🍨 Festive runs, fresh coffee, and sweet additions

Together With

The Newsletter Your Neighbor Writes.
No Crime. No Politics.

Did a neighbor share this with you? Subscribe for free!

Good Morning From Lutz.

We’re officially right in the heart of the holiday season, and you can already feel it. Some local businesses, and probably a few neighbors you know, have wasted no time getting their Christmas decorations up. We almost joined them. I don’t mind early Christmas at all. But time got away from us, so we’ll let Thanksgiving have its moment before the lights go up.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, North Tampa Buzz will land in your inbox the day after. The poll from a couple editions ago made it clear that’s what most of you wanted.

Now that the wild cold front has moved on, we’re settling into a nice stretch of steady, comfortable weather heading into next weekend. Hope you have a great one, and if you’re looking for something fun to do, the events at the bottom might give you a few ideas.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

🥃 New bourbon bar coming to St. Joe
☕ Haraz Coffee opening in Wesley Chapel
🍨 Ksplitz expanding into Longleaf
🦃 Two Turkey Trots this week

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

Share this with someone cooking a ham instead of turkey this year.

Check out our very own community calendar! Leave some feedback, we’d love to hear from you👇

Our Community Partner Mod Nation Karts

Welcome to Mod Nation Karts, home of custom carts, epic rides, and endless fun. Based in Zephyrhills, Florida, we’re passionate about redefining what a golf cart can be — combining performance, comfort, and bold design.

Whether you want a street-legal LSV, a lifted off-road machine, or a luxury ride built for comfort & safety our team delivers precision-crafted carts that reflect your style. Every build is fully customizable, from paint and power to sound, lighting, and seating.

At Mod Nation Karts, we don’t just sell new golf carts — we create experiences. Join the Mod Nation family and discover why every ride feels like an adventure.

Check out ModNation Karts:

3773 Correia Drive
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
813-390-0523
www.modnationkarts.com

Digest

Two Turkey Trots, One Wesley Chapel Thanksgiving Tradition

If you’re looking to burn off those Thanksgiving calories before you even get a chance to consume them, there’s a great local event happening at two Wesley Chapel (or Lutz) malls.

Wesley Chapel is lucky enough to have not one but two Thanksgiving 5Ks, thanks to the long-running Wobble Turkey Trot and the Wiregrass Turkey Trot. The Wobble started back in 2012 as a small “just for fun” run at the Shops at Wiregrass, drawing about 100 people and powered mostly by coffee, bagels, and neighborly spirit. It’s grown into a beloved tradition with more than 1,300 runners and now takes place at the Tampa Premium Outlets, led by race founder Rich Wills.

Meanwhile, the New Tampa Rotary Club kept the original Wiregrass race going at the mall, giving families a second option right here in our community. Both events pull huge crowds, have deep community roots, and remain a favorite way to kick off Thanksgiving morning before digging into the big meal.

When & Where:
• BayCare Wobble Turkey Trot — Tampa Premium Outlets, Thanksgiving morning
Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Lutz/BayCareWobbleTurkeyTrot5k

• Wiregrass Turkey Trot — The Shops at Wiregrass, Thanksgiving morning
Register: https://raceroster.com/events/2025/105319/wiregrass-turkey-trot

Restaurants

Ksplitz Creamery Expands East With New Longleaf Location

Today’s Buzz has a little extra restaurant news in it.

Ksplitz Creamery is expanding a little farther east and opening a second location in Longleaf, right between Trinity and Odessa. The family-run New Port Richey favorite started as a food truck back in 2021 and grew into their first brick-and-mortar shop on SR 54, all built around small-batch, handmade ice cream and Maryland-style snowballs.

The new spot at 3104 Town Ave is aiming to open just after Thanksgiving once final inspections are wrapped up. They’re planning to follow the same daily noon openings and later weekend hours, giving Longleaf and Starkey Ranch neighbors a sweet new hangout close to home.

The Original Floridian Bar and Grill Coming to St. Joe

A new bourbon-focused bar and grill is on the way to Dade City as the Florida Cracker Restaurant Group prepares to open The Original Floridian at 31936 St. Joe Road. The building is in the final stretch of a full interior rebuild, and the concept will feature 400 to 500 bourbons, a strong tequila lineup, indoor and porch seating, light live music, and Old Florida décor including the mounted Sharber Buck and a vintage grove truck marking the entrance. The menu will include wings, prime rib, short rib burgers, fried catfish, fried gator, chicken sandwiches, and salads, with wood-fired pizza planned later. There’s no firm opening date yet.

Quick Reminder: Haraz Coffee House Opening Soon

Just a heads up that Haraz Coffee House is still on track to open at 1722 Bruce B Downs Blvd in Wesley Chapel. They’re targeting the week of Thanksgiving as long as final approvals come through, bringing their Yemeni signature drinks, pastries, and late-night hours to the neighborhood.

Community

Wesley Chapel School Earns Top Architecture Award

A round up from the Suncoast News points out that the Kirkland Academy of Innovation in Wesley Chapel has earned the top honor from AIA Tampa Bay for standout architectural design and its impact on students and the community. Built around hands-on learning with flexible, state-of-the-art spaces, the school sets a model for future-focused education, and Pasco County Schools thanked the design team for creating an environment that inspires curiosity, collaboration, and career readiness.

Land O’ Lakes Organization Opens Doors to Opportunity

Hope Services in Land O’ Lakes has grown into a major force for good, helping people with disabilities and other challenges build real career paths through hands-on training and life skills programs. Founded by local mom Cindy Bray after her daughter struggled to find work, the organization now serves 10 counties, offers scholarships, and partners with statewide agencies to make programs accessible to anyone who needs them.

Their vocational training center in Land O’ Lakes offers small class sizes, mental health support, and real-world training in fields like culinary, construction, retail, and hospitality. With strong partnerships from Publix to Chick-fil-A, their goal is simple: make sure every student who walks in the door leaves with confidence, career-ready skills, and a genuine shot at a positive future. They have fall career camps next week but you’ll have to check for availability.

Events North of Tampa

Each newsletter comes loaded with local events to help answer the question we all ask at some point: “What can we do this week without driving to downtown Tampa?”

Featured Event

The Harvest Markets at The Grove at Wesley Chapel

If you’re looking for an easy Sunday outing, the Harvest Markets at The Grove are one of the biggest shopping events in Wesley Chapel, popping up every 2nd and 4th Sunday with more than 100 local vendors. It’s free to park, free to enter, and an easy way to browse handmade goods, fresh food, décor, and gifts from merchants across the Tampa Bay area.

What you’ll find there:

• 🍰 Cottage baked goods and pastries

• 🍯 Local honey, jams, candies, and produce

• 🍅 Farm-fresh fruits and veggies

• 🏡 Home décor and handmade candles

• 👗 Boutique clothing and accessories

• 🛁 Natural bath and body products

• 💍 Handmade jewelry and unique gifts

• 🎁 Toys, souvenirs, and seasonal items

Live Music

Friday, November 21

• Art's Tap House, New Port Richey | FM Station | 8–11:55 PM

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Thunderbolt Brown | 8–11:59 PM

• Brass Mug, Tampa | Eleni And the Uprising | 7–11:59 PM

• Cigars International Superstore, Lutz | Live Music | 8–11:45 PM

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Coco Red | 7–11 PM

• Florida Avenue Brewing Co., Wesley Chapel | Matt Capps | 7–10 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Patrick Foy | 7–10 PM

• In the Loop Brewing, Land O' Lakes | Fred Chandler | 6–9 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Groove 41 | 9 PM–1 AM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Aurora for the Night | 8–11:59 PM

• Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Backtrack Blues Band | 8 PM

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Jeff Odell | 6:30–9:30 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Matt Winter Band | 6–9 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Pete and Jack | 7–10 PM

• The Brass Tap, Lutz | Live Music TBA | 7–10 PM

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Sanguisugabogg | 5–11 PM

• The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Damon Fowler | 8–11:59 PM

• Thomas Ps Sports Bar & Patio, Tampa | Gary Coco | 5–8 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O' Lakes | Todd “The Mojoman” | 7–10 PM

• Tom's Tavern (Forest Hills), Tampa | Buzzfactor | 8–11:59 PM

Saturday, November 22

• Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Pete Hunt & The Southern Branded Band | 8–11:55 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | Danny Songbird | 6–9 PM

• Brass Mug, Tampa | Star The Motion, FrostFang, Vermination, DeadWeight | 7–11 PM

• Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Ben Meyer | 8–11 PM

• Double Bogeys Tavern & Grille, Lutz | Stormbringer | 7–11 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Ray Boucher | 6–9 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Charles Goodwin | 7–10 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | High Fives | 9 PM–1 AM

• Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Impulse | 8 PM

• SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Wade Williams | 6:30–9:30 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | TBD Live Music | 6–9 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Gary Coco | 7–10 PM

• Tiki Cove, Land O' Lakes | Encore | 7–10 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Lorelei on Rocks | 7:30–10:30 PM

• Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Live Music Saturdays | 5–8 PM

Sunday, November 23

• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Matt Dallas | 7–10 PM

• Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Acoustic Sunday Brunch w/ Rev Billy C Wirtz & Marvelous Marvin | 1–4 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Brad Noblitt | 1–4 PM

• Stonewater Grill, Land O' Lakes | Midnight Blue | 5–8 PM

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Greyhaven | 7–11 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Todd Lutes | 4:30–7:30 PM

Tuesday, November 25

• Green Parrot Tiki Bar & Grill, Tampa | Fred Chandler Open Mic | 7–10 PM

• The Orpheum, Tampa | Cattle Decapitation | 6–11 PM

• Ukulele Brand's, Land O' Lakes | Open Mic Night | 7–10 PM

Markets

Saturday, November 22

• Bexley Market on the Lawn, Land O' Lakes | Bexley Market on the Lawn | 10 AM–2 PM

• Magnanimous Brewing, Tampa | Friendsgiving Market | 1–5 PM

• Mistletoe Market, Dade City | Mistletoe Market | 9 AM–1 PM

Sunday, November 23

• Community Market at Starkey, New Port Richey | Community Market at Starkey | 10 AM–2 PM

• Harvest Markets, Wesley Chapel | Harvest Markets | 11 AM–3 PM

• Farm at Bearss Groves, LLC, Tampa | Friendsgiving on the Farm | 3–6 PM

• Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Sunday Harvest Market | 1–5 PM

Events

Friday, November 21

• Commandough's Pizza, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30 PM

• Downtown Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills | Friday Night Lights | 8 AM–5 PM

• Florida Farm School & Animal Rescue, Dade City | Toddler Time | 10:30 AM–12 PM

• 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa | Classic Rock Legacy: Abbey Road | 8–11 PM

• Keel Farms, Plant City | Line Dancing Lessons w/ Bobbie | 6–8 PM

• Plant City Pig Jam, Plant City | Plant City Pig Jame | 5–10 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa | Will Abeles | 7:30–9:15 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | 12 Days of Beermas | 12 PM

• Starkey Market is not included in this list (none pasted for this date)

• Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Keeping it Country | 7–11 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club - Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Comic's Night Out | 9:30–11:15 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 PM

• Wesley Chapel - The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Senior Social – 50+ | 3–5 PM

Saturday, November 22

• Cypress Creek Preserve, Land O' Lakes | Thanksgiving Hike: A Walk of Gratitude | 10 AM–1 PM

• Beef 'O' Brady's, Land O' Lakes | Survey Says Trivia Game | 6–8 PM

• 311 Newberger Rd, Lutz | Thanksgiving Free Turkey Giveaway! | 10 AM

• Life Church Lutz, Lutz | Thanksgiving Meal Box Pickup | 12–1 PM

• R.E. Olds Park, Oldsmar | Oldsmar Carnival | 11 AM–10 PM

• 8820 Gall Blvd, Zephyrhills | Moramato of Zephyrhills Thanksgiving Event | 10 AM–4 PM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Brunch | 8 AM–2 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa | Will Abeles | 7–8:45 PM

• Side Splitters Comedy Club, Tampa | Will Abeles | 9:30–11:15 PM

• Withlacoochee River Park, Dade City | Monthly Homeschool Hike | 10 AM–12 PM

• BarrieHaus Beer Co Trinity, Trinity | 12 Days of Beermas | 12 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Posies Flower Truck | 10 AM–1 PM

• Wesley Chapel Nissan, Wesley Chapel | Bowling for Turkeys | 11 AM–1 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 PM

• Plant City Pig Jam, Plant City | Plant City Pig Jam | 10 AM–10 PM

Sunday, November 23

• Agnes Lamb Park, Dade City | Breathe & Stretch Yoga | 1–2 PM

• Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Bends & Brews | 10–11 AM

• In the Loop Brewing, Land O' Lakes | Goat Yoga Tampa | 10–11 AM

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Brunch | 8 AM–2 PM

• 8550 Hunters Village Road, Tampa | New Tampa Unplugged: MJR Latin Project | 3–6 PM

Monday, November 24

• Dade City Brew House, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9 PM

• Santelli's, Odessa | Kids Pizza Making | 11 AM–1 PM

• Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory, Odessa | Trivia Night | 6:30–8:30 PM

Tuesday, November 25

• Florida Cracker Fish Company, Tampa | Kids Night | 5:30–8:30 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub, Tampa | Trivia w/ Tucker | 7–9 PM

• Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company, Odessa | Holiday Countdown Workshop | 6:30–8:30 PM

• Starkey Market, Trinity | Drum Circle | 7–10 PM

• The Wexford Irish Pub & Grille, Lutz | Trivia Night | 7–9 PM

• Whiskey Willy's, Lutz | Pool Tournament w/ Karaoke | 9–11 PM

• Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Trivia and Taco Tuesday | 7–9 PM

• O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel | Trivia w/ Dang Yo | 7:30–10:30 PM

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

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter!

If you loved it, send it to a friend.