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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Wesley Chapel Honda

Starting a new year, with a home of their own

January 8, 2020 By Brian Fernandes

It was a momentous day when Carla and Dwayne Gude were able to enter a home of their own, in Dade City.

The house dedication ceremony marked the culmination of a collaboration between the couple and Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County.

Carla and Dwayne Gude are the new owners of a home that has been renovated in Dade City. The house, which was dedicated last December, was the 150th home project by the Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

The event also marked the branch’s 150th house project.

On the morning of Dec. 19, Crystal Lazar, president and chief executive officer for the Habitat’s local branch, told those gathered: “This is one of the best and our favorite times for Habitat for Humanity. We’re celebrating the hard work that the Gude family has put into this house.”

After applying for a Habitat home two years ago, Carla and Dwayne spent a year designing what would be their new residence.

It was a collaborative effort as they were assisted by many volunteers offering their time.

Unlike most Habitat homes, this one wasn’t built from the ground up. But it was renovated, to meet Dwayne’s needs.

Dwayne needed a home that could accommodate the wheelchair from which he lives life.

This home does just that. It has two ramps – one leading to the front door and one leading to the home’s side door.

The home’s bathroom has a shower equipped with open space, so Dwayne can use it.

While the home is outfitted with a new fridge, microwave, stove and cabinets — Carla is most impressed by the handicap-accessible amenities.

And, being that they moved in during the holidays, there was another nice touch: A Christmas tree with gifts beneath it, in the home’s living room.

The balloons on Carla and Dwayne Gude’s newly renovated home signify a milestone for Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco. This is the organization’s 150th project.

In addition to the living room, there’s a spacious dining room, and down the hallway, there are three bedrooms and a laundry room.

For the Gudes, their new residence represents a notable upgrade from their former Dade City home.

The dedication day was a big day for Carla.

“It’s awesome. We’ve been waiting for two years for this,” Carla said.

As part of the celebration, the Gudes received several gifts.

They received bread, salt, sugar, a broom, a candle and a Bible — each gift signifying a symbolic meaning for what a home should be.

The East Pasco Quilt Guild brought the family a colorful quilt, which they held up for the crowd to see.

Laurel Weightman, development director at the Habitat branch, blessed the house key before it was handed over to the couple.

“It takes many hands, many hours to get a Habitat house prepared and ready,” she said.

The house sponsors, Wesley Chapel Honda and Wesley Chapel Toyota were there, too, and their staff helped to hold up the big ribbon for the ceremonial cutting, before the key opened the front door.

Carla expressed her gratitude for her family saying, “Every obstacle [has] been a roller coaster for me, but I’m thankful for my family being there anytime, with a listening ear of encouragement and prayers. I love you.”

Carla’s father, Kenneth, said he was proud and happy for his daughter to finally have this home.

In addition to celebrating the couple’s home, Habitat also celebrated its milestone event.

“Building 150 houses, we’re talking about 600 people in the community that are directly impacted by those houses,” said John Finnerty, the branch’s inaugural executive director.

Published January 08, 2020

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: Carla Gude, Crystal Lazar, Dade City, Dwayne Gude, East Pasco Quilt Guild, Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County, John Finnerty, Laurel Weightman, Wesley Chapel Honda, Wesley Chapel Toyota

Community Service Is Top Priority For Williams Automotive Group

January 16, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Williams Automotive Group does much more than just sell and service vehicles from its Wesley Chapel and north Tampa dealerships.

It literally touches the lives of hundreds of people in Pasco and Hillsborough counties by providing meaningful careers for its associates, and by helping people in need through its volunteer and financial support of several local charities.

“It all begins with the commitment of our owners, John and David Williams, who have shown exceptional loyalty to their employees and community since they bought Wesley Chapel Toyota in 2008,” said Therese Bottino, who heads up marketing for the business.

“Active community involvement is so important that it is the most important core value on our mission statement,” she continues. “This commitment comes from the very top of our organization, and we live it every day.”

Williams Automotive Group employs 460 people between its four dealerships — Wesley Chapel Toyota, Wesley Chapel Honda, Lexus of Wesley Chapel and Tampa Honda. Most of its associates live close to their work and are active members of the community.

“We are much, much more than just a car dealership,” said Eric Johnson, director of community partnerships for Williams Automotive Group. “Our first commitment is to make a difference in our community by giving our associates an opportunity to get out and serve.”

Johnson joined the company eight years ago in his outreach role, and was the first full-time community liaison in Pasco’s vibrant automotive market along the State Road 54/56 corridor.

Johnson’s primary responsibility is to identify area nonprofits deserving of help, and then develop programs to help by setting up volunteer events that make it easy for employees to become involved.

“We believe everyone has a desire to serve,” said Johnson. “My job is to create the opportunity by coordinating what support is needed at the charity, so all our associates need to do is sign up and show up.”

In 2018, Johnson set up volunteer programs with 10 different local charities, and had a recording-setting year for employee participation.

“Last year, we had 175 team members volunteering their time to serve at 41 different events,” said Johnson. “That works out to almost one event a week!”

An example is the volunteer work employees do to support Everyday Blessings, a foster home in Thonotosassa whose primary mission is to keep sibling groups together.

“Our associates get to know these kids personally by taking them shopping, signing up for Bingo nights and helping at fundraising events,” said Johnson. “Most of our volunteer events are three to five hours, and employees are given the flexibility to volunteer by adjusting their work schedule.”

Williams Automotive Group works with a variety of charities, so employees can choose to support those that interest them most.

“We have groups that focus on children, others that work with veterans, and those that serve the homeless and hungry,” said Johnson.

“Managers and hourly workers work side-by-side, and it’s a great way for our associates to get to know each other on a more personal level,” add Bottino. “We also encourage associates to invite their favorite customers to volunteer alongside them.”

Ronald McDonald House was the first charity that the company worked with. It added Habitat for Humanity the following year, and continues to welcome new charities every year.

In 2018, charities supported by Williams Automotive Group included:
Everyday Blessings Foster Home
Feeding Tampa Bay
Habitat for Humanity
Hillsborough Education Foundation
Metropolitan Ministries
Pasco Education Foundation
Ronald McDonald House
One Blood
Support The Troops
Trinity Café

In addition, the company has pledged $500,000 to the Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, which supports cancer research, patient care and education initiatives.

“We set aside for Moffitt a percentage of the sale for every vehicle sold, which our company matches 100 percent,” said Bottino. “I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by cancer, and we are blessed to have Moffitt in our community helping cancer victims and their families.”

Williams Automotive Group believes that people who volunteer their time to help others make for outstanding employees.

“We truly believe that people feel better about themselves when they give back and serve,” said Johnson. “We encourage people to serve by making it easy for them to volunteer.”

Every year the company recognizes its top employee volunteer with its prestigious Volunteer of the Year Trophy. The 2018 winner was Patrick Welsh, a detailer at Wesley Chapel Honda, who has worked at the dealership for less than two years.

“Seeing Patrick receive the volunteer trophy was exciting because it shows that even newer employees can jump on board to volunteer their time and make a difference,” said Johnson.

Because Williams Automotive Group is family owned, it has the ability to make decisions quickly in all aspects of its business, including charitable giving, without the corporate layers often found at other dealerships.

“We see ourselves as your friends and neighbors, and show it every day by our very real commitment to the community,” said Bottino. “Many customers tell us they buy from us because of our charity work, and that makes us very proud.”

Published January 16, 2019

Filed Under: Auto Section Tagged With: David WIlliams, Eric Johnson, John Williams, Lexus of Wesley Chapel, Tampa Honda, Therese Bottino, Wesley Chapel Honda, Wesley Chapel Toyota, Williams Automotive Group

Lexus of Wesley Chapel brings new dealership to Pasco

February 22, 2017 By Kathy Steele

A new dealer will tap into the luxury automobile market in Pasco County with its new showroom under construction near Wiregrass Ranch.

Lexus of Wesley Chapel is being built on about 8 acres, next to Wesley Chapel Toyota, at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., south of State Road 54 and west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

Owners of Williams Automotive Group competed against nearly 130 dealers nationwide who sought to win the coveted Lexus dealership.

Construction is underway on Lexus of Wesley Chapel. The luxury car dealership is expected to open by the end of 2017.
(Courtesy of Lexus of Wesley Chapel)

The new Lexus showroom is expected to open by the end of 2017 and employ about 100 people. Williams Automotive Group is the parent company for Wesley Chapel Toyota, Wesley Chapel Honda and Tampa Honda.

Lexus of Wesley Chapel will be the second to sell luxury, high-end vehicles in Pasco County.

In 2015, AutoNation opened Pasco County’s first Mercedes Benz dealership at the corner of State Road 56 and Interstate 75, also in Wesley Chapel. It is within the orbit of Tampa Premium Outlets, Cypress Creek Town Center and Florida Hospital Center Ice.

For Lexus fans, the nearest dealership is more than 20 miles away in Tampa.

A study and review of the area’s demographics found Wesley Chapel to be “a perfect fit for the luxury car buyer,” according to an email statement from John Williams, co-owner of Williams Automotive Group.

The market for Lexus of Wesley Chapel covers not only Pasco but northern Hillsborough County, Hernando County and beyond, Williams said in the email.

According to 2015 census data, the annual median income in Wesley Chapel is about $75,000. By comparison, the Pasco overall median income is about $45,000.

Average household income is even higher at more than $85,000 in Wesley Chapel, and $60,000 in Pasco.

With the ongoing growth in the county, Williams said the market can handle even more luxury dealerships in future.

The main Lexus showroom will be a two-story building with about 58,000 square feet. There also will be a double-tunnel car wash of about 3,800 square feet, and a covered outdoor pavilion of about 1,900 square feet.

The dealership will have nearly 500 parking spaces.

A 10-acre adjacent site has room for more than 600 additional parking spaces, and a future collision center. Williams said construction on the collision center probably will begin in 2018.

The indoor showroom will feature 12 Lexus vehicles while another 10 vehicles can be displayed outdoors. There will be 30 service bays, including eight detail bays, with room for expansion.

In addition, there will be several customer lounges, quiet rooms, business offices, a children’s play area, technology center, and an upscale cafe with coffee and cappuccino.

Published February 22, 2017

Filed Under: Local News, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: AutoNation, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Cypress Creek Town Center, Eagleston Boulevard, Florida Hospital Center Ice, Hernando County, Hillsborough County, Interstate 75, John Williams, Lexus, Mercedes Benz, Pasco County, State Road 56, Tampa Honda, Tampa Premium Outlets, Wesley Chapel Honda, Wesley Chapel Toyota, Williams Automotive Group, Wiregrass Ranch

Wesley Chapel Honda, Toyota dealerships expanding to used cars

June 26, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Wesley Chapel Honda and Wesley Chapel Toyota are going to get quite a bit bigger.

The owner of the dealerships along State Road 54, Williams Automotive Group, announced this week that it will add a pre-owned sales center to its existing facility. It will use a little more than 1 acre of land it purchased last May for $1.35 million, according to county property records. Williams Automotive will host a groundbreaking for the project on July 1 at 10:30 a.m., on the corner of State Road 54 and Old Pasco Road, where the new sales center will be built.

“Because of the growth that both Wesley Chapel Toyota and Wesley Chapel Honda have experienced in the Wesley Chapel community, the group is expanding to bring the first used car-buying center to the area,” the company said in a release. “They will provide a first-class buying experience, and a tremendous amount of quality pre-owned inventory to choose from.”

The latest expansion is part of an overall effort being made by the company this year, which also purchased the former Tampa Honda Land at 11000 N. Florida Ave., in Tampa, last March, shortening the name to simply Tampa Honda.

Williams Automotive was founded as Southeast Automotive Group in 2000, and once owned several dealerships in Georgia, selling Toyota, Kia, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, according to the company’s website.

Wesley Chapel Toyota is located at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., and Wesley Chapel Honda is at 27750 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

 

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Eagleston Boulevard, Georgia, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, North Florida Avenue, Old Pasco Road, Southeast Automotive Group, State Road 54, Tampa, Tampa Honda, Tampa Honda Land, Toyota, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Boulevard, Wesley Chapel Honda, Wesley Chapel Toyota, Williams Automotive Group

Wesley Chapel car dealer buys Tampa Honda Land

March 5, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Williams Automotive Group, which already owns Wesley Chapel Toyota and Wesley Chapel Honda, is now a company with three car dealerships after finalizing its purchase of Tampa Honda Land on Florida Avenue.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Williams Automotive bought the dealership from its longtime owner Scott-McRae Group, which owns several dealerships in the Jacksonville area, as well as Countryside Ford and Countryside Mazda in Pinellas County.

A new owner means a new name for Tampa Honda Land, and it will become simply Tampa Honda.

“Williams Automotive Group prides itself on being able to grow, develop and create opportunities for our outstanding team members,” spokeswoman Therese Bottino said in an email. “Because of all of our collective hard work and dedication the past five years, we have made the strategic decision to grow. This growth is part of a well-thought out long-term vision for the company.

“We look forward to establishing the same award-winning sales and service reputation at the new store, just as we have at our other stores since the beginning of our company.”

Tampa Honda is located at 11000 N. Florida Ave., on land purchased by Scott-McRae Group’s Duval Motor Co. in 1996 for $1.5 million. It constructed its main dealership building in 2001, according to county property records. Williams Automotive did not indicate whether they would purchase the property as well, and county records have yet to show any recent transactions.

Williams Automotive was founded as Southeast Automotive Group in 2000, and once owned several dealerships in Georgia selling Toyota, Kia, Mitsubishi and Hyundai, according to the company’s website.

Wesley Chapel Toyota is located at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., and Wesley Chapel Honda is at 27750 Wesley Chapel Blvd. For more information on any of the three dealerships or its ownership group, visit WilliamsAuto.com.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Countryside Ford, Countryside Mazda, Duval Motor. Co., Eagleston Boulevard, Florida Avenue, Georgia, Hyundai, Jacksonville, Kia, Mitshubishi, Pinellas County, Scott-McRae Group, Southeast Automotive Group, Tampa Honda, Tampa Honda Land, Therese Bottino, Toyota, Wesley Chapel Boulevard, Wesley Chapel Honda, Wesley Chapel Toyota, Williams Automotive Group

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01/23/2021 – Adult craft

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Cook-a-Book: Soup” on Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. This month the book, “Dumpling Soup” by Jama Kim Rattigan will be featured. Participants can hear the story and then learn to make a kid-friendly dumpling soup. For information and to see the presentation, visit Facebook.com/regencyparklibrary. … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Dumpling soup

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The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a Hobby Circle on Jan. 23 at 3 p.m., for anyone who wants to share a hobby or learn about a new one — from a work of art to a new recipe, to a favorite video game. The group will meet via Zoom. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Hobby Circle

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The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, will host a Star Wars Family Night on Jan. 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., for ages 7 and older. Guests can take part in intergalactic adventures and hands-on activities, such as build-your-own lightsaber and train in the art of dueling. Participants also can control a droid through an obstacle course, learn about traveling to other planets in the Saunders planetarium, and navigate through exhibits. There also will be a game called Beat Saber on the Oculus Rift. Preregistration is required. For information and tickets, visit Mosi.org. … [Read More...] about 01/23/2021 – Star Wars Night

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The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer an adult fizzy bath bomb craft, through curbside pickup only. The kit will include lavender Epsom salt, citric acid, a reusable mold, instructions and more. Pickup is from Jan. 25 through Jan. 30. Registration is required through the calendar feature on the library’s website, or by calling 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 01/25/2021 – Fizzy bath bomb

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