YMCA expansion
The Bob Sierra YMCA, at 4029 Northdale Blvd., in North Tampa, had a ribbon cutting Dec. 7 to celebrate a $2.2 million renovation and expansion project.
The project included a renovated and expanded welcome center, wellness floor and Kid Zone. The project’s completion follows the YMCA’s introduction of new group exercise, cycling and mind & body studios.
The larger wellness center provides new state-of-the-art strength training equipment, and an expanded Max Results room for individual and group training.
Other upgrades included cardio equipment with Internet connections, Olympic lifting equipment, bumper plates, faster WiFi speeds and a “ninja-style” training zone, called MoveStrong.
The YMCA offers many programs and services for adults and children that focus on preventing chronic diseases. Programs include the Y Diabetes Prevention Program, Y Weight Loss Program, Pedaling for Parkinson’s, SilverSneakers and LIVESTRONG at the YMCA cancer survivor wellness program.
For information, visit TampaYMCA.org.
New retail
Mellow Mushroom is planning a January opening at the Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56. The town center is across the road from Tampa Premium Outlets.
The pizza restaurant is in a strip mall inside the town center, on Sierra Center Boulevard, off Grand Cypress Drive. Other shops at the site will be Noire Nail Bar, Aspen Dental and Mattress One.
Next door, Taco Bell and Wendy’s have opened, joining current restaurants of Pollo Tropical and Ford’s Garage, also along Sierra Center Boulevard.
Disaster loans
Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small aquaculture businesses and most nonprofit organizations that suffered losses from Hurricane Irma.
Pasco County is one of several Florida counties declared as eligible for federal assistance for hurricane relief. Economic injury applications must be submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration by June 11, 2018.
The disaster loans are meant to help meet working capital needs caused by the hurricane, and cover financial and physical losses. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the hurricane not happened.
The loans don’t replace profits or sales that were lost due to the hurricane.
Examples of eligible industries include bait and tackle shops, charter boats, commercial fisherman, crabbers, fishing guides, hotels, marinas, owners of rental property, restaurants, retailers, souvenir shops, travel agencies and wholesalers.
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of about 3.3 percent for small businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Amounts and terms are set by the small business administration based on each applicants’ financial condition.
Free assistance in preparing the loan application is available from Florida Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Women’s Business Centers and Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers.
Applicants may apply online at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.
For information, call the Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, email , or visit Flvbeoc.org.
Applications also can be downloaded from SBA.gov/disaster.
Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76155.
7-Eleven coming soon
7-Eleven is moving into a gas station/convenience store owned by Tampa-based Radiant Group LLC, at 22826 State Road 54.
The station, at the intersection with Collier Parkway, closed in October. It had been operated as a Radiant gas station/convenience store.
According to county permits, work is underway to remodel the store’s interior, install 7-Eleven signs, and to remove and replace existing car wash equipment. The permits were issued beginning in October, with additional permits applied for in late November.
Radiant Group representatives weren’t available for comment.
New U-Haul opens
U-Haul of Florida announced that Local Wraps, an automobile customization business, is now a U-Haul neighborhood dealer for the Land O’ Lakes community, according to a news release from U-Haul International Inc.
Local Wraps, at 7727 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is now part of the U-Haul Company of Florida family. The business will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pickup for boxes.
Company owners are Alana Harris, Harry Wilkins and William Wilkins.
U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is now available at all U-Haul locations, including Local Wraps. Customers can access trucks and vans at any hour through the self pickup and self-return options on a Uhaul.com account. An Internet-connected mobile device with camera and GPS is required.
For information, call Local Wraps at (813) 527-9488, or visit Uhaul.com.
Block Advisors ribbon cutting
Block Advisors Tax Preparation will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 19054 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.
There will be beverages, wine and snacks.
Women-n-Charge
Join Women-n-Charge Jan. 5 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive, in New Tampa.
The women share talents and resources, and build relationships with other women in business.
Guest speaker will be Sandra Miniere, who will share three mindfulness strategies for business and life.
The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests.
Register at Women-n-charge.com.
For information, call (813) 6000-9848, or email .
Toys for Tots
Pure Hair is collecting toys for Toys for Tots through Dec. 23, at its location, at 23608 State Road 54 in Lutz.
Anyone who brings a donation will receive a complimentary deep conditioning treatment, worth $25.
For information, call Pure Hair at (813) 909-2927.