Introducing Cole Dair
Wendy Majetic of Wesley Chapel won $500 for naming the new mascot for Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. ‘Cole Dair’ was the winning entry she submitted, and picked up a check with her husband Shane Majetic. Ierna’s is located on U.S. 41 in Lutz, and can be reached at IernaAir.com.
Costco eyeing town center site
The world’s third-largest retailer is looking to set up shop in Pasco County, and become the first major store associated with the Cypress Creek Town Center.
Costco Wholesale Corp., is set to meet with county officials just before Christmas about opening a 153,000-square-foot store at the shopping center, located near the intersection of State Road 56 and Interstate 75. It is slated for an 18-acre outparcel, part of the overall property currently controlled by Pasco 54 Ltd., Pasco Ranch Inc., and JG Cypress Creek LLC.
This would be Pasco County’s first Costco store, and the first one to be built in the Tampa Bay area north of Brandon. The only other location in the region is in Clearwater.
Costco has the potential to make a tremendous economic impact on the county and the region. The average retail employee makes $20 an hour, nearly double that of other retail workers, according to a 2013 report by Businessweek. Employees at the company typically start out at $11.50 an hour, and after five years, can reach as high as $19.50.
At Walmart’s similar Sam’s Club stores, according to the same report, workers start at $10 an hour, and typically reach $12.50 after five years.
No official announcement has been made on when Costco would break ground, let alone open. However, work already has begun on Tampa Premium Outlets, slated to open late next year, not far from where the Costco is planned.
Dairy Queen wants to build in Land O’ Lakes
The Terra Bella area of Land O’ Lakes, where a new apartment community was announced just last month, could very well have a new Dairy Queen come in on its coattails.
Robin Kendall of EMK Consultants of Florida, was scheduled to meet Monday with Pasco County officials behind closed doors to help plan a new 3,076-square-foot Dairy Queen restaurant that would be located next to Christian Brothers Automotive on State Road 54. It would be just in front of the Dance and Gymnastics Academy of Tampa and Discovery Point Child Center, both located on Venezia Drive.
The project would involve several parcels along the north side of State Road 54 just east of Christian Brothers, land that is currently owned by K&B Flagship LLC of Orlando. It would be located between Via Bella Boulevard and Livingston Road.
If built, it would be the fifth such store in Pasco County, joining ones on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills, on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and two others in New Port Richey.
That area of Land O’ Lakes already is heavily traveled by commuters and residents using Interstate 75 and the Suncoast Parkway, but would have an even stronger local boost when Alta Terra Bella — a 311-unit luxury apartment complex — is completed just west of it near 20 Mile Level Road.
Plans for the Dairy Queen are still in the preliminary stages, and it’s unclear when construction would start.
Toy drive for farmworkers
The Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a holiday toy drive party Dec. 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at D&S Hall, 1914 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.
Admission is $10, or free with a new unwrapped toy. For members, it’s also free with a toy, or $5 empty-handed.
The drive supports farmworkers, and also raises money for the chamber’s scholarship fund.
For information, call John Jay at (813) 296-3232.
Christian business group to meet
Christian Business Connections-Central Pasco will have its next meeting Jan. 8 at 7:45 a.m., at the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club, 6225 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.
Laurie Hill, a member of the Christian Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay and author of the book “I Am in Business,” will be the speaker.
Admission is $9, which includes a buffet.
For information, contact Rene Van Hout at , or at (813) 300-7511.
New AT&T store in Zephyrhills
AT&T has opened a new authorized retail location in Zephyrhills to help meet what the company describes as the growing needs in Pasco County.
Cellular World recently had its grand opening at 7886 Gall Blvd., in the shopping plaza across from the Walmart.
Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Catholic Business Networking seeks members
The Catholic Business Networking group is looking for Catholic business owners, employees and supporters interested in joining it for regular meetings every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes.
The group has annual dues of $60, and there is a minimum attendance requirement of two meetings per month.
For information, call (813) 833-4737, or visit CBNTampa.com.
