New hire for REALTORS association
Rebecca Lopez is the new association executive of the Central Pasco Association of REALTORS (CPAR). Lopez previously was director of education for the Greater Tampa REALTORS for more than 10 years. She also has served as assistant commissioner for Chicago’s Department of Housing.
She has received several awards, including the HEART Award from the Housing and Education Alliance, and the Humanitarian Award from the Tampa Chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers.
Lopez has a master’s degree in business administration from North Park University at Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in business marketing and fine arts from Northeastern Illinois University. In addition, she has the REALTORS Certified Executive designation from the National Association of REALTORS. The RCE certification is designed for REALTORS association executives.
Cajun cuisine comes to Dade City
Owners Larry and Tammy Fly planned a grand opening of Orleans at City Market on July 7 at 5 p.m., at 14148 Eighth St., in Dade City, according to their Facebook page.
The Baton Rouge natives are opening their Cajun-style restaurant in the downtown square, in a spot formerly occupied by Rebecca’s at City Market.
For information, visit Facebook.com/orleansatcitymarket/.
Noble Crust at Wiregrass
Noble Crust will open in mid-July (expected sometime after July 17) at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.
The menu is a fusion of Italian and Southern soul. The 166-seat restaurant, with 56 outdoor patio seats, has social tables, an open kitchen, and a bar with craft beers and drinks. Quality wines also are on tap.
This is the second location for Noble Crust. A third restaurant is planned this fall in Carrollwood.
The Noble Crust restaurant in St. Petersburg earned a Golden Spoon award in 2015 from the magazine, Florida Trend.
Rob Reinsmith will serve as executive chef in Wesley Chapel and at the St. Petersburg location. Colin Reinsmith will be the chef de cuisine, and Will Perez is Wesley Chapel’s managing partner.
A media preview party will benefit Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.
For information, visit NobleCrust.com.
Hispanic leaders lunch
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Hispanic Business Leaders Luncheon, open to all chamber members and guests, July 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
Guest speaker will be Carolina Howard of Innova4change. Her topic will be “The Missing Link: Frontline Managers Training.”
The cost is $20 for chamber members at the door, or $15 if preregistered by July 13. For non-members, the cost is $20, and they can preregister or pay at the door.
For information, email Ignacio Ruiz at .
Start your business
Pasco Hernando SCORE will have a workshop on “How to Really Start Your Business” July 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.
The workshop will cover topics such as testing your business idea, structuring your business, understanding cash flow, finding the money, how and when to get workers’ compensation insurance, the need for liability insurance, and how to follow state and federal laws.
The workshop is free, but an RSVP is needed.
For information, call (727) 842-4638, email , or visit PascoHernando.score.org.
Uncle Maddio’s happy hour
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host Uncle Maddio’s July 2017 Happy Hour on July 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Uncle Maddio’s, at 3949 Van Dyke Road, in Lutz.
The restaurant will offer $1 off on any pizza, and a buy-one, get-one free deal for house wine and draft beers.
The event is free, but RSVP for a headcount by July 18.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180, or email .
Lunch N Learn
A Lunch N Learn Business Forum is scheduled for July 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Don Porter Boardroom, at 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Suite 105.
The forum provides useful information for business owners interested in discovering resources for learning how the Pasco County Library System works — both with and for businesses.
The cost is $15 including lunch. Registration is required. Please RSVP by July 19, as seating is limited.
For information, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com, or call (813) 994-8534.
Microloan program
The Pasco Economic Development Council can help small business owners through its SMARTstart Microloan Fund.
These loans are targeted at small business owners who may not qualify for traditional financing, but who have a sound plan to grow their business. Microloans can be used for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture, fixtures, machinery and other equipment.
Funds can’t be used to buy real estate or to refinance an existing debt.
The microloan fund seeks to increase job opportunities and build the economy. In particular, it can aid business owners who have difficulty accessing credit, such as women, minorities, veterans and disabled individuals.
For information, call the Pasco EDC at (813) 926-0827, or visit SmartstartPasco.com.
CORRECTION: Small business mixer
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a Salute to Small Business Mixer Aug. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, in the meeting room.
The free mixer is sponsored by Copperstone Executive Suites and The Laker/Lutz News. Sponsors are available for $50.
For information, call (813) 298-7363, or email .
Pasco economic development briefing
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly economic development briefing luncheon July 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Pebble Creek Golf & Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.
Guest speaker will be Shauna Nadeau of CareSync.
The cost is $15 including lunch.
For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .
Pulte Homes at Epperson
Pulte Homes will have a grand opening on July 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to showcase its Cascade Grand model home at Epperson Ranch, at 7005 Olive Brook Drive, in Wesley Chapel.
Festivities include live music, hors d’oeuvres and light refreshments as well as tours of the Cascade Grand home.
The event is open to the public.
The home has three bedrooms, a den, and three full bathrooms, in a split plan of about 2,700 square feet.
Cascade Grand is one of six designs offered by Pulte Homes at Epperson. Prices for the one- and two-story homes range from about $265,000 to about $320,000.
Epperson is an approximately 1,000 home, gated community, offering a Crystal Lagoon activity pool that will be the first of its kind in the United States. Homeowners also will have UltraFi with high speed access to the Internet throughout the community.
Epperson is part of the Connected City corridor, which seeks to transform Pasco County from a bedroom community into an area where residents “live, work, learn and play,” according to a press release from Larry Vershel Communications, Inc.
For information, call (877) 251-3026 or visit Pulte.com/Epperson.
