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Good Morning From Lutz,
Hope you had a chance to take advantage of some Memorial Day sales and soak up a little Florida sunshine this weekend. If not, staying in the AC was probably a solid choice too.
It's a lighter week for markets around North Tampa, but there are still a few things worth checking out, including the opening of Benton Brew Coffee Lounge in Carrollwood, a new community-focused coffee spot that's aiming to be a comfortable place to work, meet up with friends, or just enjoy a good cup of coffee. As always, we've got a few local happenings to keep you in the loop.
-Mike
In this edition of the North Tampa Buzz:
🍗 Wing Snob Eyes Wesley Chapel Location
☕ New Coffee Lounge Opens in Carrollwood
📚 Independent Bookstore Hosts Author Event
⛳ Private Indoor Golf Club Coming to Odessa
🛒 Free Market Supports Foster Families
And a bunch more!
Access local events three different ways:
Highlights
Wing Snob Heading to Wesley Chapel
Looks like Wesley Chapel is getting another option for wing lovers. Wing Snob, a Michigan-based chicken wing franchise with more than 60 locations nationwide, is planning a new restaurant at 30203 Wesley Chapel Blvd near Ellerbee Road.
The menu includes wings, tenders, sandwiches, fries, and 16 different sauces ranging from Garlic Parm and Lemon Pepper to Mango Habanero. If plans move forward, this would become the brand's second Florida location after opening in Riverview.
New in Carrollwood: Benton Brew Coffee Lounge ☕
Benton Brew Coffee Lounge is a new local coffee spot in Carrollwood with a relaxed atmosphere, good coffee, and plenty of space to hang out, work, or catch up with friends. They’re focused on building a creative, community-centered space where people can feel comfortable and at home.
You can find them at 5008 W Linebaugh Ave, Suite 2, Tampa.
Check Out Novel in the Neighborhood
Novel in the Neighborhood is a family-owned and operated independent bookstore conveniently located at 8507 Old County Road 54 in New Port Richey.
Inside, you’ll find more than 5,000 new books across all genres, including Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children’s Books, along with literary gifts, puzzles, and games for readers of all ages.
Be sure to check out their events calendar on the website for author events, workshops, classes, story times, and more.
Their next event is an Author Talk + Book Signing with Ginny Myers Sain on June 5 at 6:30 PM, featuring a discussion, audience Q&A, and book signing at Novel in the Neighborhood.
Private Golf Club Coming to Odessa
Golf fans may want to keep an eye on this one. The White Tee, a members-only indoor golf club, is currently under construction at 11041 SR 54 in Odessa and is expected to open this summer.
The facility will feature premium indoor golf bays, a putting green, a members bar, locker rooms, and even a content creation studio. Plans also show a restaurant component, although details on that piece haven't been released yet.
Community
Helping Foster Families Stretch Groceries
Here's something good happening in Temple Terrace. What started as a small food pantry serving 15 foster families has grown into a free market that now helps more than 150 families each week with groceries and household essentials.
The program, operated by West Florida Foster Care Services with support from Feeding Tampa Bay, helps foster parents manage rising food costs, especially during the summer when kids are home from school and household expenses climb. Families can stop by, pick up what they need, and head home with a little less stress on the budget.
Walmart Plans Filed for Busy SR 54 Corner
A major commercial project appears to be moving forward at the northwest corner of SR 54 and the Suncoast. Plans recently filed with the county show a 178,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter, a fuel station with 10 pumps, and a 5,000-square-foot liquor store on 21 acres that was zoned for commercial use in 2018. The plans also include an extension of Crossings Boulevard north of SR 54, connecting it to South Branch Boulevard, adding another piece to the area's growing road network. Nearby, FDOT is separately planning a pedestrian and bike overpass across SR 54 as part of the Orange Belt Trail project.
A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!
Lutz Whistle Stop Depot - Your go-to spot for gifts, vintage finds, home décor, antiques, handcrafted goods, plants, artwork, and general store treats. Come check us out!
Ol’e Fellas Flooring - Your local family flooring experts—quality you can trust
Yael Hatfield, Realtor - Keller Williams Tampa Properties - Click for reviews supporting her relationship-first approach to home buying.
FarmPixie - A simple way to buy fresh produce, eggs, honey, and more directly from local farmers and growers across Florida.
Tampa Tarpons - Our local minor league team north of the city. Get your game packages now!
Gamer Events - Delivers fully hosted mobile gaming, laser tag, and VR experiences right to your location for easy, stress-free parties.
Novel in the Neighborhood - family-owned independent bookstore in New Port Richey offering more than 5,000 new books across all genres, along with literary gifts, puzzles, and games for readers of all ages.
Air Taxis Could Be in Tampa's Future
Don't expect to hail one anytime soon, but Tampa International Airport recently unveiled a vision for the future that includes electric air taxis flying passengers above traffic and around the Tampa Bay area. The concept would be part of a larger transportation hub connecting travelers to rideshares, buses, and potentially future rail options. It's still just an idea at this point, but it offers an interesting glimpse at how local leaders are thinking about moving people around a growing region.
Pasco Raises Fees to Fund Roads
If you've wondered how Pasco plans to keep up with all the growth, county commissioners just approved a major increase in mobility fees paid by developers to help fund roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, and other transportation improvements. County leaders say rapid population growth and rising construction costs have created a significant funding gap.
The additional funding will help support projects already underway or in development, including the widening of Old Pasco Road, the expansion of Wesley Chapel Boulevard to six lanes, and the Ridge Road extension. County officials expect about $1.5 billion to be invested in transportation projects over the next five years as Pasco continues to grow.
Summer Camp Openings for Special Needs Kids
If you're looking for summer activities for a child with special needs, there are still spots available at P.A.C.K. Camp in Pasco County. The camp, run by the Pasco Association for Challenged Kids, is designed specifically for children who may not be able to participate in traditional summer camp programs.
Source: Bay News 9
This year's camp runs from June 29 through July 17 at Pepin Academy in New Port Richey. P.A.C.K. has been serving local families every summer since 1997, and parents interested in learning more can contact the organization directly for availability and registration information.
Program Helps Workers Hear and Stay Employed
Here's a resource many people may not know exists. Florida's Vocational Rehabilitation program is helping residents with hearing loss stay in the workforce by providing hearing aids, assistive technology, job training, and other support services for eligible workers.
The program recently helped a Hudson resident who works as both a mortgage broker and a pastor, careers that depend heavily on communication. Local audiologists say many working adults struggle with hearing loss but don't realize assistance may be available to help them maintain or advance their careers.
We’ll be on Instagram with updates wherever we end up. Feel free to slide into our DM’s.
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