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There’s No Planned Community Like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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When families are looking for a new place to call home, they have several master-planned communities to choose from in Pasco County. But, there’s none quite like Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“We are not just developers — we are building a brand new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group. “We’re so much more than just another planned community – we’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, located on State Road 54 about 3 miles east of Interstate 75, began building its first homes in 2012. Today, 1,000 homes have been completed or are underway, and residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

Homes in the residential community range in price from the mid $200s to over $400s.

“Our builders offer homes for everyone, from teachers to physicians to empty-nesters wanting the convenience of the no-fuss, townhome lifestyle,” said Lerret.

Downtown Avalon Park
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.

“We are building a traditional downtown, with stores located inside of our community on the boulevard road leading to our residences, parks and schools,” said Lerret. “We are creating a town that spreads out from the town center connecting to individual neighborhoods — very much like the footprints of small towns found across America.”

The first phase of downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.

“We’re building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Lerret.

Eventually, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. At build out, this 1,650-acre master-planned community will have about 4,400 single and multi-family homes, and be home to 10,000 residents.

D.R. Horton Is Now Pre-Selling in Westgate
D.R. Horton is now pre-selling homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, in its all-new community — Westgate at Avalon Park.

There are 14 single-family floor plans to choose from that include from 3 to 5 bedrooms, 2 to 3 bathrooms, and range from 1,504 to 3,561 square feet. New townhomes are expected to come soon.

Initial sales will be conducted through D.R. Horton’s online sales team, and then move to the company’s sales staff working inside its model homes. Their model home will be open and staffed seven days a week.

D.R Horton home features include open-concept floor plans, granite kitchen countertops, a stainless-steel appliance package, and are equipped with Home is Connected, D.R. Horton’s Smart Home system.

Westgate Village encompasses 285 acres in the back of Avalon, about a mile from its entrance on State Road 54, which offers residents a quiet, suburban setting. It will embrace its own set of amenities, including a resort-style pool; open-air clubhouse with an outdoor kitchen, playground, open sports field, and picnic area with pavilions.

For more information, visit DRHorton.com, or call 866-475-3347.

A Celebration Planned to Remember
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel would like the public to know about a special event being hosted at the Pasco Fine Arts Council, located at its center at 4145 Fairford Drive, Port Richey, FL 34632, on Feb. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

The event will be a celebration of life for Jo Baughman, longtime director of the Pasco Fine Arts Council, who passed away in September 2020.

It will feature 50 or so of her paintings, a live auction, music, wine, etc., and all of the profits will go to the center.

“We all miss Jo so much, and we wanted to do something special for her,” says Annie Harris, a friend of Baughman. “She put all her heart and soul into the council.”

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began its partnership with the arts council back in 2019.

It was just a year earlier that Avalon Park’s executive team met with Baughman to offer their Welcome Center as a new gallery on the east side of the county. The developer also committed to building a permanent arts center in its downtown in coming years.

“This partnership is bringing great opportunities to expand the arts to not only our community, but the entire east side of the county,” says Lerret.

The loss of Baughman — who was 75 when she died on Sept. 18 after a short battle with lung cancer — was especially emotional for Lerret, who worked closely with Baughman to set up the location of the East Pasco Fine Arts Council at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“Jo’s desire to share that passion with others was an inspiration. We are blessed to have known Jo and to absorb her knowledge of the finer things,” said Lerret.

For more information about the Pasco Fine Arts Council, visit PascoArts.org.

Movie Under the Stars

For this month’s “Movie Under the Stars” event, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will be playing “The Little Mermaid.” The feature film will play on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. Be sure to bring chairs and blankets, and be prepared for lots of family fun!
Avalon Applauds
Know an individual or nonprofit that goes above and beyond in the Wesley Chapel and/or Zephyrhills community?
Please include the full name, contact information and a summary as to why the person organization deserves to be recognized.
Spotlighted individuals/nonprofits receive a $50 gift card to a local business.
Published January 26, 2022

Simple Ways to Make Valentine’s Day Special

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Handmade gifts always seem to be bundled with extra love, knowing that someone put time and effort into making it.

For Valentine’s Day, Bella Home Market in Lutz is featuring handmade products by local sellers that you can’t find in the Valentine’s Day aisle at big box stores.

Toffee To Go is making a return after its popularity during Christmas time. The treats come packed in a box and bow, ready to be delivered to your special someone. Jade’s Soap Shop also will be making an appearance. The Dunedin-based business specializes in aesthetic soaps of all unique patterns with a blend of specialized scents. Tres Monkey Skin Care will feature its products at Bella Home, for men and women. This includes hygiene products, soap scrubs and bath creams, many of which would make a great gift basket also paired with Jade’s Soap Shop.

“It’s spectacular we can feature so many local sellers during the holidays,” said owner Lou Malerba. “These thoughtful gifts are perfect for anyone on Valentine’s Day that likes gifts with meaning.”

Throughout the year, Bella Home Market is known for its upscale décor and memorable merchandise. They’re the only elite retailer of the popular DIY paint, Dixie Belle, that is locally based. Nowhere else in Lutz can you find every line of Dixie Belle product. The store offers all-inclusive classes throughout the year that teaches the Dixie Belle painting techniques, and sends you home with a decor item you’ve created.

For online orders and Dixie Belle class signups, visit BellaHomeMarket.com.

Published January 26, 20222

Glaring Home Improvements Aren’t Going Anywhere. Your Tax Refund Can Help.

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Tax refund season is here, and it’s understandable to consider lavishly spending your money on a vacation to the beach or a weeklong mountain getaway.

However, those necessary home improvements will still be there when you get back. It’s a much wiser and more beneficial decision to your family to use the money to update your home’s mechanical systems.

“With inflation rising and the cost of goods increasing at a rapid rate, a wise investment would be to take your tax return and invest the money back into your home’s mechanical systems, prior to additional price increase and to avoid any future shortages,” said Miguel Silva of Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes

Silva explained that if your home was built in the past 12-20 years, it is likely overdue for a new A/C system, water heater and possible electrical panel.

A tax refund could cover the cost of converting to a tankless hot water heater, replacing your electrical panel or upgrading your outdated electrical panels to better fit today’s energy demand. Plus, it can be a significant down payment toward a new A/C system.

“Many people wait until their A/C system completely fails, or end up spending too much money on repairs trying to keep it going,” said Silva.

He explained that replacing your home’s mechanical systems typically pays for themselves within a few years. Replacing your aged A/C system with a high-efficiency air conditioner can lower your energy bills significantly when it gets hot.

“If you take care of these home improvement projects now before our busy summer months, we’ll get your job done within a day or two, and are offering some great coupons to reduce your cost,” Silva added.

Cornerstone Pros was founded in 2006 in Land O’ Lakes and has been serving our local community for over 15 years. Over the years, it has built a strong, long-term relationship with the community that is evident by its customer ratings.

“Every morning, we are stocked and prepared to address any customer dilemma that might arise,” said Silva. “Please call us today to get a quote for your home improvement project, so you’re ready to go when your tax refund comes in. We look forward to serving you and having you be one of our satisfied customers.”

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Published January 26, 2022

A Tax Refund Is A Great Way To Fund Home Improvements

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You already may be thinking about how to best use your tax refund, which most people will be receiving in January and February.

“Using your tax refund to be proactive and upgrade your home’s mechanical systems before there are problems, is a gift to your family’s long-term health and comfort,” said Miguel Silva of Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes

Silva explained that if your home was built in the past 12-20 years, it is likely overdue for a new A/C system, water heater and possible electrical panel.

“With inflation rising and the cost of goods increasing at a rapid rate, a wise investment would be to take your tax return and invest the money back into your home’s mechanical systems prior to additional price increase and to avoid any future shortages,” said Silva.

Tax refunds provide plenty more benefits for home upgrades with a future-oriented mindset. For example, a tax refund can cover the cost of converting to a tankless hot water heater or replacing your electrical panel. And it’s better to take care of it now before the summer months are upon us.

“Most panels in older homes are wired for just 100 or 150 amps, which is not enough wattage for today’s myriad home electronics,” said Silva. “Most tax refunds will easily cover the cost to replace your entire electrical panel with a new one.”

Cornerstone Pros was founded in 2006 in Land O Lakes and has been serving our local community for over 15 years. Over the years, it has built a strong, long-term relationship with the community that is evident by their customer ratings.

“Every morning, we are stocked and prepared to address any customer dilemma that might arise,” said Silva. “Please call us today to get a quote for your home improvement project, so you’re ready to go when your tax refund comes in. We look forward to serving you and having you be one of our satisfied customers.”

Tax Refund Specials

$200 OFF
Upgrade on higher seer A/C and tankless water heater at the same time

$100 OFF
Tankless water heater installed

FREE Nest Thermostat
With any 16 SEER A/C replacement

$50 OFF
LED lighting upgrade

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And 18-month special financing

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Published December 29, 2021

Looking to Buy a Home in the New Year?

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Soon we’ll be ringing in the new year and ICI Homes — one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders — will be celebrating 2022 by opening a limited number of premium homesites in Rose Pointe at Connerton.

Connerton, Pasco County’s largest, master-planned, mixed-use community is located in Land O’ Lakes. Rose Pointe is a small gated community within Connerton, and offers a clubhouse with a full-time activities director, fitness center, gym, large resort-style pool and more.

“Rose Pointe is already an established community with beautiful homes,” said Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes. “The community matches well with ICI Homes’ ability and our customers desire to customize their homes to match their personal interest.”

Another gem in the Rose Pointe community is the Connerton Nature Preserve, which features a scenic 2-mile trail that winds through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands. The trail’s 10-foot-wide sidewalks allow for easy biking and walking through Connerton’s picturesque landscape.

Phase Two of Persimmon Park Is On Its Way
ICI Homes also has three available homes remaining in Phase I of Persimmon Park, located in Wesley Chapel in the Wiregrass Ranch community. In this community, all of the homes have open floor plans with front porches, and garages and alleys at the back of the home. Its amenity center includes a unique, T-shaped luxury pool with cabanas and a grilling area.

The Primrose is Persimmon Park’s most popular floor plan.

Early next year, ICI will release information in regard to the commencement of Phase II.”

“With the continued high demand for the Wesley Chapel area, we are excited to finish phase one of Persimmon Park and look forward to starting phase two as soon as possible,” said Jones.

The Primrose is Persimmon Park’s most popular floor plan. This two-story plan features nearly 2,500 square feet of living space with a master bedroom suite on the main level, along with one guest bedroom and bathroom. The spacious living area is connected to a beautiful kitchen and dining area with plenty of room for family and friends to gather. The second story includes two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a bonus room that is perfect for gaming, entertaining, family time or guest privacy.

New Homesites Are Coming To Lake Jovita
ICI Homes is continuing to see a high level of interest in Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, so the prestigious homebuilder is still releasing homesites in the community, on a limited basis.

“We are still seeing a lot of growth in Dade City. Families love the short, 20-minute drive to Wesley Chapel and the old-fashioned charm of downtown Dade City,” said Jones.

One inventory home, with the Arden floor plan, will be ready in January of the new year.

The Arden is a 2,402-square-foot, one-story home designed for entertaining and gracious family living. The foyer leads to a large living room centrally located for maximum convenience. A spacious gourmet kitchen and dining area are perfect for entertaining guests or spending quality time with the family. Views from the dining room look out on the covered lanai and large backyard. The master suite features a luxurious bath and a large double entry walk-in closet, and the home is designed so that children and guests can enjoy their own separate spaces.

Asturia Is Sold Out
Asturia, a 550-home master-planned community situated on 500 pristine acres in Odessa along the State Road 54 corridor, just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, is sold out of lots.

ICI Homes is the exclusive builder in Asturia and has built plenty of inventory homes, including the one-story, 2,193-square-foot Juliette III, for families looking for open and spacious floor plans that include Florida-lifestyle features like summer kitchen patios, open balconies, and tons of windows.

“Asturia is one of the most successful developments in Pasco County, which residents love for its smaller size and convenient location to major roadways,” said Jones.

Asturia offers a kid-friendly, family oriented lifestyle surrounded by miles of multi-use trails, interspersed with dog parks and pocket parks. Its distinctive, 5,800-square-foot Amenity Center includes a fully equipped fitness center, covered outdoor living rooms, a luxurious resort-style swimming pool and expansive lawn areas for recreation.

ICI Homes model homes are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. The Persimmon Park model is at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel; the Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa; and the Lake Jovita Sales Center is at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City. To schedule a VIP appointment, call 844-349-6401, or email Jones at .

Published December 29, 2021

Mattamy Homes’ Highest Priority Is Its Homeowners

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Mattamy Homes — the largest, privately owned homebuilder in North America — prides itself on giving exceptional customer service to its residents and offering them a meticulously-planned, quality community to live in.

This industry-leading homebuilder recently was awarded Community of the Year (multi-family) and Community of the Year (single-family under 500 units) for Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, along with Best Floor Plan (2000-2999 sq. ft.) for the Elm at Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, at the 2021 Tampa Bay Builders Association Awards of Excellence held in November.

Volanti’s amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit.

“It’s a huge honor to receive that recognition from the industry and our peers,” says Kathleen Dec, Director of Marketing at Mattamy Homes.

Residents of Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, like Maira Ortiz, couldn’t agree more with the recognition given to Mattamy Homes.

“It feels very safe, family-oriented and comfortable living here,” says Ortiz, “It’s been a great experience so far.”

Ortiz, her husband and their two kids have lived in the Seville model for a little over one year now.

One of the selling features about Parkview for Ortiz was the proximity to everything in the local area.

“You make a right and you’re in Wesley Chapel, you make a left and you’re in Tampa,” says Ortiz, “It’s a great central location.”

Parkview at Long Lake Ranch is located along State Road 54, close to U.S. 41 and Sunlake Boulevard, in Lutz. The community offers single-family homes and townhomes that are available for sale, and six decorated model homes that are open daily for touring.

Husband and wife duo Fernando Vidal Otero and Verónica Negrón Mieles also live in Parkview and purchased the Venice townhome back in late November 2020.

The couple says they loved all the features that came with the home design.

“There is a guest room on the first floor that is in front of a full bathroom, so you can have guests come over and they can have their own separate space,” says Negrón Mieles.

“Plus, the back of the house has a view of the pond, so it’s very nice and relaxing.”

The couple and Ortiz all give a glowing review to Mattamy Homes for its exceptional customer service through the building process.

“Our agent was with us the whole process. That was one of the best things to happen during the process,” says Otero, “And our builder was very communicative about the progress of the home. He was great.”

“They [Mattamy Homes] are very accommodating and willing to help you every step of the way,” says Ortiz, “I just felt like they really cared.”

Last month, Parkview opened a new amenity center, called Parkview Pavilion, that features a resort-style pool, shaded breezeway, cabanas and social gathering areas.

Residents of this gated community also can enjoy another outdoor gathering area that includes hammocks, a comfortable seating area, cornhole and a dog park.

“People of all ages are enjoying it,” says Dec, “It was really important for us to create  gathering areas in the community that homeowners can use for a variety of activities, recreation or just relaxing.

Dec really hopes these new amenities bring a new sense of community.

“That’s exactly what they’re designed to do,” says Dec.

Townhomes Now Open in Wesley Chapel
Nearby in Wesley Chapel, Mattamy Homes has opened four new decorated model townhomes with contemporary exterior styling in its all-new l community of Volanti, located on Wesley Chapel Boulevard at Hay Road. Models are professionally decorated and open for tours daily, with private personalized appointments available.

Volanti is the debut of Mattamy Homes’ new contemporary exterior style of townhomes.

Four floor plans are available, ranging from 1,667 to 2,574 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and 2.5 to three baths. There are three exterior styles available at Volanti — Craftsman, French Country and Contemporary. Base pricing begins in the low to mid $300s.

“Volanti is the debut of our new Contemporary exterior style of townhomes, designed to offer a more modern, fresher look,” said Lisette Minnick, the homebuilder’s Tampa & Southwest Florida Division vice president of sales.

Four distinct floor plans are available at Volanti — Marianna, Ormond, Sebring and Venice. All have one- or two-car attached garages and large lanais.

The gated community will have 200 homes at build out, and fun-filled, family friendly amenities, including a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit. Construction on the amenities began in October, and Mattamy Homes expects to have them completed by early summer.

Making the community even more attractive is free lawn maintenance and no Community Development District (CDD) fees. Townhomes are released for sale regularly, but home offerings may be limited for a temporary time frame, due to the current high demand for homes, and labor and material constraints.

Located just 4 miles from Interstate 75, Volanti boasts excellent access to the best of the Wesley Chapel area, including premier shopping and dining destinations.

Citron Grove Coming Soon
Mattamy Homes recently announced that it also is building 60 new townhomes in Citrus Park, on Gunn Highway, called Citron Grove. The Craftsman-style townhomes will have two floor plans available — the Marianna and Ormond. Pre-sales will begin in February. Citron Grove is just 1.5 miles from the Veterans Expressway, 2 miles from Citrus Park Mall, and 12 miles from Tampa’s Westshore Business District and International Airport. The gated community, which was formerly Be Mac Nursery, will offer low-maintenance living, value-oriented price points and outstanding schools. Interested parties should register for updates on the website.

About Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes is North America’s largest privately-owned homebuilder, with over 40 years of experience building homes across the United States and Canada. From the beginning, our vision and promise has remained the same: to build thoughtfully designed homes and communities that reflect the needs of the families living in them, ensuring a lifetime of happiness for each. Mattamy Homes is proud to build homes for more than 8,000 families each year.

Mattamy Homes operates in eleven markets across the United States, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Other markets include Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Jacksonville, Southeast Florida, Charlotte, Raleigh, Dallas, Phoenix and Tucson. In Canada, Mattamy communities can be found across the greater Toronto area and Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Visit MattamyHomes.com or see a Mattamy New Home Counselor for further details and important legal disclaimers.  This is not an offer in states where registration is required. Void where prohibited by law.

For more information about all of Mattamy Homes’ local communities, go to MattamyHomes.com/florida/tampa.

Published December 29, 2021

Parkview Sebring
Parkview Myrtle
Parkview Myrtle
Volanti Sebring

It’s All About Community at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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“One of the most important parts of building a town is supporting the community it is comprised of,” says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for Avalon Park Group.

Here are just some of the ways Avalon Park Wesley Chapel has supported its community this year:

Championing The Local Arts

The Wesley Chapel Theater Group

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is collaborating with The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, a new group that is banding together to create a local community theater for Wesley Chapel residents.

“It is our pleasure to support local, grass-roots organizations that build up the arts, especially when it provides opportunities to meet and build relationships with neighbors,” says Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group.

One of those neighbors — and a resident of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for the past five years— is Rodney Bueno, artistic director for The Wesley Chapel Theater Group.

Bueno says he’s extremely grateful to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for allowing his group to use the welcome center for its meeting and rehearsal space.

“It’s definitely nice to bring something that I love to the community I live in. I hope to do that for a long time because I plan on living here for a long time,” says Bueno.

For more information on The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, email .

Giving Back To The Troops
To give back this holiday season, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel partnered with The Stano Foundation, a nonprofit in Wesley Chapel dedicated to supporting troops of all branches, both active duty and veterans.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s entire team recently helped to make 100 care packages for the troops.

“We are always looking for ways to give back to our community, and we love every time we get to collaborate with The Stano Foundation,” says Marielle Fernandez, marketing and events coordinator at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is not only an amazing community, but one that loves to give back to so many. We are so grateful for their partnership, as we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without their support,” says Paula Stano, founder of The Stano Foundation.

For more information on The Stano Foundation, visit Stano.org.

Partnership With The Pasco Fine Arts Council
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began its partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council and its East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery back in 2019.

The residential community offered its Welcome Center as a new gallery on the east side of the county. The developer also committed to building a permanent arts center in its downtown, in coming years.

“This partnership brings great opportunities to expand the arts to not only our community, but the entire east side of the county,” says Lerret.

The vision the leaders at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel have for the arts in their master-planned community meshes perfectly with that of the Pasco Fine Arts Council.

“We want to have art classes and workshops for our community, and a place to share artwork created by students and adults,” says Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group. “As it turns out, the Fine Arts Council has been providing these types of programs for years, and all they needed was a place in East Pasco to bring their programs and exhibits to our residents in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, San Antonio and Dade City.”

For more information about the Pasco Fine Arts Council, visit PascoArts.org.

Published December 29, 2021

Bella Home Market Makes Top 100 Retailer List

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Bella Home Market in Lutz has always been known for its unique gifts and home décor finds; however, this month the retailer is being recognized for its dedication to the Dixie Belle brand.

For three years now, Bella Home Market has been named a Top 100 Retailer for its sales of the popular mineral paint, Dixie Belle. The achievement is not limited to local retailers, but out of all 2,400 sellers worldwide.

The VOC (volatile organic compound)-free paint gets delivered to Bella Home Market straight from the factory in Port Richey. It has the ability to adhere to a variety of surfaces, and comes in many colors that are perfect for creative projects. From wood furniture refurbishment, to more complex undertakings such as painting glass and metal, Dixie Belle proves reliable.

As an elite retailer of Dixie Belle, Bella Home Market carries every product line Dixie Belle offers, including its silk line of paint, which is a primer, paint and sealer all in one.

Lou Malerba, owner of Bella Home Market, hosts classes in-store to help guests learn the technique for working with the paint properly. The class includes access to its entire selection of colors and all of the materials are included in the price. Veterans of the product may even pick up new creative revelations with tools that may not have been at their disposal before.

For online orders and Dixie Belle class signups, visit BellaHomeMarket.com.

Published December 29, 2021

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel supports local theater group

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Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is helping to bring theater back to the local community.

The residential community is collaborating with The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, a new group for Wesley Chapel residents that is banding together to create a community theater for adults.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is allowing the theater group to use its welcome center as its temporary home for all the group’s meetings and rehearsals.

“One of the most important parts of building a town is supporting the community it is comprised of,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group.

“It is our pleasure to support local, grass-roots organizations that build up the arts, especially when it provides opportunities to meet and build relationships with neighbors,” said Lerret.

One of those neighbors — and a resident of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for the past five years— is Rodney Bueno, artistic director for The Wesley Chapel Theater Group.

Bueno explains how the group got started a couple months ago when one of its members started a Facebook page for theater lovers in the Wesley Chapel area.

“We were really looking to meet and just discuss our love for theater, and maybe get into some script readings and put on little skits for each other,” says Bueno.

“With COVID coming around, everyone re-evaluated their life and there was something missing and for us — it was performing again. We just wanted to bring that spark back to our lives and then bring it to the community.”

That love for the arts ended up turning the group into an official theater company.

The Wesley Chapel Theater Group is currently working on its first introduction performance, which consists of three short plays from local director/writer Marc Saunders.

Bueno says he’s extremely grateful for Lerret and her entire team at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for allowing his group to use the welcome center for its meeting space.

“I’m very happy about it. It feels like home… It’s definitely nice to bring something that I love to the community I live in. I hope to do that for a long time because I plan on living here for a long time,” says Bueno.

“We were excited to learn about Rodney’s desire to bring community theater to our area and are more than thrilled to support it by providing a venue for practice, performances and also by promoting the group throughout our various avenues,” said Lerret.

Bueno says the local community can help support the theater group by following its Facebook page (The Wesley Chapel Theater Group). The group also is looking for behind-the-scenes volunteers who can help with stage work, as well as finding sponsorships.

For more information on The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, email .

Why families choose Avalon Park
In addition to quality builders and frequent community events, families choose to live in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel because it offers so much more than just another subdivision with homes and amenities.

“We are not just developers — we are building a brand new town,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group. “We’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy life today and in the future.”

Few communities offer the recreational activities found at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, including two amenity centers with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa, and picnic area, as well as a new amenity center being built in the new Westgate Village, in the northwest section of the development.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel has been welcoming families since 2012, when this community on State Road 54, a few miles east of Interstate 75, began building its first homes. Today, over 2,000 residents enjoy unique amenities, neighborhood schools, and a convenient location with easy access to Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando.

 For more information about Avalon Park, call 813-783-1515, email , or go to AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com.

Published 11-24-21

Bella Home Market is ready for the holidays

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By Trevor Lloyd

If you’re not already in the holiday spirit, give Bella Home Market in Lutz a visit.

As soon as you walk through the door, you’re greeted with an assortment of boxes, bells and bows meant for that perfect holiday gift. Unique seasonal finds stretch from front to back, and floor to ceiling, making it hard to leave empty-handed.

“Christmas is practically here, and there’s plenty more coming,” says owner Lou Malerba.

Throughout the year, Bella Home Market is known for its upscale décor and memorable merchandise. This specialty boutique is the only elite retailer of the popular DIY paint, Dixie Belle — which means it’s the only place in Lutz where you can find every line of Dixie Belle products.

Malerba has close ties with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, too, so he’s honoring the season of giving with a great way to give back. Each donation of five dollars is sent to the Shula Fund at Moffitt. The fundraiser helps women with breast cancer find childcare and assists with medical bills. With each donation, you’re entered into a drawing at Bella Home for a one-of-a-kind Dixie Belle product.

For online orders and Dixie Belle class signups, visit BellaHomeMarket.com.

1532 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. • U.S. 41, across from Walmart • Lutz, FL 33549

813-345-8038

Published on 11-24-21