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Good Morning From Lutz.

It’s that time of year. It all starts with Halloween, slowly builds through Thanksgiving, and then reaches the full crescendo of Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s. The days off, the extra PTO, the travel, the family time, the occasional disagreements, the mix of relaxation and exhaustion. Now, most of us are settling back into our routines again, and even the kids are back in school today. Here’s to a great year ahead, including those first couple of weeks where we all forget to type 2026 instead of 2025.

This week, many of our regularly scheduled programs are back in full swing, and honestly, it feels good to return to a bit of normalcy. The cooler weather has been a nice change too, especially without the snow our friends to the north are dealing with. Take a look at what’s happening around town and be sure to check out the events on our calendar.

And even though the Bucs didn’t make it into the playoffs, the Bucky Irving meet and greet is still happening. Hope you have a great week ahead.

Let’s get to it.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🍽️ Stillwaters Tavern Is Coming to Land O’ Lakes
🍦 Urban Crunch Nears Opening at The Hub at Bexley
🥤 Swig on 54 & Sunlake Appears Ready to Open
🏓 Pickleball Social Club Coming Soon to Carrollwood

…and more!

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

Share this with someone who’s actually happy to be back at work this week.

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

Lutz Whistle Stop Depot
100 4th Ave NW
Lutz, FL 33548

The Lutz Whistle Stop Depot is a family-owned premium boutique with over 60 local artisan vendors.  Come and see  - unique gifts, vintage, antique, repurposed, handcrafted, home décor, furniture, seasonal, delectables, and other whimsical items for sale throughout our property.  We feature a Main Boutique, an Art Gallery, a General Store, a full-service Tea Room, a Garden Retail Center, and a small private garden/lakeside space for weddings and parties.   You can see more details on our website – www.lutzwhistlestop.com.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Here’s a quick North Tampa Buzz video giving you a little peek at the beauty and care that make this place so special.

Stillwaters Tavern Is Coming to Land O’ Lakes

Stillwaters Tavern, the American scratch kitchen and bar from 2B Hospitality, is coming to Land O’ Lakes and will be located just behind and to the north of The Hub at Bexley, near BellaBrava. The concept currently operates in downtown St. Petersburg and is known for flavor-forward dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, spanning both land and sea.

If the existing menu is any indication, diners can expect hearty mains, sandwiches, and popular brunch items once the doors open. Other tenants in the Bexley area say the restaurant is targeting a spring opening, making this another highly anticipated addition to the growing dining scene north of Tampa.

Urban Crunch Is Almost Here at The Hub at Bexley

I stopped by the new Urban Crunch location that’s wrapping up construction at The Hub at Bexley, and they’re aiming to open next week. This will be their second spot in the area, joining their Starkey location, and they’re also the sister company to Brew Bar at Krate at the Grove. Expect over-the-top milkshakes, lattes, matcha, and a wide variety of ice cream flavors, all served in a space that’s just as fun and photo-worthy as the treats themselves.

Get a feel for them here.

Cook Out Breaks Ground in Temple Terrace

Cook Out has officially started construction at the corner of 56th Street and East Fowler Avenue, taking over the former Boston Market site that’s been vacant since 2023. The North Carolina–based chain is known for chargrilled burgers, chicken sandwiches, and an extensive milkshake menu, and is especially popular for its late-night hours.

There are also some references to a Carrollwood location in other, older articles.

Swig on 54 at Sunlake Appears Ready to Go!

Google Maps says the opening date is this Wednesday, Jan. 7th!

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

Pasco County Schools Share New AI Guidelines

Pasco County Schools are introducing new guidelines for how artificial intelligence can be used in classrooms, with an emphasis on responsible use and clear expectations for students and staff. Superintendent John Legg said the district wants to ensure students understand how to use AI appropriately, including its benefits, limitations, and potential consequences, while also supporting teachers with training and resources. More detailed guidance is expected to be shared publicly by March, with changes anticipated ahead of the 2026 school year.

The district also addressed enrollment trends and the Schools of Hope program, noting that while Pasco County’s population has grown significantly since 2020, overall student enrollment has declined slightly, particularly in the western part of the county. District leaders confirmed that the Schools of Hope program has not impacted Pasco County schools and said they will continue evaluating classroom capacity, charter school growth, and long-term planning as the county continues to evolve.

Pickleball Social Club Coming Soon to Carrollwood

Flapjack Social Club is set to open in early 2026 at The Palms of Carrollwood Shopping Center on North Dale Mabry, bringing a new kind of pickleball and padel experience to the area. The 30,000-square-foot facility will feature 13 courts, indoor and outdoor social spaces, a café and bar, co-working areas, and a full recovery zone with a cold plunge and sauna. Designed as both a sports hub and a community space, Flapjack will offer memberships and day passes, along with leagues, clinics, tournaments, and year-round social programming. The club will also use an AI concierge to help match players by skill and availability and manage court flow, making it one of the first facilities of its kind in the Tampa Bay region.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Rocky

Rocky (A038867) is a 9yo tan and white pittie weighing 75lbs. Rocky recently spent time in a foster home during the Christmas holiday, and he was a perfect house guest! Rocky is a couch & backyard potato. He loves basking in laps and basking in a sunny dirt patch. While Rocky is a senior, he does have some spunk when he goes out for a walk! Rocky arrived at PCAS with his sister after their owner passed away, so he has lived with other dogs before. His sister was adopted quickly, leaving this snuggle bug on his own in the shelter. Come meet this sweet guy!

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

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

These are sorted first by town, then venue, which is a little different than we used to do it. Also, our legacy Google calendar can be found below, be sure to switch to “Schedule” view.

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

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