The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

First Responders Call Bexley Home

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First responders are a tight-knit group. It’s that feeling of camaraderie that attracted Liam Symmonds, a firefighter and paramedic in Pasco County, to the Bexley community in Land O’ Lakes.

Liam, his wife, Keisha and their three young daughters moved to Bexley last year from Trinity. Turns out, Liam is in good company, because Bexley is home to about a dozen first responders who work throughout Tampa Bay.

Since moving to their new neighborhood, Liam learned that two of his co-workers also live in Bexley; one of them just a few doors down from the Symmonds family. Liam was so impressed with his homebuying experience at Bexley, and with all the community has to offer, that he encouraged another friend and first responder who works in Tampa to make the move to Bexley.

Liam, his wife, Keisha and their three young daughters moved to Bexley last year from Trinity.

“I’ve also met several other firefighters and police officers around the community, either at neighborhood events or at the pool,” Liam said.

For the Symmonds, Bexley is an idyllic place to raise a young family.

“Bexley has a great vibe,” he added. “We love all of the amenities, the parks and the events that are held within the community. It’s so much more than just a regular neighborhood.”

Bexley takes its inspiration from nature. With 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands, Bexley offers miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails for biking, jogging or walking. Fit Stations are placed along the trails for exercisers who want to work out while enjoying the great outdoor scenery, or take their workout regimen to the next level. Around the community, kids spend hours on the custom-built playgrounds; sports lovers of all ages enjoy Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for soccer or football games; and Bexley’s BMX bicycle pump track lets daredevils try out new tricks. There’s even the BarkYard Park for four-legged family members, with separate spaces for big and small dogs.

As a volunteer soccer coach, Liam also appreciates living so close to Mud, Sweat & Gears park, where he can kick the ball around with his daughters, ages 11, 8 and 5. The fact that his girls can walk or ride their bikes to nearby Bexley Elementary School, located within the community, is also a convenience for Liam and his wife. Plus, Liam has a short, 3-mile commute to work.

“The first responders who live in Bexley bring a great sense of fellowship to the community,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities, the developer of Bexley. “As we prepared for Hurricane Irma, many of the first responders were there to lend a helping hand to their neighbors by putting up storm shutters and making sure families were ready.”

“Bexley is a place where neighbors look out for each other,” added Liam. “You just don’t find that everywhere.”

Located in Land O’Lakes in central Pasco County, north of State Road 54 and just east of the Suncoast Parkway, Bexley is in a prime location that is convenient to many areas of Tampa Bay.

The community’s 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands have earned it numerous awards, including best master-planned community and best recreational facility from the Southeast Building Conference, and a Best in American Living Award for best single-family community from the National Association of Home Builders.

To learn more about living at Bexley, visit BexleyFlorida.com.

Published August 22, 2018

Want To Move To A New Home By The Holidays?

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Then visit Ashley Woods’ 18 Inventory Homes In Asturia

Ashton Woods is in its final sales phase at Asturia, with 75 percent of home sites sold since the community opened two years ago.

“We’ve had tremendous success in Asturia, selling over 100 beautiful homes in this much-desired community on State Road 54,” said Sales Manager Kristin Wilson. “We have just 45 homes to go, and expect all to be gone by the end of the year, with many families closing before the holidays.”

Because most families want to move into their new home by the end of the year, Ashton Woods has received permits from Pasco County for its remaining homes sites in Asturia

“This saves our buyers up to three months in the building process,” said Jillian Harris, Ashton Woods’ community sales manager in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa.

“Our designers have put together beautiful combinations of flooring, countertops, design features and colors that will excite the vast majority of buyers,” she said. “Plus, we have a great combination of homes that convert flex space to extra bedrooms, add bonus rooms and extra baths, and have great outdoor living areas with front porches and extended lanais.”

While construction is underway on many homes, Ashton Woods buyers are still able to select flooring, countertops, cabinets and other nonstructural customizations on several homes that will be completed in November and December.

“We are known for our affordable personalization at the Design Studio, and families who want to pick out their finishes and colors are reserving these homes right now,” said Harris.

Inventory Homes
Ashton Woods offers traditional one- and two-story homes in its traditional home series.  All feature open floor plans, large living areas, beautiful master suites, high-end finishes and lots of storage. Homes have two or three-car garages, and many back up to private conservation lots.

Spacious Classic Series
Six traditional inventory homes are ready now in the Classic series, including two, one- story homes. The versatile Odessa plan has three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths in 2,243 square feet. The larger Naples plan offers four bedrooms, three baths in 2,321 square feet.

Also ready now are three, two-story homes with two-car garages, including the Ferrara model home at 2,890 square feet with its four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

The 3,362-square-foot Athens is the largest home Ashton Woods builds in Asturia, and boasts up to five bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

Affordable Heritage Series
Many first-time homebuyers and downsizing families choose the Heritage Series. Ashton Woods has five move-in ready homes available in these well-designed floor plans, including three, one-story homes.

Two homes are ready now in the popular Milan plans, at 2,722 square feet with four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. The slightly smaller Adams plan is 1,829 square feet with three bedrooms and two baths.

Available two stories homes are the Lincoln, Monroe and Ellington plans. Square footage ranges from 2,329 to 2,638 square feet, and homes offer up to five bedrooms and three baths.

Evergreen and Grove Series
Ashton Woods is the only builder in Asturia offering single-family homes with garages at the rear of the house.  There are nine, quick move-in homes available in these series, all conveniently located close to Asturia’s Amenity center.

The two-story Blackwater is the largest rear-load home available, at 2,309 square feet with four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths.

There are four Arlington plans at 2,003 square feet, and also four Ortega plans at 2,189 square feet. These homes begin at $279,000.

Great Schools
“For families with children, Asturia is a very popular community because it is zoned for some of the best schools in Pasco County — J.W. Mitchell High, Seven Springs Middle and Odessa Elementary,” said Harris.

Asturia is the ultimate choice for buyers considering the many master-planned communities along State Road 54. Buyers prefer Asturia’s smaller size of just 550 homes, compared to thousands being built in neighboring developments, and appreciate that construction will not be going on for years.

“People especially like that our homes are not on top of each other,” said Sales Manager Wilson. “Asturia’s developer did a great job laying out its streets, so it doesn’t look like a cookie-cutter community.”

Ashton Woods was named the 2017 Builder of the Year by Builder and Developer Magazine and, for the fourth consecutive year, has been ranked among the top three for Most Trusted Builders in America.

For more information, go to AshtonWoods.com/tampa/Asturia. You can also call the sales center at (813) 446-8362.

Published August 22, 2018

New traffic signals aim to improve safety

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A new traffic signal has been installed and is now operating at Eiland Boulevard and Handcart Road, and another traffic signal installation is underway at Eiland Boulevard and Geiger Road.

A ribbon cutting for the traffic signal at Eiland and Handcart is scheduled for Aug. 23 at 9 a.m.

The installation of that light was completed in time for the 7 a.m. start of the school year on Aug. 13.

“It’s been a very dangerous intersection,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley.

A new signal is expected to be operating at Eiland and Geiger by late November.

The traffic volume along Eiland Boulevard has been increasing as the county experiences more development, Oakley said.

The Eiland and Handcart intersection is among three that Oakley said were priorities.

In addition to the Eiland traffic signals, a third one is planned at Chancey Road and Coats Road. That signal will be operating in late October.

And, along with the traffic signal, Eiland and Handcart had other improvements, including guardrails and road resurfacing.

Pasco County completed a 30-day traffic operations study at the intersection to collect traffic data.

The analysis showed that the traffic signal was warranted “based on Handcart (Road) southbound approach volumes and the amount of left turn vehicles turning east onto Eiland Boulevard.”

The study also found that two crashes occurred from Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013. The crashes “may have been prevented with the installation of a traffic signal,” the study found.

From Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2014, the study also documented two angle crashes that occurred at the intersection.

However, the number of crashes alone didn’t indicate a “historic trend,” or meet national standards of five or more angle crashes that could be prevented by installing a traffic signal.

The Pasco County Commission approved the design plans for the project in 2016. Construction began in March 2018.

By Kathy Steele

Published August 22, 2018

Bexley seeks permit for on-site borrow pit

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Bexley by Newland Communities won approval from the Pasco County Planning Commission to operate a borrow pit at the master-planned community, off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

Approval also is required from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, also known as Swiftmud, and the matter also needs approval from the Pasco County Commission.

If approved, the conditional use permit from Pasco would allow up to 1 million cubic yards of sand and dirt to be excavated and hauled away over four years.

The borrow pit would be reclaimed afterward.

This rendering shows the master-planned community of Bexley by Newland Communities, at State Road 54, east of Suncoast Parkway. (File)

The infill dirt is for internal uses at Bexley. However, some portion of the dirt would cross over Tower Road, a road used by the public.

The borrow pit site is south of Tower Road, west of Sunlake Boulevard, and about half-mile east of Ballantrae Boulevard.

“The fill dirt is being removed and will be used for development of the office portion of the project,” said attorney Andrea Zelman.

Though some trucks will cross over Tower Road, all of the dirt will be used as part of the Bexley development, Zelman said.

The borrow pit’s operating hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will not operate on Sundays or holidays.

Once work begins, signs will be posted to alert motorists of trucks accessing Tower Road.

Bexley is a master-planned community with about 1,700 acres located on the north side of State Road 54, east of the Suncoast Parkway, and on north and south sides of Tower Road.

The community is approved for up to 1,200 single family residences and 520 multifamily dwellings, as well as about 94,500 square feet of commercial and retail, and about 563,000 square feet of offices.

By Kathy Steele

Published August 22, 2018

Food trucks get the go-ahead

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Pasco County is close to rolling out the welcome mat to food trucks as a dining option.

The Pasco County Planning Commission approved a proposed food truck ordinance at its Aug. 9 meeting in Dade City.

Next, the Pasco County Commission will consider the ordinance, which establishes regulations on food trucks, as well as “veggie vans.”

Members of the county’s Food Policy Advisory Council helped craft the proposed ordinance. The advisory council also helped create the county’s first ordinance on community gardens.

Food trucks currently operate under regulations for special events, such as the Kumquat Festival in Dade City.

The Pasco County Fairgrounds is exempt from the ordinance because there already is a food venue agreement in place for that site.

If the ordinance is approved, no permits or registration would be required.

The ordinance aims to encourage more food truck events, including food truck rallies.

Other state agencies, including the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations, already regulate food truck operations for health and safety.

“Qualifying mobile food operations will be those having obtained all required permits and licenses from the State of Florida,” according to the county’s ordinance.

The county would, however, impose special regulations to operate a permanent food truck “court.”

Those venues typically have multiple food truck selections in one location, and provide amenities, such as restrooms, seating, trash cans and play areas.

Football tailgaters don’t need to fret that the barbecue ribs, chicken, hot dogs and burgers served up from the back of their trucks will be governed by the new ordinance.

“It doesn’t regulate folks doing private tailgating,” said Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator. “This is for public consumption (of food) being sold to the public.”

The history of food trucks dates back centuries to when street vendors sold their wares from pushcarts. Charles Goodnight gets credit for the first chuck wagon that trailed along with cowboys during cattle drives in the West in the mid-1800s.

The more recent food truck fad started several years ago, and has become a permanent feature of the food industry.

Operating hours for food trucks generally would be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. However, a location abutting residential would be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Food trucks would not be able to park overnight. If they operate from one location more than 90 days, the county would consider the operation permanent. Other regulations would then apply.

The ordinance also allows county departments, such as parks and recreation, to reach individual agreements for temporary food truck operations on county-owned property. A reservation fee, to be determined by each department, may be required.

By Kathy Steele

Published August 22, 2018

‘Clear the Shelters’ makes both pets and people happy

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Mark Martin, of Zephyrhills, left, and his wife, Amber, pose for a picture with the dog that they adopted during the Clear the Shelters event on Aug. 18 at Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes. Amber said she knew ‘Charlie,’ a Jack Russell mix, was the one for them because he was very timid, and he appeared to need extra patience and love to trust people again, which they are happy to provide. (Christine Holtzman)

Pet lovers had a chance to add a new member to their family without paying adoption fees during a “Clear the Shelters’ event at Pasco County Animal Services, at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’Lakes.

The animal shelter, along with the nonprofit group Friends of Animal Services Inc., hosted the event as part of the national pet adoption drive.

The drive, launched four years ago, is spearheaded by the television media company NBC Universal, and sponsored by Cat’s Pride and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Shelters across the country taking part in the event either reduced or waived pet adoption fees.

Pasco County dispatch operator K.c. Pearson, of Port Richey, cuddles the kitten that she will soon officially adopt during the Clear the Shelters event. Pearson plans to name the kitten Psi. She already has a cat named ‘Zeta’ that she previously adopted from the shelter.

The Pasco shelter waived the adoption fee for the dozens of available cats and dogs, and required only the purchase of appropriate licensing for a new pet.

Normally, adoption fees are $70 to $85 for dogs and $40 to $50 for cats, which includes spay/neutering, vaccinations, microchip, heartworm testing for dogs, and FIV and feline leukemia for cats.

Rachel Stever, the education and outreach coordinator for the shelter, said this was the second year the shelter participated, and she expected about 300 people to attend.

Hanging out in the Feline Showroom, 12-year-old Mikaylah Chimara, of Zephyrhills, left, holds a kitten named ‘Flash.’ Her 8-year-old sister, Bella, center, holds ‘Shy,’ and her 10-year-old sister, Alicia, cuddles with ‘Rocket.’ Their mother Nicole, who brought the girls to the event as a surprise, said that they would be taking ‘Flash’ home.

People began lining up two hours before the doors opened and, by the time it did, a crowd of about 100 had gathered, Stever said.

During the first two hours of the event, 16 adoptions had occurred and 11 were pending, she added.

Pasco County Animal Services became a “Save 90” shelter in 2012, meaning that its goal is to save 90 percent of the animals that are brought to the facility.

In addition to getting adoption fees waived, those attending the event could pick up swag bags provided by Pet Supplies Plus, complete with pet food samples, treats and coupons, and a spin the wheel game for a chance to win a prize.

Friends of Animal Services, the nonprofit support group of Pasco County Animal Services, was there, too, showing off its memorial tree. Those making a $100 donation receive an engraved leaf on the memorial tree. All donations support the shelter.

By Christine Holtzman

Published August 22, 2018

School’s back in session

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A new academic year has begun and the students at Sanders Memorial School, a STEAM Magnet School, at 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, seemed eager to get back to learning. Kids streamed out of buses and up the sidewalks, as they made their way to start the 2018-2019 school year.

Kelly Edwards, assistant principal at Sanders Memorial Elementary, greets children as they step off yellow buses and head off to classes. It was only Day 2 of school, and the children seemed to have a good handle on the routine, Edwards said. (Christine Holtzman)
Sanders Memorial Elementary School Principal Jason Petry gets high-fives from several students as he makes his way down a hall. Petry had just visited Morgan Crume’s kindergarten class when he encountered the high-fiving students on his way to see some fifth-graders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hector Colón spends a few minutes with his children before they head off to class at Sanders Memorial Elementary School. Five-year-old Simeon, left, is in kindergarten, and 9-year-old Naomi is in fourth grade.
Steve LaVare, an armed school safety guard, monitors the parking lot area as parents are dropping off their kids on the second day of school. LaVare, a retired police captain from upstate New York, is one of the new armed guards the school district hired to comply with a new state law in response to the Valentine Day’s shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

Business Digest 08/22/2018

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Hyatt Place Hotel is open for guests at Cypress Creek Town Center, on Sierra Center Boulevard. (B.C. Manion)

Hyatt Place Hotel opens
Workers are putting finishing touches on the Hyatt Place Hotel and Convention Center at Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 54.

But, the 130-room hotel, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., is open for guests. It is near the Interstate 75 interchange and across from Tampa Premium Outlets.

It is part of the growing activity at the town center, which includes restaurants and shops.

Current retail includes Bahama Breeze Island Grill, Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Mellow Mushroom, Men’s Warehouse and Aspen Dental.

Future retail includes Burlington, Earth Fare and Five Below.

Volunteers needed
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help the residents of Knight Homes, a part of the Sunrise Community Homes.

The chamber is sponsoring a day of community service to help residents by painting and doing basic landscaping.

The event will be Sept. 15 at 9 a.m., at 7809 N. Glen Ave., in Tampa.

Cash, checks, gift cards, movie tickets and event tickets also are needed.

Drop-off sites for donations will be at Uncle Maddios, 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz; U.S. Renal Care, 3421 N. Lakeview Drive in Tampa; and Subway, 13032 Race Track Road in Tampa.

This also is an opportunity for children who need to fulfill community service hours for school.

Donations being sought include bed linens for twin and full-size beds; washcloths, hand and bath towels; toiletries for travel or full size; and drapes for eight bedrooms.

For information, email Jody Fowler at .

Infinity Hair Salon ribbon cutting
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host the ribbon cutting for Infinity Hair Salon on Aug. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to noon, at 6536 Stadium Drive, Suite M, in Zephyrhills.

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

East Pasco networking
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Aug. 28 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Guest speaker will be Brent Nye, of Nye Commercial Advisors Inc.

For information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or , or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1140 or .

Economic development briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly economic briefing lunch Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run in Tampa.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

For information, call (813) 994-8534, or email Grace Martin at .

Final Friday
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have a “Final Friday” mixer Aug. 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant, 25750 Sierra Center Blvd., at Cypress Creek Town Center in Lutz.

There will be networking, discounted prices and happy hour specials.

The mixer is open to members and guests, who can attend two chamber events without joining the chamber.

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

Women helping women
Boss Babes Network group will host a free mixer for women professionals and entrepreneurs Sept. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Two Sisters DIY Workshop, 2020 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 4, in Lutz.

This is a monthly event to help Boss Babes make more connections and referrals. Bring business cards. There will be drawings, food, beverages and fun.

Each attendee is asked to bring a product, gift card or small gift basket for the drawings, and to show off your business.

Compiled by Kathy Steele

Sewing Center Spreads the Joy of Stitching

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The sewing scene is alive and thriving at the Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel, a community of like-minded enthusiasts dedicated to spreading the joy of sewing to anyone willing to learn.

Adriana Stenger is the enthusiastic owner and was an employee before recently taking over the business.

“We have been in Wesley Chapel for just over a year, and it’s been a great location for us, said Stenger. “Our store can help with all your sewing needs — it does not matter whether you are a seasoned sewer looking to pick up some advanced techniques, or a beginner with an itch to stitch.”

The Sewing Center sells two of the best brands of sewing machines made – Husqvarna Viking and Baby Lock, provides service and machine repairs for most manufacturers, and hosts a variety of sewing classes for adults and children of all skill levels.

“We limit the number of students to just three per class, so that every student receives the personal attention they deserve,” said Stenger.

Students usually begin by taking a class on how a sewing machine works.

“After that, they move on to technique classes and learn how to make a hem, a pleat, a ruffle,” Stenger said. “And then, little by little, students combine what they’ve learned and are ready to put together clothing.”

The Sewing Center also offers adult classes in dressmaking, embroidery and quilting. For children, it has a summer camp where youngsters spend a full day sewing and doing other crafts. And, during the school year, kids can participate in its after-school classes to work on projects and learn new techniques.

“We call this program, ‘So Cool After School,’ and we have many dedicated and accomplished student sewers,” said Stenger.

Stenger is proud of her young students and her team of teachers who instruct them. In March, two students attended the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Lakeland, and participated in its “Sewing’s Next Generation: Youth Fashion & Project Show.”

“We had two girls who went to the expo, and one of them won a prize for a dress she made, and the other, at only 10 years old, made a quilt!” Stenger boasted. Both girls are now taking advanced classes at her store.

In addition to selling cutting, sewing and embroidery machines, the Sewing Center also sells accessories, including stabilizers, different kinds of thread, accessories for machines, notions, pins, needles, scissors, rulers, buttons, patterns, crystals to embellish, software, vinyl, heat presses, classes, and products for costume making.

  “When people buy a machine from us, or sign up for a class, they are not on their own when they leave the store,” Stenger said. “We are always here to help and take pride in giving personalized attention. Buying from us is completely different than going to a big store or ordering online.”

Stenger credits her staff for their exceptional customer service.

“We have a very good team of people working here. If not for them, this business couldn’t be, because they are very knowledgeable, and go far and beyond to help people,” she said.

Stenger and her team encourage people to learn to sew because it is a rewarding hobby.

“You create and embellish things, it’s relaxing, and it keeps your brain working. What could be better than that?” she asks.

The Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel is next to The Hungry Greek restaurant on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.  For more information, call (813) 792-1855, (813) 591-1838, or visit SewingCenterTB.com.

Bay Breeze Car Wash and Lube — Fast, Convenient and Affordable

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Terrance Ramoutar, general manager

No time or desire to wash your car yourself in the summer heat and humidity?  Then delegate the task to a professional! Bay Breeze knows that your time is valuable and that washing your vehicle or servicing your vehicles maintenance needs shouldn’t take all day

With eight Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube locations throughout Tampa Bay, there’s no reason to have a dirty vehicle, especially now that its flagship store in New Tampa has added an express car wash option complete with membership packages like those offered at the other locations. “This is a feature that we’ve been asked about for years which is finally here,” says Scott Barone, VP of Operations.  “This is an exterior-only wash.  Before, you had to exit your vehicle and pay inside.  We now have a system that lets our express car wash only customers remain in the vehicle, and we’ll have you out in about three minutes or less once the process starts.

To make the car washing experience even faster and more convenient, Bay Breeze offers several membership packages.  Using radio-frequency identification technology, Bay Breeze attaches a sticker to a car’s windshield that enables it to identify a customer’s membership level and eliminates the inconvenience of getting out to pay at each visit.

“Customers make one low monthly payment, and then can come back as often as they want,” Barone said.  “Plus, our memberships are good at all 5 Tampa locations, and will soon be good at all locations company wide.”

Bay Breeze is continually upgrading technology to provide customers with the industry’s best advances.

“We have top-of-the-line car washing equipment,” said Barone.  “It is the safest equipment in the industry for washing vehicles.”

“Old technology uses a cloth material that sometimes traps particles” Barone explains. “But nothing sticks to the Enviro Soft foam we use today — it’s the best stuff on the market.”

In addition to having the best equipment, Barone also attributes his company’s success to their five key metrics: quality, service, friendly & easy to do business with, clean/orderly and safety. “We strive to do these five things better than anyone else,” he said.

Since opening 14 years ago, Bay Breeze remains a family-owned and operated business.

Terrance Ramoutar, general manager of the full service location in New Tampa, worked for the company for eight years before taking a position in the corporate world.  He returned last year, because he missed the appreciative family culture at Bay Breeze.

“I’ve worked in the corporate world where nobody really knows you,” Ramoutar said.  “Being back here is more of everything:  more family time, more love, more appreciation.”

As a long time Bay Breeze employee, Ramoutar has come to know many of the regulars, especially the full-service and lube customers.

“I have customers who have been here since I started, ” Ramoutar said.  “This is not just a car wash — it’s a place where people share stories about kids growing up, about changes in their families and neighborhoods.”

In addition to its car wash services, Bay Breeze also offers lube services at its Lutz and New Tampa locations.

“From the time we start working on your car for a lube service, our goal is to have you out of here in 15 minutes or less,” Barone said.  “We keep track of when you come into the facility, and have a system in place to track it.”

Bay Breeze recently broke ground on a new express wash location in Wesley Chapel at State Route 54 and Vandine Road, located across from Saddlebrook Resort. Barone expects this location to open by the end of the year.

(813) 615-1333 • www.baybreezecarwash.com.