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Hope Kennedy

Saint Paul’s Episcopal continues its faith journey

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In the beginning, it had no walls and no members — but there was a vision, to create an Episcopal church community within Wesley Chapel.

The congregation began gathering in car dealership conference rooms, then moved to larger locations.

Now, it operates at 3836 Flatiron Loop, Suite 101, in a stand-alone building in  a professional business park in Wesley Chapel.

These officials recently took part in a dedication ceremony at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, in Wesley Chapel. From left: Mike Moore, of the Pasco County Commission; Bishop Dabney T. Smith, of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida; Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce; and the Rev. Adrienne Hymes, church vicar. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

The church also has an official name: St. Paul’s Episcopal — to replace its original placeholder name of Wesley Chapel Episcopal Church.

The congregation celebrated its first patronal feast day on Jan. 24 with a special visit from the Bishop Dabney T. Smith, the current and fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.

At the service, the bishop confirmed five adults, commissioned the church’s first governing board and blessed an icon of St. Paul.

The church also had a dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting on Jan. 28.

In addition to Bishop Smith, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore and North Tampa Bay Chamber CEO Hope Kennedy offered remarks.

Initially, the church was operating only in a portion of the building, but it has expanded and is using the remaining space in the building for a parish hall, for fellowship and teaching.

The long-term vision is to secure land and build a traditional church building, said the Rev. Adrienne Hymes, who was the original church planter and is now the church vicar.

While the church is in a new building, it is rooted in an ancient tradition, Hymes said, in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

The fledgling church has come a long way, in four years.

“To be able to stand behind an altar and actually see people in the seats, safely distanced, is awe-inspiring for me, every Sunday,” Hymes said.

The people who have gravitated to the church so far are already Episcopalians who were looking for a church closer to home, Hymes said.

“The closest Episcopal church is 11.5 miles from here, down Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. A lot of people had been going there, but we’re now in their backyard,” she said.

Having a church close to home allows greater participation by church members, Hymes said.

“Distance definitely determines the depth of discipleship. People who really want to serve and do things beyond Sunday, they can now do that,” Hymes said.

Since the church is new to the area, people might wonder what to expect, she said.

She noted: The exterior of the building is contemporary, but the liturgy is traditional.

And that, she said, evokes a familiar feeling for Episcopalians.

“It feels like their church, even though we don’t have the marble floors or the stained glass windows. With the liturgy, there’s no denying where you are and what to do,” Hymes said.

“I think that really does appeal to the Episcopalians who are showing up.

“They are starving for that ancient liturgy,” she said.

She takes care to preserve the sanctuary as a sacred space.

“There is a reverence here. They have a space that feels like church, that has a quiet in it, a sanctity to it,” Hymes said.

When people arrive before a service, to spend some time in personal prayer, she wants to be sure that they have a space where that can happen — without interruption by others.

“The space is small, and the sanctuary is used for the sanctuary work,” she said.

Ultimately, St. Paul’s Episcopal will want to operate in a more traditional church building — but that will take some time, Hymes said.

“We’re grateful for a space for us to kind of nest, and build and grow and call more people to the ministry, but the vision has always been to find land here in Wesley Chapel — which we know is going to be a challenge,” Hymes said.

The church leader said she realizes that not everyone enjoys the uncertainty that comes from planting a church in a new place — or being a member of a church that it not fully established, but Hymes embraces the challenges, and is pleased that others have joined her in this leap of faith.

Anyone interested in knowing more about the church, or watching a livestream service can visit the website at SaintPaulsEpiscopalChurch.org.

Those seeking additional information can call 813-803-7489, or email .

Published February 17, 2021

North Tampa Bay Chamber reflects on 2020, future goals

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Like every business and organization, the North Tampa Bay Chamber has faced challenges and unpredictability — in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

A public health crisis, government shutdowns and a flattened economy caused the chamber to pivot, and change the way it delivers services during 2020, so it could continue operations, while remaining safe.

It caused the chamber to shift to virtual operations, to begin offering meetings and webinars, and to provide assistance remotely — aimed at helping its members navigate through the pandemic.

Chamber leaders discussed the chamber’s response to the pandemic, during the organization’s annual business meeting held via Zoom on Dec. 1.

Kevin O’Farrell, the outgoing chairman of the board, said “we’ve really had to reimagine all of our events and our programming, our activities, to continue to push the organization forward.”

The pandemic, he said, has served as a reminder of “how important it is for individuals and organizations, in times of crisis, to truly double down on their values. I think, as a chamber, that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

He then detailed how the chamber focused on its four core values of integrity, innovation, inclusivity and collaboration.

“We had to be inclusive, bringing in new members and new individuals, to give us new voices, to make sure that we’re addressing all of the needs of all of our members — not leaving anyone behind, or on the sidelines, and working together in a collaborative fashion, so that together, we are the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.”

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the chamber, told members: “So, things changed. Everybody changed. But, what didn’t change was our focus. The main change that we had as an organization was our mode, in which we delivered the information to  you, and the mode in which we were able to connect.

“We were still able to mark things off from our strategic plan this year. The committees were still able to come together, albeit virtually, and really nail down some of (the) things we had on our strategic plan for this year.

“We did continue some of our programming. We’ve been able to stay a trusted resource for our members throughout this year, using our digital component.

“Fortunately, for us, we were ahead of the curve.

“We had switched over to voice-over IP phones several years ago. Our database has always been in the cloud. Our website has always been in the cloud. So we were able to take the organization mobile, within three hours of the governor’s list of nonessential workers.

“We could have fought that and stayed open, but for the safety of our staff, we took the organization home,” Kennedy said.

Starting to go live again, in 2021
The chamber plans to begin bringing back some hybrid events in 2021, Kennedy said. That will start with a Final Friday event in January.

“We will be hosting those all at outdoor locations,” she said.

There also will be some hybrid, in-person events, beginning in February, including a Zoom option, Kennedy added.

“Obviously, our No. 1 priority as a chamber is your safety, and the safety of your employees and your businesses. So, we want to be sure that we are keeping you safe, as we all do business,” she continued.

Michael Berthelette, the new chairman of the board, talked about some goals for 2021.

The chamber will seek to provide visionary leadership — which involves developing human capital and partnership skills to solve business challenges, he said.

It also expects to roll out a mentorship program, most likely during the second quarter of 2021.

Plus, it plans to create a committee or subcommittee focused on diversity, inclusion, equality, social justice and human rights, he said.

And, the chamber will pursue accreditation from the U.S. Chamber, a goal it intended to pursue in 2020, but was sidetracked by pandemic disruptions.

“At the chamber, we come to work every day because we believe in the power of business as a problem-solver, and as a trusted partner, as a change agent and as a community builder,” Berthelette said.

He also raised the issue of systemic discrimination.

“COVID has shone a light on the systematic racism and inequalities across America, and across the world. COVID didn’t create those, (but) certainly exacerbated them.

“Staff of color should not carry all of the political risk of speaking up and carrying the flag of change,” Berthelette said.

He urged chamber members to act in support of others.

“Identify others whose voices might be marginalized, might not be having a privileged experience,” Berthelette said, and identify ways to support them.

“Let’s all engage,” he said. Expanding opportunities ultimately makes both companies and individuals, stronger, he added.

Kennedy reported that the chamber faced its own cutbacks, in order to remain in the black.

It experienced a decline in membership, too, she said, primarily caused by business closures.

“Those are things that we can’t control, and we’re going to do our best to help businesses that are struggling throughout this,” she said. “We’ll continue to find new and innovative ways that are going to bring you programming that’s going to help you grow your business throughout the year.

“Even if we’re not meeting in person, we’re still working for you. We are working in Tallahassee and we are working in Washington D.C., as well, to continue our pro-business legislation.

“While the mode did change, the mission did not,” Kennedy said. “We are still laser-focused on growing this business community.”

North Tampa Bay Chamber board

Chairman of the Board
Michael Berthelette: Platinum Salon

Returning board members:
Dr. Kevin O’Farrell: Pasco-Hernando State College – Porter Campus (outgoing board chairman)
Javan Grant: SLATER | GRANT
Aaron Banks: Furr, Wegman & Banks Architects P. A.
Connie Bladon: AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
Karen Tillman-Gosselin: Karen Tillman-Gosselin – Berkshire Hathaway Property Services
Stacey Capogrosso: Pasco Education Foundation Inc.
James Carner: Carner Credit Card Consulting LLC
Kartik Goyani: Metro Development Group LLC
Roberto Hiller: Signs of Tampa Bay doing business as Signarama New Tampa & YESCO Tampa
Justin Keeney: Regions Bank – Commercial Banking
Craig Alan Miller: Full Throttle Intermedia
Sally Seymour: Medical Center of Trinity
Troy Stevenson: Acme on the Go
Roberto Saez: Design and Construction Innovations LLC
Cheryl Visalli: Time For Wine
Stacey  Nance: Sparkman Wharf

New board members:
Angelique Lenox: Vistra Communications
Tom Garthwaite: Morton Plant North Bay Hospital

Board secretary (non-voting)
Hope Kennedy: North Tampa Bay Chamber, president and CEO

Published December 30, 2020

BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel is taking shape

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A ceremonial groundbreaking was held last week for the new BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, under construction at 4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

The Dec. 2 event was dubbed “ceremonial” —  because crews already are working hard to build the 318,000-square-foot facility that is scheduled to open in early 2023.

While the sounds of construction work served as a backdrop, officials offered remarks about the project. It is being built on land the hospital chain acquired in 2008.

This rendering shows what BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel will look like when it opens in 2023. (Courtesy of BayCare)

Mindful that the “groundbreaking” milestone was being celebrated during the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic, the gathering was kept small. Guests, were bundled up because of brisk weather. They wore masks, and the seating was spaced out to encourage social distancing.

BayCare Chairman of the Board Eric Obeck, reflected on some of the challenges posed by COVID-19, while addressing the audience.

“While 2020 has been an unprecedented year for health care that has called for tough decisions and creative solutions, we are grateful to celebrate the long-term goals that brought us to this moment,” Obeck said.

“I’m proud to be part of an organization that keeps setting the pace, even as we react to the coronavirus impact on our daily business,” the health care official continued.

From left: Glenn Waters, BayCare executive vice president and chief operating officer; Eric Obeck, BayCare chairman of the board; Mike Moore, Pasco County Commission chair; Hope Kennedy, North Tampa Bay Chamber president and CEO; and, Becky Schulkowski, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel operations director, fling a shovel of dirt.

“Over the past few months, we have canceled and restarted elective procedures and visiting hours. We have offered our team members early retirement and managed to retain our workforce of nearly 30,000 team members without furloughs or layoffs,” he said.

BayCare also has continued its plans to expand its hospitals in St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor and Clearwater, even while building the first hospital to bear the BayCare name, Obeck said.

Glenn Waters, executive vice president and chief operating officer of BayCare, offered some project details.

“Our 86-bed general community hospital will provide medical/surgical care, emergency care, cardiac care, surgical care – including general surgery, orthopedics, urology and gastroenterology – imaging, and outreach lab services.

“Beyond the ‘beds’ and the ‘services’ we provide, we will hire about 220 team members to be the heart and soul of BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel,” he added.

Waters noted that the nearly 30,000 people who work across the BayCare system, make it a great place to work.

The year 2020 was the third consecutive year that BayCare was named one of Fortune’s 100 best companies to work for anywhere in the country, Waters added.

BayCare Chairman of the Board Eric Obeck offers remarks during a Dec. 2 ceremonial groundbreaking for BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel.

He also cited recognition for the hospital’s quality of care.

“According to IBM Watson, we are in the top 20% of high-performing health systems across the country,” Waters said.

The event also included a reflection from Father Aloysius Ezenwata, a director of mission with BayCare. He read a selection from scripture, offered some commentary and shared a prayer.

In part, Ezenwata said, “In building this BayCare Hospital in Wesley Chapel, we are continuing to live out our mission, which is to ‘Improve the health of all we serve through community-owned services that set the standard for high-quality, compassionate care.’”

He added: “Today we continue to build on the legacy of the founders of BayCare Health System, to care for our community, to be our sisters’ and our brothers’ keeper.”

At the conclusion of the official remarks, Waters and Obeck joined Becky Schulkowski, BayCare’s operations director, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore and North Tampa Bay Chamber President and CEO Hope Kennedy, to fling a ceremonial shovel of dirt.

BayCare is building its new hospital just down the road from AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, a hospital that opened in 2012. It already has undergone an expansion and added new services to meet the high-growth area’s burgeoning health care demands.

Published December 09, 2020

Main Event: A family fun destination

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The tempo was upbeat, as arcade lights glowed and music pulsed through a surround-sound system at last week’s grand-opening celebration for Main Event, a new entertainment venue next to Tampa Premium Outlets.

Alex Garza, of Main Event, was among the speakers at Main Event’s grand opening last week. He talked about the company’s aim to provide a destination for family fun, while also providing local job opportunities. (B.C. Manion)

Visitors had a chance to get their first peek at a place that’s obviously dedicated to being a fun destination for people of all ages.

Main Event, at 2839 Creek Grass Way in Lutz, offers a wide array of activities, including bowling, arcade games, laser tag, gravity ropes and other activities, plus various food and drink options.

Members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber gathered to welcome Main Event to the community and their enthusiasm was apparent.

It was the chamber’s first big, in-person ribbon-cutting ceremony since concerns about potential spread of COVID-19 shut down such activities beginning in mid-March.

Hope Kennedy, president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, put it like this: “We’re so excited to be able to have a grand opening — figure it out, logistically, with all of the CDC regulations.”

She’s also enthused about what Main Event will bring to the community.

“This was the one thing that was lacking in Wesley Chapel — family entertainment, where you felt safe to come with your entire family, have a great time,” the chamber executive said. “It appeals to all age groups. It’s a needed addition to our community.”

Christa Watson, the sales manager for Main Event, explained, in an interview, why the entertainment center chose the Pasco County location.

“This appealed to our company because it’s an underserved market,” Watson said.

“We knew this area needed something for families.

“The way that Wesley Chapel and Lutz are growing — there are families here, who want to have some fun.

From left, Lisa Goodnite, Christa Watson and Hope Kennedy did the honors during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Main Event.

“There isn’t anything for families to do, like this, for about 22 to 25 miles,” Watson said. “Why not Wesley Chapel? Why not Lutz.”

The sales manager detailed some of the center’s offerings.

“We have over 50,000 square feet of family fun entertainment center, here.

“We have 22 bowling lanes that are state-of-the-art. We have a two-story, indoor laser tag arena. We have a suspended gravity ropes course with zipline, indoors — hello, how fun!

“We have over 125 arcade games, a full kitchen and restaurant,” she said. There’s also a grab-and-go food option, and a full bar.

“We have meeting and party space, as well,” Watson said.

There are more than 100 arcade games at Main Event, and there’s bowling, laser tag, gravity ropes and other activities, plus various food and drink options.

The center officially opened on July 17, at noon, and it will be open 365 days a year.

Watson addressed the logistics of trying to open the business in the midst of a global pandemic.

“It’s been challenging, but honestly, any great business just pivots.

“We’ll open mindfully and thoughtfully, at somewhere between 10% and 15% of our capacity.

“That way, we can properly socially distance at every one of our activities, at the bowling lane, and our bar and at the restaurants,” Watson said.

Even in the midst of a pandemic, Main Event gives people a chance to go out and have fun, she said.

“Right now, people and families haven’t really been able to do anything,” Watson noted.

But, precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of staff and customers, she added.

All staff members are wearing masks and gloves, and everyone over the age of 4 who enters the center will be required to wear a mask, in accordance to Pasco County’s regulations.

“Every single game and activity is sanitized after each individual person. We work in zones here, with team members.

This sign outlines the steps that Main Event is taking to provide a safe environment.

“We have a bowling valet that serves you and fits you for your balls and your shoes, versus a self-serve touch environment.”

“Constant safety is really important to us at Main Event because we know that it’s the only way families, in an environment (COVID-19) like this, will be able to come out, get out a little bit and have some fun,” Watson said.

She also advised potential visitors that they should check Main Event’s website to find out about new promotions and specials. There also are different kinds of packages available for groups, she said.

And, she noted that Main Event has partnerships with AdventHealth Center Ice, Wiregrass Ranch sports complex and various hospitality entities.

Main Event is looking forward to offering a fun option for families traveling to the area for sporting events, Watson said.

Lisa Goodnite, general manager at the center, thanked all of the people who helped get the center ready to open.

Main Event is based in Plano, Texas, and has locations across the United States.

Alex Garza, director of operations for a territory of the company, said Main Event intends to be a fun destination for people of all ages.

He noted that it also provides job opportunities for the local economy, noting the one which opened last week in Pasco County already has added 100 jobs to the local economy, and expects to have 160 to 170, when things begin looking up.

Chris Morris, the company’s president and CEO, attended the grand opening to help celebrate the new center.

“We are so proud to be part of Wesley Chapel,” Morris said. “We want to be part of your community. We look forward to being here many, many years.

“We can’t wait to have a lot of fun and see smiles on faces,” he said.

And, it didn’t take long for the good times to begin.

Chamber members were having a blast, as they hurled bowling balls down the center’s state-of-the-art lanes — a Main Event ceremonial ball roll.

Main Event
What: A family-focused entertainment venue, offering ways to have fun for people of all ages.
Where: 2839 Creek Grass Way, Lutz (adjacent to Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 56, west of Interstate 75)
When: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight; Monday, 10 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Details: Center offers bowling, billiards, arcade games and other activities, as well as food and drink.
Cost: For more information, call (813) 909-2695. Or you can check the website, MainEvent.com/location/florida/wesley-chapel/33559.

Published July 22, 2020

Chambers adapt to new circumstances

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Small businesses are struggling to reopen amid the uncertainties wrought by the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Chambers of commerce are right there with them on the front line.

They are dealing with staff layoffs in some cases. They’ve been working from home. They have fewer resources.

And, even as chambers begin reopening their offices, the priority is the economic recovery of member businesses.

Ribbon cuttings, for a while, are on hold.

“We had to pivot,” said Hope Kennedy, president of The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

From Day One of the shutdown, there was an urgency to how chambers should respond. They had to rethink what it means to network and provide services that would help businesses stay solvent and resilient.

To be sure, there were phone calls. Lots of them.

But, the new virtual world meant rethinking social media and technology. Zoom meetings and virtual town halls blossomed.

Websites became clearinghouses for grants and forgivable loans, and the latest information businesses needed to survive, and now to reopen, safely.

“We’ve done a lot of individual communicating with our members,” Kennedy said.

Initially, the focus was on helping business owners apply for financial aid, either locally or from the federal Payroll Protection Program.

Chambers partnered with Pasco County and the Pasco Economic Development Council to coordinate efforts to deliver financial aid to distressed businesses and residents.

Kennedy heard from business owners who told her, “if we had not had all this information on our website, they wouldn’t have gotten them.”

As businesses reopen, she added, “We’ve turned into a repository for businesses that need to rehire.”

Chambers are taking one step at a time, as lights turn back on at businesses.

“Cautiously optimistic is what we are,” said Melanie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

She believes people are following the protocols to make sure the situation does not get worse.

As the shutdown approached, Monson said her staff checked in with business owners to prepare them.

About 100 business owners needed to create plans to get through the crisis and to guide them once reopened.

“Most are prepared and ready to jump back in,” Monson said. “Are there going to be some who don’t open doors? Absolutely.”

But, she added, “I feel like there is enough help that businesses will recover. It will take a while. We’re optimistic that we’ll make it through the process. It’s not a light switch. It’s going to take a little bit of a process. Businesses in it for the long haul will make it.”

Like the businesses they serve, chambers also are reopening —  slowly and with safety protocols.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce started with one person each day at the office, behind a locked door. Visitors needed to wear masks, as did employees. Social distancing was required. Within the next weeks, the chamber anticipates “ramping up a little,” said John Moors, chamber executive director.

During the shutdown, work continued from home to keep business owners up to date on available aid and resources.

Renewal rates on memberships were discounted, and e-blasts and advertising were provided free, Moors said.

“It’s important that we bring connectivity and continue to offer support for our businesses,” he said. “We are resilient, very creative. We’ll figure this thing out.”

Pasco County and cities, such as Dade City, did their part.

Dade City officials, for instance, sent out fliers to 6,000 households about products and services available from area businesses.

The city also relaxed requirements for outdoor seating to allow restaurants to serve more customers.

Dade City, and its chamber, thrive on annual events including a seminar at Saint Leo University and a golf tournament.

The fate of the chamber’s biggest event of the year – the Kumquat Festival – is unclear, even though it typically is held in February.

“We’re not sure it’s going on the same as it has been,” Moors said.

The festival is the chamber’s most reliable fundraising event, bringing thousands into downtown Dade City.

North Tampa Bay chamber scheduled a movie night for May 16, featuring “Jumanji – Next Level” at The Groves at Wesley Chapel. Sponsorships made the showing  possible.

Every chamber is facing budget losses. And, even as chambers helped its members file for financial aid, nothing similar was available for chambers.

If more aid is approved by Congress, Kennedy hopes to see the chambers included this time.

“We’ve been advocates for that from Day One,” she said. She has spoken with Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. “There’s been a little bit of traction the last couple of days,” she said.

Kelly Marsh, member care specialist for The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, agrees that chambers need help, too.

“Fingers crossed on that,” she said.

Last week, the chamber hosted a Zoom meeting for a Land O’ Lakes Brochure Exchange. Owners could virtually promote their services and find out what other owners are doing.

“It hasn’t been as easy to reach people,” said Marsh. Social media and technology are taking on larger roles in networking, she said.

There is a concern especially for the ‘mom and pop’ shops and restaurants, and the toll the long shutdown took on their incomes.

It appears that most people are just “trying to get through it (the pandemic),” she said.

Published May 20, 2020

Local businesses getting hit with COVID-19 impacts

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Drive around the region and the impacts of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are obvious.

Grocery store parking lots are full — with people lining up before the stores open to get their hands on toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and other scarce items.

There’s less traffic on the road because many people are working remotely, and that number may climb if ‘stay at home’ mandates are announced.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered restaurant dining room areas to be closed because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Here is a sign letting customers know that the restaurant at Cypress Creek Town Center is open for drive-thru only. (Christine Holtzman)

While grocery stores are slammed, restaurant, gym and nightclub parking lots are empty.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has temporarily shut down bars, nightclubs and gyms, and has ordered dining rooms be closed at restaurants.

Businesses are feeling it.

Some have cut staff, including The Laker/Lutz News, which laid off three employees.

Some businesses have ceased operations, at least for now.

Tampa Premium Outlets had barricades blocking the entrances.

Its website notes that the closure is through March 29, but directs potential shoppers to “stores” and “dining” areas of the website to see if essential retailers, such as pharmacies and food delivery/take-out, are available.

Others are adapting practices to try to preserve business or to respond to changing customer behaviors amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walkabout Eatery, a restaurant at 18430 Livingston Ave., in Lutz, is serving its customers with takeout, drive-thru and delivery through Uber Eats. The restaurant also has limited its hours to 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and reduced its staff.

In keeping with the governor’s order, Chick-fil-A, at Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56, has closed its dining room and is offering drive-thru only.

Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets, which has several locations in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, is opening at 7 a.m., on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, to allow shoppers age 65 and older the chance to shop for an hour before other shoppers are allowed to enter.

Also, Publix stores are closing an hour earlier, to give staff additional time to do preventative sanitation and restock shelves. Pharmacy hours have been changed to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with regular hours on Sunday.

Tampa Premium Outlets, at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, has barricades to keep people out. The website said the outlet mall was temporarily closed because of concerns about COVID-19.

Business owners and employees, meanwhile, grapple with uncertainty.

Amanda Perkins , a hairdresser for 11 years, has had Haven Hair Studio for two years at Porte Noire — A Salon Collective, at The Shops at Wiregrass.

During an interview last week, she said she’d had a number of cancellations — related to COVID-19 because of where the clients recently traveled, or out of a client’s concern about a relative’s compromised immune system.

She was still operating her shop last week, but was getting nervous.

“For me, if it only stayed at six, seven, eight cancellations, that wouldn’t be the end of my world,” Perkins said.

But, she added: “Everybody has all of the same questions: ‘What if this? How do we deal with this?’ It is just nerve-racking.”

On March 22, she decided to temporarily suspend services, according to her Facebook page. She said she will be emailing her clients to inform them how she’ll be handling appointments, both future and missed.

Hope Kennedy, president/CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, said the uncertainty is a widespread concern.

“It’s very hard for the service industry, and we have a very large service industry in Wesley Chapel and in North Tampa Bay,” said Kennedy, who leads a chamber of about 700 members.

The chamber has reached out to its members and has conducted two surveys to get a pulse of what’s happening, Kennedy said.

Walgreens, at 22829 State Road 54, Land O’ Lakes, has new temporary store hours.
Its website says the company is updating its store hours an extra measure to help provide a clean and safe environment for its customers and employees.

“I can tell you the trend is definitely there’s going to be a very negative impact on our small businesses in our communities,” Kennedy said.

In fact, one business indicted it won’t be able to make it back, Kennedy said. “We’re three days in and we’re already hearing that.”

As the situation continues to evolve, stress levels are high, said Kennedy, who understands the sentiment.

“I told somebody the other day, I feel like I’m going through a hurricane, the BP Oil Spill and the Recession, all at the exact same time,” Kennedy said.

But, Kennedy pointed out that she has experienced all three of those, as a chamber executive, and her organization is working hard to find out what chamber members need and to help point them toward resources that can help.

“There’s so much out there and it changes so rapidly,” said Kennedy, who currently has her chamber office set up on her dining room table at home.

“We’re updating our website almost hourly for the various links,” she said.

Meanwhile, she’s encouraging everyone to: “Keep calm and shop local.”

The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce is sharing a similar message.

It’s encouraging its members to “shop local, shop small, shop now.”

The Greater Pasco Chamber announced it would be reaching out to its members who operate restaurants to find out their new hours of operation and whether they operate takeout or delivery, and also to share menu links, when available.

Once that information is collected, the chamber plans to share it.

It, too, is sharing information about potential sources of help.

The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., a nonprofit economic development agency, also wants to help businesses. It has compiled a list of potential sources of loans and other types of help that are posted on its website, PascoEDC.com.

While local organizations are trying to help businesses seek out sources of help, Gov. DeSantis is urging that economic assistance be provided quickly and simply — to those needing it, in light of COVID-19.

Need some help?
Information on these websites/links may be useful:
North Tampa Bay Chamber: NorthTampaBayChamber.com
Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce: GreaterPasco.com
Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce: ZephyrhillsChamber.org
Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com
FloridaDisaster.biz/BusinessDamageAssessments
SBDCtampabay.com/coronavirus

Published March 25, 2020