Closer Look

Beauty Accents Studios LLC, previously known as Beauty Accents by Marielle, began as a freelance makeup artistry business by Marielle Calabria.  Since childhood, Marielle has enjoyed helping family and friends get ready for special occasions, especially events that celebrate milestones for girls and women.

Besides being a professional makeup artist with over 20 years experience with bride’s  makeup,  special events,  and makeup lessons, Marielle is also a licensed facial specialist who offers a wide variety of  facial treatments that will make your skin feel and look renewed and refreshed. She also gives excellent manicures and pedicures.

Beauty Accents Studios, which opened its doors last summer in Lutz, is much more than just another hair salon.  It offers guests a unique experience that includes a full makeover package, consisting of hair, nails, facials, professional makeup and photography.  Guests can pick and choose the services they want.  The studio is designed to work with women individually or in groups, but gentlemen are welcomed, too!

“We have the perfect setting for a ‘Bridal Party Spa Day,’ ‘Mother-To-Be Pampering Day,’ and ‘Ladies Night Out’ celebrations,” said Marielle.  “We also work with girls getting ready for their ‘Quinceañera’ and host fabulous girl parties for tweens and teenagers.” Having a photography studio on-site is a plus.  “Customers love the makeovers, and we love taking photos that they can post on social media, give as gifts, and share with their loved ones,” said Marielle.

Beauty Accents’ recent Valentine’s ‘Mommy & Me’ event was a success.  Girls, moms, grandmas and aunts were pampered with makeup, nail polish, hair style, and topped off with a professional glamour photo, a perfect Valentine’s gift for dad or their favorite person.

Working alongside Marielle are Selma, Kellee, Viv, and daughter-in-law Maria Andrea, who recently joined the team.  They are a wonderful team full of great ideas.

Beauty Accents Studios is in the Tropical Village shopping center on U.S. 41, across from WalMart and in the same plaza as Breakfast Nook. Its central location is convenient for clientele in Hillsborough and central Pasco.  Open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For appointments, call (813) 803-7375.

Land O’ Lakes newest restaurant — Imperial Buffet in the Village Lakes Shopping Center — is one of the best dining values in town.

In addition to more than 100 traditional Chinese buffet items made fresh every morning, it also offers unlimited Japanese sushi and sashimi, plus a hibachi grill on the buffet line or at your table.

“Only Imperial Buffet gives customers sushi and hibachi at no additional cost,” said Vivian Zhang, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Tony.

At $7.99 for lunch, and $12.99 after 3:30 p.m., dining at Imperial Buffet is a tremendous value. Plus, discounts up to 10% are given to military and church groups. Lunch and dinner for seniors, 65 and over, cost $6.99 and $10.99 respectively.

“You can eat at our restaurant for less money than many fast food chains,” adds Vivian. “Our service is very fast, and buffet lines are always ready to go. We like to say that we’re faster than fast food!”

Kids also love Imperial Buffet because it offers their favorite foods — pizza, chicken nuggets, cream cheese wontons, french fries, ice cream, fried bananas and sugar donuts. And parents love the discounted kids pricing, which begins at $2.99 for ages 3-5, $4.99 for ages 6-8 and $6.99 for ages 9-11. Children under 3 are free.

The story behind Imperial Buffet began last fall when Vivian and Tony bought another Chinese restaurant at the same location.

The couple, which has worked in the restaurant business for more than 20 years, spent three months completely renovating the 7,700 sq. ft. restaurant. They invested $400,000 to create a beautiful, open floor plan with new flooring, walls and interior décor.

Imperial Buffet reopened in January, and area residents have been flocking to the restaurant ever since. Once guests come for the first time, they almost always return because of the excellent food and service, and incredibly low prices.

The restaurant seats 200 in a spacious combination of booths and tables. There is a separate dining room that accommodates 90 that is perfect for private gatherings and community groups.

Vivian and Tony came to the U.S. from southern China 20 years ago. They settled in New York City, and learned the art of cooking and restaurant management. They moved to Florida five years ago, and opened restaurants in Miami, Palm Beach and Tampa before opening Imperial Buffet in Land O’ Lakes.

Tony is the master chef and sets exceptionally high standards for his team, who arrive early every morning to prepare food from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients.

“Tony has very strict management — everything has to be perfect,’ said Vivian, who manages servers and greets guests. We love what we do and enjoy giving our customers the great food at great prices.”

 

21627 Village Lakes Shopping Center Dr., • Land O’Lakes, FL 34639 • 813-909-6055

 

Martha Henry never dreamed that Kaitlin Babb, a 10-year-old neighbor and playmate of her daughters, would one day be her business partner.

“When I was growing up in Land O’ Lakes, we did hair all the time at Martha’s house,” Kaitlin recalls fondly. “I’ll never forget the day she made me a blonde in her kitchen.”

As Martha styled and colored the hair of friends and family in her Lake Padgett home, Kaitlin patiently watched whatever Martha did, learning enough by the time she was 12 to begin doing hair for her friends.

Martha’s early mentoring had a lasting impact. After graduating from Land O’ Lakes High, Kaitlin attended Paul Mitchell The School in Tampa, graduating from the 10-month course in 2011.

Meanwhile, Martha’s career was taking off at The Salon at ULTA Wesley Chapel, located in The Grove shopping center. Martha joined Ulta when the salon opened in 2006, and was soon one of its top stylists.

During her eight years at Ulta, Martha followed Kaitlin’s progress as she graduated from high school and cosmetology school, and began working as a hair stylist. Two years later, with Martha’s encouragement and recommendation, Kaitlin was hired at The Salon at Ulta.

“It was a bit like working alongside my daughter, since I’ve known Kaitlin most of her life,” said Martha, “I was very proud of what a good stylist she had become.”

Last January, Martha decided to open her own salon — Fabulous Hair Designs. She chose an office suite a few miles south of Ulta off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, in a complex behind Dunkin Donuts on the north edge of the Seven Oaks community.

In August, Kaitlin joined her childhood teacher, and they brought together the talents, strengths and experiences of two generations.

“I’ve been doing hair for 30 years and bring a lot of experience to our team,” said Martha. “Kaitlin brings the exuberance of youth, and the knowledge and training in the most up-to-date trends and techniques that she learned at Paul Mitchell.”

Martha is a Redken Certified Colorist, one of only 3,000 in the world. Both women are Redken Certified Stylists. Redken bestows these prestigious recognitions after extensive, ongoing education and testing.

Martha and Kaitlin are full-service stylists who offer clients expert haircuts, color and highlights, color techniques such as Sombre’ and Balayage, and special treatments such as Keratin and perms.

 

“It’s the stylist — not the salon — who creates the look that makes you feel great,” said Martha. “Kaitlin and I have the training and experience to give you the same trendy cuts and color techniques found at bigger salons.”

In addition to great prices, Fabulous Hair Designs Inc. offers extended hours daily, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Martha and Kaitlin are also available 24/7 for hair emergencies.

Martha: (813) 928-2939 • Kaitlin: (813)476-1558

3854 Flat Iron Loop, Suite 104 • Wesley Chapel, FL

Behind Dunkin Donuts on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard

7 days a week • 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hair emergencies 24/7

When people come to Medi-Weightloss in Lutz for help losing weight, many are surprised by the clinic’s focus on health.

“Losing weight is all about your health. It’s the most important reason to lose weight,” said Gerri Willett, owner and manager of the clinic on SR 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard. “For every 10 pounds someone loses, it increases their life by one-and-a-half years.”

That translates into living an additional five years for the average Medi-Weightloss patient, who typically loses 35 pounds while on the program.

“We tell our patients to forget about losing weight because of their appearance. We want them to think first about losing weight to improve their health,” said Gerri.

The Lutz Medi-Weightloss clinic, which is owned by Gerri, her husband Tom, and Mark and Ronda Willett, is celebrating its 10th year. Their clinic has helped hundreds of area people regain their health by losing weight with Medi-Weightloss’ proven three-step program:

“We understand that losing weight is very difficult — perhaps one of the most difficult things one can do,” said Gerri. “We’re here to guide our patients through all three phases of weight loss, and then continue supporting them so they don’t gain their weight back.”

When meeting the staff at Medi-Weightloss, the first thing many people notice is their empathy and sincere support. The medical doctors, who focus is on weight loss, and their health care assistants view being overweight as a medical problem that can be just as serious as diabetes and other chronic conditions.

“People who have never been overweight don’t understand that losing weight is very difficult, and often mistakenly believe it’s a lack of discipline,” said Gerri. “Our staff truly understands the challenges of losing weight, because most of them were our patients before they became employees.”

Studies show that obese people are more impulsive, are procrastinators and falsely believe they can lose weight by themselves, Gerri said.

“So many people come to us caught up in a negative circle, where they lose a few pounds, only to gain it back because they eat out of stress or frustration,” said Gerri.

Most of the patients at Medi-Weightloss are women, and most have between 30 and 50 lbs. to lose. But, many men also are clients and do very well on the program.

“Anyone who does our program correctly, will lose weight,” said Gerri, who said most clients lose their weight in three to four months. “Patients usually see a weight loss of 8 to 10 pounds in the first week, and then 2 to 3 pounds a week after that. It really does work!”

As a patient’s body adjusts to their new weight, it becomes healthier, and the person feels the best they have in years with more energy, and fewer aches and pains.

“The longer a patient maintains their goal weight, the easier it gets to keep it off,” said Gerri. “If our program didn’t work, we would not still be in operation 10 years after we opened our Lutz clinic.”

24420 State Road 54, Lutz

(813) 909-1700

www.mediweightlossclinics.com

 

If you want to learn how to paint, you must meet Pat Weaver — one of Pasco County’s best-kept secrets.

A nationally recognized watercolor artist, Pat teaches workshops in cities across the U.S. and has taught internationally in France, Italy, Spain, England, The Bahamas and Mexico.

Pat also conducts workshops at her Dade City studio several times a year, drawing students from throughout Florida, as well as Texas, Minnesota, New York, Chicago, Georgia, Indiana and Ireland. Workshops focus on a particular subject, such as animals, landscapes, drawings and portraits, and are open to students of all levels of experience.

“I am a dedicated artist and absolutely love teaching people how to paint. And when I’m home, I enjoy opening up my studio to students and sharing my knowledge,” said Pat.

For beginners, Pat offers a series of four classes on Monday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. The series covers the basics of painting — drawing, mixing colors, design and composition.

The next beginner classes are January 4, 11, 18 and 25. Pat keeps the class size small to allow for personalized instructions. Cost is $150 for all four classes.

“My beginner classes are a tremendous value,” said Pat. “If a student sincerely wants to learn, I will teach them how to paint in this workshop.”

The beginner Monday workshops are so popular with area residents that Pat now offers them January through June, and again September through November.

“My classes are educational and are not intended to be a social event,” Pat said. “They are for people who are serious about learning how to paint, and those wanting to improve their painting techniques.”

Workshops are held on Pat’s 36-acre farm in her custom-designed studio, located a few miles west of Dade City on Blanton Road. Students enjoy peaceful views of rich pastureland surrounded by rolling hills.

Pat has been painting for 40 years. She trained as an oil painter at the prestigious Scottsdale Artists’ School in Arizona, and studied with some of the best-known artists in the world, including Robert Bateman, John Seery Lester and Daniel Green.

After 20 years of painting in oils, Pat moved into watercolor and began her career as a teacher. A past president and a signature life member of the Florida Watercolor Society, Pat has received numerous awards for her artwork in state and national competitions. She is especially known for her watercolors of dogs, and is currently accepting commissions for dogs and cats.

Pat is the author “Watercolor Simplified” and has been featured in many magazine articles. Her work has graced the covers of several publications, including School of Veterinary Medicine, The New Barker and Tampa Bay Metro.

Pat’s instructional videos can be found on You Tube, and “Pet Portraits with Pat Weaver” is available on Craftsy.com.

In addition to her significant accomplishments as an artist, Pat has also served her community exceptionally well. She was a Dade City councilwoman from 1987-92, Dade City mayor from 1990-92, founder of Main Street Dade City in 1987 and is a past president of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

Pat’s upcoming workshops, and galleries of her paintings, can be found on www.patweaver.net

(352) 206-0638

36641 Blanton Rd • Dade City, Fl 33526

Email: • www.patweaver.net

There’s a new pizzeria in Lutz that’s already the talk of the town — both for its unusual name and its excellent pizza.

Big Dog’s NYC Pizza, located in Sunset Plaza in downtown Lutz, opened this summer under the management of Kelly Lamplugh. The restaurant’s unique name honors her husband, Al, who is known as “Big Dog” to family members.

“My husband was a huge supporter of me starting this new venture,” said Kelly. “Plus, the name “Big Dog” was memorable and set us apart from other pizza places.”

Kelly is having fun with the “Big Dog” theme. Al built the front of an oversized dog house between the customer counter and the kitchen. When guests come into the restaurant, it’s the first thing they see.

“Everybody comments on the dog house when they come into the restaurant,” said Kelly.

Kelly is proud that most first-time customers become regular customers, coming back for great pizza that is fairly priced.

“We make everything from scratch, beginning with our pizza dough and pizza sauce.” said Kelly. “I buy fresh ingredients for toppings every day. Everything is fresh — nothing is canned or frozen.”

Big Dog’s NYC Pizza is the second pizzeria Kelly has operated. Before moving two years ago from Philadelphia to Wesley Chapel, she owned Broomall Pizza, a popular neighborhood restaurant in a suburb close to the city.

“I loved running Broomall Pizza,” said Kelly. “I was very sad to close the store after my husband’s company transferred him to Wesley Chapel.”

After working in the restaurant business for 20 years, Kelly changed careers when she moved to Florida and became a nurse. While she enjoyed nursing, she never got over her love of running a restaurant.

So when the opportunity arose to manage this Lutz restaurant, she jumped at the chance.

Kelly knew she wanted another pizzeria, and wanted to price her pizzas so families could afford them.

“When we moved to Florida, we thought Pizza here was very expensive,” said Kelly. “I really wanted to target a more affordable pizza for families like mine.”

Big Dog’s most popular pizza is The Carnivore, which Kelly says has 50 percent more meat than most meat-lover pizzas. Also popular are its meatball subs and Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, both which come on Amorosco’s bread, a favorite Philadelphia bakery.

Other best sellers are the restaurant’s everyday family specials: $20 Family (Large, 16” cheese pizza, 6 garlic knots and 12 zeppoles); $22 Pup (Large 16” cheese pizza, 10 wings and salad); and $29 Big Dog (Large cheese pizza, 20 wings, 6 garlic knots and 2 liter soda).

813-803-7223 • 18421 Hwy. 41, Lutz

11-8 Mon – Thurs • 11-9 Fri – Sat • Closed Sundays

www.BigDogsPizzaLutz.com

For busy families wanting to look their best, who need flexibility and are smart money managers, Great Clips at Arbor Square in Land O’ Lakes is the ideal hair salon.

Its staff has years of experience and are just as knowledgeable about the latest trends and techniques as stylists working at expensive salons.

“We are very, very good at cutting hair,” said Gail, manager of this new Great Clips salon.

Gail has been a stylist for 10 years and was most recently director of New Dimensions Academy of Beauty in Tampa. Marquita, Theresa, Flower, Nicole and Sara, who are part of this great team, bring with them more than 25 years experience in the hair industry.

“What really makes our team special is that we’ve been together since our salon opened in July,” said Gail. “We work extremely well together and always put customers first.”

Great Clips at Arbor Square is in the Publix shopping center at the entrance to Connerton and The Groves. It is also close to many subdivisions along U.S. 41, including Lakeshore Ranch, Tierra del Sol, Asbel Creek, Wilderness Lakes and Lake Padgett.

“A lot of guests come by before or after shopping at Publix,” said Gail. For customers who want to plan ahead, they can check in up to two hours in advance using the Great Clips mobile app. On-line check-in puts customers at the top of the wait list when they arrive at the salon.

For walk-in guests, the wait is minimal. “We are busiest on weekends, but are always fully staffed to make sure guests do not have to wait long,” Gail said.

Affordability also attracts people to Great Clips. A regular haircut is $14 for adults (men or women), and $12 for seniors and children 10 and under. If you use the Great Clip’s coupon, printed every other week in The Laker, a haircut is just $6.99.

Other services are also priced much lower than traditional hair salons. Perms start at $35, a blow dry and style begins at $20, and formal up-do hairstyles are also offered at very reasonable prices.

“We have customers who have their hair colored at a traditional salon, and then to save money, come here to have their hair cut and styled,” said Gail.

Gail and her staff are committed to community service projects. They recently sponsored a Paw-Wash Fundraiser at the Pasco County Animal Services that raised $200 for shelter dogs.

It was such a huge success that the shelter encouraged the Great Clips’ crew to come back on a regular basis. “We are also open to other ideas that help local organizations and our community. Please give us a call and we’ll be happy to help,” says Gail.

Greatclips.com • 813-693-HAIR (4247)

7818 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes

(Publix plaza next to Connerton)

Hours: Mon-Fri 9-9, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-5

Dr. Leslie Horne may be a new chiropractor in Land O’ Lakes, but she is anything but new to the profession.

Fifteen years after opening Yadkin County’s only chiropractic clinic in rural North Carolina, in June, Dr. Horne sold her practice and moved to Land O’ Lakes.

A mother of five young children, ages 4 to 18, the Florida native wanted to return to her roots in Tampa Bay and be closer to family.

“I came across a tremendous opportunity to buy Dr. Jeanne Sellers’ chiropractic business, who was retiring after practicing here for 10 years,” said Dr. Horne. “It was a well established practice, plus Land O’ Lakes is home to several family members.”

She closed on the purchase in June and moved her family to the Dupree Lakes subdivision, located just 15 minutes from her office on Raden Dr. in a small professional center behind the Wendy’s restaurant on St. Rd. 54.

Dr. Horne grew up in Indian Rocks Beach, played softball for St. Pete Junior College and earned her bachelor’s degree from University of South Florida in Tampa. She went to chiropractic school at Life Chiropractic College (now called Life University) in Marietta, Ga., graduating in 1999.

What attracted Dr. Horne to the chiropractic field?

“My mother worked for a chiropractor, so I was familiar with the field. Plus, I had headaches as a kid, and problems caused by running cross-country in high school. Chiropractic services took care of both these problems,” she said.

Dr. Horne brings a very natural, holistic approach to her practice.

“Chiropractic medicine is not just for pain. It’s to get your body working better and in sync. It helps so many things, even mental health,” she said.

Dr. Horne said it’s her wide breadth of experience that sets her apart from other area chiropractors.

“I am a very experienced doctor, said Dr. Horne. “Being the only chiropractor in Yadkin County meant I saw a lot of very diverse problems — it made me very experienced at moving people.”

Dr. Horne, who is 43, also acknowledges that some patients prefer seeing a woman chiropractor, and some like that she plans to practice in the Land O’ Lakes area for many years. Plus, as a mother of young children, she specializes at adjusting children, including infants with colic and ear infections.

In addition to providing traditional chiropractic services, Dr. Horne offers a weight loss program that detoxifies the liver so that a person’s body is at balance.

“It’s easier to loose weight when your body is in balance and working better. This program has a 90% success rate, and I’ve had patients who have lost up to 70 pounds,” said Dr. Horne.

In the few months since she has owned the practice, Dr. Horne has become involved in the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, You Fit’s Membership Appreciation Day and the Land O’ Lakes Athletic Foundation, including Swamp Fest.

To celebrate her new office, Dr Horne is offering patients a reduced price of just $35 for the first visit, which includes a chiropractic exam, consultation, spinal adjustment and two x-rays, if needed. She is also offering $10 off massage therapy.

Land O’ Lakes Chiropractor accepts most insurances, including Florida Blue, United, Medicare and Medicaid.

Land O’ Lakes Chiropractor

2414 Raden Dr., Land O’ Lakes

(813) 948-2225

There are two kinds of adult students who find their way to Saint Leo University — those completing their undergraduate studies and those returning to higher education to earn a master’s or doctorate degree.

For residents of Pasco and surrounding counties, Saint Leo’s adult learner programs are convenient, cost-effective and highly personal. Most local students take a combination of traditional classes held on campus evenings and weekends, along with flexible online classes.

“Saint Leo is ideal for adult students who live close-by in Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz. Because we’re close to home, our students benefit from the on-campus experience of learning with other students and getting to know their professors firsthand,” said Laura “Beth” Lastra, Director of the university’s Adult Education Center.

To help people assess if Saint Leo’s adult learner program is right for them, the University has two upcoming information sessions that are free to attend. Sessions are Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. Both will be on its campus located at the Donald R. Tapia School of Business, in northeast Pasco, located on State Road 52, three miles east of I-75.

Leading the sessions will be academic advisors from both the Adult Education Center and Graduate Admissions to discuss programs and the admission process. After an overview of the University, students will break into groups for undergraduate or graduate students.

“Our sessions help people learn how they can earn their degree with the flexibility they need to fit their busy home and work schedules,” said Lastra. “We share important details about our degree programs, financial aid, class schedules and the enrollment process.”

“We encourage potential students to bring their transcripts to the information session, so we can help them determine where they’re at academically, and what they need to do next to earn their degree,” said Lastra.

In addition to its main campus in Saint Leo, the university also offers adult undergraduate classes at the New Port Richey and Porter campus of Pasco Hernando State College, as well as the PHSC locations in Hernando County.

Adult students can chose from 13 undergraduate majors, with the four most popular programs offered in business, criminal justice, social work and education.

The average age of adult education students is 37-45, says Lastra. And while most transfer in with some college credit, more than a quarter of students have not previously attended college.

“Adult students enroll for many reasons,” said Lastra. “Many are coming back to school because of a new job, a promotion or after they’ve earned their associate degree from a community or state college.

“We also have many older students who are back to fulfill a personal goal of completing their college degree – and some who are here to set an example for their children, who may even be competing with their children who are also college students.”

Many of Saint Leo’s adult students enroll full time to qualify for a Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG). This program provides residents of the state of Florida an annual grant of $3,000, if they’re enrolled full time at an accredited, private university in the state, such as Saint Leo University.

“With the offset of the FRAG grant, tuition for our full-time adult students is less than $3,168 a year — which is comparable to the tuition at a state university,” said Lastra.

In the graduate program, students earn master’s degrees in Business Administration and Cybersecurity.They also offer a doctorate in business administration. Graduate classes are taught at the Saint Leo campus and at its Channelside location in downtown Tampa.

Most of the campus graduate programs schedule classes every other weekend, explains Joshua Stagner, who is Director of Graduate Admissions. Classes are taught in four-hour blocks, with most students taking two classes each semester.

“We find having classes every other week gives our adult students the most flexibility to allow for a life balance of school, family and work,” said Stagner.

“We understand the importance of family and work obligations, and know these needs must be met for a student to be successful in his graduate program,” said Stagner.

Twelve classes are required for most master’s degree programs. Saint Leo students can complete their master’s in two years by taking two classes each term, Stagner said.

Saint Leo’s MBA program is its oldest and best-known graduate program. It was launched in 1994 and is viewed as one of the university’s flagship programs.

“We offer several concentrations within the MBA program, including Accounting, Health Care Management, Marketing, Sport Business and Project Management,” he said.

The university’s newest master’s program — Cybersecurity — is also one of its most successful with an astounding number, considering the program is only in its second year,” Students will learn about Cybersecurity in our state of the art lab at University Campus.

Another recent success in the graduate department was Saint Leo’s first doctorate degree — Doctor of Business Administration.

“Both programs have really shown strong support and growth,” said Stagner. “We are thrilled at their success, and proud to be bringing such quality, and much needed, higher educational programs to our community.”

Adult Learner Information Sessions

At University Campus – Donald R. Tapia School of Business

RSVP (800) 707-8846

Tuesday, Oct. 27 – 6 to 7 p.m. • Saturday, Nov. 14 – 10 to 11 a.m.

33701 State Road 52 • St. Leo, FL 33574

SaintLeo.edu/rsvp

The name of George Clamp’s business — Great Britain Tile —is as distinctive as the man himself.

Both are impossible to forget after just one encounter. George has a charming way of disarming you and making you feel at home — as if you were a long lost relative.

And, his showroom is just as memorable, with its flood of natural lighting and array of colorful tile, stone, carpet, wood and laminate flooring samples.

It’s almost impossible to separate the man from the business — and the business from the man —after more than 50 years on two continents in the flooring industry.

It began in England when George was just 15 and was taught how to lay tile at his uncle’s flooring company. After a few years of learning everything he could about tile installation and products, George was ready to start his own business.

When the opportunity came about in 1982, George relocated his young family to the U.S., setting up shop in the Town n’ Country area of Tampa.

After a couple of nondescript names for his new business, George decided to re-name his company after something dear to his heart — his homeland.

And so, Great Britain Tile was established. Today it is a well-respected brand that is recognized by homebuilders, contractors and homeowners.

In 2003, George moved his business to Land O’ Lakes and built a 60,000 square foot warehouse on U.S. 41 to be closer to the thousands of new homes going up in central Pasco County. He also made Land O’ Lakes his family’s home, building in the Wilderness Lakes subdivision just a few miles from his office.

Most people who drive past Great Britain Tile don’t realize that the retail showroom they see from the road is just a small part of the company’s revenue.

Commercial work is Great Britain Tile’s core business. Its largest customer is Lennar Homes. Other key accounts include Homes By Westbay, LGI Homes, Gulfwinds Homes, Dolphin Homes and Morgan Construction.

George’s son, Steve Clamp, serves as company’s vice president and heads up the commercial side of the company’s business. He manages crews of installers who go out every day to install flooring in the area’s once-again booming subdivisions.

Building a warehouse to support the commercial side of their business gave George and Steve the opportunity to open a showroom for local residents.

“We wanted to share with our new neighbors the quality products and competitive pricing we get from national and international manufacturers because of our high volume work,” said Steve.

The large showroom showcases ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone, mosaics, glass tile, metal tile, handmade tile, inlays and medallions, cork, leather, vinyl, hardwood and laminate flooring.

“We provide quality products from some of the finest and most respected suppliers in the industry,” said Kim Novotny, showroom manager. “We keep up with the latest designs and decorating trends, and help customers come up with ideas that work with their budget.”

Just as important as its quality products is the knowledge and experience of its installers.

“We know what products work best in different situations, and gladly share our knowledge about material options and installation techniques,” said Kim. “We even have setting materials and tools available for our customers.”

George and his staff understand that buying flooring is a major household purchase and want to help local residents any way they can.

“We invite you to come by our showroom and ask us any question you have about flooring, whether you end up buying from us or not,” said George.

(813) 235-9775

9533 Land O Lakes Blvd. (US 41, 8 miles north of State Rd 54)

Land O Lakes, Florida

www.GreatBritainTile.com

9 to 5 Mon -Fri • 9 to 1 Sat