The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Closer Look

City Grill brings a new dining experience to Wesley Chapel

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CityGrillCloserLook

Executive chef Gerry Malynowsky, owner of City Grill, brings a chef-driven international menu, craft beers, signature drinks and a nice wine selection to Wesley Chapel diners. The main dining area hosts plenty of seating and beautiful new bar. A pool table and dart boards are provided in the lounge area.

For many years, Gerry owned and operated a popular sports bar in the same location, Winners Grill. He sold it in 2008, but was forced to repossess it in 2013. It didn’t take long for Gerry to realize this wasn’t the same restaurant, so he closed it down, completely renovated the interior and recently opened it again as City Grill.

“We’re very excited to offer Wesley Chapel a whole new dining experience,” says Gerry. “We’re an independent, non- chain restaurant offering a unique menu with fresh chef-prepared food from local suppliers.” He brought his chef, Kasia Lavigne, from San Francisco where she earned Cordon Blue degree in Culinary Arts from the acclaimed California Culinary Academy.

“Unlike the average chain restaurant, we want you to feel comfortable sitting here long after your meal is finished,” says Gerry. “We have ladies come in for lunch and stay for a couple of hours enjoying their martinis. It’s a really friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”

City Grill has a nice selection of specialty sandwiches. Customer favorites include the Reuben (corned beef piled high on grilled rye, 1000 island, swiss cheese and sauerkraut), Corned Beef and Rye, Prime Rib on toasted bread, and the Cuban (mojo pork, smoked ham, salami and swiss cheese on pressed buttered cuban bread). You’ll also find chicken sandwiches and a variety of burgers (made with freshly ground NY strip, ribeye and sirloin steak).

Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., two can share a sandwich for the price of one. “We know how the economy has affected people,” says Gerry. “This seemed like a nice way for us to give people a really nice lunch at a very affordable price.”

Dinner selections are simply outstanding. Select three types of steak prepared four different ways. Fresh fish from St. Pete includes Grouper and freshwater Tilapia with six different preparation choices. Gulf oysters, shrimp and lobster crab cakes are also on the menu.

At City Grill, every member of the family will find something to their liking. “The menu is continually evolving,” says Gerry. “We have a lot of ideas for the coming year. We want this to be a fun place to enjoy a meal with your family.”

Gerry is very supportive of local artists. He’s planning to bring in local jazz and blues bands to play on Friday and Saturday nights starting in the new year. You can also find artwork on display from local artists. Andrew Krance will be displaying his artwork at the restaurant on the last Thursday in January 2014.

The atmosphere is casual. The food is excellent. The staff is friendly. And Gerry is always interested in your opinions and suggestions. Stop on in and enjoy the food at the best new restaurant in Wesley Chapel.

City Grill is open nights with a late night menu and a full bar. They are located at 5427 Village Market, at the corner of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Permanent makeup comes to Wesley Chapel

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Valerie Rudmin, owner of Everlasting Beauty, has been a permanent makeup specialist for 26 years. She first heard about permanent makeup when Michael Jackson had permanent eyeliner applied. She thought, what a great idea! That inspired her to become a permanent makeup artist to help those in need, especially women without eyebrows.

She immediately enrolled in one of the only schools in the United States offering permanent makeup and began offering it as a service through the hair salon she owned in Chicago.

Her first client was herself. “I wanted to show my clients what I was talking about, rather than trying to explain it, no one knew what this was” says Valerie. “That way, they could see the results first-hand.” Her business took off from there.

In 1990, she moved to Florida. Shortly after that, she met a doctor in Hernando County, who asked her to come to work in his office. Her reputation grew, and she began working with cosmetic surgeons at the Clearwater Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

After attending a conference 16 years ago in North Carolina, she was invited to open a studio in Des Moines, Iowa. Every couple of months, she flies there to work with clients who’ve booked appointments from all over the U.S.

“I always wanted to work closer to home,” says Valerie. “A friend found a studio that’s just a few minutes from my home, so I opened a studio in Wesley Chapel in January (2013) adding to my other locations.”

Valerie currently has over 30 certifications in permanent makeup. Her education is ongoing. “I’m always interested in learning something new,” says Valerie. “In 1992, I took some time off to study with master tattoo artist Big Joe in New York. He was the best in the industry and a really interesting character.”

The majority of her work comes from referrals. “People need to know who’s working on their face,” says Valerie. “There are things that should not be done, mistakes that can cause irreversible damage. A tattoo artist with a couple of classes in permanent makeup is probably not the wisest choice.”

Valerie’s studio is a safe and sterile environment that’s been licensed and inspected by the State of Florida Health Department. She uses the best topical anesthetic and knows how to apply them so her clients don’t feel anything while she’s working on them. Most work is completed in a single visit lasting a little over one hour. Clients leave her office with no swelling, bleeding or bruising, just makeup that wont wash off.

Valerie is a Lifetime Member of The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP.org). She also remodels scars, including chemo port scars, creates the 3D areola on “our beautiful breast cancer survivors”, as well as eyebrows, eyeliner and lip liner. She also has her own skin care product line. She works by appointment only. Call her at (727) 460-3847 to set up an appointment.

“I can take 10 years off your face simply by doing your eyebrows,” says Valerie. “It feels good to wakeup with makeup.”

Valerie Rudmin can be reached at (727) 460-3847, or by email at .

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

A whole body approach to health care

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Dr. Brandon DelleChiaie, a chiropractic physician at the Florida Wellness and Rehab Center in Zephyrhills, offers his clients a holistic approach to wellness. “We attack every condition with a whole-body approach,” says Dr. Brandon. “This is the foundation for the way we practice medicine.”

Florida Wellness and Rehab is a multidisciplinary company providing patients with a one-stop place for health care. “The difference between us and a family doctor’s office is that we do it all in-house,” says Dr. Brandon. “Our patients love this convenience.”

They have a primary care physician on-site providing the same services as your family doctor. In addition, they provide chiropractic care, physical therapy and massage therapy. “This is the direction medicine is going,” says Dr. Brandon. “Medicine is a need for care. We treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of a particular problem.”

During his youth, he felt the aches, pains and injuries of an aspiring athlete. He learned firsthand how chiropractic care out-performed traditional medicine and allowed him to heal and get back in the game quicker.

But it was an auto accident in college that proved to him that a holistic approach was more effective at reducing pain and solving problems than traditional medicine. He was studying pre-med at Florida State University, and then chose to attend chiropractic school over medical school.

Dr. Brandon graduated from the prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2010. Palmer College was the first school offering chiropractic care. It’s over 100 years old. It was also the first school to offer a course of study in physical therapy to treat physical pain and provide a formal path to recovery.

Dr. Brandon was born and raised in Dade City. He is active in sports and is keenly aware of the importance of exercise and proper nutrition for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

A holist approach to medicine looks at the whole person. Dr. Brandon takes the time to get to know every one of his patients. Treatments provided at Florida Wellness and Rehab are focused on adding to the fullness of your life, rather than trying to simply remove a symptom.

“The holistic approach to medicine is the next big thing,” says Dr. Brandon. “We see the whole person that walked into our office. We want them to walk out our door with much more than a prescription. We want them to live an optimal life, a full and healthy life in every way possible.”

Walk-ins are welcome at Florida Wellness and Rehab. They take every major medical insurance and have very affordable rates. They treat the whole family, from childhood through senior adulthood.

Florida Wellness and Rehab is located at 6751 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, across the street from Pin Chasers. They can be reached at (813) 715-2935, or at FloridaWell.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Professional Racing comes to local UPS store

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Carl Lunderstadt and his wife Robin Bonanno, owners of The UPS Store at 23110 State Road 54, at Collier Parkway, are taking their store to a whole new level of customer service and support. They have owned the store since Oct. 5th.

“The first week we took over the store we saw a woman struggling to carry a bunch of packages into the store,” says Carl. “We ran right out and helped her. Now we tell our customers to be sure and ask us for help. We’re happy to come to the car and help them.”

Robin is a professional race car driver, and Carl is her crew chief. Robin brings personality and enthusiasm to a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Robin has now dedicated her racing career to racing for a national children’s charity called The Dream Factory. Sponsors are welcome.

Robin is also a sought-after motivational speaker for local business and charitable organizations. She’s particularly proud of her work with children experiencing behavioral problems which focuses on trying to keep them out of juvenile reform institutions.

Robin has a business background. She’s owned a fish and tackle manufacturing company, was a business manager for Anchor Glass, and managed a national pest control company. She’s also a licensed pilot, musician, race car driver, racing instructor, and a professional ski instructor.

Robin and Carl admit to having a lot of hobbies. They’re avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and restore antique cars in their spare time. “Life is an adventure,” says Robin. “We want to have a good time with everything we do.”

Over the years, Carl has owned a dozen different companies. He was president of a Florida mining operation, co-founder of regional bank, chairman of the Florida Economic Development Commission, president of a family crisis center, co-founder of a biblically-based graphic novel company (Kingstone Media Group), and is the recipient of a number of community service awards.

Carl is also Robin’s racing crew chief, a racing instructor, and a professional ski instructor. Together they bring a great deal of professional expertise and commitment to the UPS Store.

This UPS store also does printing. “We want to be known as a printer that does shipping,” says Carl. “We’re looking to become a printing hub for all of the local businesses. Our store is newly expanded so we have the room and the equipment.”

The store also has office supplies and stationery. “We also provide notary services and fax services at very reasonable prices,” says Robin. “Our biggest selling item is postage stamps. Customers pay a little more for the stamps but they save on gas and time driving to the post office. It’s a convenience thing.”

Carl and Robin will be serving coffee and cookies during the holidays. Stop on by and say hello. And be sure to watch for their grand opening after the holidays. During the grand opening, Robin will have her race car on display and will be signing autographs.

The UPS Store is located at 23110 State Road 54 at Collier Parkway, in the Willow Bend Shopping Center. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

From paramedic to foot and ankle physician

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Dr. William Trabulsi, a family foot and ankle care physician, wants your feet to be happy. Your feet are the foundation of the body. A sore, cut or bruise can adversely affect your ankles, knees or hips, especially if you’re changing the way you walk to keep the pressure off the problem. Minor issues can turn into major problems later on if they’re not taken care of quickly.

“Foot pain is an indication that something is wrong,” says Dr. Trabulsi. “Just like the dentist, everyone needs regular preventative checkups to avoid complications that can lead to significant problems later on especially if you’re diabetic.

Children are particularly at risk for foot problems. The bones in the child’s foot aren’t fully formed until about the age of eighteen. If a child has flat feet, it is much easier to treat at a younger age. As the bones fuse, the problem may be permanent requiring more aggressive treatment.

November is national diabetes month. “Diabetes throws off the immune system and makes it harder for healing to occur,” says Dr. Trabulsi. “Diabetes can cause a condition called neuropathy which is nerve damage causing lack of sensation.” Diabetes is a leading cause of nontraumatic lower limb amputations.

The smaller blood vessels in the feet and legs are susceptible to blood circulation issues. People with diabetes or coronary heart problems need to pay particular attention to their feet. Keeping the weight off is also a big issue, especially for diabetics.

Dr. Trabulsi provides foot and ankle care for children through senior adults. He has been providing this service to the area for eight years now. He and his family reside in Land O’ Lakes.

He graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2002. After completing his residency in 2004, he moved to Florida to be near his wife’s family. He’s originally a resident of New York City and still has family living there. He and his wife have been married for 20 years. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf.

Podiatry is Dr. Trabulsi’s second career. Before this he was a paramedic. “I wanted to further my medical career and podiatry seemed like a good fit,” says Dr. Trabulsi. “I saw a definite need for this type of care.”

Dr. Trabulsi has office hours on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. He can usually get people in the same day and has good rates for those without insurance. He has good rapport with local primary care physicians and is affiliated with Florida Hospital Tampa.

He is located at Greystone Professional park, 19013 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz. He can be reached at (813) 406-4806.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Helping people prepare for the unexpected

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Jerry McCarthy, owner of the State Farm Insurance office at 1531 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, worked for 13 years in the Florida educational system before he became an insurance agent.

Jerry McCarthy
Jerry McCarthy

Jerry graduated from college with a degree in English in 1972. A single telephone interview landed him a job in the Florida school system teaching language arts. Jerry continued his education receiving a master’s degree in counseling, and additional coursework to achieve certification in administration and supervision.

He worked three years as a guidance counselor and then opened the Pine View Middle School in 1978 and assumed the role of school principal for five years. “It was a brand new school,” says Jerry, “and a terrific learning experience.”

He finished his educational career as a high school principal. “The transition from teaching to sales isn’t that big of a leap,” says Jerry. “I always wanted to get into sales. The truth is that all great sales people are teachers.”

Jerry was born and raised in Chicago, the oldest of seven children. His mom is 92 and still lives there. His family visits up north are just long enough to remind him why he never wants to leave Florida.

This is Jerry’s 29th year with State Farm. He opened his own office in 1985 in the Land O’Lakes/Lutz area. “I started from scratch,” says Jerry. “That means I had no clients, no mailing list, just a strong desire to help people prepare for the unexpected.”

He moved to his current location on N. Dale Mabry Highway in 1990. Jerry has only one office. A lot of insurance sales people are independent agents who represent multiple insurance companies, but Jerry works only for State Farm. “It is our goal to be the first and best choice for your insurance needs,” says Jerry. “State Farm is a good wholesome company that provides excellent customer service.”

“State Farm is a great company for both employees and customers,” says Jerry. “They know the employees are an integral part of the problem resolution process. The claims people are very compassionate. They understand they’re helping customers at a time when they’re going through the worst situations.” Insurance is all about preparing for and protecting people from the unexpected. “No one expects to have an accident or a loss,” says Jerry. “The purpose of insurance is to help people recover from a problem. It feels good to know my customers are adequately covered.”

“These days change is the only constant,” says Jerry. “People need to be prepared for sudden and unexpected problems. Everyone needs homeowners insurance because things happen in a house. Years ago lightning was a huge source of loss in the home.”

Jerry is now insuring multiple generations. First he insured the parents and now the children are coming to him also. “State Farm is a great partner to have on your side when you have a problem,” says Jerry. “We strive to provide the very best coverage to our customers.”

Jerry is pleased with both of his career choices. He’s still involved in the school system, though now as a spectator watching his grandchildren participate in school events. And he’s still teaching, helping people prepare for their future in a constantly changing world.

His State Farm Insurance office is located at 1531 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz. He can be reached at (813) 949-3669, or at .

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Local shop owner has a passion for party decorating

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Cheryl Friesen, owner of the LOL Party Shop, believes that parties are one of the best ways to show someone how much you appreciate them. “That’s what we’re all about at the LOL Party Shop,” says Cheryl. “Parties are a great way for people and families to establish important memories.”

LOL Party
Cheryl Friesen, owner of the LOL Party Shop.

Prior to opening the party shop, she worked for 20 years as a professional banker. “I just couldn’t see myself doing that for another 20 years,” says Cheryl. “I wanted to do something fun, something I could really invest myself into.”

She started putting the pieces into place a year earlier by joining a buying network. The buying group helps independent business owners pool their resources and their purchasing power. This enables Cheryl to keep her prices low and compete effectively with places like Party City, the largest party supply chain in the U.S.

The buying network also helped her to set up the store by providing advice about organizing the store and stocking an optimal selection of party items. “I’m still an independent business, and I choose all of my own merchandise,” says Cheryl. “The buying group just took a lot of the pressure off setting everything up.”

LOL Party Shop has a little bit of everything in stock. The buying network gives Cheryl immediate access to 47 suppliers, enabling Cheryl to handle just about any theme a customer has in mind. “I’m planning to bring in a lot of pirate theme items for the Gasparilla Pirate Extravaganza in January,” Cheryl says.

There are many places where party supplies can be purchased, but Cheryl gives her customers a great deal more. “How many sales people are truly interested in helping you to plan your party?” says Cheryl. “I’ll probably be just as excited about putting together their party as they are.”

Cheryl has taken courses to become a certified event decorator and is preparing to take the certification exams. She is planning to get more involved in decorating as the business grows. Right now she can help you plan and organize your special event in full.

This was a passionate decision for Cheryl. She’s been planning and decorating family parties for years. Lately she’s been doing it for local groups such as homeowner associations and business networking groups. “I’ve always enjoyed creating an atmosphere of enjoyment,” says Cheryl. “Even when I was a banker, I was always looking for opportunities to express an enjoyable side of life.”

Cheryl wants the LOL Party Shop to be a very community-oriented business. We want to be able to support our community and other local independent business owners. She wants to build relationships with other party-oriented business owners so she can further assist her customers in planning a complete event.

“I want to be able to help people create an event their friends and family will love and remember for years to come,” says Cheryl. “I get really excited about this. It’s hard to believe it’s my job.”

Cheryl’s husband, Bruce, is a sociology professor and is currently helping out with the business part-time. They’re looking forward to helping people set the stage for a really amazing party. They’re also looking for input from their customers about the types of themes they’re looking for.

LOL Party Shop is open for business right now. Their grand opening is November 10th. They are located at 24720 State Road 54, Lutz. Call them at (813) 388-2932, or visit them at LOLPartyShop.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Connerton boasts over 60 sales as ‘Home Town’ continues to grow

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The past few months have been very exciting at Connerton! Since the Grand Re-opening in June, there have been over 60 sales, and new visitors stop by weekly to cash in on the enthusiasm. And speaking of “cashing in,” Connerton is currently offering the opportunity to win a $1,000 cash card just for visiting the builder’s models and Club Connerton. The Grand Tour of New Homes is taking place right now!

connerton10292013Four distinctive builders are currently presenting floor plans from approximately 1481 sq. ft. to 4895 sq. ft. Ryland Homes offers 7 models with varying elevations and many options, priced from the high $100s. One and two-story floor plans with 3 and 4 bedrooms offer charming features like front porches, bungalow columns and opulent master suites. Visit the Frost II, a popular floor plan with first-floor master bedroom and 3 bedrooms on the second level. Ryland’s efficiently designed homes help save on monthly utility bills and help preserve the Earth’s resources.

M/I Homes is now building 7 new homes priced from the mid $200s, with floor plans from 2163 to 3976 sq. ft. These homes are designed especially for Connerton with features such as 3-car tandem garages, split floor plans, and flex spaces with game or theatre rooms for today’s busy families. The Roxbury model is well designed with complete living on the first floor and a spacious bonus room plus bath on the second floor. M/I’s Confidence Builder Program makes the process of buying a home as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Taylor Morrison is building in the gated Gardenia Glen neighborhood of Connerton. This neighborhood offers maintenance-free living with single family homes. Floor plans from 1768 to 4367 sq. ft. are available with prices ranging from the low $200s to the low $300s. Two model homes are currently available for viewing: the Kentwood, a 2-story home with first-floor master suite and the Pinehurst III, a 1-story with great room, 3 bedrooms, plus den and 2 full baths.

Homes by WestBay presents the Key Largo II model in the idyllic neighbor- hood of Jasmine Abbey. This award-winning floor plan provides comfort and practicality for those who like to entertain, host family gatherings, work from home and more! Coming soon in the prestigious Rose Pointe neighborhood is a dramatic Mediterranean design, the Terracena II. This 5 bedroom, 4. 5 bat home is 4895 sq. ft. and boasts 20 ft. ceilings in the grand room, a gourmet kitchen, bonus room , the- atre and 3-car garage.

There are many choices for the discriminating buyer in Connerton, with floor plans ranging from 2306-4895 sq. ft., priced from the low $300s to the low $700s.

Connerton is a “New Town” planned community spread across 4,800 acres in Land O’ Lakes. Hundreds of species of indigenous birds and wildlife on the 3,000 acres of nature preserves call it home. Residents can walk, jog, hike, bike and bird-watch along the beautiful community trails and through the Conner Preserve. Several parks are also a part of the Connerton lifestyle with beautiful playgrounds that families can walk to and enjoy. A brand new dog park has been added where everyone in the family can make new friends.

Many of the premium homesites cap- ture the natural beauty of Connerton with conservation, water and wooded views. The many open green spaces create a feeling of living in a park-like setting. Club Connerton, the 10,000 sq. ft. clubhouse offers a state-of-the-art fitness center, super pool with unique aquatic playground and children’s wading pool. A café, meeting rooms for resident and community use, plus tennis and basketball courts are all available as part of the Connerton lifestyle.

Visit Connerton, enjoy the beauty of its location, tour the models, and as a bonus, you might be the winner of $1,000 cash card just for stopping by!

Connerton is located on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, six miles north of State Road 54. Call them at (813) 996-5800, or visit them at Connerton.com.

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Highly qualified stylists and still reasonably priced

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Michael Schipano and Fred Davis are co-owners of HairStyle Salon in Land O’ Lakes. Michael has the styling experience while Fred brings an experienced business perspective. Together they have created a flourishing salon experience for their clientele.

Back row (l to r), Drew Riggs, Michelle Teaford, Peg Shaffer, Teresa Spencer, Ashley Bish, Steve Cox; front row (l to r), Michael Schipano and Fred Davis
Back row (l to r), Drew Riggs, Michelle Teaford, Peg Shaffer, Teresa Spencer, Ashley Bish, Steve Cox; front row (l to r), Michael Schipano and Fred Davis

“We’re an independently owned salon, not a chain,” says Michael. “We wanted to create an open and inviting atmosphere for guests along with an engaging and friendly atmosphere for our stylists to work.”

Michael worked as a stylist for more than 20 years in the New Tampa area before starting HairStyle Salon two years ago. “I wanted to pay it forward to a new generation of stylists,” says Michael.

Michael personally trained under Sam Villa and Michael Cole, two big names in the industry. He provides mentoring and constant training to all of his stylists. “We have extremely high-qualified stylists, yet we’re still reasonably priced,” says Michael. “Pricing is based on the demand for the stylist, not years of experience. Most of our stylists have more than 20 years experience.”

Michael has a strong focus on furthering the education and expertise of his stylists. They have designers come in to teach classes on-site and also attend events where they can learn from well-known designers. All of the staff attend these events, both on-site and off.

They are currently participating in a Redken color rebel contest where each stylist attempts to predict the

newest trends. These contest and events help to keep everyone aware of the latest techniques and focused on providing the very best service to their clientele.

HairStyle Salon is an exclusively Redken salon. They have a color bar in the front of the salon where guests can work with their stylist to create the perfect hair color. A Redken top-shelf list of premium colors is also available to guests.

They also carry Pureology as their boutique line of sulfate free, color fade resistant, 100 percent vegan products for at home care.

Michael and Fred are very active in the community. “We try to give back and support other local businesses in every way we can,” says Fred. “It takes a real commitment to run an independent business today. We have to help each other.”

This independent attention to detail is evident in their website also. Guests can schedule an appointment online anytime day or night. They can request a specific stylist and that styl- ist will confirm their appointment via email or telephone. “It’s a very easy system to use,” says Fred. Guests can also call during normal business hours to schedule an appointment.

“We do everything we can to provide an over-the-top experience for our guests and a great working environment for our staff,” says Michael. “It has to be about the experience,” adds Fred.

Active military, teachers and uniformed service personnel (police, fire, emergency medical, etc.) always receive a 20 percent discount off every service.

The HairStyle Salon is located at 23014 State Road 54, in Lutz, in the Willow Bend Town Centre. They can be reached at (813) 948-1270, or at www.HairStyle-salon.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

This artist styles hair, too

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Joan Cotter has been styling hair for 35 years. After learning her trade in Ireland, she moved to Long Island, New York and opened her first salon in 1987. Thirteen years later, she moved to Florida and opened her second salon, The Jagged Edge, in Lutz.

Joan Cotter of Hair Today
Joan Cotter of Hair Today

In March of 2012 she opened Hair Today in the Connerton Plaza in Land O’ Lakes. “We’re very convenient to residents in the new town of Connerton,” says Joan. Hair Today is located in the Publix shopping center at the corner of U.S. 41 and Pleasant Plains Parkway.

Joan has four full-time stylists employed at Hair Today. Gail Strickland, formerly of Super Cuts in Land O’ Lakes, and Meagan Whehle, formerly of J. Joseph Salon in Land O’ Lakes, are her newest employees. Meagan is especially experienced with Keratin treatments and coloring.

“We have a great staff here,” says Joan. “Everyone gets along with each other very well and shows a real willingness to help each other out when customers have questions or ask for opinions. This is a very friendly and welcoming environment for customers and the staff.”

Her team is experienced with caucasian and ethnic hair care. In addition to hair care, they offer microdermabrasion and mini-facials, roller sets, updos, relaxers and perms. Her primary products are Eufora, GK, Mizani and Paul Mitchell. She recently added a manicure and pedicure station.

The atmosphere of the salon is relaxed and personable. She started painting as a hobby a little over two years ago. “It’s very relaxing,” says Joan. “I paint mostly 19th century ladies and landscapes. I’ve always felt a closeness with things of that era, so it was only natural for me to focus my painting there.”

You can find a number of her paintings displayed on the walls at Hair Today. Viewing her paintings while getting your hair styled enhances the experience and adds a personal touch not found in a typical salon.

Women’s cuts start at $25. Children’s cuts are $12. Men’s cuts start at $15, and she offers beard and mustache trimming for an additional $5. Consultations are free. Stop on in if you have questions or want to explore a change in style. Walk-ins are always welcome.

It’s located at 7818 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.