🤔Wesley Chapel: Town No More?

Buzzing with Joy: No Politics, Just Positivity!
A community-led initiative.

Good Morning Neighbor. I know it's only Tuesday and the weekend feels so far away. But stay focused, and keep chasing those dreams, just like Bruce the bat-retrieving golden retriever who made his MLB debut and absolutely nailed it.

In Today’s Edition:

🗳️ Could Wesley Chapel become Florida’s newest city?
🧊 OddFellows Ice Cream lands at Wiregrass
✈️ Breeze launches nonstop flights to Key West

You can always reply to this email with suggestions or just to say hi. We are neighbors, after all. We also post extra local finds on Instagram.

Send this to the mom whose trunk is 50% sports gear, 50% folding chairs, and somehow still has room for snacks.

“Schedule” view makes the calendar easier and everything is listed down below as well.

Digest

Could Wesley Chapel Become Florida’s Newest City?
Once called Double Branch and even Gatorville, Wesley Chapel has come a long way from its ranchland roots. Now one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida, it may be ready for its next big move: becoming an official city. The idea first surfaced back in 2003, but it never made it to a vote. Now the conversation is picking back up.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber is leading the charge to study whether incorporation makes sense. With more than 80,000 residents and continued growth, some believe local control over services like police, fire, and roads could better meet the community's needs. The Chamber is planning to raise $75,000 to fund an independent economic study, which will begin in August. About a third of that has already been pledged by early supporters.

If the numbers check out and the community is on board, the issue could be placed on the ballot in November 2026. That would give residents the chance to vote on forming a local government with its own council and services, rather than relying entirely on the county.

Chamber CEO Hope Kennedy says this will be the most detailed look Wesley Chapel has ever taken at becoming a city. The goal is not to sway anyone but to provide facts, answer questions, and let neighbors decide what kind of future they want to build together.

Civic News

Free Food Distribution – July 9
As part of the theme for this summer, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office is hosting a drive-thru food distribution on Wednesday, July 9 at Refuge Church (5320 Palmetto Rd., New Port Richey). It starts at 9 AM and runs until supplies are gone.

Groceries are free and available to anyone—no registration needed. This event is first-come, first-served and will take place rain or shine. Partners include Farm Share, Pasco NAACP, and several local charities.

Big Widening Ahead for DeCubellis and Starkey
Pasco County just approved the next step in a $54 million road project that’ll widen DeCubellis Road (from Little Rd to Town Center Rd) and a stretch of Starkey Blvd just south of there. It’s all about easing congestion and keeping up with the boom in that corridor.

Expect four lanes, upgraded intersections, and even a multi-use trail with bike lanes. Construction is set to kick off in spring 2028 and wrap by 2030, so not tomorrow, but it’s officially moving forward.

Restaurants and Local Business

ALDI Opens in Former Northdale Winn-Dixie
Go ahead and borrow a few coins from that quarter jar you’ve been saving for your nephew. Northdale officially welcomed its own ALDI on June 12, taking over the former Winn-Dixie location at 15692 N. Dale Mabry Hwy after nine months of renovation. A soft opening on June 11 brought in some early shoppers, but the grand opening came with gift bags and two surprise gift cards, one for $100 and another for $500.

This store is part of ALDI’s larger effort to convert former Winn-Dixie and Harveys locations across the Southeast. As of now, the rest of the old Winn-Dixie space in the plaza is still waiting to be filled.

OddFellows Ice Cream Coming to Wiregrass
Big flavor is on the way. OddFellows Ice Cream, the NYC-born shop known for wild combos like Miso Peanut Butter Brownie and over 500 creative flavors, is opening at The Shops at Wiregrass.

This will be their second Tampa Bay location after Hyde Park. No opening date yet, but plans are in and scoops are coming.

Community

Tampa to Key West, No Road Trip Required
Breeze Airways just made that dreamy island weekend a whole lot easier. Starting June 12, they’re offering nonstop flights from Tampa to Key West four times a week—on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Intro fares start around $39 to $59 one-way, depending on how fancy you want to fly (yes, they have a “Nicest” tier).

The first flight got the full celebration treatment, with a water cannon salute, key lime pie on a stick, and plenty of Florida flair. Breeze is stepping into the gap left by Silver Airways (not sure if you heard about all that), and they’re doing it with style. The quick flight takes just about an hour, which beats the seven-hour drive any day.

Perfect for a quick escape or last-minute long weekend. No bridges, no tolls, just sunshine.

Events North of Tampa

If you have something coming up and you would like us to feature it at the top of the newsletter, let us know.

Live Music

Tuesday, June 17

Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Open Mic | 7–10 PM
Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | Open Mic | 7–10 PM

Wednesday, June 18

Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | John Nunes | 6:30–10 PM
The Orpheum, Tampa | Ginger Root | 7–10 PM
Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Thursday, June 19

Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | MIDNIGHT BLUE | 6–9 PM
Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Open Mic w/ Fred Chandler | 7–10 PM

Friday, June 20

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Darrell Sikes Band | 8–11:55 PM
Dade City Brewhouse, Dade City | Miss Meaty Okra | 7–10 PM
Double Bogeys Tavern, Lutz | North 2 South | 7–11 PM
In the Loop Brewing, Land O’ Lakes | Fred Chandler | 6–10 PM
Moose Lodge, Zephyrhills | Dirty White Boys | 8–11 PM
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | CoCo Red | 9 PM–1 AM
Pete’s Place North, Tampa | Midnight Blue | 7–11 PM
Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Morning Dew | 8–11:59 PM
SouthernEaze Bar & Grill, Lutz | Wade Williams | 6:30–9:30 PM
Starkey Market, Trinity | Lock & Key | 6–9 PM
Stonewater Bar and Grill, Land O’ Lakes | 2 A T Duo | 7–10 PM
The Orpheum, Tampa | Nookie Numetal Night | 8–11 PM
The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Sam Hastings | 7–10 PM
Tom’s Tavern, Tampa | Roger Allen and the Country Image Band | 8–11 PM
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Dueling Pianos | 7–11 PM
Ukulele Brand’s, Land O’ Lakes | Kai7en | 7:30–10:30 PM
Whiskey Willy’s, Lutz | Pitbull Toddler | 9:30–11:30 PM

Markets

The Hub at Bexley, Land O’ Lakes | Moonlight Market | 5:30–9:30 PM

Events | Trivia | Karaoke

Tuesday, June 17

Northdale Golf & Tennis Club, Northdale | Trivia | 7:30–9:30 PM
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Trivia | 7–9 PM
The Groves Golf and Country Club, Land O' Lakes | Trivia | 7–9 PM
Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Wesley Chapel | Trivia | 7–9 PM

Wednesday, June 18

Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | DJ Kenny Mathis Karaoke Night | 7–11 PM
Dade City Tap House & Spirits, Dade City | Trivia | 7–9 PM
House of Brews, Lutz | Trivia | 7–9 PM
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Line Dancing w/ Simone | 7–9 PM
Plaza Tapatia, Lutz | Summer Supper Club | 7–9 PM
The Twisted Oak, Dade City | Line Dancing w/ Bobbie | 7–10 PM
Ukulele Brand's, Land O’ Lakes | Trivia | 7–9 PM

Thursday, June 19

5060 River Glen Blvd, Wesley Chapel | Avalon Food Truck | 5–8 PM
Art’s Tap House, Trinity | Karaoke | 7–11 PM
Banana Wind Bar and Grill, Zephyrhills | Line Dance Lessons/Ladies Night | 7:30–11 PM
Commandough's, Zephyrhills | Trivia | 7–10:30 PM
Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Juneteenth at Krate | 6–9 PM
O'Brien's Irish Pub, Carrollwood | Karaoke | 8–11:59 PM
Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | Trivia | 7–9 PM
Side Splitters Comedy Club – Wesley Chapel | Rob Ward | 8–9:30 PM
SouthernEaze Bar & Grill, Lutz | Trivia | 7–9 PM
The Drinks @ 9, Lutz | Cigar and Bourbon | 6–10 PM
Wesley Chapel District Park, Wesley Chapel | Juneteenth Soul Line Dancing Class | 6:15–8:15 PM

Friday, June 20

Black Sheep American Pub, Lutz | Karaoke | 7–10 PM
Commandough's, Zephyrhills | Karaoke | 7–10:30 PM
Krate at the Grove, Wesley Chapel | Keeping it Country | 7–10 PM
Side Splitters Comedy Club – Wesley Chapel | Rob Ward | 7:30–9 PM
The Foxhole, Tampa | Karaoke | 7:30–10:30 PM
Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, Wesley Chapel | Game Night | 8–10 PM
Young Chefs Academy, Wesley Chapel | Young Chef's Grillin' and Chillin' | 5:30–7:30 PM

We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to DM us to let us know we’ve forgotten a venue.

Thanks for reading the North Tampa Buzzletter! I’ll see you Friday.

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