Local RadioShacks could be spared
The odds are getting better that three local RadioShack stores will survive the budget knife as the national chain scales back its store closing plan.
After announcing in March that it planned to close 1,100 stores nationwide by spring, RadioShack Corp., instead is saying it will close 200 stores this summer, and will work to convert the remainder of their stores into a new concept it says will help bring it into the 21st century.
“Even in this environment, we are making progress in our turnaround strategy,” RadioShack chief executive Joseph Magnacca said, in a release. “We are building a pipeline of new products that will bring differentiation and newness to our stores in the form of high-margin private brand and exclusive items, including those from new partnerships like Quirky and PCH.”
RadioShack operates three locations locally, including at 23012 State Road 54 in Lutz, at the Shops at Pebble Creek in New Tampa at 19416 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., and at 7248 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.
Kentucky investor buys Dairy Queen, Tuffy lots
The land under the Dairy Queen and a Tuffy Service Center in Wesley Chapel has a new owner from Kentucky.
An acre of land at 27329 Wesley Chapel Blvd., sold June 1 for $2.35 million to Monticello Properties LLC. That company is connected to real estate developer and bank chairman Jack Sheidler.
Its previous owner, J & J Wesley Chapel LLC, had originally bought the land in 2006 for $1.8 million. The buildings, according to county property records, were built in 2002.
The land is an outparcel of the former Sweetbay supermarket location in Wesley Chapel, which has since concerted to Winn-Dixie.
Sheidler has developed real estate since 1984, according to published reports. He is the chair of Citizens First Bank Inc., which operates primarily in the Bowling Green area of Kentucky.
Scott, USAA break ground on new facility
Gov. Rick Scott joined United Services Automobile Association last week to break ground on the company’s new Tampa campus.
USAA has hired 130 employees in the Tampa area since January, and is continuing to hire more, according to the governor’s office.
“I applaud USAA’s commitment to growing jobs in Florida, and supporting our active duty military, veterans and their families,” Scott said of the insurance provider, in a release.
“For more than 40 years, Tampa has been a critical part of our success as an association,” said Shon Manasco, an executive vice president of USAA, in a release. “USAA’s expansion in this vibrant city marks an important step in broadening the impact that this community, and our employees who live and work there, will have as we continue in the pursuit of our mission to serve even more military families.”
USAA will continue to remain in New Tampa off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, but will use the new campus as part of its plan to create up to 1,215 new jobs and $164.3 million in capital investment by 2019.
Arbor Woods opening new phase
Taylor Morrison has opened a new phase to its Arbor Woods community in Wesley Chapel.
This new phase will have 48 additional lots, with frontage between 55 and 75 feet, and will include a new floor plan.
The Elmhurst III is a four-bedroom single-story home with 2,329 square feet of space.
Arbor Woods is located on 423 wooded acres — 338 of them set aside for conservation — near Cypress Creek. It includes more than 200 single-family homes.
For information, call (813) 280-7976, or visit ArborWoodsTM.com.
