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Tampa Premium Outlets

New retail coming soon to Cypress Creek Town Center

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Cypress Creek Town Center is adding new retail to its commercial roster.

Several new tenants, including Crumbl Cookies and Zukku Sushi, will soon occupy storefronts along Sierra Center Boulevard at Cypress Creek Town Center. (Kathy Steele)

Though COVID-19 hit a pause button for the Pasco County community, construction workers are still building out new space for shops, restaurants and offices at the town center. Located across from Tampa Premium Outlets on State Road 56, the outdoor mall is at the epicenter of new development in the Wesley Chapel and Lutz areas of the county.

Anticipated tenants in a new strip center along Sierra Center Boulevard include Crumbl Cookies, Zukku Sushi, Charles Schwab, and IVX Health, according to county records.

Construction is underway on a stand-a-lone La-Z-Boy.

European Wax Center, and Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming already are open.

European Wax Center provides a range of waxing services for the entire body.

Two previously announced restaurants, Bonefish Grill and Carrabba’s Italian Grill, will have delayed openings, due to “construction timelines,” according to an email from Bloomin’ Brands, which owns the restaurants.

One other Bloomin’ Brand restaurant, Aussie Grill, opened in May, but is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Outback Steakhouse-inspired eatery accommodates some seating with social distancing, drive-thru, and Uber Eats and DoorDash delivery services.

Aussie Grill, near the town center entrance at Grand Cypress Drive, is the first stand-alone restaurant for the brand in Lutz.

The three Bloomin’ Brands’ restaurants eventually will be clustered together with a shared parking lot along Sierra Center.

Aussie Grill, a Bloomin’ Brand restaurant, opened in May with limited dine-in and drive-thru service.

Tenant details:

Crumbl Cookies is a dessert shop for specialty cookies and Crumbl Cream, a concoction of cookies and ice cream flavors. Menus rotate weekly to give customers four specialty choices. However, warm milk chocolate chip and chilled sugar cookies are always available, according to the company’s website.

Crumbl Cream flavors include Churro, Buckeye Brownie and Muddy Buddy.

Zukku Sushi offers a menu of sushi burritos, curated pig bowls and curated sushi bowls, sashimi and nigiri. Currently the restaurant dishes its bowls at the Heights Public Market, at Armature Works in Tampa.

Charles Schwab provides a range of brokerage, banking and financial advisory services.

La-Z-Boy is a home and office furniture store that includes accessories and home decor.

IVX Health offers biologic injections and infusions for patients with health care issues, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. The clinic provides private suites with leather recliners, flexible scheduling and personal service from its clinical staff, according to its website.

European Wax Center provides a range of waxing services for the entire body.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming is a specialty shop for pet food and supplies and pet grooming.

La-Z-Boy is a home and office furniture store that includes accessories and home decor.

Published July 1, 2020

Shoppes at Cypress Creek Center now going up

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A new retail strip center is coming to a site on State Road 54, west of Tampa Premium Outlets and the Cypress Creek Town Center.

Paradise Ventures Inc., is clearing land and installing infrastructure on about 3.5 acres at the northwest corner of State Road 54 and Old Cypress Road. The site is west of Interstate 75, within proximity of Tampa Premium Outlets and the Cypress Creek Town Center.

Paradise Ventures is building a new 18,000-square-foot ‘strip retail’ center, at State Road 54 and Old Cypress Creek Road. (Kathy Steele)

A conceptual plan filed with the county shows a “strip retail” center of about 18,000 square feet. Two 9,000-square-foot buildings are planned with a 20-foot breezeway between them. An outparcel is proposed as a site for a “quick service” restaurant of about 3,500 square feet. Two outdoor patios also are shown.

A company representative could not be reached for comment.

Paradise Ventures, based in Safety Harbor, previously developed the Shoppes at Terra Bella, also along State Road 54, east of Livingston Road.

No information is available on potential tenants at Shoppes at Cypress Creek. But, tenants at Terra Bella include national chains, such as AT & T, Firehouse Subs, and Tropical Smoothie Café.

State Road 54 is among the county’s busiest east/west corridors, making it an attractive development area.

Plans filed by Paradise Ventures cite state traffic counts along the State Road 54 corridor at about 73,000 annual average daily trips. That volume is expected to grow to nearly 100,000 by 2025, according to a county comprehensive transportation plan.

Published July 1, 2020

Florida Avenue Brewing ready to begin pouring

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Craft beer lovers get ready for the taste of some new brews in Pasco County.

Florida Avenue Brewing Co., anticipates opening by the end of July, possibly as soon as July 15.

“We’re super excited about it,” said Anthony Derby, chief executive officer of Florida Avenue Brewing.

“This project is bigger than what I imagined it to be – in a good way,” said Derby, who also is a founder and CEO of Brew Bus Brewing in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa.

Anthony Derby, chief executive officer of Florida Avenue Brewing (Courtesy of Florida Avenue Brewing)

When Florida Avenue Brewing opens in Wesley Chapel, Derby anticipates it will be able to produce 60,000 barrels a year, and claim its place as the largest locally owned brewery in Florida.

A grain silo will allow storage of grain in bulk.

The brewery will have about 14 distributors selling its craft beers statewide, from Tallahassee to Key West.

The Pasco County Commission recently approved an economic incentive payment of about $253,000. In return, Florida Brewing will create at least 42 jobs related to the manufacturing activities of the brewery, according to the county’s agreement.

The payment also will fund an employee training grant for Pasco-based employees, and reimbursement of county utility service connection fees.

Derby anticipates that as many as 150 jobs in manufacturing and retail, including restaurant positions, will be created over time.

The brewery will open in the former Sports + Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive.

Florida Avenue Brewing will open in July at the former Sports + Field in Wesley Chapel. Remodeling of the building is nearing completion.

Construction work on a major remodel of the building is nearly complete.

Florida Brewing will have a full restaurant, a 3,500-square-foot outdoor beer garden, a private beer garden for special events, an open kitchen, and a large closed kitchen.

Patrons will have an open view through glass into the brewery from inside the dining room, as well as from the outside.

Derby envisions Florida Brewing as a community gathering place to enjoy craft beers, family and friends, sports on television, dining, music, and games such as corn hole and bocce.

In the midst of COVID-19, there were a few delays in construction. But, everything is coming together, Derby said.

The cannery line, for example, came from Italy, a hot spot for COVID-19. Brewing equipment from Washington State, also a COVID-19 hot spot, will be shipped shortly, Derby said.

Patrons’ safety is foremost, so Derby said Florida Brewing is closely watching changing guidelines on opening for business, including social distancing and allowable capacity.

Florida Brewing will be ready for everything, said Derby.

“We’re preparing disposable menus,” he added.

Florida Avenue Brewing will sell its craft beer to distributors across the state.

The Wesley Chapel site eventually will produce about 80% of the company’s beer products, and will be the company’s flagship location, Derby said.

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

Operations will continue in Seminole Heights at Brew Bus Brewing, a popular Tampa and Seminole Heights destination, and a starting point for public and private beer tours throughout Tampa Bay.

Florida Brewing is making an investment of about $12 million at its new location, including renovations to the building.

County officials estimate Florida Brewing Bus will contribute an average of $15.7 million to the Gross County Product.

Pasco’s economic potential is well-known to Derby, whose mother-in-law lives in Wesley Chapel.

Before settling on the Arrowgrass site, the company looked at a vacant 15-acre site near the Tampa Premium Outlets.

“It just wasn’t right for us,” Derby said.

The former Sports + Field building — with its large size and prime location near ongoing development off State Road 56 — felt like the perfect fit.

“I’ve seen this area grow,” he said.

For information and job opportunities, visit FloridaAveBrewing.com.

Published June 17, 2020

More restaurants, entertainment coming soon

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Cypress Creek Town Center is adding a rock-themed, family restaurant; a game and entertainment venue; and a cigar emporium to its retail roster.

Rock & Brews, Main Event and Cigars International are under construction on the south side of State Road 56, on stand-alone parcels adjacent to Tampa Premium Outlets.

Rock & Brews, a family restaurant, is likely to open in October, according to the restaurant’s general manager. (B.C. Manion)

Rock & Brews general manager Tim Patituce anticipates an October opening.

COVID-19 likely will determine the date.

“With everything going on, you can’t pull the trigger on hiring until we get to 100% capacity without 6-foot separation. We want to make sure you get the whole Rock & Brews experience,” the general manager said.

Patituce emphasizes that despite the “Rock” in the name, this is a family friendly restaurant.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, members of KISS, are “corporation ambassadors,” Patituce said. KISS, a rock band from the 1970s, is known for their painted faces, futuristic costumes and pyrotechnic effects during live performances.

The décor features rock n’ roll posters. Televisions play music videos. And, diners can play shuffleboard, corn hole and foosball.

The menu includes burgers, pizzas and creative salads — made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients.

The restaurant also boasts a large selection of craft beers and an outdoor patio.

“We’re really excited to have Main Event and Cigars International within walking distance. We want to have a partnership together.”

Main Event is an approximately 49,000-square-foot venue that will feature 22 bowling lanes, billiards, laser tag, gravity ropes, shuffleboard, games and two banquet rooms.

Patituce grew up in Florida. He helped open another Rock & Brews in Kissimmee. The Wesley Chapel location will be the fourth restaurant in Florida.

Main Event is an approximately 49,000-square-foot venue that will feature 22 bowling lanes, billiards, laser tag, gravity ropes, shuffleboard, games and two banquet rooms.

An opening is expected in 2020.

Cigars International’s website describes the company – known for its online and catalog sales – as the “King Kong” of the cigar industry.

Its headquarters is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; its corporate owner is Scandinavian Tobacco Group.

According to permits issued by Pasco County, the store will be nearly 13,000 square feet including the outdoor patio. The company’s online menu lists more than 1,600 cigar brands, accessories and a Cigar of the Month Club.

Representatives for Main Event and Cigars International weren’t available for comment.

Published June 17, 2020

Diverging diamond work moves forward

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Work is approaching the halfway mark on the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56.

The project is expected to be completed in summer 2022, according to Florida Department of Transportation officials.

“We’ve got quite a way to go,” said John McShaffrey, FDOT communications outreach manager in District 7. “Until we get to the point we can convert to the diverging diamond, we really won’t see any benefit to the traffic or to pedestrians.”

Work on a diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 is expected to be completed by 2022. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation)

Construction to retrofit the interchange began in 2019 on the project, which has an estimated cost of $33.2 million.

Diverging diamond interchanges rely on multiple lanes of traffic in a crisscross pattern, with a limited number of traffic signals.

Periodic lane closures and traffic shifts will be required, though most of the work is within the ramp areas. Activities are concentrated at the interchange between Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Cypress Ridge Boulevard.

Once the new design is road ready, the interchange is expected to ease traffic gridlock at one of the county’s busiest intersections, where I-75, State Road 56, State Road 54 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard converge.

Tampa Premium Outlets, the Cypress Creek Town Center, AdventHealth Center Ice and Brightwater Crossings apartment complex are driving growth in retail and residential development.

They also are drawing long lines of motorists moving onto and off the busy roadways.

The project originally slated to begin in 2024 got moved ahead of schedule by about two years.

Just two weeks ago, the DOT announced that the project’s completion date was accelerated by two weeks under a directive by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The governor is taking advantage of reduced traffic volumes at this time to get road work completed more quickly.

This project is the first diverging diamond in District 7 of the FDOT.

Other similar designs are planned in Hillsborough County for State Road 54 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, at I-75; and at Gibsonton Drive, at I-75.

Florida’s first diverging diamond opened at University Parkway at I-75, in Sarasota, in 2017.

Published May 20, 2020

Malls open slowly, cautiously

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Rose Rich sipped a cool drink as she shared a bench out of the sun at The Shops at Wiregrass.

Her 19-year-old grandson, Chandler Estes, and Estes’ girlfriend, 18-year-old Jayda Warchesik, were on a visit from Texas.

“We’re out for an adventure,” Rich said.

Chandler Estes, 19, his girlfriend, Jayda Warchesik, and Estes’ grandmother, Rose Rich, enjoyed a trip to The Shops at Wiregrass on the first day it reopened. (Kathy Steele)

Estes and Warchesik hoped to find bathing suits for a trip to the beach, but were out of luck. They found few shops open.

The trio was among the first customers to explore Pasco County malls after weeks of homebound isolation and shuttered shops.

Effective May 4, Gov. Ron DeSantis gave the all-clear to at least some commercial activity to get the economy reopened amid the ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Mall operators, business owners and customers moved cautiously into uncharted territory. Many stores remained closed during the first days of lifted restrictions. Crowds of shoppers didn’t materialize.

But, as additional stores open, and with a weekend approaching, more shoppers were anticipated.

“We expected to have a slow opening, said Greg Lenners, general manager for The Shops at Wiregrass. “Various stores have their own protocols for ramping up. We’re off to a good start with the number of stores open.”

He estimated about one-quarter of Wiregrass shops had opened, evenly split among restaurants and retail.

Even during the shutdown, restaurants stayed open for takeout orders, with curbside pickup, Lenners said.

Wiregrass is following safety guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  to protect customers and employees. The guidance includes extra sanitizing stations and closed-off play areas.

Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center also slowly opened a few previously closed shops. They also followed CDC guidelines.

Cypress Creek Town Center even has a new tenant, Aussie Grill, a free-standing restaurant on Sierra Center Boulevard.

A press release announced that the restaurant would offer limited indoor seating, drive-through, pickup and delivery.

Meanwhile, just outside AtHome at Tampa Premium Outlets, Jerry Cugno struggled to move a cache of large wall art from a shopping cart into the back seat and trunk of his car.

He wore a face mask and carried sanitizer in his pocket.

He picked up the art trove for his Lakeland-based spas. Cugno owns a chain of spas with more than 30 locations in Florida, and one in Denver, Colorado.

“I’m so happy, I can’t believe it,” Cugno said.

Many, but not all, of the services at his spas still remain off-limits during the first phase of Florida’s reopening.

But, people are ready to go back to work, he said.

He agrees with that sentiment: “Let them do their jobs,” he said.

Jerry Cugno, owner of a chain of spas, is happy with his purchase from AtHome, at Tampa Premium Outlets.

Clusters of cars filled the outlet mall’s parking lots. And, a few families and young couples strolled down pathways looking for open stores.

Shelly Stecklow successfully returned an item she bought before shops closed.

She enjoyed the chance to visit stores other than Walmart and Sam’s Clubs, which had stayed open.

“It’s just being out and about,” she said.

“I think as long as people are aware of their environment and abide by what they are told to do, it’s OK,” she said.

Most stores remained closed, but a few doors were open, including Haagen Dazs, Pop Cult, Finish Line and Elite Home Room Games.

An employee posted a notice on the door at Express Men listing a May 8 opening.

Representatives for the outlet mall and its owner, Simon Property Group, could not be reached for comment.

In a news release, Simon President John Rulli said, “We look forward to serving the needs of our communities, and (to) do so in a safe and responsible manner.”

Owner Jennifer Morales opened her shop, Sparks Jewelers, on the first day allowed.

She hadn’t seen many customers by midday and many who walked in said they were just looking for an open shop.

Morales and an employee wore face masks. A sign taped to the door gave notice that customers also should wear masks.

The shutdown has been hard.

“We’re a small business,” said Morales, who has been at the outlet mall about two years. “If we don’t open, we don’t generate sales. We depend on foot traffic.”

She is hopeful, though, that business will pick up — safely, and soon.

Published May 13, 2020

Aldi moves toward grand opening

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A new Aldi grocery store is nearing completion at the entrance to Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 56.

Another Aldi in Zephyrhills that has been stalled for years over relocation of a traffic signal is nearing final decisions, and a potential allocation of state funds.

An exterior look at the new Aldi expected to have its grand opening soon. It’s in Cypress Creek Town Center, not far from the Tampa Premium Outlets. (B.C. Manion)

But, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) likely will determine the grand opening for the one off State Road 56, and the construction of the other, in Zephyrhills.

The store near the outlet mall is expected to open soon, an email statement from Matt Thon, Haines City Aldi division vice president, said.

“At Aldi, we know now, more than ever, our service to the communities we serve is critical during these unprecedented times,” Thon said. “We have been focusing all of our efforts on ensuring food and household goods are available in our existing stores.”

But, he added, Aldi is “working to open new stores where we can do so safely.”

The store’s contractors are moving forward with permits and inspections, according to county records.

Due to COVID-19, Pasco County is broadening its use of VUSPEX, a mobile video inspection application, to complete inspections.

The Aldi building is largely completed.

Aldi currently is hiring nationwide and for the Wesley Chapel store, Thon said.

No information on a construction start from Aldi is available currently on the Zephyrhills store.

However, the Florida Department of Transportation did approve the relocation of a traffic signal at Merchant’s Square and Townview shopping centers to U.S. 301 and Pretty Pond Road, clearing the way for the proposed Zephyrhills Aldi.

The relocation also includes a traffic signal to serve the shopping centers, according to Todd Vande Berg, Zephyrhills’ planning director.

Funding for the project is in the Florida budget, said Vande Berg.

But, shortfalls from unplanned expenditures related to the coronavirus pandemic could affect Florida’s budget.

A reallocation of funds could be coming, either from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto pen or potentially from a special legislative session.

“These are unusual times,” Vande Berg said. “Because of that, we don’t really know impacts on the budget.”

Earlier this year, Aldi opened a new store in Odessa. The store was part of a major expansion for the discount grocery chain, based in Illinois.

Those interested in working for Aldi, should visit Careers.Aldi.us.

Published May 13, 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

Chance conversation leads to permanent memorial

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What began as an idea to host a  9/11 Memorial Mile, quickly turned into something bigger because of a chance conversation.

Penelope Bastidas, the widow of 9/11 first responder Lt. Mario Bastidas, uses large scissors during the ribbon cutting to unveil the first permanent 9/11 memorial in Pasco County. Bastidas flew in from New York to attend the event. (Christine Holtzman)

In recent years, the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel has been honoring the anniversary of Sept. 11 by serving breakfasts to area first responders and by passing out American flags at Tampa Premium Outlets.

This year, the club decided to stage its first run to commemorate Sept. 11.

But, that idea morphed into something bigger during planning stages for that run.

Chris Casella, president of the Rotary Club, recalled that during a discussion, Rhonda Clark, the mall’s director of marketing and business development, mentioned that a guy had dropped by Tampa Premium Outlets recently, wanting to donate a piece of metal from a New York Fire Department truck destroyed in the terror attacks.

Rotarian Arlene Brooks belts out her rendition of the National Anthem before the start of the inaugural 9/11 Memorial Mile. (Christine Holtzman)

Casella asked Clark: “Is his name Steve?”

Clark answered yes.

“That’s my old partner!” Casella exclaimed.

From that point on, the conversation shifted beyond discussing the run.

The mall offered to donate 25 linear feet of wall space inside the food court for the first permanent 9/11 memorial site in Pasco County.

And, the event expanded to include a dedication ceremony for the new memorial.

The memorial commemorates a day that is seared into the nation’s collective memory.

Penelope Bastidas, of New York, left, and Stephen Spelman, of Wesley Chapel, support each other with a hug, during a moment of silence before the ceremony to unveil a permanent 9/11 memorial at the Tampa Premium Outlets. Bastidas’ husband, Lt. Mario Bastidas, was a paramedic with the New York Fire Department. He passed away in 2017 from a 9/11-related cancer. Spelman was an EMT with the NYFD and is a 9/11 survivor. Also pictured: Spelman’s 10-year-old son, Mathew, second from right, and Rotarian Eric Johnson. (Christine Holtzman)

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners — resulting in 2,977 deaths in New York City, Washington D.C., and outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Remembering the day is deeply personal for Casella.

When terrorists flew into New York’s Twin Towers, Casella was an officer with the New York Police Department.

Because of a work-related injury, he was on limited duty that day, so wasn’t part of the chaos at Ground Zero, he said. He has, however, suffered deep personal losses.

On the day of the attacks, he lost his friend, Brian McDonald, a fellow officer who dressed just three lockers down from him.

Now, 18 years later, he has lost several friends who died from cancer — resulting from exposure to hazardous conditions at Ground Zero.

The permanent display at the mall includes a piece of metal salvaged from the New York Fire Department’s Ladder Truck 18. (Mary Rathman)

The permanent display at the mall includes a piece of metal salvaged from the New York Fire Department’s Ladder Truck 18. The truck became known as Fort Pitt because its entire crew survived by diving beneath it during the North Tower’s collapse.

Metal from the truck was donated by Stephen Spelman, whom Casella met during the late 1980s, when they worked as EMTs on an ambulance in New York.

Spelman, now retired, lives in Wesley Chapel.

He narrowly escaped death, when the North Tower began collapsing. He ran one way, while others ran another — and he never saw them again.

(Mary Rathman)

Spelman was invited to the Motts Military Museum in Groveport, Ohio, to share his story of survival. But, with Hurricane Irma in the forecast, he wasn’t able to make it.

Even though he didn’t make the appearance, the museum gave him the piece of metal that’s now on display at the mall.

Spelman said he tried for two years to find a permanent home to display the piece, until someone suggested that he approach Tampa Premium Outlets. As a result, he said, what initially felt like a burden, has turned out to be a great gift.

Last weekend’s event began with a memorial run, but there were a great number of walkers, too.

When a Pasco County Fire Rescue Truck blew its horn, signifying the start of the run,
participants raced off in high gear from the starting line. (Christine Holtzman)

There was a moment of silence before Stephen Spelman’s 10-year-old son, Mathew, rang a bell, at 8:46 a.m., to mark the time when the North Tower was struck.

Another high point of the day was a “Missing Man” flyby maneuver performed by a Pasco Sheriff’s Office helicopter.

Scores of Rotarians, elected leaders and members of the public attended the memorial dedication.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Pasco County commissioners Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Mike Wells, and other speakers, including Casella, offered remarks.

Seven-year-old Cole Roberge Pierce (in blue shirt), a member of Cub Scouts Pack 149, hands out flags to runners, as they cross the finish line. Boy Scouts Troop 149 members also were passing out flags. (Christine Holtzman)

“As a New York City Police officer, I feel it’s my obligation,” Casella began, before being overcome with emotion. He composed himself, then added, in a softer voice, “to keep their memories live.”

Others were at the event, to pay tribute to the fallen, including several family members of New York City first responders.

Penelope Bastidas, the widow of Lt. Mario Bastidas (a paramedic with the New York Fire Department), flew in from New York to cut the ribbon at the ceremony. Her husband passed away in 2017 from a 9/11-related illness.

Now that the permanent memorial is in place, the Rotary Club plans to create a perpetual wall of heroes, each year honoring a  local hero from the community.

Published September 11, 2019

Chamber’s goal: Being there to meet members’ needs

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When the North Tampa Bay Chamber began two decades ago, it was known as the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

In the beginning, it had 65 members and met in a garage.

Now, it has 734 members — with some based as far away as Brooksville and St. Petersburg.

It attracts a wide range of political and business leaders to speak at, and attend its monthly breakfasts and luncheons.

Hope Allen, president and CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, believes chambers can help businesses thrive by advocating on their behalf, and creating opportunities for connection. (B.C. Manion)

The chamber also hosts numerous networking and learning opportunities each month.

It frequently celebrates with businesses through grand openings and ribbon cuttings, too.

Beyond that, the chamber seeks to help businesses as they navigate through government bureaucracy and learn about community organizations. They also act as an advocate on issues affecting businesses.

“We’ve come a long way in 20 years,” said Hope Allen, president and CEO, during the organization’s breakfast meeting earlier this month.

The chamber was born long before the area’s widely known developments, such as The Shops at Wiregrass, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, Tampa Premium Outlets, and Cypress Creek Town Center. And, that’s not to mention the scores of subdivisions, schools, restaurants, hotels and small businesses that now make up Wesley Chapel and nearby communities.

Over time, the North Tampa Bay Chamber has moved from the garage to an old flower shop to a storefront at The Grove, to its current home in Lutz.

It has shifted direction, too, Allen said.

“In 2013, the board of directors decided we were going to switch our focus from being ‘the parties, pageants and parades’ to the connector, the convener and the catalyst.”

“It was scary for everybody. We went from a nonprofit organization that was robbing Peter to Paul, to a membership-based business organization,” Allen said.

“We said we’ve got to stop what we’re doing with all these things, and really focus on the needs of our business community.

“So, we went on a listening tour. We went around. We visited all of our members.

“We said, ‘What is happening with your business? What is happening with Wesley Chapel? How can we help?’” Allen said.

The businesses responded: “They said we need somebody to be an advocate for our businesses, we need somebody to go to, when there’s an issue,” she said.

The chamber stepped up to accept the challenge, Allen said.

When someone broke a water line on State Road 54, for instance, the chamber set about to make sure it got fixed, Allen said.

Now, the chamber fields all sorts of calls.

“We know code enforcement now. I have his personal cellphone number now,” she said.

Creating a strong business network
“We’ve grown and evolved, and made ourselves important. We weren’t very important way back in the day, to the elected officials. We weren’t important to the region, as a whole, until everything started happening up here. Then, they were saying, ‘What is going on in Wesley Chapel?’

“We had built this amazing network of businesses and built this amazing network of community,” Allen said.

In 2015, it  combined with the New Tampa Chamber, keeping the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, but adding a tag line: Serving New Tampa.

“It was seamless,” Allen said. “We started to really grow. We started to really have the pulse on what was happening.

“Businesses were coming to us and they were saying: ‘We need this.’

“The developers would come to us, ‘We’ve got this land, we want to do something with it.’

Allen recalled that a man walked into the office, then at The Grove, seeking information about Wesley Chapel. He wanted to take a look around, so Allen took him on what she calls her first “windshield tour.”

It turns out that he represented the hotel developer who built the Fairfield Inn & Suites, in Wiregrass, which opened last year — three years after that initial visit.

The chamber often is involved in work that won’t come into fruition for years, Allen said.

She credits the chamber’s board, ambassadors and members for the progress the organization has made.

“What we have going on here is incredible. We all know it. We can feel it. This community is incredible. This business community is amazing. We support each other. We grow with each other. We cry with each other,” she said.

She and her staff are committed to serve chamber members, she said.

“We stand behind all of our members. We speak with one voice for our membership,” she said.

In 2018, the chamber rebranded itself as the North Tampa Bay Chamber.

“We didn’t leave Wesley Chapel behind, we just brought everybody into the arms of what is North Tampa Bay,” said Allen, who is passionate about the value that chambers can bring to communities.

Across the country, she said, “chambers of commerce are having the conversation now, ‘Are we relevant? Do you need a chamber of commerce in your community?’”

In her view, chambers “are here to serve a purpose, in every single community.

“If you’ve seen one chamber, you’ve seen one chamber.

“We’re all different. We’re all governed by our own board of directors. We all have our own programming that’s different.

“We’re not in competition with other chambers of commerce.

“If you can join every single chamber of commerce in the region, do it. Because you’re going to get something out of each and every one of them, “ Allen said.

Published August 28, 2019