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Pasco is ushering in 2021 with more shops, restaurants

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Shopping centers along State Road 54 and State Road 56 are continuing to attract more new stores and restaurants.

The Cypress Creek Town Center, Tampa Premium Outlets, The Preserve Marketplace, the Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard, Starkey Ranch Town Square, Starkey Ranch Business Center, The Shops at Wiregrass and the Grove at Wesley Chapel are building and remodeling in anticipation of new openings.

New shops and restaurants are opening or coming soon at the Starkey Ranch Town Square, at Gunn Highway and State Road 54 in Odessa. (Kathy Steele)

Total Wine & More is moving into the Cypress Creek Town Center in space formerly occupied by the Earth Fare grocery store.

The building, at 25535 Sierra Center Blvd., will undergo “interior alteration” for a remodel, according to a permit filed with Pasco County.

The town center, at the juncture of Interstate 75 and state roads 54 and 56, soon also will have a grand opening for Floor & Décor, now under construction on Sierra Center Boulevard. And, a Good Feet Store is on tap for the boulevard, too, according to county records.

A Hooters restaurant is under construction at the Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard at State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway.

Across from the town center, construction is underway on an outparcel at Tampa Premium Outlets for a Tidal Wave Car Wash. A Zaxby’s restaurant also is anticipated. Recent arrivals at the outdoor mall include Main Event, Cigars International and Rock & Brew restaurant.

Along State Road 54, west of U.S. 41, online shopping will get a boost from an Amazon shipping center under construction at 17030 Mentmore Blvd. The facility is within the Bexley by Newland master-planned community, at the intersection with Bexley Village Drive.

E sushi & grill is open at the Starkey Ranch Town Square, at Gunn Highway and State Road 54 in Odessa.

The Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard, west of Bexley, is completing a makeover with a Hooters restaurant under construction. And, Pasco County just sealed a deal to bring Santander Consumer USA to occupy a portion of the former Target Superstore. The deal includes bringing 875 new jobs to the county.

Rasmussen College also previously submitted plans to the county, indicating it would occupy 44,000 square feet in the former big box retail store.

Further west, The Preserve Marketplace and two shopping centers by Starkey Ranch, off State Road 54, have construction work in progress. But, some shops and restaurants are open.

Amazon is building a shipping center at 17030 Mentmore Blvd., at the Bexley at Newland community, off State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway.

CVS Pharmacy is open at The Preserve, along with the anchor grocery store, Greenwise. Majik Touch Cleaners is open, and 100 % Chiropractic is coming soon. Other businesses coming are Heartland Dental,  Chipotle, Panera Bread and Papa John’s.

At Gunn Highway and State Road 54, Publix is the anchor of the Starkey Ranch Town Square. Other tenants include e sushi & grill, J. Joseph Salon, The UPS Store, Polish The Nail Bar, and Zampelli’s Pizza and Pasta restaurant.

At Heart Pine Avenue, the Starkey Ranch Business Center hosts shops and restaurants including The Wicked Pour, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Yoga Six and Hungry Greek restaurant.

Tidal Wave Car Wash is under construction on an outparcel at Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 54.

The Shops at Wiregrass, off State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs, and the Grove at Wesley Chapel, off State Road 54 west of Interstate 75, both are welcoming new stores and restaurants, too.

The Grove is in the midst of a major makeover, in progress, following the $64 million purchase of the shopping center by Mishorim Gold Properties in 2019.

The company is investing more than $110 million to renovate the Grove. Plans include a shipping container park – known as KRATE – with shops, offices and restaurants. A stage will feature daily live entertainment. A dog park and a playground will build on the overall design in promoting a community place in Wesley Chapel.

On its Facebook page, the Grove recently began teasing to future tenants at the container park with the “12 Days of KRATEmas.” Among the tenants are 365 Café Italiano; ATO, specializing in sushi and burritos; Provisions, with specialty coffees and an artisan café menu; and The Cake Girl.

Floor & Décor will open soon at Cypress Creek Town Center in a shopping center on Sierra Center Boulevard. Also, a Total Wine & More is slated to move into the Earth Fare space.

RAW, a workspace collaborative, held a grand opening Dec. 3.

In addition, Prime Barbershop and Brooklyn Water Bagels recently opened. King of the Coop, a Nashville hot chicken eatery, soon will open, too, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page. It will be the second location for King of the Coop, currently located in the restaurant-rich Seminole Heights neighborhood in Tampa.

County permits also show Best NY Pizza Worx is coming to 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd., in the Grove.

The Shops at Wiregrass has opened, or will soon open, 11 new shops, according to a news release from the mall.

New shops are Beauty In Abundance, a beauty, hair care and make-up shop; Crimson Chain Leatherworks, specializing in costumes and accessories for Renaissance fairs, fantasy and historical reenactments; and Arega NY, a swim and activewear boutique.

Additional stores include a lululemon Pop-Up, specializing in yoga-inspired and athletic clothes for women and men; Chuck Lager’s American Tavern, a family restaurant with a classic menu of pasta and burgers; GO! Calendars Games and Toys; Ornament Shoppe, with decorative and personalized ornament selections; Design Hut, a boutique with personalized gifts including custom shirts; Hickory Farms, featuring cured meats, cheeses, wine pairings and hand-picked fruits; and, Fit2Run, a superstore with brand name athletic footwear, running apparel and accessories.

Sephora, a makeup and accessories boutique, is slated to open in spring 2021.

By Kathy Steele

Published December 23, 2020

Pasco keeps growing, despite COVID-19

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Business in Pasco County is coming back to life as residents, weary of a pandemic-enforced lockdown, venture back to the world of shopping and dining.

There are hopeful signs for commercial rebirth.

Continued residential growth in Bexley by Newland Communities generates foot traffic for nearby shops, restaurants, grocery stores and other small businesses. (B.C. Manion)

Neon “open” signs are visible in storefronts.

Banners planted at the roadside’s edge wave at passing motorists.

Parking lots at malls and shopping centers are filling up again.

But, it’s not just the established businesses that are reviving Pasco’s economy. Business owners and developers continue to invest in new retail especially along one of the county’s busiest east/west corridors – State Road 54 and State Road 56.

On State Road 54, west of U.S. 41, The Preserve Marketplace and two retail centers at Starkey Ranch are adding shops, restaurants, health care services, and offices.

At Bexley Ranch, in Land O’ Lakes, land is being cleared and leveled on Lot A for the Bexley South Office Park, off Bexley Village Drive, near Springhill Suites.

A Crunch Fitness is scheduled to open Aug. 25, off State Road 54 in Trinity.

This sign signals future plans for a car wash, just south of the new Aldi that opened at Cypress Creek Town Center. (B.C. Manion)

Meanwhile, on the State Road 54/56 corridor east of U.S. 41, there are new developments, too.

Near the juncture of State Road 56 and Interstate 75, a banner announces that Tidal Wave Auto Spa is coming to an outparcel at Tampa Premium Outlets.

In the same general area, Main Event, a 50,000-square-foot entertainment venue, celebrated its grand opening less than two weeks ago.

And, another Crunch Fitness is planning to open in October in the old Winn-Dixie location, off Collier Parkway and State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

The Collier Parkway location is a great choice for a fitness gym because it’s along a high traffic corridor, said Geoff Dyer, president of Crunch Fitness. “It’s in the heart of the (Land O’ Lakes) neighborhood,” he said.

Crunch Fitness is planning to open a gym in October in the former Winn-Dixie grocery store, at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway. An employee manned a display outside the site to take membership applications. Another Crunch Fitness is opening Aug. 25, off State Road 54, in Trinity. (Kathy Steele)

During the COVID-19 shutdown, work continued on the Trinity and Land O’ Lakes locations, Dyer said, adding, “for all intents and purposes, we haven’t seen any slow-down in our developments.”

He noted that Crunch Fitness gyms shut down for about two months at the start of the pandemic, but now the gyms are open and adhering to safety guidelines of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Membership has returned to about 95% of what it was pre-shutdown,” Dyer said.

While activity, in general, appears to be picking up and new construction continues to kick up dirt — a cloud hovers over business decisions due to the uncertain nature of COVID-19.

Ralph Santell and his family moved to Starkey Ranch and began plans to open Santelli Pizza & Pasta nearly three years ago. They saw the growth happening in Pasco.

His storefront is at Starkey Ranch Town Square, a plaza located at State Road 54 and Gunn Highway. A few tenants in the center, including J. Joseph Salon, are open.

Santelli Pizza & Pasta will open around September at Starkey Ranch Town Square, at State Road 54 and Gunn Highway. (Kathy Steele)

Santell plans to open by September, possibly with outdoor dining and takeout. He said he’ll decide closer to opening whether he’ll initially offer indoor dining.

“That (COVID-19) has been an extra challenge that influences things on a daily basis,” Santell said. “It’s been hard to navigate the whole COVID-19 situation. We take it one day at a time.”

Santell also owns a restaurant in the Westchase subdivision in Hillsborough County. That restaurant closed, then reopened, but is now closed again — except for takeout.

Another Starkey Ranch retail center at State Road 54 and Heart Pine Avenue – Starkey Ranch Business Park – also has a roster of tenants slated to open, including The Wicked Pour, Tropical Smoothie Café and Hungry Greek.

The pandemic slowed opening plans, but construction on the retail park is nearly finished.

“All of these are coming along,” said Matt Call, project director for Starkey Ranch. “With COVID-19, things take a bit longer.”

Additional outparcels at both retail centers are available for development — though it could take longer to get projects going, Call added.

Typically, residential construction is a key to spurring on new retail, Call said.

He said Starkey Ranch and Bexley by Newland are the top residential sellers in the Tampa Bay area. Together, they add about 800 residential units annually to Pasco, he said.

Work is underway on the Bainbridge Sunlake, an upscale apartment development, being built at Mentmore Boulevard and State Road 54, next to The Shoppes at Sunlake Centre. (B.C. Manion)

Pasco also is on an apartment building spree with about nine complexes planned or under construction.

Near the Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center, Brightwork Crossing apartment complex is attracting new renters to the commercial epicenter of the Wesley Chapel area.

Two Altis apartment complexes, one by Wiregrass Ranch on State Road 56 and a second on South Branch Boulevard at Starkey Ranch, are adding to Pasco tenant population.

Bainbridge Sunlake is an upscale apartment complex being built at State Road 54, and Mentmore Boulevard, next to The Shoppes at Sunlake Centre.

A new standalone Starbucks is coming soon to the Sunlake shopping center, as well.

Retail developments, including The Preserve Marketplace, are adding new tenants, including the recently opened anchor store – Greenwise. Majik Touch Cleaners is open, too.

Other tenants with plans to open include Chipotle, Heartland Dental and CVS Pharmacy.

“It’s going to be a cool little plaza when it’s done,” Call said. “I think Pasco is going to continue to grow. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

What’s happening along State Road 54
Here are some of the office, retail or residential developments that have opened or are in progress along State Road 54.

Construction on a dental office is nearing completion at Starkey Ranch Town Square, at State Road 54 and Gunn Highway. (Kathy Steele)

The Preserve Marketplace (State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway)

  • Greenwise Market, owned by Publix, is a specialty grocery store offering an array of organic and natural food products.
  • TouchPoint Medical manufactures medical dispensing equipment, including high-tech carts.
  • Organic Nails offers nail art and design services.
  • Heartland Dental provides administrative support and career development services among a network of dental partnerships
  • CVS Pharmacy is a national chain of drugstores.
  • Majik Touch Cleaners provides laundry and dry-cleaning services in Pasco and the Tampa Bay area.
  • Sport Clips provides haircuts for men and boys.
  • Panera Bread is a national chain that serves sandwiches, salads and pastries.
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill is a national chain restaurant serving made-to-order burritos, tacos, wraps and salads.
The Wicked Pour and Hungry Greek will open soon at Starkey Ranch Business Park, at State Road 54 and Heart Pine Avenue. (Kathy Steele)

Starkey Ranch Business Park (State Road 54 and Heart Pine Avenue)

  • The Wicked Pour is a craft beer, wine and taproom with board games, giant Jenga and cornhole.
  • Hungry Greek is a casual restaurant chain offering fast Greek food.
  • Urgent Vet offers after-hours care for pet illnesses and emergencies.
  • Abela Story, a women’s boutique, offers trendy styles for all tastes, and accessories.
  • Encore Nail Salon provides nail art and design, and other services.
  • Chase Bank is a full-service bank.
  • YogaSix is a hot yoga-style studio.
E sushi and Grill, a Japanese restaurant, is expected to open soon at Starkey Ranch Town Square, at State Road 54 and Gunn Highway. (Kathy Steele)

Starkey Ranch Town Square (State Road 54 and Gunn Highway)

  • Santelli Pizza & Pasta is a family-owned Italian restaurant with pizzas and pasta dishes.
  • E sushi & Grill is a Japanese restaurant.
  • J. Joseph Salon is a luxury hair salon.
  • Great Clips is a discount, walk-in hair salon.
  • Quality Plus Cleaners provides laundry and dry-cleaning services.
  • The UPS Store offers mailing, printing and mailbox services.
  • A dental office, which has not yet been identified, is on the outparcel across from Santelli Pizza.

Published July 29, 2020

Helping others at the holidays, and all year-long

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As the holidays approach — a big holiday meal — can help create a festive feel.

But, for some families, those kind of feasts are beyond their financial reach.

Jackie Smack, a volunteer with the Neighborhood Care Center, places a pair of pants on a hanger, and works them onto the rack inside the center’s clothing department. Smack has been volunteering at the center for five years. She said she feels blessed to help others in need. (Christine Holtzman)

That’s where The Neighborhood Care Center, in Zephyrhills, comes in.

It has been helping families at the holidays — and throughout the year — for more than two decades.

During the holidays, the care center seeks to help its recipients have the makings of a traditional holiday meal. For Thanksgiving, for instance, it plans to provide families with a frozen ham or chicken, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn muffin mix, and pies. At Christmas, it provides recipients with turkey and all of the trimmings. Last year, it gave away 125 turkeys during the holidays.

But, helping others at the holidays is just a small part of what The Neighborhood Care Center does.

The organization sees a need and tries to address it.

“There’s always been a big problem of people not having everything they need – not having the money to buy it,” said Leanne Bickford, the nonprofit’s director, and also a volunteer.

The First Baptist Church in Zephyrhills began the initiative in 1993 to combat hunger and other dire circumstances that Zephyrhills residents face.

Now, a quarter-century later, the care center is still going strong.

It has an open pantry on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Each room at the center is stocked to address specific needs.

Children’s toys take up a portion of the bottom shelf of stacked canned goods, inside the warehouse of the Neighborhood Care Center. The canned goods on these shelves are reserved for the recipients of the center, to provide the makings of a Thanksgiving meal. The items consist mostly of canned pumpkin, pineapple, apple, and yams.

There’s a place for nonperishable foods and frozen meats. And, places for toys, furniture, clothing, tools, kitchen appliances and hygiene products.

Care center volunteers pride themselves on quality control, when it comes to accepting donations, Bickford said.

“My motto that I’ve tried to drill into everybody is ‘If you wouldn’t put it in your house, don’t take it’,” the director said.

The pantry relies solely on donations.

The contributions come from churches, local organizations and individuals —  including snowbirds.

Most of the food items come from the National Association of Letter Carriers food drive which occurs in May. That supply typically lasts until September.

Other donations come from Meals on Wheels, Panera Bread and Publix.

Dozens of gently used men’s, women’s and children’s shoes are neatly arranged on metal racks in the center’s shoe department.

Food is distributed as quickly as it comes in.

And, on any given day, 50 people or more may show up to receive furniture or clothing.

The service area for the center is restricted to Zephyrhills, because it can’t meet the needs of the entire county.

Beneficiaries must apply to receive items, but exceptions are made for homeless people who lack proper documents and photo IDs.

Sometimes the help goes beyond donated items, Bickford said.

“We’re not a full-fledged food pantry,” Bickford explained. “We are for emergency purposes – if they’re between food stamps or they come down from up north with nothing.”

When people are short on funds for utility and electric bills, or prescriptions, the care center can help to cover the expenses.

“I’ve had a mother come in with one child and they’re getting $350 worth of food stamps,” Bickford said. “Something is not right with this picture.”

Various churches allocate funds to the nonprofit in order to provide this assistance.

When the care center is unable to provide needed help, it makes referrals to other organizations, such as The Samaritan Project or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Volunteers Jackie Smack, left, and Leanne Bickford, who is also the center’s director, take a break from sorting the day’s donated items.

It also directs people to Zephyr Park to receive hot meals from local churches.

Bickford tries to get the word out about the care center when she speaks at various establishments, or in her daily encounters with strangers.

In addition to holiday meals, the care center also helps families to have happy holidays in other ways.

As Christmas approaches, the care center will host a Kids Shopping Day.

The Dec. 7 event, from 9 a.m. to noon, allows youth to pick out gifts for their parents.

Care center volunteers are hoping for a big turn-out to that event.

In the long-term, the goal is to find a bigger building to facilitate the growing number of donations.

Bickford put it like this: “There’s a big need, and I’m glad that we’re here to help (fill) that void.”

In helping others, she emphasizes the importance of preserving the recipients’ dignity.

“I keep telling people, ‘We need to treat these people the same way you want to be treated, because we never know when we could be coming in that door looking for help.

“We might be volunteering here right now, but you don’t know what’s in store tomorrow,” Bickford said.

For further information, call the care center at (813) 780-6822.

Helping others in need
Where: The Neighborhood Care Center, 5140 Sixth St., Zephyrhills
When: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon
Details: Zephyrhills residents in need can find an array of free items, including  food, clothes, kitchen supplies and furniture at the center.
Info: Call (813) 780-6822.

Published November 27, 2019

Love One Another serves up food, and kindness

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It’s not uncommon for generous acts to surface during the holiday, especially charitable gestures for those who are less fortunate.

But, when you have a group that guarantees a hot plate every Sunday throughout the year, that’s not such a common thing.

That’s precisely what an organization called Love One Another has been doing for 10 years.

The Rev. Dayan Machado, left, of St. Rita Catholic Church, and Ed Laezza, a coordinator for Love One Another, are all smiles as they welcome people to Pasco County Nutrition Center on Dec. 16 for a meal served by the Love One Another ministry. (Richard Riley)

The ministry serves meals every Sunday at the Pasco County Nutrition Center, 13853 15th St., in Dade City.

It feeds whomever walks through the door.

Lucy Avila helped to found Love One Another.

She said it all began with a simple idea brought up during a staff meeting at the First Baptist Church, where she attends.

Initially, it was a program aimed at feeding only the homeless.

Flyers were placed around the city to get the word out.

In the beginning, organizers planned for 100 people, but only 10 showed up.

The First Baptist Church supplied and prepared the meals for the first five months, but then decided to reach out to other churches in Dade City, asking them to help.

The churches responded.

Now, in addition to First Baptist Church, other churches pitching in are St. Rita Catholic Church, Calvary Assembly of God, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church and Dade City Christian Church.

“It’s really a joint venture, but it’s all to promote Jesus Christ,” explained Jesse O’ Berry, a volunteer who attends Dade City Christian Church.

Each Sunday, a different church prepares and serves the meals.

Besides expanding the ministry, the organization also began opening its doors to anyone who wanted to come to enjoy a hot dish.

Kevin Yawn, left, and his brother, Joey, enjoy a nice hot meal with their longtime friend, Ben Lehman.

There’s also a food pantry — so those attending can take home items to last them through the week, and they can select items from a collection of clothing and personal hygiene items.

Offering these items, Avila said, benefits people who are limited financially and who are sometimes are forced to make the difficult choice between buying groceries or prescription medicines.

Ithzi Diaz, a mother of four, has been enjoying the hot meals for three years now.

With scarce resources, she said it’s a struggle to provide for her children.

The ministry has been a source of real help, she said.

“It’s just a relief to have places like this,” Diaz said. “It’s hard for a single mom.”

And, besides being able to take home groceries to help her family, she also can pick up treats for the pet cat.

This time of year, the Nutrition Center has a holiday feel. There’s a decorated Christmas tree behind a table of pantry items, and the tables are neatly set with holiday-themed tablecloths.

The desserts even include some colorful cookies, shaped like ornaments.

Avila is grateful for the year-round generosity of those who sustain the ministry.

“I’m so thankful that people have contributed to make these things happen,” Avila said.

Donors include the nonprofit organization Restored Hope, and Panera Bread. A fitness center also helps, by providing canned goods and pet food.

Schools pitch in, too. Pasco Middle School, Centennial Middle School and Centennial Elementary School all contribute canned goods on Fridays.

Students from Saint Leo University volunteer occasionally, too.

In addition to the Sunday meals, Love One Another also helps other organizations, when it has a surplus of food.

“If there’s a need out there, and we can help somebody else because we’ve been blessed, then we pass that on,” Avila said.

Ithzi Diaz, left, has some great company for her Sunday meal, as she is joined by her children Daniel, Melina, Diana, Angie and Owen.

Forty-one-year-old Joey Yawn has witnessed Love One Another’s good works, and tries to emulate them. He’s been attending the Sunday meals for the past 10 years.

The Dade City man said he’s willing to open his home to others in need because the organization has helped him.

In addition to providing a welcome meal, the program has created a community, where friendships are formed and people care about each other, Yawn said.

He recalled one instance someone gave him some eggs and he passed them along to a single mom, so she could take them home.

Over time, Yawn has managed to get his brother, Kevin, and a friend, Ben Lehman, to come to the Sunday dinners.

“It’s been a blessing that God has put this in our lives because, without this, a lot of us would probably go hungry during the week,” the 20-year-old Lehman said.

Like his friend, he too has learned the meaning of sharing love and compassion to others.

“If I see a homeless guy on the way and I have a bag, I try to give him something,” he explained, quoting the Golden Rule.

When people ask him why he has such a joyful spirit, he tells them he can only attribute it to having a close relationship with God.

Many of those attending a recent Sunday gathering felt the same way as Vonette Mobley, who said, “Everybody that we meet, they’re very nice and make us feel like we’re family.”

Vonette Mobley smiles, while holding her granddaughter, Destiny, who is enjoying a candy cane.

Mobley, who initially came because she was invited by Avila, said she always felt respected and welcome.

There’s never been a sense of being looked down on, Mobley said. She has always felt like an equal.

She brings along her two daughters, Jasmine and Moesha, plus her granddaughter, Destiny.

“I was wondering earlier — ‘What am I going to cook for a Sunday meal?’ — and then my kids said, ‘Mom, just go to Love One Another’,” she said, chuckling.

Besides the meal and company, those attending often get something else, too: News of free events that will be coming up soon in the community, such as the Dade City Symphony or the Christmas Parade.

Plus, at the beginning of each month, there’s also a cake to celebrate those having a birthday that month.

At Love One Another gatherings, there’s food for the body, and soul.

For more information on Love One Another, contact Lucy Avila at (352) 424-4972 or at .

Love One Another
Where: Pasco County Nutrition Center, 13853 15th St., Dade City
When: Every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Hot meals and desserts are provided at the center, as well as clothing, hygienic products and additional groceries to take home.
Info: If you’d like to know more about Love One Another, or you’d like to help, please contact Lucy Avila at (352) 424-4972 or at .

Published December 26, 2018

Cancer survivor wins scholarships, offers prevention advice

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Cailyn Ruff was a senior at Sunlake High School, in Land O’ Lakes, when she felt an odd bump on her head.

That was about a year-and-a-half ago.

“It was like a big mole,” the 19-year-old said. “I saw it through my part line. It looked funny. It would bleed.”

As it grew, she became concerned and brought it to the attention of her dermatologist.

Next, came a biopsy.

Cailyn Ruff, who lives in Lutz, was a senior at Sunlake High School when she found out she had a rare form of melanoma. She underwent a successful surgery and is cancer-free, but she wants to remind others of the importance of wearing sunscreen and hats to protect themselves from too much sun. She wants to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and recently received some scholarships to help pay for her studies. (B.C. Manion)

“It was a good three weeks before we got the first results, saying they were inconclusive. It was not something they were used to seeing. So, they actually sent it to the USF (University of South Florida) doctors.

“The dermatologist said ‘You better get a second opinion.’

Her mom, Kim Carpintier, recalled how scary that was.

It took two weeks to get her into Moffitt Cancer Center, and when they did, they were told that the young woman needed surgery immediately.

“They were worried that it had spread to her lymph nodes,” Carpintier said.

If more time had passed, Ruff would have faced chemotherapy.

As it was, surgery was performed to remove the melanoma, the surrounding area and six of her lymph nodes.

“Moffitt told her that she’s one of two kids that they’ve ever seen with this form of melanoma,” Carpintier said.

After the surgery, Ruff said, “I was in pain for a long time.”

It took her about two months to regain full mobility in her head and neck.

Still, she knows how lucky she is.

“Nothing got infected,” she said. “By March, I was 100 percent myself.”

While they do not know what caused the melanoma to form on her head, Ruff and Carpintier suspect it could have been a result from being exposed to the sun for long hours, when Ruff was a cheerleader and when she ran cross-country.

Both mother and daughter said that schools may want to suggest that students who are out in the sun for hours wear a hat and protect themselves with sunscreen.

“No one thinks to wear sunscreen and a hat during school events because you get out of school and you change, and you go and do what you have to do,” said Ruff, who is now a student at the University of South Florida.

She plans to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and said that’s partially due to the excellent care she received from nurses at Moffitt.

Her career choice also has been influenced by her current job as a vision therapist at Walesby Vision Center, on State Road 54 in Lutz.

She has worked with both children and adults, both for both everyday issues and various disorders, she said. She works primarily with children, performing vision therapy with children experiencing challenges such as visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Many of the children she serves have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other medical conditions.

Ruff began working at Walesby to earn volunteer hours, but she was so good with children she was offered a job, Carpintier said.

Recently, Ruff received a $5,500 scholarship through an essay contest sponsored by Panera Bread and the Children’s Cancer Center. The awards were presented at the Palma Ceia Country Club in south Tampa.

Ruff’s mom was impressed by the event.

“It was beautiful. They went above and beyond,” Carpintier said. It honored youths who have dealt with cancer, ranging from 16 to 20 years old.

The stories that were shared were touching, she said.

Ruff also has received two other scholarships, one from a Greek organization, and another from an Italian organization.

She hopes to continue her education in USF’s nursing program, but realizes that it’s very competitive, so will be applying elsewhere, too.

Her goal is to work at Tampa General Hospital in the pediatrics unit, or at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital or at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Ruff lives with her mom, Kim, her dad, Don Carpintier, and her sister, Meghan Ruff, in Lutz.

She’s grateful for all of the help and support she’s received.

Besides the scholarships, she also has received support from her grandparents, Carol and Bill Little, and her aunt, Lois Zapert, who all live in Lutz and her grandmother, Michele Carpintier, who lives in St. Petersburg.

Published May 23, 2018

Doggy dining now legal in Pasco County

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Pasco County now has an ordinance to permit doggy dining in outdoor areas of restaurants.

The Pasco County Commission adopted the new measure unanimously at its Nov. 28 meeting in New Port Richey.

A $50 permit fee was later approved on Dec. 12 in Dade City.

The commission’s action, however, is news to many area restaurants that already have been allowing patrons to enjoy a meal on their patios, with a tail-wagging companion lounging nearby.

It’s standard company policy at a number of restaurants. Yappy hours are popular as special events.

There are websites, too, that are devoted to marketing area restaurants that are dog-friendly, including BringFido.com and PascoPetFest.com.

BringFido provides information on dog-friendly hotels, as well as restaurants nationwide.

That site lists 17 Wesley Chapel restaurants that are dog-friendly, including Applebee’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, PDQ, Texas Roadhouse, Tijuana Flats, GrillSmith, and Panera Bread.

Dog-friendly restaurants on PascoPetFest.com include The Breakfast Nook, The Garden Café, Crab Shack Port Richey, and Pinchers Crab Shack.

Patrons at doggy dining spots throughout the county didn’t know anything was amiss, including Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“We’ve been taking our dog out for six months,” Starkey said, adding, “I’m glad to be legal.”

Melanie Armstrong, owner of The Garden Café in Dade City, is among those who hadn’t heard of the new rules put in place.

“I’d like to know the details on what I need to do to be compliant,” she said.

Her restaurant has a large outdoor patio. On average, Armstrong said one or two patrons a day dine with their dogs, and servers keep things sanitary.

The dogs have been well-behaved, and it’s never been a problem, she said. “We have such a big patio. We try to capitalize on that. We get regular customers that bring their dogs.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano initially raised the issue at the Aug. 15 commission meeting in Dade City. He said a couple of restaurant owners in Port Richey had inquired about doggy dining, and about getting a permit.

Now, those who are adding doggy dining and those who have already been offering it, must get the required $50 permit or face fines.

During the August discussion, Mike Moore, who was commission chairman at the time, called for a low fee.

“We don’t want to overcharge for a permit they’re going to hang on their wall,” Moore said.

Paperwork for the permit requires a drawing of where the doggy dining will take place, though it doesn’t have to be professionally done.

Commission members gladly approved the new ordinance.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Moore said. “You see it in a lot of cities and surrounding counties. It’s about time we get in the game.”

Just one person spoke against the ordinance during the public comment portion of the hearing.

“You have servers who are busy. They pick up dishes. The family has allowed the dog to eat off the dish,” said Port Richey resident Richard Wilkey.

The dogs could have fleas, and they might urinate or defecate, he said. “It’s just totally unacceptable.”

That prompted Mariano to ask an assistant county attorney for a recitation on the regulations in place to address Wilkey’s concerns.

The county’s permit follows the state’s lead on the issue. The state requires:

  • Servers who touch or pet a dog to wash their hands
  • Dogs to stay at ground level and be on a leash
  • Dogs to stay off chairs and tables, and to refrain from eating off plates
  • Provision of a sanitizer station, and cleanup kit for dog waste
  • Posting of the permit and explanatory signs in a public place

Commissioner Mariano also noted: “Food establishments have a choice to allow it or not.”

Published December 20, 2017

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding stores

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The Shops at Wiregrass is adding fresh faces to its retail lineup.

By the end of fall, the outdoor mall will host the grand openings of seven new stores.

The first three shops, Lola Perfume, Soleciety Sneaker Boutique, and 3D Musketeers Printing, already are open.

The Shops at Wiregrass is adding to its retail lineup, in an effort to keep up-to-date with customer desires. The regional shopping mall is adding stores including Irish 31, Lola Perfume and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop. (File Photo)
The Shops at Wiregrass is adding to its retail lineup, in an effort to keep up-to-date with customer desires. The regional shopping mall is adding stores including Irish 31, Lola Perfume and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop.
(File Photo)

VisionWorks, VomFASS Oils, Vinegars, Spirits & Wines, Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop, and Irish 31 will arrive in the next months.

“We’re continually working with our leasing department. We listen continually to our customers who tell us what they want,” said Greg Lenners, general manager at The Shops at Wiregrass. “We try to have a little bit of everything.”

The new shops are part of the routine of keeping a mall fresh and were planned ahead of the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets, Lenners said.

“We have to be very strategic with what we put in,” Lenners said. That’s true for every mall, including Tampa Premium Outlets, he noted.

Four outparcels at Wiregrass are still up for grabs, so additional announcements could happen this year, Lenners said.

Lola Perfume features brand-name fragrances for men and women, at a shop near Hollister’s.

Soleciety Sneaker Boutique, next to Zales, sells hard-to-find, limited edition sneakers.

VisionWorks is a national eye care chain that will open in fall 2016 on an outparcel in front of Moe’s Southwest Grill, near Barnes & Noble Booksellers. The shop sells exclusive brand-name frames, lenses, sunglasses and accessories, and provides eye health care, including examinations for corrective lenses or contacts.

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop will appeal to sweet tooths, at its spot near JC Penney. The shop, which is opening in spring, is a nostalgic trip back to the 1940s and ’50s, with a soda fountain flair. “It’s got a cool, hip flavor to it,” Lenners said.

Customers can browse the shelves for retro and gag gifts, concert and movie posters, and tin signs.

VomFASS Oils, Vinegars, Spirits & Wines will open in late spring near Center Court. The shop sells premium cooking oils, balsamics, vinegar specialties and an exclusive choice of fruit balsamic vinegars. Spirits, liqueurs and wines also will be available.

3D Musketeers Printing sells custom, color printed three-dimensional figurines.

Irish 31 is known to its customers at “The People’s Pub.” The ale house, near Panera Bread, will serve up traditional Irish food, vegetarian dishes, Southern favorites and comfort foods, along with a large selection of beers, wine and specialty cocktails.

The eatery’s name in part is from founder Jay Mize, who wore jersey number 31 as a member of the University of South Florida’s football squad. A fall opening is planned.

“It’s going to be a nice restaurant with Irish appeal to it,” said Lenners. “It will add extra flavor (to the mall).”

Published April 6, 2016

Lowe’s celebrates Land O’ Lakes opening

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Lowe’s, of Land O’ Lakes, is ready to throw open the doors to its new home improvement store on State Road 54. Work crews busied themselves last week with last-minute details to spruce up the landscaping and sweep clean what has been an active construction site.

The Lowe’s home improvement store at 21500 State Road 54 has scheduled a host of activities to celebrate its opening, beginning with a Pro Services Day set for April 16, which will also serve as the store’s ‘soft opening.’ (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
The Lowe’s home improvement store at 21500 State Road 54 has scheduled a host of activities to celebrate its opening, beginning with a Pro Services Day set for April 16, which will also serve as the store’s ‘soft opening.’
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

A week of celebrations will kick off with a Pro Services Day on April 16, to highlight the services and products that Lowe’s can provide business owners and their field representatives.

The community also is welcome to this “soft opening,” with store hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Food, demonstrations and a mystery gift card giveaway will be featured during the day.

“It’s a great opportunity for business owners to learn about the options Lowe’s has,” said Meredith Kleker, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a gracious way to extend the opportunities to help the business community feel part of the growth of this area.”

The 152,000-square-foot store is located at 21500 State Road 54, across from the Village Lakes Shopping Center. It is Pasco County’s third Lowe’s location.

Motorists will find new traffic signals at the entrance to Lowe’s that are meant to ease traffic in and out of the home improvement store, and the shopping center, as well.

Ongoing festivities will include a preview night on April 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with giveaways, a scavenger hunt, guided tours and refreshments from Benedetto’s.

A grand opening on April 23 will feature dignitaries from county government, the honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes and representatives of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The more traditional ribbon cutting will be given over to a “board cutting.”

“We’re really, really excited about the partnership (with Lowe’s),” said Kleker. “They’ve made a concerted effort to partner with businesses in our community.”

A Lowe’s Fest on April 25 will be an “all-out celebration,” according to a Lowe’s press release announcing the special opening events.

Marco’s Pizza, Pepe’s Cuban Café, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, and a dessert truck will provide food. Activities include interactive demonstrations, giveaways, a photo booth, a magician, a children’s craft station, a community hand print banner and a petting zoo.

There also will be a special safety demonstration.

Store hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with festivities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The regular store hours for this Lowe’s location will be Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Lowe’s opening events

Pro Services Day
Where: Lowe’s, 21500 State Road 54
When: April 16, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What: Pro Services Day is dedicated to business owners and their field representatives, but anyone is welcome.

Breakfast will be provided by Panera Bread at 7 a.m. Lunch will be from Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Manufacturing representatives will do product demonstrations, there will be giveaways and Lowe’s in-house specialists can help set up business accounts. Giveaways include mystery gift cards ranging from $5 to $500.

From here on, the store will be “soft opened.”

Regular store hours for this Lowe’s location will be Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Preview Night
When: April 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
What: A scavenger hunt, project starter giveaways, guided tours and refreshments by Benedetto’s.

Formal grand opening ceremony
When: April 23, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Who: Dignitaries from Pasco County, the honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes and members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the store’s opening.

Lowe’s Fest
When: April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
What: An all-out celebration featuring food from Marco’s pizza, Pepe’s Cuban Cafe, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que and a dessert truck. Activities will include interactive manufacturing demonstrations, giveaways, a photo booth, a magician, balloon art, face painting, a Build & Grow workshop, mystery gift card giveaways, a kids’ craft station, community hand print banner, a petting zoo and a demonstration by a fire safety inspector.

Published April 15, 2015

Panera Bread opens on State Road 54 Nov. 7

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Sandwiches, soups, coffees — and the sweet aromas that come with it.

That’s what travelers on State Road 54 will find beginning Nov. 7 with the opening of the area’s newest Panera Bread.

A worker helps install a sign for the new Panera Bread location opening at 23388 State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes on Nov. 7. The fourth such store in Pasco County, this Panera Bread will offer customers a drive-thru. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
A worker helps install a sign for the new Panera Bread location opening at 23388 State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes on Nov. 7. The fourth such store in Pasco County, this Panera Bread will offer customers a drive-thru. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

Located at 23388 State Road 54, not far from the 7-Eleven, this is the fourth Panera Bread to open in Pasco County, bringing jobs to 60 managers, bakers and associates.
“Our concept has been embraced throughout Pasco County for nearly a decade, and we look forward to sharing our signature Panera warmth here in Lutz,” said Dee Pallardy, a joint venture partner with Panera Bread, in a statement. “Panera is thrilled to open our newest Tampa-area bakery café in such a dynamic community.”

The new Panera Bread will become one of more than 1,700 such stores in North America. Last year, the company opened 123 new locations around the country, and pacing themselves at about 30 a quarter.

Panera Bread started in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co., changing its name to Panera Bread in the late 1990s. Now it’s earning $1.7 billion in revenue so far this year alone, up 11 percent from last year.

Its primary competitors are Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts, both of which dwarf Panera Bread when it comes to number of locations and revenue. Starbucks has nearly 21,000 locations worldwide, while Dunkin’ Donuts boasts 15,000.

The new location on State Road 54 will feature a drive-thru, only the second one in the region to have that after the Panera Bread location on West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Tampa.

For more information about Panera Bread, its menu and hours, visit PaneraBread.com.