New holiday tradition in Lutz supports local businesses
By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
LUTZ — Every annual tradition has to start somewhere, and the Lutz Shop and Stroll will begin this year.
“I was trying to think of a way to support our Lutz businesses while celebrating the holiday season,” said Lutz Guv’na Suzin Carr. “So I went and talked with a past Guv’na, Michele Northrup, and in seven minutes or less we put together the idea. It came together that quickly. We went to a number of the businesses that are anchors, and they were all extremely excited with the opportunity.”
The Shop and Stroll will take place on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Eight anchor stations will be set up along US 41 just north of Lutz-Lake Fern Road to the apex of N. Florida and N. Nebraska avenues. The stations include: Felicitous; The Old Lutz Schoolhouse; Susan’s Mane Tamers; Castle Furniture; Great Gardens and Gifts; Nancy’s Good and Fast Food; Patio Ways; and Careme’s Market. Each station will have several local businesses — more than 55 in all — that will offer samples of their products and services. Nonprofit groups, such as the Boy Scouts, will also be located at each station.
“We chose to do it along (US) 41 because at one point that was the heart of Lutz and we wanted it to be manageable in its first year,” Carr said. “Doing it this way allows us to include as many businesses as we can and incorporate the Old Lutz Schoolhouse and the Santa program. Families will already be out having a great day and hopefully take a few extra moments to stop and shop at our local shops.”
Breakfast with Santa has taken place on the second Saturday of December for the last 13 years. This year, the breakfast is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse, which will be decorated for Christmas beginning that night. The Lutz Women’s Club and North Tampa-Lutz Civil Air Patrol Squadron put on the breakfast, which raises money for the schoolhouse. The breakfast costs $2 for children and includes food and holiday crafts.
“We won’t be selling things to support us,” said Phyllis Hoedt, one of the directors of the Women’s Club. “We bring in a couple hundred dollars each year for the schoolhouse and help get families into the Christmas spirit. We’ve been doing the breakfast for over 10 years now and we’re happy to make it a part of the Shop and Stroll this year.”
