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North Tampa Bay Chamber

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

Chambers in East Pasco considering merger

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Chambers of commerce representing the business communities in Zephyrhills and Dade City are beginning to explore the possibility of merging into a single chamber.

The boards for the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce have approved the formation of a task force to look into the logistics and possible benefits of merging the two organizations.

Melonie Monson, the CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, and John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, recently told The Laker/Lutz News that it is unclear how long it will be before a merger, if one occurs, will happen.

“All we’re looking at is the opportunity to be able to put options on the table,” Moors said.

The idea of a merger is not new.

He explained why combining forces is being considered.

“(The) No. 1 reason is that we feel that a larger chamber — in my perspective, in any case — would better represent businesses in the eastern Pasco area,” Moors said.

“With the influx of residential, we know that commercial is following that, that this area continues to grow and grow and spread, as we’ve seen in Wesley Chapel. We’re not suggesting that’s a great thing. We’re not suggesting it’s not,” he said.

However, Moors added: “We would be better prepared as a chamber, to service our business members, if we were somewhat prepared for that growth.”

Monson noted: “We’ve seen successful mergers of other chambers in Pasco County and the strength that that can bring in numbers. So, we felt that this was the opportune time, to look at this more closely right now.”

She also noted that impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the timing of the discussion.

“With all that everyone is going through, due to the pandemic, we felt that it was time to revisit it,” Monson said.

The task force will be made up of people from both communities, including businesses and larger organizations.

The task force will look at such things as: “What are the benefits of this? Will it strengthen each community? Will it strengthen each chamber? Will it expand advocacy?” Monson said.

The task force also will consider potential obstacles, as well as how to preserve the identities of each community, if a merger occurs, she added.

It also will explore: “Is this something we need to do?” she added.

Zephyrhills is among the largest municipalities in the county, if not the largest municipality, and Dade City is the county seat, Monson said.

Does it make sense to join forces to come together with one voice for advocacy and economic development, she asked.

Once the task force completes its due diligence, it will bring a recommendation to the boards.

Input from members will be sought, too, she said.

Moors said he has no speculation of the future structure of the chamber because that would come out of the task force.

“There’s really nothing for sure. All we’re really doing is forming a task force and looking at the combination, and at what best practices there might be, in a joint chamber,” he said.

One question that will be asked is: “What should the focus of the organization be?” Moors said.

The effort is being made to make sure the chambers are doing the best they can to remain sustainable and continue serving their members, he said.

Besides creating a more powerful voice, by merging memberships, there also might be a reduction in overhead, both chamber leaders said.

“There’s an economy of scale,” Moors said. “If there’s an opportunity to be able to maximize their economies of scale, then in most cases, businesses will do that. It’s only good fiduciary responsibility,” Moors said.

“Primarily, people join a chamber of commerce because they want to network and they want to interact with people of like minds, from a business perspective. And, they want to have a voice in initiatives that are moving forward in their area both from a political point of view and from business associations, and that sort of thing,” Moors said.

Work is expected to get started on naming a task force and studying the issues, Monson said.

It’s hard to say how quickly that work will be done, the recommendations will be made and whether the chambers will decide to move forward with a merger — or drop the idea.

A merger between the Zephyrhills and Dade City chambers would be the third merger of its type among Pasco County chambers.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber is made up of chambers that previously represented Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Trinity and Odessa.

The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce resulted from a merger between the West Pasco  and Central Pasco chambers.

Published October 07, 2020

North Tampa Bay Chamber accepting award nominations

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The North Tampa Bay Chamber has reimagined its annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Every year, the awards celebrate businesses in the region, recognizing the people and companies that have demonstrated a unique vision, innovation, and best business practices, according to a chamber news release.

This year, the 2020 Celebrating Excellence Awards will honor organizations that have demonstrated commitment and resilience during the past year and which have benefited the community, the release says.

“We recognize COVID-19 has affected businesses across our region in a variety of ways, resulting in new innovations and adjustments to business models,” the release says. “As such we have reimagined our Annual Celebrating Excellence Awards. This year the awards ceremony will be held November 12th via a professional production fully streaming with live remotes, live feeds, and celebratory toast.”

The North Tampa Bay Chamber prides itself on its 4 Core Values. It will be presenting these awards this year:

  • Excellence in Integrity Award: Honoring an organization whose demonstrated commitment and resilience during the past year has benefited the community and region
  • Excellence in Collaboration Award: Honoring an organization that has sought to build bridges and partner with individuals and groups that has strengthened the community and region during the past year
  • Excellence in Inclusivity Award: Honoring an organization that has demonstrated, through its organizational culture or in service to the community, leadership in diversity and inclusion practice during the past year
  • Excellence in Innovation Award: Honoring an organization whose demonstrated unique ingenuity during the past year has benefited the community and region

In addition to the four Core Value awards, the chamber will be adding a Community Hero(es) Award, which provides a way to highlight some additional individuals — in addition to organizations — who are being honored for their efforts, concern and compassionate response to the pandemic.

To find out more about the awards, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Published September 09, 2020

Taking the long view, during a pandemic

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Like many businesses across the state, The Florida Aquarium was on a roll — before COVID-19 slammed the brakes on the economy, especially the tourism sector.

“We had two years of just record attendance and record revenues, and we were growing,” Roger Germann, president and CEO of the nonprofit conservation organization, said, during a Zoom breakfast meeting with the North Tampa Bay Chamber.

Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium, is enthused about the future of the downtown Tampa attraction, which offers visitors a chance to have fun, to learn and to contribute to its conservation efforts. (File)

In mid-March, though, aquarium operations came to a halt.

Initially, Germann thought the shutdown would be for two weeks, but it soon became apparent it would be longer.

“You’ve got to make tough decisions in tough times, even if they’re uncomfortable decisions,” said Germann, who became the aquarium’s leader in 2017.

He decided to announce that the aquarium would be shuttered until May 10.

“I caught some flak, as a business leader, from a few folks, saying, ‘“We don’t know it will be that long, you’re not providing hope’,” Germann said.

But, he knew that he had the option of reopening within 48 hours, if conditions changed.

He also wanted to come up with a responsible reopening plan, and to give his 270-member staff a sense of stability in the interim.

“It was an investment in my staff. Hey, ‘You’re OK for eight weeks,’” Germann said. “I need to have you looking at the next 24 months, not the next 24 hours.”

Jellyfish are just one example of interesting sea creatures living at The Florida Aquarium.

“I have to invest in my people. I have to invest in making sure that we are strong enough to reopen, and the survivability of The Florida Aquarium is well beyond the next 24 hours — it’s the next 24 years,” he said.

By giving them a longer runway, the staff could maintain operations, take care of the animals, and figure out how to safely and successfully reopen, he said.

“We worked first with Tampa General Hospital and USF Health,” he said, noting those experts did site visits and helped the aquarium prepare to reopen safely.

The health professionals continue to monitor the situation, at least once a month, he added.

“We never want to let our guard down. Things change regularly, as you know, in science, especially in this particular case,” Germann said.

The shutdown also provided opportunity for introspection: “How do we look at our business model? What are things that we need to change?

“As a business leader, you make your decisions. It’s not always the bottom line that’s the focus. I knew that that money we were going to lose during that time — I call it Monopoly money, it is gone,” Germann said.

“We’ll probably lose close to $10 million in earned revenue by the time the fiscal year ends at the end of this month, but that certain portion is gone,” he said.

People enjoy getting wet, at The Florida Aquarium’s splashpad.

Just months before the pandemic, the aquarium launched a $14 million capital campaign.

“We said, ‘We’re making no little plans. We’re going to continue to upgrade the facility. We’re going to continue to make sure that it is a facility that you are proud of,” he said.

The capital campaign calls for investments, to enable the facility — which has been named by USA Today readers as the No. 2 aquarium in North America — to grow and expand.

“These are ideas (in the capital campaign) that are just on hold. They have not gone away by any means. They are just on hold,” Germann said.

Now celebrating its 25th year, the aquarium has been working on ways to strengthen connections within the community, Germann said.

It’s encouraging locals who haven’t been to the facility in downtown Tampa in awhile, to come check it out.

It wants to show off its animals, share the story of its conservation efforts and invite people to enjoy fun experiences there, he said.

While the pandemic has presented challenges, Germann is optimistic about the future and eager for the aquarium to continue pursuing its mission.

“We were the first aquarium in North America to reopen. We reopened on May 10,” he said.

“We were ready to go, and we were ready to contribute — really, truly — back to the mental and emotional health that we needed in this healing process.

“We all need to lift each other, and we’re all in this together,” Germann said.

Published September 09, 2020

Creating peace of mind, through estate planning

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As the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic continue to create uncertainty, an attorney from Tampa Palms spoke recently about the value of using estate planning to help reduce anxiety.

Myrna Serrano Setty, of the law firm Myrna Serrano Setty PA, shared her expertise during a WOW-TOO Zoom meeting, arranged by the North Tampa Bay Chamber, on Aug. 19.

“I know that you’ve probably seen some of these infographics in recent months, tips that are out there from therapists and counselors, about reducing our COVID anxiety. I feel like our nation is still coming to grips with a new normal,” said Setty, who also plans to open an office in Lutz, in September.

Attorney Myrna Serrano Setty specializes in helping families with estate planning, probate, elder law and guardianship cases. She shared her expertise recently with members of WOW-TOO, which is part of the North Tampa Bay Chamber. (Courtesy of Myrna Serrano Setty)

“My perspective for you today is not coming from a place of fear and doom and gloom. It’s more of a way of reassuring you, with some ideas for things that you can control, through some of the tools that we have in estate planning.

“Focus on the things you can control. Lean on the right people to get that help and get that guidance,” said Setty, whose practice helps families with estate planning, probate, elder law and guardianship cases.

There are tangible ways to make sure that if you’re in a health crisis, the right people are informed and the right people are in charge, she said.

It’s possible to designate someone to be authorized to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf, if that becomes necessary, to be sure the bills are paid, legal issues are addressed and so on, she added.

By planning now, she said, “we can make the best of a hard situation.”

She offered those taking part in the Zoom meeting some food for thought.

For instance, she asked those listening: “Who are your health care decision-makers?

“In Florida, we’re able to legally document who our health care decision-makers are — and what those decisions should be in those end-of-life situations — by using tools like a designation of health care surrogate and a living will,” she said.

A designated health care decision-maker can act on your behalf when there’s an emergency and doctors don’t think you’re going to get any better, and there’s a choice to keep you on life support or withdraw your care, Setty said.

It is important to keep those documents up-to-date and to make sure the person you have designated is still the person you prefer, and that he or she remains capable and willing to act on your behalf.

Another document that’s helpful is a durable power of attorney, Setty said.

That document allows someone you know and trust to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf.

“One of the ideas that’s out there that’s a myth is that if you sign a power of attorney that you are losing your power. That’s not true,” Setty said.

Choose that person wisely, she said, but added that you always have the power to change or revoke it.

The durable power of attorney can be especially helpful if someone has elderly parents, who need help in managing their finances, she said.

Setty said that parents should consider legally naming guardians for their children.

As a parent of two young girls, herself, she said:  “I want to have that peace of knowing that if something happened to me and my husband, that I’ve already legally named the people that I want to be able to raise my girls and take care of them.

“It’s a big gift for your family to have those things settled,” she added.

“You’re able to legally nominate guardians for your kids in a will, or a stand-alone document that is filed with the court,” she said.

Be sure documents are up-to-date
Setty also encouraged the audience to be sure to organize their documents, so that they’re easy to find, and up-to-date, in case someone needs to intervene.

Be sure the beneficiaries you have on any policies or accounts match up with your current desires, she said. They also should be compatible with the intentions outlined in your will, she added.

“Getting a handle now, on who is on your life insurance, or who’s on a bank account, that’s going to make a big difference during an emergency,” she said. “If you get really sick, or something worse happens, you don’t want your family to have to sift through all of that.”

Reviewing these documents also can help you to catch things, and make corrections or take necessary actions, she said.

“I can’t tell you how many cases I’ve had when someone comes in and they thought they were on the house with their husband and they weren’t. That can have huge consequences, financially and otherwise,” she said.

Setty also explained the differences between a will and a trust.

“A will I think of as kind of like a roadmap, as to who gets what, if you pass away.

“A trust is a way for you to manage money, or a property for someone else’s benefit.

“I think of it like a bucket. Whoever is holding the handle of that bucket — they’re the trustee, and the stuff you put inside is things like accounts, or other properties for someone else’s benefit.

“The reason they should be updated is because, over time, your life changes, your relationship changes, your planning goals might change and also the people that you want to put in charge, change.

“We want to make sure that these types of things change, as we change. So, that when they have to be used, they’re really helping. They’re helping our family. They’re really fitting our situation,” she said.

She also touched on the topic of probate.

“Through your lifetime, you’ve made sacrifices and you’ve acquired things. Some of those things can automatically pass to your family, if you were to pass away.

“And, some things don’t. They have to pass through the court system.

“I think of probate as kind of like a highway that can have mandatory stops, and sometimes twists and turns that we don’t expect.

“If we have a will, it directs who is supposed to inherit at the end. Some things go through probate, some things don’t.

“For example, life insurance or a retirement account, those things can pass to our family members or other people we have chosen as beneficiaries through beneficiary designations. But, other things like real estate or certain bank accounts, they do have to go through the court system,” she said.

“My role is to guide you as to what to expect,” she said. “When we do a good job planning, things are just more smooth for everyone.”

If you would like to reach out to Setty, her email is . Her office number is (813) 902-3189.

Published September 02, 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

COVID-19 prompts local face mask requirements

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As Florida’s positive COVID-19 cases continue to climb, local officials are taking action to require the wearing of face coverings.

The requirements vary by jurisdictions.

Pasco County has joined the list of local governments imposing restrictions in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles issued an executive order on June 23, requiring everyone in Pasco County to use face coverings while indoors at a public business or county government facility. The order took effect immediately, with enforcement beginning on June 25.

While wearing an N95 mask for her safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, Linda McCabe, of Dade City, confirms the amount of food bags needed for one of the cars that showed up recently for the Pasco County school district’s free lunch program, at the Pasco High School. (File)

There are exceptions to the order, which include children under age 2 and anyone with an existing health condition that would be complicated by wearing a mask.

Pasco County Code Enforcement is enforcing the ordinance, focusing first on education.

Under Pasco’s order:

  • Face coverings should cover nose and mouth.
  • All businesses and county government facilities open to the public must comply.
  • Businesses must ensure compliance, with those found in violation facing a fine of up to $250.

The county also announced the availability of face masks at several locations.

Those wishing to report a violation should call (727) 847-2411, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pasco County Schools issued a statement in response to the county’s order, noting that while the order doesn’t apply to schools, the school district will require masks or face coverings for employees and visitors.

Masks or face coverings will be required for anyone visiting any district school or work site open to the public, according to the district’s news release.

The county order and school district’s directive will remain in place indefinitely and both are subject to change as circumstances change.

These actions follow requirements imposed by the Emergency Policy Group of Hillsborough County, which voted 5-3 on June 22, to require face coverings be worn by customers and employees in indoor spaces of businesses, when social distancing of 6 feet cannot be achieved.

That order is automatically set to expire within 7 days of its adoption, unless renewed.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor imposed a face covering order on June 19, also requiring masks when inside any business within the city of Tampa, when not maintaining social distancing, excluding family members or companions.

Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees also has issued an advisory recommending “all individuals in Florida should wear face coverings in any setting where social distancing is not possible” and discouraging social gatherings of more than 50 people.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber notified its members about the requirements for face coverings, providing links to the various government jurisdictions for more information.

The chamber also offered its members the opportunity to contact its office to obtain some free masks, through touchless pickup. The masks are being made available through the chamber’s partnership with the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Pasco County.

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) also issued updated safety and operating guidance for members of the hospitality industry, to ensure the safety of employees and guests.

The FRLA is strongly encouraging all Florida residents and visitors to wear masks in public spaces, including at restaurants and hotels, and to practice social distancing.

“Ensuring employee and guest safety is of the utmost importance,” Carol Dover, the FRLA’s president and CEO said, in a news release.

“All Florida businesses must do everything possible to contribute to the health and safety of our communities. We are strongly urging all Floridians to adhere to statewide Executive Orders, comply with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and other business regulators, follow CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the Florida Department of Health recommendations on mask-wearing and social distancing. These collective efforts will help ensure the safety of all Floridians and our visitors,” Dover said.

Information available on the afternoon of June 26 showed that Florida had a total of 122,960 positive cases, including 8,993 on June 25. The state recorded 3,336 deaths of Florida residents and 98 deaths of non-residents.

Hillsborough County had 8,108 cases, including 7,941 Florida residents and 77 non-Florida residents.

The figures for Pasco County stood at 1,326 cases, including 1,314 Florida residents and 12 non-residents.

The median age of those testing positive was 35 statewide, compared to a median age of 31 in Hillsborough County. Pasco County’s median age for those testing positive mirrored the state’s age of 34.

Published July 1, 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

Brewery aims to become Wesley Chapel ‘gem’

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If all goes according to plan, Florida Avenue Brewing will open in Wesley Chapel by next spring.

It aims to become “a destination, a gem,” said Anthony Derby, the Founder and CEO of Brew Bus Brewing, located in Seminole Heights.

Brew Bus Brewing and Florida Avenue Brewing are affiliated, but Florida Avenue Brewing is considered to be the company’s flagship brand.

Anthony Derby is the founder and CEO of Brew Bus Brewing. (File)

And, while operations will continue in Seminole Heights, the Wesley Chapel location will be called Florida Avenue Brewing and will be known as the company’s flagship location.

The goal for the new Pasco County location is to create a place that people refer to as “a cool brewery,” Derby told those attending the North Tampa Bay Chamber economic development luncheon last week.

“The project that we’re building now is going to be able to do 60,000 barrels (a year). It will be the largest locally owned brewery in the state of Florida,” Darby said.

The brewery wants to be a place where people gather to drink , to eat, to play games — such as  bocce ball and cornhole — to listen to music, to watch sports, to celebrate special events, or to just hang out in the beer garden, he added.

He’s excited about the possibilities.

The brewery will operate in a 32,000-square-foot building, formerly known as Sports + Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive.

“For us, it’s kind of a blank slate. We’re going to be able to do a lot of really cool things,” Derby said, noting he wants to incorporate the best elements of what he’s seen at breweries across the United States.

The company is making a sizable investment.

“Before we open the doors, we’ll have spent about $10 million on the project,” Derby said. That includes land acquisition, new equipment and building improvements. Over the course of the next five years, he expects the company to invest another $2 million to $3 million.

There will be an open kitchen, and also a larger closed kitchen.

Part of the brewery will have community seating, on a first-come, first-served basis — promoting a come-and-go vibe. And, a small space will be devoted to a more formal dining setting.

There will be a private event space, too, accommodating about 100 seated guests, or between 150 to 200 standing, Derby said. That area will have three huge sliders that open to a private beer garden.

Plus, a 3,500-square-foot outdoor beer garden is planned, too.

“We’re not building any new structures, but a lot of internal modifications need to happen,” Derby said.

“We are painting the entire façade, almost a whitewash brick with a gray metal roof and then some red or burnt orange accents.”

The entrance to the building will be moved.

Glass is being installed, so guests will be able to see into the brewery from the outside, and also from the dining room.

“We’re upgrading our water line from a 2-inch to a 4-inch,” he said, to support brewing operations. Additional power is needed, too, so an additional transformer is being added.

To preserve parking, they’re paving a roadway to enable valet parking for the special events area.

On the brewery side, all of the equipment will be new, including its canning line, which will be imported from Italy. It will be able to do about 250 cans a minute, compared to the company’s current canning line that does 50 cans a minute.

A grain silo is planned, on the State Road 56 side, to allow the brewery to buy grain in bulk.

Besides getting the site ready for the business, the company also will be hiring about 50 employees. That’s in addition to its 53 current employees in Seminole Heights, Derby said.

Jobs will include such roles as a lab manager, a general manager, an assistant general manager, an event coordinator and hourly employees, such as bartenders and servers.

Plans call for being open daily, with doors opening at 11 a.m. Closing times will be set, as the business dictates.

Published October 30, 2019