The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Pasco Upcycle Festival is eco-friendly

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Hauling recyclable cans, bottles and paper to the curb is a habit that is second nature to many people who worry about the environment.

But, how about getting creative and upcycling a few items?

Take a pair of jeans and repurpose them as aprons. Or take costume jewelry and fabric scraps, and use them to make bookmarks.

Upcycling is defined as the process of transforming a recyclable item in to a new product of better quality or better environmental value, according to Pasco Upcycle Festival organizers.

Items such as a drawer, forks or wire wisks can be repurposed to make a couch, wall hangers or candle holders. (Photos courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful)
Items such as a drawer, forks or wire wisks can be repurposed to make a couch, wall hangers or candle holders.
(Photos courtesy of Keep Pasco Beautiful)

The festival aims to get people as interested in upcycling as they are in recycling.

“What can you do with these items before they ever get to the curb?” asked Kristen King, coordinator for Keep Pasco Beautiful.

The first-time festival will be on Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Little Everglades Ranch, at 17951 Hamilton Road in Dade City. About 2,500 people are expected to attend.

There is no admission charge, but there will be a $5 parking fee collected by the venue to offset some of its costs.

As a first time event, there will be no fees collected from vendors. More environmentally friendly vendors are being sought, including those with fresh produce typically sold at farmers’ markets.

The festival will feature numerous upcycle vendors, including makers of pallet furniture and jewelry from recycled household items.

Vendors also will sell items such as homemade soaps and pepper jellies.

Many individual vendors who upcycle as a hobby will offer items including bracelets and pendants from utensils, or aprons made from jeans.

A hands-on demonstration will show children how to make bookmarks from recyclable items around the house.

Food trucks, including Hillbilly Farms and Philou’s Cajun on the Geaux, will be on site.

Bluegrass bands, the Michigan Misfits and Mean Mary, will provide entertainment.

drawer rgb“We are so excited to launch this new event,” King said, in a press release announcing the festival. “It gives us the opportunity to show individuals how they can not only reduce their waste, but also release their creative genius at the same time.”

Nov. 15 is National America Recycles Day, a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful. Everyone is encouraged to participate in “doing one thing” to recycle and reduce waste.

Event sponsors of Pasco Upcycle Festival are Keep Pasco Beautiful and Pasco County.

Organizers plan to make this festival an annual event.

For more information, email , or call (727) 856-7252.

For more information on Keep Pasco Beautiful, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org. For information on recycling in Pasco County, visit PascoCountyFL.net.

Published November 4, 2015

Wiregrass Sports Park on new path?

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The future of the Wiregrass Sports Park is in play, again.

A new call for proposals will be issued within the next month seeking developers who want to partner with Pasco County in building and operating a field house for indoor sports such as basketball, wrestling and volleyball.

The project also envisions the potential for four or five outdoor ball fields. And, eventually there could be tourist attractions such as an indoor zipline, indoor skydiving, and a driving range.

But, even as the county puts the project out for bid, negotiations are under way on a new proposal from the Porter family, who have played a considerable role in influencing the development of the area.

The family previously owned the land now occupied by The Shops at Wiregrass, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, as well as residential subdivisions and public schools.

The Porters donated more than 200 acres to Pasco County in 2012 with a stipulation that if a sports complex didn’t happen, then a park would be developed.

Since then, the county has sifted through one proposal after another, but none has panned out.

The family is eager to see work starting at the site.

It came down to one question for them.

“What can we do as a family to get this off the ground and make it a reality?” J.D. Porter asked.

Within the past two weeks, they presented county officials with a new vision for a town center-style community at Wiregrass with homes, hotels and retail. The proposal incorporates the field house, but also draws a grander vision for a wetlands area with trails, a convention center and/or performing arts center at PHSC’s Porter Campus, a public park and green space for Wiregrass residents.

It would all be pedestrian-friendly, interconnected space linking to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, the college and a public park. The future Raymond James commercial site, with 1 million square feet of office space within six buildings, also is plugged into the plan.

The Porter’s proposal could lead to a land swap agreement returning a portion of the donated land to the family to accommodate their town-center project and also allow for a public park. The land could be split re-divided along several geographic patterns.

It was a lot to digest as county commissioners met on Oct. 27 in a public workshop with the Tourist Development Council.

Pasco County Strategic Policy Administrator Richard Gehring clicked through a slide show of changing scenarios on how development could proceed, and meet everyone’s expectations.

Discussion with the Porters is ongoing.

“There are moving parts,” said Gehring. “The geography is not fixed at this time. We’re trying to make it a win-win for as many people as possible.”

Gehring said it would take about three weeks to write a proposal for the field house. Bidders would have 60 days to submit their plans.

The recommendation to build a field house emerged from a study by Chicago-based Johnson Consulting Co.

The facility would be between 85,000 and 100,000 square feet, built on five to seven acres. There would be up to eight basketball courts, four to six multi-purpose rooms and lockers. It would operate under a private/public partnership agreement.

By the fifth year of operation, about 100,000 people a year would use the facility, said Charlie Johnson, the company’s president.

In future, outdoor ball fields could be added, he said.

“You can start with indoor, and grow from there,” Johnson said.

The field house and the Porter’s future development project is a sound one, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

“To me, we’re getting everything the (Johnson Consulting) report stated but above and beyond,” he said. “I’m excited…looking at it.”

Porter said the proposal allows the family to “control our destiny,” while also providing park space to county residents.

He anticipates consulting with Pasco parks and recreation officials to determine how to develop the park.

“We’ll ask them what they are lacking there,” Porter said.

If the land swap is done, he added, “We’d start immediately laying it out as amenities, not just for Wiregrass but everybody.”

Published November 4, 2015

Dade City chamber hosts business expo

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Businesses have the chance to shine in the spotlight at the 2015 Annual Community & Business Expo, hosted by the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

The annual event will be held Nov. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, at 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

More than 60 businesses to date have signed up to take part in the expo, which is open to the public free of charge.

People will have the chance to mingle with business owners and find out more about the goods and services the businesses offer. There will be door prizes, as well, and two grand prizes, valued at $250 each.

Local restaurants will offer food samples from their menus.

For instance, A Healthy Convenience will have samples of Amish foods, snacks, bread and granola, and will display the wines and beers that it sells at the store.

Participating businesses include Bay News 9, Mander Law Group, A Healthy Convenience, the Garden Café, Faithful Friends Pet Cremation, San Antonio Antiques, Pasco-Hernando State College, Dade City Woman’s Club, Pasco Shopper, Hair With Sass, American House Zephyrhills and Spivey Karate & Tai Chi.

Exhibitor booths will have giveaways and special door prizes, including an antique cut glass vase from San Antonio Antiques, a gas card from San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, and a free custom Word Press website from Off The Chart Media.

Sponsors include Saint Leo University, The Laker/Lutz News, CenterState Bank, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, The Brass Tap Dade City, Core Care Benefit LLC, and Bright House Networks Business Solutions!

For information, call the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769 or visit DadeCityChamber.org.

Published November 4, 2015

 

Dade City gets its first Publix grocery

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The grand opening of the first Publix in Dade City will be the launching pad for more retail coming soon to The Shoppes At Dade City.

The approximately 45,600-square-foot grocery store opened its doors on Oct. 22 as the anchor for the shopping plaza at U.S. 301 and Clinton Avenue.

More shops are on the way.

Lee Nails and China King are in the permitting process, said Tracy Worrell, leasing agent for Crossman Company, which handles leasing for Publix properties.

“They are working to get open as soon as possible, probably before the end of the year,” Worrell said.

A giant inflatable green bag stuffed with chicken tenders and vegetables is an eye-catching site outside the new Publix, along U.S. 301 in Dade City. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
A giant inflatable green bag stuffed with chicken tenders and vegetables is an eye-catching site outside the new Publix, along U.S. 301 in Dade City.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Burger King is an anticipated tenant for an adjacent outparcel. A second outparcel also is available.

And a family-oriented restaurant is a hoped-for addition inside the plaza.

The Publix store is stocked with everyday pantry items, fresh produce, sushi and seafood, meats, bakery, deli and a self-service floral department.

A Publix Liquor store is next door.

More than 125 people work at the store, including employees who transferred from other stores and about 60 new hires, according to Publix officials.

The Shoppes at Dade City sits atop a hill overlooking U.S. 301, just outside of downtown Dade City. The Florida Department of Transportation recently completed repaving a stretch of highway running parallel to Publix.

The approximately $12.5 million project is resurfacing about 6 miles of roadway from Kossik Road to Bougainvillea Avenue. A multi-use trail also will extend along the west side of U.S. 301 north to a sidewalk at Dade Avenue. Completion is expected in spring 2016. Eventually the new trail segment will be linked with Hardy Trail in Dade City.

Published November 4, 2015

Business Digest 11/04/15

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Flavor the Kona Ice
Wesley Chapel residents Matt and Katie Burnett are new owners of a Kona Ice business. Their mobile truck, with a tiki hut top, will be tooling through the Wesley Chapel area selling cups of shaved ice that come in more than 20 flavors and 500 combinations. Try out “pickle” and “tigers blood” as well as sugar-free and dye-free flavors. The Burnetts plan to give back to the community with school fundraising events. Schools can receive 20 percent to 30 percent of the proceeds. In addition, Kona Ice is available for corporate events, church events and birthday parties.

For information, visit Kona-ice.com, email the Burnetts at , or call (813) 812-5662.

Tommy Hilfiger plans ribbon cutting
Tommy Hilfiger, the designer clothing shop, will host a ribbon cutting on Nov. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the newly opened Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 56 near Interstate 75. The shop is among nearly 100 upscale retailers at the outlet mall, which had its grand opening weekend from Oct. 29 through Nov. 2.

For information, contact the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722.

Networking women
WOW, Women of Wesley Chapel will meet Nov. 6 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., in the second floor conference room at the Health and Wellness Center, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The guest speaker will be Michele Norris, founder of Navigen Leadership.

For information, call the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534, or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.

Women-n-Charge luncheon
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on Nov. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The meeting includes lunch and time to network. The guest speaker will be Erin Bess of Simply the Best Photography, who will discuss how to “Showcase Your Business through Photography.”

The cost is $18 for members and guests.

To register, visit Women-n-Charge.com. For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Business seminars
SCORE Pasco Hernando will host two free seminar business-oriented seminars. The first seminar, “Understanding a Franchise Business,” will be held on Nov. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, at 2818 Collier Parkway.

The second seminar, “How to Finance Your Business,” will be held on Nov. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the New River Branch Library, at 34043 State Road 54.

For information, call SCORE Pasco Hernando at (727) 842-4638, or visit PascoHernando.score.org.

Terra Bella model home
Hovnanian Homes will have a ribbon cutting at the Terra Bella community for its “Messina” model home on Nov. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The model home is at 2300 Via Bella Blvd., off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

For information, contact the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 425-8747, or visit KHOV.com/terrabella.

Business Link breakfast
Business Link will have its monthly networking breakfast on Nov. 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Quality Inn & Suites, 6815 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills.

Come for tips and networking to strengthen your business. This monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for small businesses. A complimentary breakfast will be provided.

Please RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-1356, or email .

Job training
CareerSource Pasco Hernando received an $80,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, according to a news release from Career Source. The funds are from a statewide Sector Partnership National Emergency Grant of nearly $7 million that is targeted at long-term unemployed individuals in health care and manufacturing. The funds will help transition 25 individuals who have been unemployed for longer than 20 weeks. Classroom instruction in manufacturing skills will be offered that will lead to an industry certification. Participants will then be eligible for short-term on-the-job training with a local manufacturer. First enrollments will be in February/March 2016.

For information, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.

Business workshops
Copperstone Executive Suites is collaborating with Lane Business Consulting to offer a yearlong intensive program called “The Business Mastery Academy.” Each month, the program includes two on-site workshops, one telephone conference call, and a one-on-one coaching session for each participant. Two business consultants and between 10 and 15 business owners will offer their expertise.

Copperstone Executive Suites is offering 10 to 15 grants of $600 each to business owners who complete an online application and are accepted into the program. The remaining monthly cost for the business owner is $47 per month.

For more information, and to apply for a grant, visit Copperstone.info, or call Copperstone Executive Suites at (813) 298-7363 or Lane Business Consulting at (813) 486-2837.

Electronic billboards coming to Pasco County

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Pasco County officials want to weed out unsightly static billboards in favor of a more limited number of electronic billboards.

But, how to swap out one for the other and how quickly to do that are issues that are open for debate.

Pasco County commissioners discussed the matter at a workshop on Oct. 13 in New Port Richey.

County staff members in the coming months will compile an inventory of existing billboards and locations, get input from stakeholders — including business owners and residents— and draft an ordinance permitting electronic billboards.

The public would have an opportunity to weigh in before a new ordinance could be adopted.

Staff members estimate the process could take a year-and-a-half. Some commissioners want a much shorter time span, and a quick route to taking down static billboards.

Looking at how Hillsborough and Pinellas counties handle the matter would provide ready answers, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

“Talk to them. Figure it out. Get it done in a week,” he said. “We’re going to sit here and talk about this for a year? Come on, guys.”

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and Tampa negotiated agreements with billboard companies to swap out multiple numbers of the old billboards in return for new, but lower numbers of permits for electronic billboards.

The electronic billboards, with two sides, rotate digital advertisements every few seconds. These are becoming standard fare along busy interstates. The fees for these digital messages are more expensive than those for standard, one-sided billboards.

“These are so much cleaner than regular billboards,” Moore said. “They look so much better.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano suggested letting the billboard industry provide data and recommend a swap-out ratio to take some of the research burden off county staff members. At minimum, he would anticipate an industry recommendation to remove five static billboards for each single electronic billboard.

“Let them do their own homework and what signs they want to take down,” he said.

Commissioners then can look at the proposal and decide if it works for the county, Mariano added.

Staff members have met with four companies that each has 10 or more static billboards in Pasco: Clear Channel, Champion Outdoor Advertising, Outfront Media and Logan Outdoor Advertising. They plan to continue with these discussions, as well as talking with small business owners.

In 1999, the county adopted a moratorium on new billboards. The inventory at the time showed 537 registered billboards in the county. Those numbers are somewhat lower now, said Pat Wallace, a county senior development review technician.

The moratorium should remain in effect, said Pasco County Chairman Ted Schrader. “I don’t want to see a bunch of new signs going up,” he said. “I’m absolutely opposed to that.”

It is not clear, even with a new ordinance allowing electronic billboards, just when Pasco would see them popping up. The county’s population isn’t considered dense enough to warrant them as yet.

“It will be years before they actually do it,” said Elizabeth Blair, Pasco County assistant attorney. “It’s not financially productive to them.”

Exactly where the flashier billboards would go also could raise concerns with residents, especially those living near commercial corridors, said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“I can’t think of very many people in our county for whom an electronic billboard won’t be disruptive,” she said.

Published October 28, 2015

Retail is coming to Ballantrae Village

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New retail is headed to State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, as Dunphy Properties prepares to start construction on the first shops at Ballantrae Village.

A groundbreaking is expected in January for a Circle K, a Dairy Queen, a Dunkin’ Donuts and a Taco Bell on outparcels on the northeast corner of State Road 54 and Ballantrae Boulevard, according to a news release from Dunphy Properties.

Construction begins in January on the first retail at Ballantrae Village on outparcels, next to the Ballantrae Boulevard/State Road 54 entrance to the master-planned community. KATHY STEELE/PHOTO
Construction begins in January on the first retail at Ballantrae Village on outparcels, next to the Ballantrae Boulevard/State Road 54 entrance to the master-planned community.
KATHY STEELE/PHOTO

An additional four parcels are on the market, and a 13,200-square-foot building also is planned. Tenants have not been signed as yet.

New access is planned to get into and out of the shopping plaza.

Plans for retail at the master-planned community of Ballantrae Village has been slow in developing largely due to the economic downturn in 2007 and a slow recovery. But growth is gathering steam, especially along State Road 54.

“Retail development follows residential growth,” Jim Dunphy said in an email to The Laker/Lutz News. “The economy has picked up enough that we’re seeing explosive residential growth in the (State Road) 54 corridor. In addition, the long awaited widening of (State Road) 54 is underway further fueling interest in the area.”

Dunphy Properties is developing the commercial plaza on about 17 acres owned by the Aprile brothers. The plaza will be on the north side of State Road 54 and east of Ballantrae Boulevard.

The Circle K will be on the west end of the site, with Dairy Queen on the east end.

Bexley Ranch property is under construction to the north of Ballantrae Village.

According to the Ballantrae website, the community has more than 960 homes and more than 3,000 residents.

“Ballantine Village Shoppes is in the center of the growth,” Dunphy states in his email. “Many of the existing residents have done without retail, restaurant and service amenities for a long time. We are now positioned, with the additional residents and promised growth, to provide these shops and services. We are excited to be bringing this project together.”

Published October 28, 2015

Seeking to sweep away commercial blight

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For the first time Pasco County will enforce minimum standards for the upkeep of commercial buildings.

But owners who may need to repair their buildings will have until May 1 to get their property up to code.

Other provisions to cite and fine owners of “slum” buildings take effect immediately.

Pasco County commissioners on Oct. 20 unanimously approved an ordinance that mirrors one already in use to monitor and enforce standards for residential structures and properties.

The commercial ordinance, proposed by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, drew objections from several Land O’ Lakes business owners who said the new regulations would be unfair, and were an example of excessive government.

But during a public hearing, most speakers praised the effort to clean up commercial blight along the county’s major corridors including U.S. 19, U.S. 301 and U. S. 41.

“You’d think that people would clean up their own yards. The truth is they don’t,” said Greg Armstrong, representing of the West Pasco Board of Realtors. “Unfortunately everyone doesn’t do the right thing. Sometimes we have to prod them along. We have to remind people that we are all in this together.”

Appearance really does matter when encouraging economic development, said Hope Allen, executive director of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

“We also have these buildings in Wesley Chapel,” she said. “We are very much in support of this ordinance.”

Stew Gibbons, the incoming president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, also backed the ordinance.

Moore met with residents on two occasions in the past two months to explain his reasons for pursuing the ordinance. The first time, he met with about 50 Land O’ Lakes business owners who strongly opposed the ordinance.

He found a friendlier crowd at a town hall meeting in September.

Moore said he listened to the criticisms, and requested county staff members to tweak the ordinance. For instance, owners won’t have to worry about code enforcement inspectors defining buildings that had too much peeling paint.

“It’s very hard to measure that so we took it off,” he said.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco supported the ordinance as a tool to raze abandoned buildings that are havens for criminal activities.

Nearly 600 service calls have been answered so far this year around the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 52 where there is an empty retail store, fast-food restaurant and a boarded up bank building. And, the Sheriff’s Office has responded to more than 200 calls from an area near U.S. 19 and Alternate U.S. 19, near a closed medical clinic, according to the law enforcement agency’s data.

But not everybody agrees with tougher restrictions.

Greg Conaty told commissioners he worries that the county doesn’t have the manpower to take on new regulations.

“I’m worried about the selective enforcement of it,” said Conaty, whose family owns Land O’ Lakes Recycling on U.S. 41, south of Ehren Cutoff. He said his business has been the focus of code enforcement in past disputes with another nearby business.

“I’m not sure we need more rules if we can’t enforce rules we already have on the books,” Conaty said. “I believe something should be done but it should be fair and across the board for everyone.”

Elizabeth Villanova, a 10-year Pasco County resident, was among a group of Land O’ Lakes business owners and residents who lobbied Moore for help in taking on commercial blight. She created a Facebook page for “Land O’ Lakes Beautification Efforts”, a grassroots campaign that has garnered about 570 signatures on a petition to clean up U.S. 41.

Property values can drop because of blighted buildings, she said.

“It’s been depressing to watch the complete degradation of (U.S.) 41 specifically. We desperately want this enforced on U.S. 41.”

Published October 28, 2015

New plan on tap for water billing issue

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Pasco County has found a formula that will lower water bills for some customers who have been stung by water bills that cannot be explained.

The new regulations will apply to bills — as a one-time only deal — involving unexplained water usage of at least 20,000 gallons a month.

Pasco County commissioners on Oct. 20 approved

an ordinance that will significantly reduce payments owed by eight customers, and set a precedent for how future incidents of excessive unexplained water use will be addressed. Commission Chairman Ted Schrader voted against the measure.

Decisions in these billing cases will be handled administratively and will not be brought to the county commission.

“These kinds of things shouldn’t come to us,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells.

The issue grew out of a complaint by Louise Gritmon about her July 2014 bill for more than $3,300, representing 614,000 gallons of water use.

An eight-month audit ordered by Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil, and completed by her inspector general’s office, scrutinized nearly 320 unusually high water bills. The final report determined that the county’s water meters worked correctly but there were deficiencies in software and meter reading procedures.

To date, county officials say they have reviewed more than 360 complaints.

Of the complaints reviewed, the county found:

• 88 billing errors

• 21 verified leaks

• 96 leaks that can’t be verified

• 8 unexplained high water usage

• 154 from normal irrigation use

County officials still can’t explain the meter’s reading for an 18-day period when Gritmon’s residence was vacant. But under the new ordinance, her reduced charges would be about $125, according to county calculations.

That’s a 94 percent reduction.

Gritmon believes the policy is unfair.

From her seat in the audience, she told commissioners that even under that policy, she’s being billed “for water I did not use.”

She believes it would be fair to charge her just under $41, which is on average what the county has billed her monthly over the past year.

Previously county officials said they had no way under current regulations to remedy bills for Gritmon or others in similar situations. Only billing errors and verifiable leaks could prompt billing adjustments.

County officials cited the audit, which found water meters were recording correctly. However, in some cases no leak could be found or documented, and the excessive water usage remains a mystery.

For billing adjustments, Schrader preferred a 50,000-gallon a month threshold, based on data and an initial recommendation from county staff members.

An average for most customers is about 6,000 gallons a month.

Commissioners were told that during the hottest months, customers with irrigation systems would typically use 20,000 to 30,000 gallons a month, and sometimes more. Schrader said the county could expect a lot of complaints based on the 20,000-gallon threshold, and might need to adjust the number.

“I think it’s easier to go back down than to go back up,” he said.

Bruce Kennedy, assistant county administrator for utilities, also issued an apology to Pasco water customers.

“We know the way we handled these billing issues has not reflected our commitment to good customer service,” he said. “Our policies and procedures certainly need revising. They need repair.”

Published October 28, 2015

Ready. Set. Go – Tampa Premium Outlets!

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Shopping season is set to open at Tampa Premium Outlets — no license is required.

The highly anticipated outdoor mall – in the bull’s eye of Pasco County development – will have its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m.

Shop doors open at 10 a.m.

Tampa Premium Outlets is a 441,000-square-foot mall with more than 100 shops featuring brand names such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Saks Off 5th, Vera Bradley and PacSun. Courtesy of Tampa Premium Outlets
Tampa Premium Outlets is a 441,000-square-foot mall with more than 100 shops featuring brand names such as Calvin Klein, Nike, Saks Off 5th, Vera Bradley and PacSun.
Courtesy of Tampa Premium Outlets

Shelves will be stocked with upscale brand names at more than 100 shops, including Saks Off 5th, Calvin Klein, Nike, Coach and Michael Kors. Opening day is expected to bring thousands to check out typical discounts ranging from 25 percent to 65 percent on coveted merchandise.

Mall developers at Simon Property Group are planning a full weekend of special events, family-friendly activities, and Halloween Happenings.

As a regular feature, there is a play area for children.

“We want to encourage everyone to come out with their families,” said Stacey Nance, the mall’s general manager, who recently gave the media a sneak peek at the mall.

Reality television star Bethenny Frankel of The Housewives of New York will be a special guest on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Frankel, also founder of Skinnygirl Cocktails, will greet shoppers, participate in interactive style segments and share fashion advice. She also will host two autograph sessions with fans at the VIP Shoppers Club Lounge.

To access the lounge, fans can enroll in Simon Premium Outlets VIP Shoppers Club at premiumoutlets.com/vip, or in person at the mall, outside the lounge.

Club members are eligible for exclusive deals, coupons and other benefits. The lounge will host several activities during opening weekend, including chair massages, a beauty bar and a photo station.

Other highlights during opening weekend include free entertainment, deals and giveaways.

Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and security at the mall. FRED BELLET/PHOTO
Rush-hour traffic typically stacks up along State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 interchange. On opening day for Tampa Premium Outlets, 12 extra duty officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office will help with traffic and security at the mall.
FRED BELLET/PHOTO

Rack Room Shoes, for instance, will give shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card and other giveaways, including coupon books with discounts, according to a news release from the shoe company.

The 441,000-square-foot mall is designed with a “Key West” vibe, with airy pastel colors, a multitude of palm trees, covered walkways and water features.

The centerpiece is a clear blue lagoon outside the Market Hall, which houses customers services, the food court and a lounge where people can sit and watch television.

A bridge crosses the lagoon, which is surrounded by a deck with benches and bistro chairs. A fire pit and Adirondack chairs are nearby.

“I think it will be a feature where people will want to take their picture by,” Nance said.

Traffic in and out of the mall is expected to be heavy but Nance said talks have been ongoing for months with Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Typically, opening days at malls see parking lots turn over four or five times.

“It’s going to be a constant ebb and flow throughout the day,” Nance predicted.

The mall will offer valet parking on a trial basis. If successful, Nance anticipates the service will become permanent.

On opening weekend, 12 extra duty law enforcement officers, paid for by the mall, will be stationed at mall entrances as well as inside the mall, Pasco County Sheriff’s spokesman Kevin Doll said.

The officers will include two supervisors.

If more help is needed, Doll said the sheriff’s citizen patrol group could be tapped to help with traffic.

“We’ve handled big events in the past,” he said. “Hopefully this will go smoothly.”

Outlet mall openings are special events wherever they happen, said Linda Humphers, editor in chief of Value Retail News/International Council of Shopping Centers.

There are only about 100 or so outlet malls in the nation.

In the central Florida area, Tampa Premium Outlets is situated between outlet malls in Orlando and New Ellenton.

“That’s part of the mystique of them,” Humphers said. “You go there. You stay longer and spend more. It’s not like going to a mall and getting something you need.”

Outlet mall developers typically look for locations with easy access, high visibility, lots of rooftops and a solid tourism base, Humphers said.

Pasco scores on all counts for Tampa Premium Outlets, which is off State Road 56 and the Interstate 75 interchange. And the county recently released a report showing a record number of tourist visitors and revenues in the past year.

Marketing for the Tampa Premium Outlets extends into the Tampa Bay region, but in future could spread a wider net, Nance said.

“We’ll definitely be looking at that when we get further along in our marketing plan,” she said.

Pasco’s future is set on a course for more retail and rooftops as developers saturate commercial corridors such as State Road 54 and State Road 56.

New shops are coming to property northeast of the Shoppes at Wiregrass. The Florida Center Ice sports complex is expected to open in 2016. Cypress Creek Town Center is anticipating openings for Chick Fil A, Culver’s and Cheddar Café. And the town center’s representatives recently met with county planners to discuss construction of a retail building, parking space and a boat storage area.

Speculation is that sporting goods retailer, Cabelas, is on the way to Wesley Chapel, too.

And there is a lot of buzz swirling around Tampa Premium Outlets’ opening day, Humphers said.

“Retail begets retail,” she said.

 

Tampa Premium Outlets grand opening

Grand opening: Oct. 29 through Nov. 1

Hours: Ribbon cutting Oct. 29 at 9:40 a.m.; extended hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. opening day through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Regular hours begin Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Celebrity guest: Reality television star, Bethenny Frankel, on Oct. 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Published October 28, 2015