Pour-your-own candle shop
A new pour-you-own candle experience, offered by 3 Eleven Aroma, has opened at the KRATE at the Grove. The shop offers guests the opportunity to create candles from start to finish, using a combination of scents and choosing from a variety of candle sizes.
3 Eleven Aroma is open, but also plans to have a grand opening celebration on March 11.
KRATE at the Grove is an entertainment destination made from 94 repurposed shipping containers. It is located with the Grove at Wesley Chapel, at 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd.
Aroma Joe’s
Aroma Joe’s will celebrate its location at 3939 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, with a week of special events, Feb. 27 through March 3. The celebration will culminate with a community activation: 10% of all proceeds will be donated to Land O’ Lakes Christian School on March 3, according to a news release.
The 1,600-square-foot coffeehouse has drive-thru and walk-up options, and serves a variety of coffee and espresso drinks.
The location opened in August of 2022 and is owned and operated by one of the original founders of Aroma Joe’s, Marty McKenna and his wife, Marlene.
Business celebrations
These businesses recently held celebrations:
- The Legacy at Highwoods Preserve, 18600 Highway Preserve Parkway, in Tampa,, held a grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting, live music and food on Feb. 21.
- B&B Theatres, Wesley Chapel The Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, had a ribbon cutting on Feb. 15 to celebrate its newly remodeled location. The theater now offers a variety of movie-going experiences. It also boasts two Premium Large Format Grand Screens, which are massive, wall-to-wall, curved screens — making the theater home to two of the largest movie screens in the nation.
NTBC Coffee Connection
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has its Coffee Connections networking session every third Friday of the month, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Coffee Speaks n Tea Talks, 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa. Coffee Connection provides a chance to mingle with other chamber members and community leaders, and to make friends and exchange ideas.
East Pasco Networking Group
Featured speakers at the 7:30 a.m. March 14 breakfast meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group will be Al Hernandez, a member of the Pasco School Board; Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.; and Melonie Monson, former CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber and a candidate for mayor of Zephyrhills. The meeting will be IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City.
For more information, call Nils Lenz at 813-782-9491.
Business planning help
If you need help with handling business issues, you may be able to find the support you need through SCORE.org, an organization that provides workshops, a library of resources and business mentors. Visit the organization’s website to find out more about the free help that is available.
SWFMD governing board appointments
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed three members to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) Governing Board, according to a SWFMD news release.
The governor appointed James Holton, Dustin Rowland and Robert Stern to the board.
Holton, of St. Petersburg, is the president and owner of JWH Properties Inc., MHH Enterprises Inc. and James W. Holton, P.A. He earned his bachelor degree from Stanford University and his master degree and juris doctor from Boston University. Holton represents Pinellas County.
Rowland, of Dade City, is the president and owner of Rowland Truck Lines. He graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 1994. Rowland represents Pasco County.
Stern, of Tampa, is a partner and attorney for Trenam Law. Stern earned his bachelor degree in business administration and his juris doctor from the University of Florida. Stern represents Hillsborough County.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Members on the governing board are volunteers. The board sets policy for SWFMD, which has the responsibility of managing water and related resources in West Central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users while protecting the environment.
