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Good Morning!

This time, the weather will actually be nice for the weekend, beautiful even. Then we’ll go right back to fighting the cold Monday night when temps threaten to dip into the 30s again. So let’s soak up the good weather while we can.

Check out our recent updates to the Community Calendar. You’ll notice more links sprinkled throughout too. If anything feels off or sends you somewhere unexpected, please tell us. And if you’re looking for just a list of everything happening around town, the full events list lives in a separate post and on the website.

One last thing before we dive in. We’ve officially launched our Community Events Facebook Group to make it even easier to share what’s happening locally. If you haven’t joined yet, click below and come hang out with us.

Alright, let’s get to it.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🚧Ridge Road extension pushes toward completion
☕Buddy Brew arrives inside Sprouts
🌱Wild Thyme’s farm-to-table magic
🍳EggBred opens at The Hub

…and more!

Feel free to follow us on Instagram for more local updates.

Share this with a northern transplant that wears a t-shirt and shorts in this weather!

Check out our community calendar and leave some feedback. We’d love to hear from you 👇

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900 NW 17th Avenue, Unit 202
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Mobile (954) 821-5062
Tel (561) 486-0731
[email protected]

Ridge Road is finally pushing through

Phase II of the Ridge Road Extension is officially on track, with Pasco saying the road should be open by late 2026. This stretch will finally connect North Sunlake Boulevard to U.S. 41, creating a brand-new east–west route through Land O’ Lakes. It won’t be totally “finished” at first, but even a partially open road is going to be a big deal for daily traffic.

And it’s not the only road project happening around here. Sidewalk gaps, trail overpasses, repaving on State Road 54, and even future widening of State Road 52 are all part of what’s coming next. It’s a lot of construction now, but it’s all setting up a much easier way to get around in the years ahead.

Your Sprouts runs are about to get a lot better

Buddy Brew Coffee is opening in-store cafés inside 10 Sprouts locations around the Tampa Bay area, and yes, that includes Pasco. It’s their first time expanding into Pasco and Pinellas, which means good local coffee is about to be way more convenient. If you already love grabbing a drink while you shop, this is a win.

Right now Buddy Brew only has nine locations total, so this more than doubles their footprint. You’ll be able to grab espresso drinks, cold brew, and their full café menu while you’re picking up groceries. It’s still roasted locally in Tampa, still small-batch, just now a whole lot easier to get.

So… what’s the deal with Wild Thyme?

If you’ve heard people talking about Wild Thyme in Angeline and wondered what makes it so different, it’s because it’s literally connected to a working farm. The café sits right next to The Farm at Angeline, which grows fresh produce that goes straight into their kitchen, so the menu actually changes based on what’s being harvested.

The farm itself has become a little community hub with markets, workshops, school field trips, and even hands-on classes. It’s one of those places that feels like more than just a restaurant or a garden, it’s a whole experience built into the neighborhood.

Another New Spot Coming Together at The Hub at Bexley

Just a reminder that tomorrow EggBred is opening its doors at The Hub and they’re doing it in a big, breakfast-loving way.

The first 100 guests get a free breakfast sandwich, the next 100 get a free one on their next visit, and there’s free coffee all day Saturday and Sunday. Add in giveaways like free EggBred for a year and Margaritaville at Sea cruise tickets (enter to win here!), and this one’s worth putting on your calendar.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Coco

Coco (A039219) is a 9yo female brown pittie who is looking for a new start after her owner passed away. Coco is a low-key girl who would make a wonderful companion for a senior or just someone looking for a sweet girl who’s chill. Coco recently spent time in a foster home during our “Home for the Pawlidays” Christmas foster event, and she has been an office foster dog here at PCAS. Coco is a gentle soul who seriously deserves lots of love.

Pasco County Animal Services
19640 Dogpatch Lane
Land O Lakes, FL 34638
Tues - Thurs 12-5:30pm
Fri - Sat 12-6:30pm
(813) 929-1212
MyPasco.net/PAS

San Antonio Is One of the Hottest ZIP Codes in the Country

San Antonio quietly landed on a national list this month, coming in at No. 9 on MovingPlace’s ranking of the hottest ZIP codes in the country. Out of nearly 700,000 moves analyzed, this little town showed up as one of the most in-demand places to live right now, right alongside fast-growing areas across the Sunbelt. It’s a pretty cool reminder that what feels like “everyone moving here” isn’t just a feeling anymore, it’s showing up in the data too.

The Rays Stadium Conversation Isn’t Going Away

The Rays stadium talks just took a real step forward. Hillsborough College trustees unanimously approved a non-binding agreement that keeps negotiations moving to potentially build a new stadium and mixed-use district on the Dale Mabry campus, with hotels, housing, retail, and new college facilities as part of the plan. Nothing is finalized yet, but this gives both sides up to six months to work out real details like financing, land use, and approvals, and even the governor has said he supports the idea as long as the state isn’t paying for the stadium itself.

It does look like, though, if this deal falls through, Orlando could be in the drivers’ seat. But who the heck even knows anymore.

Two new schools are coming to help with the Wesley Chapel crowding

If you’ve felt how packed the schools are around Wesley Chapel, this news will make sense fast. A new medical magnet high school in Meadow Pointe and a K–8 school in the Two Rivers area are both expected to open in 2028, with construction likely starting in the next few months. Right now, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch high schools are operating well over capacity, so this is a much-needed step.

The Meadow Pointe campus will focus on medical programs and still have full athletic facilities, which is something families have asked for. The Two Rivers K–8 will serve that growing development and nearby neighborhoods, including parts of Wesley Chapel. With growth continuing across Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass, and Zephyrhills, this feels like the district finally catching up to what families are already experiencing every day.

Pasco is stepping up in a big way

This is a positive, hopeful light to shine on local efforts to fight a tough topic. Pasco County has a full commission focused on fighting human trafficking, and they’re not just talking about it, they’re training county employees and preparing to expand that training into our school system. What’s happening here is now being noticed far beyond Pasco.

They recently led a national workshop and now other communities across the country are reaching out for guidance. Locally, they’re getting awareness materials into firehouses and schools and even helping with real recovery efforts for missing and endangered children. January is now officially Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Pasco, and it feels like more than just words.

I hope this answers the question, “What is there to do around town without having to drive down to Tampa?”

Instead of listing every single event here, I’m going to start highlighting/featuring a few things each day to keep this section easy to scan. So these are just some standouts.

If you’re looking for everything happening around town, the full Community Calendar is still the best place to go. Or, you can find the full list here.

Friday Moonlight Market at The Hub at Bexley

Today, the Moonlight Market returns to The Hub at Bexley from 5–9 PM, bringing live music, food, local vendors, and a relaxed neighborhood vibe. It’s held every 2nd and 4th Friday, but this one is shaping up to be a fun way to kick off the weekend. It’s family-friendly, pet-friendly, and an easy stop for dinner, shopping, and something different.

Event Details
• Time: 5:00–9:00 PM
• Location: The Hub at Bexley
• Address: 16954 Focus Loop, Land O’ Lakes

What you’ll find
• Live music + community atmosphere
• Food from BellaBrava, Taco Bus, and Spanky’s
• Dozens of local vendors (jewelry, baked goods, candles, home décor, gifts, and more)
• Pet-friendly thanks to Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming

EggBred Grand Opening

As mentioned above, can’t wait to see what this is going to look like!

Tampa Local Market at the Draft Haus & Kitchen

If you’re looking for an easy Sunday plan, this local market is happening Sunday, January 25 from 1–5 PM at Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen in Tampa. It’s a relaxed, pop-in kind of event where you can browse handmade goods, grab food, and hang out with friends while supporting local makers.

Event Details
• Time: 1:00–5:00 PM
• Location: Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen
• Address: 11109 N 30th Street, Tampa

Lagoonside Market at Mirada (Rescheduled)

Good news, this one is back on for this Sunday, January 25 from 3–7 PM at the Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio. If you’ve never been, it’s the huge crystal lagoon community just off Mirada Blvd, and it makes for a really fun setting for a market. Best part, it’s totally free to attend.

You’ll find 30+ local vendors with handmade goods, art, jewelry, pet items, clothing, and packaged foods to take home, plus a featured food vendor for ready-to-eat bites. Each market has a different theme, so it never feels like the same event twice. Just a heads up, there are no tickets or fees for this event, so if you see anyone trying to sell them, it’s not legit.

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.

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