco program.

Construction is underway on a replacement fire station for Pasco County’s Fire Rescue Station No. 13, in Wesley Chapel. The station is expected to open in January. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

In addition, Pasco purchased an adjacent property for about $467,000, according to county records.

The additional land was needed to accommodate a new fire station that, at about 9,400 square feet, will more than double the size of the old station at 27329 Dayflower Blvd.

The new station also will have space for a Pasco County Sheriff’s substation, where deputies will be able to write up reports, and conduct interviews.

The new station will have three drive-through bays and will be able to hold six fire vehicles. Currently, five firefighters and a battalion chief work each shift. But, the additional space means that eventually up to nine firefighters and one battalion chief could be accommodated.

Instead of dormitory-style sleeping quarters, individual bunkrooms will be provided.

There will be a larger kitchen, with individual pantries for each shift.

Firefighters will have an on-site fitness area, and a specialized washing system for their gear. Also, there will be customized gear lockers in a climate-controlled room.

For emergency calls at night, a “stumble light” system will automatically turn on lights at the fire station, as firefighters don their gear and board fire vehicles.

The station is modeled after Fire Rescue Station No. 30 at Little Road and Massachusetts Avenue, in western Pasco. In 2015, the station won Firehouse Magazine’s “Notable Architectural Design Award.”

Pasco County Fire Chief Scott Cassin said, “It’s essentially the same footprint and design.”

While the new station is under construction, the old station – built in the 1970s – remains operational, Cassin said. It will be torn down once its replacement is opened, he added.

“It’s really in a good location in the central part of the county,” said Cassin.

The area is also a high growth area for the county, with new residents arriving monthly.

Estimates show Pasco adds about 300 homes each month, Cassin said.

Pasco’s growth in all areas of the county is bringing challenges to county departments that deliver services to residents.

Fire rescue especially is called upon to respond to increasing numbers of emergency calls.

At budget workshops to prepare the 2019 draft budget, fire rescue officials noted that in 2017 firefighters responded to more than 71,000 such calls. Over the next eight years, those calls are expected to increase to 100,000 a year.

Much of that is due to overall population increases, but Cassin said other factors also add to the call volume, including Pasco’s aging population.

Lack of health insurance for some is also a factor, he said.

“A lot of people have dropped their health insurance and don’t get the medical care that they should,” Cassin said. They can wind up seeking medical attention when it becomes an emergency, he added.

“We’re seeing some of that,” he said.

As the county’s growth continues, Cassin said fire rescue is planning to expand its capabilities.

However, that comes at a cost to build new stations, increase personnel and add equipment.

In the general election on Nov. 6, voters will be asked to consider approval of four 30-year general bond referendums for the sheriff’s department, parks, libraries and fire rescue.

Over the life of the bond, if approved, fire rescue estimates collecting more than $70.2 million in revenues. About $2.2 million would cover costs of financing the bond, and leave fire rescue about $68 million for construction projects.

Funds would be used to build nine fire stations, including new ones and expanded or refurbished ones.

Four new stations would be located at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52; State Road 52 and Majestic Parkway; Meadow Pointe, by State Road 56; and Bexley, off State Road 54.

In addition, five stations would be expanded and upgraded.

They would be at U.S. 41 and Central Boulevard; Seven Springs Boulevard; U.S. 19 and Cross Bayou Boulevard; Shady Hills; and, Crystal Springs.

Published August 8, 2018

Finalists named for annual industry awards

August 8, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco Economic Development Council announced its selection of 15 finalists for the 32nd Annual Awards and Trade Show, according to a news release from the Pasco EDC.

The event will be on Sept. 6 at Saddlebrook Resort and Spa, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.

Festivities will begin with a reception at 5 p.m., followed by the award announcements from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. A dinner and trade show, with about 50 exhibitors from Pasco County businesses, will be featured, too.

Six businesses, selected from the finalists, will be honored as award winners at the annual celebration.

All nominees were scored based on company growth, leadership in current business issues, and corporate citizenship.

According to the news release, the finalists “excelled in all of those categories.”

The finalists are:

A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions
Academy at the Lakes Inc.
DC Johnson & Associates
Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County
Hernandez Accounting Solutions Inc.
Medical Center of Trinity
Merrell Bros., Inc.
Mettler Toledo
Millian-Aire Enterprises Corp.
Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
Pharmaworks Inc.
San Antonio Lumber Co.
Spark Technology Solutions
Tampa Premium Outlets LLC
Ultimate 3D Printing Store

“This event honors the accomplishments and growth of our business community, while providing a rare networking opportunity with over 600 of Pasco’s business leaders and government officials at the biggest event of the year,” Bill Cronin, the Pasco EDC’s president and chief executive officer, said in the release.

Published August 8, 2018

Lego builds community and a family business at Wiregrass

August 8, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Adam Smyk liked the sense of community he found in his 20-year career in the Navy. But, he often had to leave his family for six-month tours of duty at sea.

When he came home, he had to re-introduce himself to his young sons. One lasting bond between them was Lego. They could spend hours together snapping Lego bricks into space ships or create their own special projects.

Adam Smyk owns Bricks and Minifigs at The Shops at Wiregrass. The shop buys, sells and trades Lego pieces and box sets. (Kathy Steele)

“It was something for us to go out and get, and then, do it together,” said Smyk, who retired from the Navy about two years ago.

The family was living in Hawaii then, but New Tampa is home now.

And, Lego remains a bond between Smyk and his youngest sons, James, 10, and Andrew, 7. It also is the family business.

Smyk opened Bricks and Minifigs at The Shops at Wiregrass in March, at 28210 Paseo Drive.

The shop is the first, and to-date only, franchise of the Utah-based company to open in Florida. It’s sort of a Lego consignment shop with new items for purchase, but also opportunities to trade for store credit or cash.

Bricks and Minifigs sells older box sets that were never opened; missing pieces from retired Lego series that can be bought in bulk; and, of course, the minifigs (miniature figures) that are sometimes hard to find or, over the years, those that owners might have lost, like their favorite Star Wars figure.

Batman in the guises of a pink fairy or a mermaid or Marge and Homer Simpson fill display cases with their plastic tininess. One special minifig is a Lego mistake – Princess Leia with smooth, not wavy hair.

“It’s one of the rare Lego mistakes,” said Smyk.

Wesley Chapel residents Karen and Jacob Raffoul look at mini-fig pieces at Bricks & Minifigs at The Shops at Wiregrass.

Bins are filled with hundreds of Lego pieces that customers can dig through, find what they want, and pay for a bag full. One section allows customers to select pieces to build their own minifig.

“We have people who spend hours looking for that one piece,” Smyk said. “Some people come in for an hour or so and build, and just walk out.”

Wesley Chapel residents Karen Raffoul and her 13-year-old son, Jacob, looked through the minifig pieces on a recent Friday afternoon.

“This is really cool,” said Jacob Raffoul. “I never thought that you could customize your own (Lego) people.”

The store hosts birthday parties. Partygoers can build complimentary minifigs to take home or design small cars for derby races on the store’s racetrack. The birthday child also gets a complimentary “It’s My Birthday” minifig.

It’s truly a family operation that has connected with the Lego community.

Smyk’s son, Daniel, is product manager; his daughter-in-law, Jenny, is general manager; and his wife, Sonya, handles social media.

“I was looking to be part of a community when I got out of the Navy,” he said. “The Lego community is very passionate about what they’re about.”

Lego famously is almost a rite of passage for children.

The company began in the early 1920s as a store selling handmade wooden toys. The name Lego comes from abbreviations of two Danish words, “leg godt,” meaning “play well,” according to the Lego website.

But, Smyk said customers also can be young at heart or Lego collectors who love the creativity and imagination that the bricks represent.

One of his best customers is a 71-year-old woman whose doctor approves of her hobby.

“She loves Lego, but her doctor thinks it’s a good way to keep dexterity in her fingers,” Smyk said. “We really appeal to everyone.”

The shop is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

For information, visit BricksAndMinifigs.com or Facebook.com/BAMtampa/.

Published August 8, 2018

Business Digest 08/08/2018

August 8, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Memory care at The Edwinola
The Edwinola in Dade City recently announced the opening of its “Along the Journey” memory care program.

The Edwinola is a historical icon and a senior assisted living facility in Dade City. (File)

The program is designed for residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory impairments.

The Edwinola is a historical icon in Dade City that began as a hotel in the early 1900s. Over the years, it served as a private residence, a university and a restaurant. It was restored and reopened in 2017 as a senior assisted living facility.

The Edwinola’s newest program provides a secure, designated area, and staff members who provide assistance to memory care residents.

Services include state-of-the-art comprehensive plans; individualized care and service plans; designated social, therapeutic and physical activities; large private rooms, with baths; weekly housekeeping and laundry; caregivers available 24 hours a day; medication ordering and management; coordination and scheduling of medical appointments; and all utilities and cable television included.

For information, call Stephanie Davis at (352) 567-6500.

National housing report
Sales prices for homes are at a record high while the number of homes available is at a record low, according to the June 2018 National Housing Report from RE/MAX.

Also, in June, home sales were 5.5 percent lower than homes sales in June 2017, the report found.

The median sales price paid by homebuyers nationally in June was about $258,500. That’s an increase from June 2017 from nearly $246,000.

The average number of days a house was on the market (from listing to contract) dropped to 42 days in June 2018, down from 47 days in 2017.

The inventory of homes for sale dipped slightly in June to 2.7-month supply, down from 2.8 in June 2018.

Augusta (Maine) and Salt Lake City were among cities with the lowest inventory of homes for sale, with a 1.3-month supply and 1.4-month supply, respectively. Omaha, Nebraska, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania increased the number of home sales by 6.6 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

And, Boise, Idaho, and Seattle, Washington had the highest sales price increases, with a 17.3 percent and 17 percent increase, respectively.

The report was based on Multiple Listing Services data from 53 metropolitan areas in the country.

Monthly membership luncheon
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly membership luncheon Aug. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.

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

The cost is $20, but please RSVP.

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

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its August 2018 Momentum Thursday on Aug. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Atria Lutz, at 414 E. Chapman Road in Lutz.

Guest speaker is Kim Northup Wright, executive director of Sunrise Community Inc., of Tampa Bay.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card at NorthTampaChamber.com or by email to by 5 p.m. Aug. 8, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

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

General membership meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its general membership meeting Aug. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway, at Northpointe Village.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will be guest speaker.

The cost is $20 for members only, if RSVP is by Aug. 9. Afterward, the cost is $25 for members and non-members.

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

Smart Business Series
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly “Small Business Series” Aug. 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Overnight Success Studios, 17743 Hunting Bow Circle, Lutz.

Guest speaker is Dineen Wasylik of DPW Legal.

The cost is $20. Please RSVP and prepay.

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

Awards banquet
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host “Zephyropoly,” a membership appreciation and community awards banquet Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 38750 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

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

Free business seminar
SCORE will host a free business seminar, “Game Changing Tactics for Small Businesses,” Sept. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Residence Marriott, 2102 Northpoint Parkway in Lutz.

Featured guests will include experienced executives and entrepreneurs who have built successful companies. They are Sheila Neisler, owner of Catalyst, a marketing company; Jim Hammond, former chief executive officer in sales, marketing and operations; Jack Grise, former executive and vice president in sales, marketing, manufacturing and high-tech companies; Lora Shipman, owner of LoraShipman.com, a social media consulting company; and Greta Kishbaugh, professor at St. Petersburg College and president of Biz Dynamics Group.

A continental breakfast will be provided.

Seating is limited, so registration by Sept. 7 is required.

For information and to register, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

Chamber mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a mixer on August 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Asturia, 14575 Promenade Parkway in Odessa.

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

Bus express service links Wesley Chapel and Tampa

August 1, 2018 By Kathy Steele

A new express bus service running from Wesley Chapel to downtown Tampa could potentially carry about 200,000 passengers annually, according to calculations by officials at the Hillsborough Area Transit Authority, also known as HART.

The 275LX bus route, which launched July 1, was among the topics discussed at the monthly economic development briefing luncheon sponsored by the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

About 20 people attended the luncheon at Hunter’s Green Golf & Country Club on July 26.

Ruthie Reyes Burckard, HART’s chief operations officer, was guest speaker.

She gave an overview of the 275LX, as well as other upcoming bus services from HART, and efforts to increase regional connections into Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

Burckard said estimates on annual ridership aboard the 275LX are based on factors, such as community density and employment centers.

The 275LX route includes a bus stop at the Wiregrass park-n-ride, at 28222 Willet Way. The lot is near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and The Shops at Wiregrass. There also is a stop at the Lowe’s park-n-ride in New Tampa, at 16907 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Passengers are picked up hourly, seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The new 275LX route replaces the 51LX, which had limited pickups from the Wiregrass park-in-ride traveling to Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa. There were two trips up n the morning and two trips back in the afternoon to Wesley Chapel.

“It wasn’t very productive,” Burckard said, adding that people didn’t seem to like the lack of options.

HART routinely does third-quarter reviews of its bus services, said Burckard. “We’ve been continuously looking at our services, and tweaking.”

The 275LX express route includes stops at Wiregrass park-in-ride, Tampa International Airport and the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital. (File)

That will happen in coming months, with the new express route. “If there are adjustments to be made, we’ll be looking very closely at that,” Burckard said.

On the 275LX, buses ride along Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, and Interstate 275 toward Tampa, with stops at Tampa International Airport, James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital, the University area by University of South Florida, and the Marion Transit Center in downtown Tampa.

A one-way ride takes about an hour and 45 minutes. The cost is $2 each way.

The park-in-rides are free to use. However, Burckard said the lots aren’t available for overnight or multiple days of parking. So, for people taking the bus to catch a flight at Tampa’s airport, they should have someone drop them off at the park-in-ride, she said.

The 275LX is useful in making tri-county connections, or to other bus routes in Tampa.

For instance, the University area bus stop allows transfers to Temple Terrace. At Marion Transit, passengers can connect with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority.

Funding for the 275LX is from the Florida Department of Transportation. The state transportation department also gave HART a $1 million grant for a pilot project to test a low-speed, self-driving bus between the Marion Transit Center and the southern end of downtown Tampa.

That is expected to launch in fiscal year 2019.

In October, the TECO Line Streetcar System will begin providing free rides for the next three years. Funding is about $200,000 from Tampa Electric Company, or TECO, and about $2.7 million from FDOT.

One-way fares between the Channelside District and Ybor City currently cost $2.50.

A study is planned to consider extending the existing 2.7 miles of streetcar track.

HART also is launching the Flamingo Fares mobile application, which provides regional bus fare passes. Hillsborough County, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota will partner in this.

One bus pass can be used for rides on all systems.

“You don’t have to buy fare passes for each and every connection,” Burckard said.

Published August 1, 2018

El Dorado Furniture opening fall 2019 at Brightwork Crossing

August 1, 2018 By Kathy Steele

The largest Hispanic-owned furniture retailer in the United States plans to open a new store in the mixed-use, residential and commercial project, known as Brightwork Crossing.

An apartment complex at Brightwork Crossing is under construction at State Road 54 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard. Shops and a hotel are planned, too.

A new Burger King restaurant recently opened on a parcel, fronting State Road 54.

The estimated opening for El Dorado Furniture Store is fall 2019, according to Pedro Capo, chief operating officer of the family-owned business.

This is an aerial view of an El Dorado Furniture Store that opened in Cutler Bay, in Miami-Dade County. Company officials are in early stages of planning a store in Pasco County that would open in fall 2019. (Courtesy of Smith Aerial Photos/El Dorado Furniture Store)

Bowman Consulting Inc., filed a preliminary site plan for El Dorado Furniture, and had a pre-application meeting with Pasco County planners in July.

“Everything is looking good,” said Capo.

The Miami-based business is expanding elsewhere in Florida, including new stores in Naples and Fort Myers. A former Sports Authority on Tyrone Boulevard, and a Babies R Us, will be remodeled and opened as El Dorado stores.

The site plan for El Dorado shows a two-story, 70,000-square-foot building, with access from Ashley Creek Trail.

Ashley Creek is among new roads built, internal to Brightwork Crossing. Maren Way is a new road off State Road 54, leading to Burger King and the apartments.

A WaWa gas and convenience store also is featured on the site plan, across from the furniture store. It also has access from Ashley Creek.

The recent El Dorado Furniture store opening in Naples is the company’s 16th store, said Capo.

The company has wanted to move into Pasco for awhile, and looked at a site about five years ago, east of Interstate 75. Tampa Premium Outlets was still in planning stages.

“It was too soon. Then, the recession came in,” said Capo. “But, now the timing is right.”

Company founder, Manuel Capo, left Cuba after the Fidel Castro regime confiscated the family’s chain of furniture stores, known as Casa Capo. Capo and two of his six sons sailed a small boat, named El Dorado, to Mexico, and then settled in Miami, according to the website.

The rest of the family later joined them.

Capo opened El Dorado (named for the boat) in 1967 in Little Havana.

Manuel Capo died nearly 10 years ago. His sons now operate the family business, which is recognized among the top 50 furniture retailers in the country, the website adds.

In the early 1990s, the family designed a unique showroom concept, featuring the El Dorado “boulevard.” Customers stroll along a streetscape, dotted with old-fashioned benches and street lamps, 16th century-inspired stained glass windows, and Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Capo said the parking lot also features old-fashioned street lights and brick pavers to begin what is essentially a neighborhood experience.

Typically, customers in most furniture stores might spent 20 minutes, but El Dorado customers stay as long as an hour, he added. “They can just relax, enjoy a cup of coffee and wander around,” Capo said.

The store has more than 20 storefronts, and specialty furniture shops, which showcase various furniture styles from contemporary to traditional.

Same-day delivery is available in many instances.

“Being Hispanic, typically the whole family comes to shop,” Capo said. “They’d bring anybody that fit in the car, even their neighbors.”

But, he said, the boulevard concept proved successful “for everybody. We do have people for all over the world to look at our boulevard.”

Pasco County commissioners approved Brightwork Crossing in August 2017. The development will have about 350 apartments, 250,000 square feet of offices, retail, and a 150-room hotel.

The approximately 32-acre site is off State Road 54, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard. It is behind the Shell gas station and Walgreen’s drugstore.

State Road 54 and Wesley Chapel are at the epicenter of retail growth in Pasco. Tampa Premium Outlets, a row of restaurants, a new At Home store and Costco are among the projects that opened on the south side of State Road 56.

Cypress Creek Town Center, on the north side of State Road 56, is filling up with restaurants, including Bahama Breeze Island Grill, Mellow Mushroom, and Chuy’s Tex Mex. The Hyatt Place Hotel is almost ready for its grand opening.

Other planned shops include HomeGoods, Blaze Pizza and Hobby Lobby.

Published August 1, 2018

Car dealerships arriving in Wesley Chapel

August 1, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County is in the market to add to its luxury car dealerships with BMW as the potential tenant of a proposed showroom near The Shops at Wiregrass.

Japanese-auto dealership Mitsubishi also appears to want into Pasco’s market, with a showroom located west of Eagleston Boulevard at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Representatives of Spring Engineering Inc., filed a pre-application for “BMW-Wesley Chapel,” and recently met with Pasco County planners.

Spring Engineering representatives could not be reached for comment.

Preliminary site plans show a 37,000-square-foot showroom and space for 216 new vehicles. The dealership also would have a pre-owned vehicle division and service department.

The 32-acre site is located at the southeast corner of State Road 56 and Mansfield Boulevard, east of the Wiregrass mall. The property is owned by Solly Branch Holdings LLC, which lists J.D. Porter and his sister, Quinn Porter, as company officers, according to state records.

If the dealership materializes, BMW would be the fourth luxury automobile dealerships to gravitate to Pasco in the past three years. It would join previously opened dealerships for Lexus, Mercedes Benz and Audi.

According to its website, Springs Engineering’s clients include BMW of Ocala, Mini of Wesley Chapel, Jaguar of Orlando, and Lamborghini of Broward (County).

Another site plan identifies “WC Mitsubishi” as the potential tenant for an approximately 4-acre site near Toyota, Honda and Lexus dealerships.

Jacobs Holdings WC LLC, filed the pre-application for WC Mitsubishi, which would be a new and used auto dealership of about 17,600 square feet.

Daniel Jacobs is listed as the prime officer of Jacobs Holdings WC LLC, as well as chief executive officer of Jacobs Automotive Group and owner of Jacobs Auto Enterprise Inc., according to state records.

He is listed on the pre-application as the purchaser. The property is owned by DDG Holdings LLC, according to county records.

Jacobs wasn’t available for comment.

Published August 1, 2018

Business Digest 08/01/2018

August 1, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Gordon Chevrolet Guest Experience Manager Ryan Gomez, center, received the American Patriot Award on behalf of the auto dealership, from Bob Seitz and Jim Knight, members of the Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 of Lutz. (Courtesy of Gordon Chevrolet)

Gordon Chevrolet honored
Gordon Chevrolet flies the American flag, “Old Glory,” every day of the year to show the company’s pride in the United States.

The local detachment of the Marine Corps League, Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 of Lutz took notice, and awarded the company its Detachment’s American Patriot Award.

Gordon Chevrolet Guest Experience Manager Ryan Gomez accepted the award from Bob Seitz and Jim Knight, members of the Marine Forever Detachment.

In the past year, since the award was created, more than 150 residences and businesses in the Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, and North Tampa area, have received the award.

New office leases
Hold-Thyssen Inc., a full service commercial real estate firm, recently negotiated a new multi-year lease for office space at the Van Dyke Professional Center in Lutz, according to a press release from Larry Vershel Communications Inc.

Leasing Associate Theresa Margaris negotiated the agreement between owners of the Van Dyke business park and Shaping Expectations Therapy.

The center has three stand-alone office buildings, each of about 2,500 square feet.

Shaping Expectations will be located at 17539 Darby Lane.

Shaping Expectations Therapy will serve new and existing clients in the surrounding community.

Local vendor preference
The amended Pasco County Purchasing Ordinance, effective June 12, now has a “local vendor preference policy,” according to a news release from Pasco County.

The new ordinance will provide local companies that submit a bid and fall within a certain range, the first opportunity to adjust their bid to match the lowest price received by the county. In addition, there is an opportunity for local and regional businesses to receive additional points when submitting bids to the county.

“It gives our established, local companies the opportunity to grow their business while making sure county taxpayers get the best deal and best price on the goods and services purchased by Pasco County government,” according to a written statement from Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr.

For information on the ordinance, visit PascoCountyFl.net/purchasing.

Chamber networking
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a “Brochure Exchange” Aug. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Rasmussen College, Land O’ Lakes campus, at 18600 Fernview St., off State Road 54.

Bring fliers, brochures, business cards and pamphlets to share, and learn about other businesses in the area.

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

Business breakfast
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly business breakfast Aug. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Guest speaker is Kenneth Strickland, director of research and director of services development at Tampa International Airport.

The cost is $15 in advance or $20 for walk-ins and non-members.

Please register, as space is limited.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Membership lunch
The Greater North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly membership lunch Aug. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.

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

The cost is $20, but please RSVP.

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

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its August 2018 Momentum Thursday on Aug. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Atria Lutz, at 414 E. Chapman Road in Lutz.

Guest speaker is Kim Northup Wright, executive director of Sunrise Community Inc., of Tampa Bay.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card at NorthTampaChamber.com or by email to by 5 p.m. Aug. 8, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

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

A continental breakfast will be provided.

Seating is limited, so registration by Sept. 7 is required.

For information and to register, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

Turnout might break record in August primary

July 25, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Midterm elections typically get a low voter turnout.

But, there are signs of energized voters for the 2018 primary set for Aug. 28 and the general election on Nov. 6.

New voter registrations are up somewhat, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley spoke at the monthly luncheon of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. (Kathy Steele)

A bigger indicator of voter interest is the more than 62,000 ballots mailed to local residents and military personnel, Corley added, in remarks at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn.

That is a record for mailed out ballots, and if most or all of the ballots are returned, Pasco could set a historical record for total voter turnout in a primary.

About 60 percent of Pasco’s total votes comes from absentee or early voting. Pasco has been promoting both methods of voting to reduce lines on election day.

Corley’s remarks centered on voter turnout and cybersecurity threats from hackers.

“The threats are real,” Corley said. “My job is to be neutral, but facts are stubborn things.”

He cited the federal charges filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller against 12 Russian intelligence officers. They are accused of interfering in the 2016 election through phishing attacks, money laundering and hacking into state election boards.

Corley said he was a target of phishing in 2016 from an email that appeared to come from a vendor. He said he didn’t click to open it, and security measures would have quarantined the email, if he had.

Corley noted that he later learned from court documents (prior to the recent indictments) that the email came from a hacker in Moscow.

Other reports of Russian interference also have emerged since the 2016 election, he said.

About 65,000 Americans apparently responded to social media invitations from Russian hackers to political events that weren’t real.

Also, about 6 million people “liked” or “didn’t like” postings on Facebook from bots. There were postings both for and against Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Black Lives Matter.

“They were playing both sides, hedging their bets to get people fired up,” Corley said.

Measures are in place to ensure the reliability and security of Pasco County’s elections, he said.

The elections office works closely with the FBI, Homeland Security, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office regarding potential threats, especially from cyber attacks.

In a worst-case scenario, Pasco would have a backup plan, with a paper trail to secure the vote’s accuracy.

“You can’t hack paper,” Corley said.

A prime concern continues to be low voter participation, particularly in midterm elections.

Typically, about 20 percent of registered voters turn out during primaries, Corley said.

“That’s sad when you think about it,” he said. “We should be the benchmark for having elections in a democracy,” the elections supervisor said.

While a high volume of absentee ballots was requested, Corley said, on average, about 40 percent are returned.

Other countries fine nonvoters or give cash prizes via lotteries to voters.

For example, Corley said Australia fines voters $50 for not voting.

If that were done in Pasco, about $8 million, on average, could be collected. Statewide, about $300 million would be handed out in fines, Corley said.

Residents who want to vote in the primary must register by July 30. Because Florida is a closed primary state, only registered Democrats and Republicans can participate in their party primaries.

Residents registered, for example, with no party affiliation will be excluded from the primaries. However, Corley said people can change their registration to Republican or Democrat in order to vote on Aug. 28.

“They can always change back later,” he said.

Every registered voter is eligible to cast a ballot in the Nov. 6 general election.

Voters on that date will have choices in local, state and federal races, including county commissioners, state legislators, a governor’s race and a United States senator’s race.

Voters also will decide on 17 referendums, including constitutional amendments, and four local bond issues to fund programs for public safety, fire rescue, parks and libraries.

The elections office managed to put everything onto one page — using the front and the back of the ballot.

Even so, Corley said, “It’s going to be a very, very lengthy ballot.”

Deadlines for voter registration
The last day to register for the August 28 primary is July 30.
Florida is a closed primary state. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary; only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary.
The last day to register for the Nov. 6 general election is Oct. 9.
For information, visit PascoVotes.com.

Published July 25, 2018