The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Business Digest

Hooters donates wings

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Representatives from several Hooters Management Corporation restaurants delivered wings to first responders in the Tampa Bay area in honor of First Responders Day on Oct. 28. Hooters Girls visited fire stations in numerous locations, including Pasco County and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, to demonstrate their gratitude for the work that first responders do to keep the community safe, according to a news release.

‘Belated’ grand opening

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Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore (in blue suit jacket) and members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber watch as Toni Derby cuts the ribbon for a combination ‘belated’ grand opening and one-year anniversary celebration. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

The Florida Avenue Brewing Co., at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive in Wesley Chapel, had a belated grand opening, which also served as a one-year celebration of the company’s restaurant opening.

While the restaurant has been operating since last October, the manufacturing/brewery side of the business just went fully operational a few months ago.

So, the brewery had a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 8 to celebrate, with remarks offered by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., was instrumental in helping the brewery come to Pasco, through economic incentives. The restaurant and brewery has 127 employees.

B&B Theatres taking over

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B&B Theatres has announced that it will reopen the 16-screen theater at 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, later this year according to a news release from B&B. The 16-screen theater, which underwent dramatic remodeling and renovation efforts last year, represents B&B Theatres’ fifth operation in Florida. When the theater reopens, it will be called B&B Theatres The Grove 16 at Wesley Chapel.

The management deal will result in millions of dollars in upgrades, which include replacing the seating in the downstairs theaters to reclining chairs, similar to what exists upstairs, the news release says. Additional details on the remodel timeline and specific new amenities will be rolled out in the weeks to come. SideSplitters Comedy Club will continue to offer comedy shows and Cycle Cinema, featuring spin bikes inside the theater, still plans to open.

To find out more about B&B, visit BBtheatres.com.

Chamber to award honors

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This is the 60th year The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized exemplary contributions to the betterment of the community, in various categories. The spike in COVID-19 led to a delay in this year’s celebration, but now it will be presented on Nov. 9, and awards will be given in seven categories. The banquet will take place at Southport Springs Golf & Country Club, 3737 Southport Springs Parkway, in Zephyrhills. For more information, visit the chamber’s website at ZephyrhillsChamber.org, or call 813-782-1913.

Bowling tournament

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The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its young professionals group bowling tournament on Oct. 26, at Lane Glo Bowl South, 8631 Old County Road 54, in New Port Richey. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. and bowling begins at 6:30 p.m. There will be raffles, a spirit table, pumpkin-carving, a team costume contest and more. The cost is $160 per bowling team; $40 for individual bowlers. Spectators are welcome. For more information, call the chamber at 727-842-7651.

Credit Union celebration

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Suncoast Credit Union is celebrating the opening of its 75th branch by donating $75,000 in 75 days to local nonprofits across its service area. The giving began on Oct. 1 and will conclude at the end of the year. Each of the credit union’s 75 branches is selecting a local charity within its community to receive a $1,000 donation.

Hotel revenues down

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The hotel industry in Florida is projected to end 2021 down nearly 61% or $5.3 billion in business travel revenue compared to 2019, according to a report released recently by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Kalibri Labs. Business travel is the hotel industry’s largest source of revenue and has been slow to return since the onset of the pandemic. Business travel includes corporate, group, government, and other commercial categories. While Florida has seen some return of business travel this year, full comparative revenue is not expected to reach pre-pandemic levels until 2024, according to a news release from the AHLA.

Local food banks supported

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Darden Restaurants is helping 10 Feeding America food banks that serve communities of color, by providing refrigerated trucks. The food bank receiving the donation in the Tampa Bay region is Feeding Tampa Bay, according to the news release. The refrigerated trucks are 26 feet long and are capable of transporting 12,000 pounds of food on each trip, the release says. Each food bank also is receiving $26,000 to use for food and other needs. The only other food bank in Florida receiving a refrigerated truck is Feeding Northeast Florida, which is in Jacksonville.

Feeding first responders

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(Courtesy of Misemer Marketing)

A business called Platters for First Responders delivered platters of food to Pasco County first responders in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. Thirty local sponsors ordered several platters, which were delivered to all 33 Pasco County fire stations. Deliveries also were made to Pasco’s dispatch center, the Pasco County Sheriff’s district offices. Volunteers helping included West Wind Provisions Boar’s Head along with the local Krewe of Chasco and Krewe de Forti, as well as other community volunteers.

Grand openings/ribbon-cuttings

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Premier Martial Arts, 1934 Collier Parkway, in Lutz, recently had a grand opening. To find out more about this business, visit PremierMartialArts.com/LandOLakes, or call 813-693-5606.

Lufka Wesley Chapel, at 27221 State Road 56, had a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 23. This is Wesley Chapel’s first Zero Waste store. For more information, visit Lufka.com.

YogaSix Trinity, 12271 State Road 54, Unit 3, had a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 24.