The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Nebraska Avenue

Request for Lutz 7-Eleven is delayed

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The Hillsborough County Commission voted 4-3 to remand a rezoning request for a gas station and carwash off U.S. 41, north of Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

Commissioners Ken Hagan, Kimberly Overman, Mariella Smith and Chairwoman Pat Kemp voted to remand the request and Commissioners Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers and Stacy White dissented.

Those who voted to send the case back to the zoning hearing master for further review specifically said they want the county’s Department of Environmental Protection to take a closer look at whether a septic system will be capable of  handling the discharge from a proposed carwash.

They voiced concerns about potential problems because the area has lakes, private wells and sensitive wetlands.

Commissioner Smith said the hearing can explore other issues, too.

“I would not have it limited,” she said, noting that citizens are free to discuss other topics, such as light pollution and compatibility, she added.

During the Hillsborough board’s Oct. 12 public hearing, Smith said the county also needs to take a closer look at its rezoning process.

Under current procedures, no testimony can be presented to commissioners during a rezoning hearing unless it was part of the record before the zoning hearing master.

The zoning hearing master recommends approval or denial on zoning cases, but the county board has the final word.

The request, by RKM and 7-Eleven, drew both support and opposition at the county board’s hearing and also at the zoning hearing master hearing on Aug. 16.

Attorney Cami Corbett, representing the applicants at both hearings, described the proposed gas station as a modern building, designed specifically to fit within the character of Lutz.

She said it is within the node that’s specifically designated for neighborhood commercial development within the Lutz Community Plan.

Natalie Davis, of 17880 N. U.S. 41, in Lutz, spoke in favor of the request at both hearings.

She noted that Lutz typically has wanted to slow development — but even so, a significant amount of new projects have popped up along U.S. 41.

Those developments have included a Publix, a Dunkin’ Donuts, restaurants, McDonald’s, a self-storage unit, a Walgreens, a bank, and professional office parks, as well as new neighborhoods.

Davis favors growth along U.S. 41, which she noted is a six-lane road, and questioned why a gas station should be excluded.

“I am here to represent the next generation of Lutz,” she said.

Gus Weekley, who owns the property up for rezoning, along with his brother, said the family has deep roots in Lutz.

The proposed site of the gas station is land that was owned by his grandmother and where she sold fruit raised on the land to those traveling by on the only major road into Tampa.

“We believe that Lutz is a special community,” he said, adding the 7-Eleven will be a good fit.

Sam Calco, president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, spoke against the request.

He noted an error in the hearing master’s record and said that was sufficient to merit a remand.

County staff, however, said that the hearing officer’s recommendation was based on accurate information, despite the error in the report.

Jay Muffly, a longtime community activist, was direct: “I oppose this rezoning because it is not compatible with the Lutz community. Period.”

He also expressed concerns about potential negative impacts from light pollution.

Both Kemp and Overman voiced concerns about allowing a car wash to operate on a septic system.

The idea of dropping the carwash from the application was raised, but the applicant indicated no interest in taking that approach.

The project would hook onto public water and sewer, but it is not available, Corbett said.

Questions also were raised about whether the proposed development meets the county’s locational criteria.

That standard says the project should be within 900 feet of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane. But a portion of the proposed project is 960 feet away from that intersection, according to testimony provided during the county board’s discussion.

Commissioner Hagan initially said he wasn’t sure the board had legal grounds to deny the rezoning.

Ultimately, though, he went along with three of his colleagues when they called for a remand to pursue additional information.

The next hearing has been set for Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

In-person and remote hybrid Zoning Hearing Master meetings are held at Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library, in the Ada T. Payne Community Room, at 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., in downtown Tampa.

Published October 20, 2021

58 Years of Experience at Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply

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In a time when many families are exploring sustainability and growing their own food, a family operation like Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply is just the kind of store they need to answer their questions and guide them.

“Whether it’s backyard chickens or growing vegetables, our employees are an amazing resource for families who have limited experience in gardening or raising chickens,” said Greg Shell, whose family has owned Tampa’s oldest feed store since 1961.

Store Manager Dax Gonzalez, left, and Owner Greg Shell have worked together for over 10 years.

“Most of our employees have worked here for many years, and have an incredible amount of experience to share with customers,” said Shell. “Our customers come from as far away as Brooksville and Sarasota, not only because of the quality plants and products we carry, but also to seek advice from our staff.”

Shell’s Feed got its start when Greg’s father, Charles, was 21 years old and just out of the Army. It was 1961, and Charles was looking for something to do when a feed store came up for sale at Nebraska Avenue and Busch Boulevard in Tampa.

Charles bought the store and changed its name to Shell’s Feed.

“It was a good fit for my dad, since my grandfather sold Purina products for many years, and dad was familiar with the feed business. Plus, our family’s farm was in Lutz, and the store was close to our home,” said Shell.

Charles began updating the store, and in 1965 married Betty Tamargo, whose family owned a dairy farm off Casey Road in what is now Carrollwood.

Back then, Tampa Bay was still very rural, and Shell’s Feed took care of farmers and ranchers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk counties.

“Dad started selling to Busch Gardens when it was just a two-man operation in the 1960s, and also serviced Hillsborough and Pinellas County Animal Services,” said Shell.

The city grew up around the feed store, and when Busch Boulevard was widened in 1967, the store moved four blocks north to its current location on Nebraska Avenue.

Shell’s first job at the store was picking up trash in the parking lot when he was 8 years old for 25 cents a day. As he got older, he began stocking shelves after school, and eventually became a manager at age 20.

Shell left the family business for eight years in 1999 to open a pet store in Lutz. By 2007, his parents wanted to be less hands-on at the feed store, and he returned to the family business.

Stop by at Shell’s Nebraska Avenue location and step back in time to an old fashioned feed and garden store with affordable prices and superb customer service.

Gardening and Pets
“When I came back, I spent the first six months as a regular employee, helping customers and asking what they liked about the store, and what they wanted to see,” said Shell. “This was when I learned our customers were very interested in gardening, and wanted more offerings in pet foods and supplies, so we expanded in both areas.”

“We carry pet food that is equal in quality to the brand names, but without the high prices,” said Shell. “We also sell a wide assortment of bulk treats, so you don’t have to buy a whole bag, like you do at most stores.”

Shell said many pets today have allergies, and most are food related. “We have hypo-allergenic dog foods that work great and won’t break the bank,” he said.

Gardening is also a big part of Shell’s business.

“Our vegetable plants are grown by a local grower, and are healthier than those sold in big box stores,” said Shell. “Our staff can answer questions on gardening from start to finish. We make sure you choose the right plants to grow at the right time of the year.”

Saturday Classes
Since many customers are inexperienced gardeners, and many want to learn how to raise chickens in their backyard, Shell’s offers Saturday classes for its customers.

Its next class is March 9, and the topic is growing and harvesting Earthbox gardens, which are ideal for suburban patios and urban balconies.  The class is from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration and information for all classes and events are at www.shellsfeed.com/store-classes-events/.

Shell’s also hosts free Saturday Seed Swaps once a month from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., for most of the year.   The next two Swaps are March 23 and April 20.

“Our Seed Swaps are a great way to swap seeds, cuttings and seedlings for something new. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people who also love to garden,” said Shell.

Through the years, chicken feed has always been Shell’s top seller, although much of today’s feed now goes to families with backyard chickens.

“Chickens are very easy to take care of. A family of four can keep three hens and have all the fresh eggs their family needs,” said Shell.

Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply is still the old-fashioned, down-home shop Greg’s parents started, but with products and services suburban families want today, including online ordering and shipping.

“We invite you to bring the kids and visit our store for an old fashion experience that the whole family will enjoy,” said Shell.

Published February 27, 2019

Quality Foods Gourmet Market

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Quality Foods Gourmet Market in Lutz is a deli, pizzeria, bakery and specialty foods grocer that also offers an extensive vegan and gluten-free menu.

Owner Christopher Houp takes great pride on the number of foods made in-house, such as his mojo-shredded pork for his Cuban sandwich, which he serves with house-made potato chips and his own signature pickles.

But, his showstopper is his NYC sandwich.

“Our NYC is three-quarters of a pound of meat piled high, half pastrami and half corned beef, both house-made,” said Houp. “It’s steamed just like it is in New York City, so it’s hot, on two slices of rye bread with a grain mustard, and that’s it.  You can add cheese if you want, but the bread soaks in the juices from the steamed meat, and the mustard gives it a little spice, and you get this nice big juicy sandwich.”

For most house-made items, you can ask for a sample and try it before you buy it. Quality Foods makes its own pesto, sauerkraut, beer cheese, chimichurri, fresh-baked pretzels, breads, desserts and cookies, as well as many different kinds of condiments and dressings.

Its vegan deli and pizza menu runs two full pages long and accommodates families with many different diets, from lactose-intolerant and gluten-free carnivores, to strict vegans.

“The vegan community is an underserved market,” Houp said, whose wife is vegan.  “People are very appreciative that they can have a vegan meal here.  Our vegan Cuban is all over social media, and we have regular customers from Orlando and Sarasota who drive here to load up on vegan groceries that they can’t get anywhere else.”

As a grocer, Quality Foods stocks items from other local businesses, especially farmer’s market vendors, including Mammoth Foods Hummus, Peach Pit Farms, Sassy Girls Salsa, Gulf Coast Sourdough Bread and Faedo Family Bakery Cuban bread.

It also stocks nearly 90 local craft beers from more than 20 local breweries, many which are available in mix-and-match six packs.  It carries a large collection of hand-selected wines, including fresh Italian wines on tap and bottled by request, just as you would see in Italy.

To hear Houp talk about good food is like listening to a poet praise the merits of Epicureanism.

“Food is a lot of things.  It is fun, it is familial.  All of life’s activities revolve around food.  You have a party.  There’s food.  You have a baby shower.  There’s food.  When there’s a funeral.  Food.  You have food when you’re born.  You have food when you die.  What do we build the holidays around?  Food.  There’s always food, because it’s comforting, so if food is central to life, then we may as well eat quality food, and that’s what you’ll get here,” Houp said.

Life is too short not to indulge your appetite today at Quality Foods on U.S. 41, just south of where it meets Nebraska Avenue. Besides running Quality Foods, the Houps also operate their own farmer’s market, Lake Chapman Market.

The market can be reached by calling (813) 373-5466.

By William Jacko

Published October 17, 2018

 

 

Nursing home set to open in 2017

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Construction is under way on an upscale nursing home and assisted living facility at the corner of Hayes Road and Nebraska Avenue, in Lutz.

Tampa Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, at 750 Hayes Road, is slated to open in February 2017. A groundbreaking for the 179-bed facility took place in January.

Tallahassee-based Summit Care Consulting is developing the approximately 96,000-square-foot center that will be built in a neighborhood style layout.

An artist’s rendering shows the ‘neighborhood’ style design for Tampa Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center. The facility will offer a homelike setting for permanent and temporary residents. (Courtesy of Tampa Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center)
An artist’s rendering shows the ‘neighborhood’ style design for Tampa Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center. The facility will offer a homelike setting for permanent and temporary residents.
(Courtesy of Tampa Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center)

Each “neighborhood” at Tampa Lakes will have its own dining and activities areas, spa room, tranquility/therapy room, outdoor areas and mobility garden.

Permanent and temporary residents will be welcome.

Summit Care specializes in nursing home facilities.

According to its website, clients include New Port Inn in New Port Richey, The Springs at Boca Ciega in St. Petersburg and Northbrook Health & Rehabilitation Center in Brooksville.

In a statement announcing the start of construction, company officials said they were responding to a customer base that wants “to enjoy more of a homelike environment during their stay.”

For instance, residents can dine in restaurant-style settings with freshly prepared meals. Nutritional counseling will be provided by a registered dietician for residents in short- and long-term care.

The focus of customized care plans will be to reduce unnecessary drug use and repeat visits to the hospital.

A “Partners in Care” program brings physicians, patients, residents and their families together to set attainable goals.

Rehabilitation programs will offer state-of-the-art medical technologies to work toward recovery, reduce pain, prevent falls and address other age-related health issues.

“It will be our focus to improve the quality of life for each individual, so they can get the most out of life,” the company statement says.

Published March 9, 2016

KarenSue Molis makes fundraising an art form in Guv’na race

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KarenSue Molis didn’t come up with the idea of running for Lutz Guv’na on her own. The seed was planted by someone who knew a little something about the ceremonial title and the fundraising race that goes with it.

She was recruited by a previous Guv’na.

KarenSue Molis can't wear the Guv'na sash unless she earns the title, but she can roll around Lutz in the family's antique Jaguar or Thunderbird. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
KarenSue Molis can’t wear the Guv’na sash unless she earns the title, but she can roll around Lutz in the family’s antique Jaguar or Thunderbird.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“Karen is enthusiastic, she is creative, and she appeals to just about everybody,” said Edwina Kraemer, who was Guv’na in 2006. “You want a winner for the club. You want a winner for the community.”

The club in question is the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, which selects and supports a candidate each year. And the community is Lutz, and the money raised by the annual Guv’na’s campaign goes specifically to community groups and service organizations.

After some coaxing, Molis decided she was up to the task, even though she had an inkling there was more to running for Guv’na than meets the eye.

“At first I declined, because I had a feeling there was a lot more work to this than I was being told,” she said with a laugh. “And believe me, there’s a lot more work to this than I was told!”

She’s having fun putting in the work necessary to compete in the race, which runs until the July 4 weekend. For Molis and the club, that means knocking on doors, drumming up some cash with raffles and planning events to raise the bulk of her war chest. Whichever candidate raises the most money earns the sash, so she’s getting creative with ways to collect as much as possible.

Being creative comes naturally for Molis, who was an art teacher for 11 years for elementary school children in her native Illinois. Her job took her to different schools, giving young students a chance to develop their skills, and also providing lessons that go beyond paintbrushes and crafts.

Art allows children to express themselves freely, Molis said. But it also teaches them that creating is a process, and there are steps each person takes as they progress. And that kind of discipline isn’t limited to art.

“It’s the same way in life. You can’t drive a car until you’ve been taught to drive the car. “You can’t bake a cake if you can’t follow the directions,” she said.

It’s not unusual that Molis referred to a car, when making her analogy.

Her husband of 46 years, Fred, is an antique car enthusiast, and they have a 1959 Jaguar and a 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The Thunderbird has been in the last four Lutz Fourth of July parades.

When Molis and her husband were moving to the area from Jacksonville to live closer to their grandchildren, they didn’t originally intend to live in Lutz.

They planned to live in Wesley Chapel.

But when their real estate agent showed them something else, they made a detour.

“The realtor showed us the community of Lutz, and of all the places he showed us, this one just felt good,” Molis said.

She joined the woman’s club to make friends and, six years later, she’s their candidate for Guv’na.

While Molis is full of smiles and eager to shake hands as she campaigns, she knows it’s all about the money. And she has a full slate of events planned to raise funds. Each Thursday, the club hosts a luncheon at the Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave., N.W. And on June 6, she hopes to raise a lot of cash at a special car show from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Furniture Now Home & Accessories, 15445 N. Nebraska Ave. There’s a good chance the Molis antiques will make an appearance there as well.

While the club is working hard to put Molis over the top (their candidate last year just fell short in what was likely the closest race in Guv’na history), she knows that there are no losers in the race. When another Guv’na alumnus, Suzin Carr, explained that local organizations will get thousands of dollars to meet their goals and keep the local flavor of Lutz alive, Molis knew it was a good cause no matter the outcome.

“When she started telling me all the things that had been done with (the money), then I thought, well, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, because all of the money goes into the Lutz pot.”

If she does defeat the other two candidates, she’ll have some say in where a small portion of the money goes. And she’s already identified the Lutz Library, the Old Lutz School and Canine Companions, which helps provide assistance dogs to those in need, as her choices for Guv’na assistance.

With two children, three grandchildren and a lot of gardening to tend, Molis doesn’t lack for activities. But her schedule is all about the Guv’na race for the next month, and becoming even closer to the area that she joined just a few years ago.

“Of all the places we’ve lived in the United States, in the six years we’ve been here, we’re more a part of this community than we’ve been of any of the communities,” Molis said.

Published June 3, 2015

Newest Walmart opening May 21

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Walmart is set to open its newest store May 21 in northern Hillsborough County that will bring 300 jobs to the area.

Located at 15302 N. Nebraska Ave., it will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will include some of the common staples found in most Walmarts now, including groceries and a pharmacy.

“The new store builds upon the partnership Walmart has enjoyed with this community for more than 20 years,” Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist said, in a release. “I am also grateful for Walmart’s commitment tog giving back to the community, as demonstrated by the grants they will be presenting to local community groups.”

The grand opening celebration includes the presentation of $5,500 in grants to local community groups like the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries, Mort Elementary School, and the University Area Community Development Corp.

The store will be led by Arnetta Hill, who began her Walmart career in 2002 as an assistant manager trainee. She will be on hand during a family day event May 24 from noon to 3 p.m., that will include face painting, cupcake decorating, and free food samples.

Walmart has more than 11,300 stores in 27 counties with annual sales of $473 billion.