🎄 Holiday Lights, New Openings and Stella Got Adopted

Author

Mike Rendel
December 09, 2025

The Newsletter You Write.

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Good Morning Neighbors.

We were brushing up against a drought, then the rain finally showed up, and now we get our cool front. I hope you had a great weekend soaking in all the markets and festivals around the area. It’s one of the things I love most here, that there’s always something happening close to home.

We’re just a little over three weeks from the new year, the much-debated College Football Playoff results are out, and the neighborhood light displays are already giving us plenty to smile about. Have a great week and we’ll talk Friday.

-Mike

In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:

  • ✨ Wiregrass leans into holiday shopping magic

  • 🍳 EggBred prepares to open in Bexley

  • 🐾 Stella gets adopted and Thurston needs you

  • 🚧 Morris Bridge repairs shift local traffic

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Digest

How Wiregrass Is Drawing Shoppers Back This Holiday Season

Spectrum News did a piece on how holiday shopping is shifting and how places like The Shops at Wiregrass are responding. Even though online spending jumped again this season, the real story isn’t Cyber Monday at all. It’s about how malls are adjusting as families watch their budgets and lean more on the convenience of online shopping.

Wiregrass is leaning into what it does best this time of year. Symphony in Lights runs nightly from 6–9 p.m. through New Year’s Eve with music and snowfall, and the shops are offering in-person perks and BOPIS (Buy Online, Pick Up In Store) deals to give people a reason to come by.

So while online shopping keeps growing, places like Wiregrass are betting that a little magic, some good deals, and a fun night out can still bring people through the doors.

Businesses and Development

EggBred Opening Soon in Land O’ Lakes

A new breakfast favorite is getting ready to hatch at that wonderful Hub at Bexley, the spot that keeps adding great dining, new restaurants like Stillwaters Tavern, hangout favorites like Spanky’s, and lively markets every couple of weeks. EggBred is planning to open before the end of 2025 at 16916 Focus Loop #10, Land O’ Lakes, bringing its chef-led take on breakfast sandwiches, scratch-made dishes, and cold-pressed juices to the neighborhood.

Inside, the shop seats 20, with six patio tables outside, and will run 7 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m.–3 p.m. on weekends. The menu leans into soft-scrambled eggs, freshly baked buns from local bakeries, cold-pressed juices, and a lineup that stretches from burritos and burgers to poutines, waffles, and housemade biscuits.

By the way, Stella, who we showcased last week as our Pet of the Week, was adopted, and we couldn’t be happier for her. And keeping the good news going, Pasco County Animal Services is hosting a festive Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 13 from noon to 4 p.m., with Santa photos, kids’ crafts, tours, adoptions, and plenty more.

Pasco County Animal Services Presents: Thurston

Thurston (A038342) is an 8-year old neutered mixed breed male weighing 45 pounds. Thurston was found as an injured stray in Dade City and was brought to PCAS on 9/11. He sought help by showing up on someone’s doorstep – proving that Thurston is quite resourceful and is people friendly. Thurston is starting to show signs of kennel stress and would greatly benefit from finding a loving home.

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

Community

Morris Bridge Road Closure Update

There’s been a lot of talk lately about Morris Bridge, between the sinkhole and a few other headaches, and Tampa Beacon just shared the newest update. A stretch of Morris Bridge Road between Apache Drive and Bonnet Hole Drive is now closed for stormwater drainage repairs, with the county aiming to reopen it on Tuesday, December 23. Detours are sending drivers over to Cross Creek Boulevard and Bruce B. Downs, and navigation apps have already adjusted to help route traffic around the work zone.

Backyard Chickens in Pasco

Alright friends, a little more chicken talk for you, but with all the natural space and rural pockets that make Pasco so special, it feels right to finally have some clarity here. After more than a decade of debate, the county has approved a simplified set of rules that now lets homeowners keep up to four hens. No roosters, but far fewer hurdles, simpler coop guidelines, and no mandatory certification course. The whole idea is to make having a few backyard hens feel fun and manageable while still keeping neighborhoods clean, safe, and peaceful.

adorable cat GIF

True Wesley Chapel?

Neighborhood News has a really interesting breakdown of what actually counts as Wesley Chapel and why so many spots we all think are WC don’t technically fall inside the official lines. It’s a quick read that shows how blurry those boundaries have become as the area keeps booming.

awkward pulp fiction GIF

Vantagepoint A.I. Expands in Wesley Chapel

Here is the press release for a major headquarters expansion from Vantagepoint A.I., one of Wesley Chapel’s longest-standing tech companies. They’re investing more than $4 million to triple their space, a move county leaders say reinforces the company’s deep roots in our community and strengthens Pasco’s growing tech corridor.

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?”

Live Music

Tuesday, December 9

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

Wednesday, December 10

  • SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Open Mic | 6–9 PM

  • The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Open Mic | 7–10 PM

  • Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Thursday, December 11

  • Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | Vincent Vega | 6–9 PM

  • Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Friday, December 12

  • Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Soul Circus Cowboys | 8–11:55 PM

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

  • Dade City Tap House and Spirits, Dade City | John Johnson | 8–11 PM

  • Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Aurora 5 | 7–11 PM

  • Escape Brewing Company, Trinity | Jay Brown | 5–8 PM

  • Florida Cracker Fish Company, Citrus Park | Matthew McCartney | 7–10 PM

  • House of Brews, Lutz | Richie Hume | 6–9 PM

  • O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | Lost Swamp Revival | 8–11:59 PM

  • Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Jah Movement | 8 PM

  • SouthernEaze Bar and Grill, Lutz | Joe Mongiardo | 6:30–9:30 PM

  • Stonewater Grill, Land O’ Lakes | 4X | 7–10 PM

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

  • The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Mike Monts de Oca | 8–11 PM

  • Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Maverick & Pasquini | 8–11 PM

  • Art’s Tap House, New Port Richey | Swipe Right | 8–11 PM

Markets

Friday, December 12

  • Dade City Brew House, Dade City | Street Bash Night Market | 5–9 PM

  • McCall Park, Plant City | Jingle Jangle Market | 5–9 PM

Saturday, December 13

  • Carrollwood Cultural Center, Carrollwood | Carrollwood Market | 10 AM–2 PM

  • Masaryk Winery, Masaryktown | Christmas Market at Masaryk Winery | 10 AM–3 PM

  • Northpointe (Indoor Market Venue), Lutz | Lutz Crafter’s Market – Indoor Christmas Market | 10 AM–3 PM

  • Texas Roadhouse, Odessa | Texas Roadhouse Community Market | 10 AM–2 PM

  • Tiki Cove, Land O’ Lakes | Ho Ho Ho Moon Market | 5–9 PM

  • Zephyr Park, Zephyrhills | Saturday @ Zephyr Park | 9 AM–2 PM

Sunday, December 14

  • In the Loop Brewing, Land O’ Lakes | Hoppy Christmas Market | 12–4 PM

  • Masaryk Winery, Masaryktown | Christmas Market at Masaryk Winery | 10 AM–3 PM

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

Events

Tuesday, December 9

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

  • Hyatt Place Tampa Wesley Chapel, Lutz | Women Impact Network | 6:30–8:30 PM

  • Main Theatre, Tampa | Snow Queen (Sold Out) | 10:45 AM–12 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, December 10

  • BarrieHaus Beer Co., Trinity | Big Trophy Trivia | 7–9 PM

  • Dade City Tap House and Spirits, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9 PM

  • Green Parrot Tiki Bar & Grill, Tampa | Karaoke | 8–11:59 PM

  • House of Brews, Lutz | Trivia | 7–9 PM

  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, Land O’ Lakes | Line Dancing ($2) | 10–11:30 AM

  • O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Tampa | Line Dancing w/ Simone | 7–9 PM

  • O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill, Wesley Chapel | Karaoke w/ Shaun Babb | 8–11 PM

  • Top Shelf Sports Lounge, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM

  • Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen, Tampa | Trivia & Music Bingo | 7–9 PM

Thursday, December 11

  • Art’s Tap House, New Port Richey | Karaoke w/ DJ TerryHD | 7–11 PM

  • Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Line Dance Lessons / Ladies Night | 7–11 PM

  • Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Line Dance Lessons / Ladies Night | 7:30–11 PM

  • BayScape Bistro, Tampa | Trivia Night | 6:30–8:30 PM

  • Bubba’s 33, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7–10 PM

  • Commandough’s Pizza, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7–10:30 PM

  • Dade City Tap House and Spirits, Dade City | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30 PM

  • Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Cornhole Tournament | 7–10 PM

  • Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Trivia | 7–9 PM

  • Keel Farms, Plant City | Line Dancing on the Patio | 7–9 PM

  • Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Throwback Thursday | 6–9 PM

  • Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Kevin McCaffrey | 8–9:45 PM

  • The Barn at Starkey Market, New Port Richey | Trivia | 7–9 PM

  • The Collective at Escape, Trinity | Trivia | 7–9 PM

  • Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM

  • O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Tampa | Karaoke w/ Joe | 8–11:59 PM

Friday, December 12

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

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

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

  • Keel Farms, Plant City | Line Dancing – Country Fridays | 6–10 PM

  • Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Freestyle & House Music | 7–11 PM

  • Raprager Family Farms, Odessa | Rapragar Farms Winter Festival | 4–8 PM

  • Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Kevin McCaffrey | 7:30–9:15 PM

  • Side Splitters Comedy Club, Wesley Chapel | Kevin McCaffrey | 9:30–11:15 PM

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

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

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

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