Together With

Did a neighbor share this with you? Subscribe for free!
If you want to get your business in front of 23k locals, please reach out to [email protected] or reply to this email.

Good Morning Neighbor,

We're closing in on the summer solstice, the U.S. Open is underway, and somehow we're already nearing the halfway point of June. Summer's familiar pattern is settling in across North Tampa, with plenty of heat, humidity, afternoon storms, and even a little low-pressure disturbance spinning around in the Gulf to remind us that hurricane season is here.

If you can dodge the rain, there are plenty of ways to get out and enjoy the weekend. We've also got a few interesting local updates, some new businesses on the way, and a couple of stories worth celebrating.

-Mike

Access local events three different ways:

Community Calendar
Schedule of Events w/Links
Join our Facebook Events Group

Friday Moonlight Market at The Hub at Bexley
The Hub at Bexley, Land O' Lakes
Friday, June 12 | 5:00 PM–9:00 PM

The Friday Moonlight Market returns to The Hub at Bexley with an evening of local vendors, food, live music, games, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can browse a wide variety of handmade goods, baked treats, artwork, crafts, apparel, and unique local products while enjoying dinner from on-site restaurants and entertainment throughout the evening. It's an easy way to spend a summer night outdoors while supporting local businesses and makers.

Summer Concert Series: Bryan Edwards
The Barn at Starkey Market, Trinity
Saturday, June 13 | 7:00 PM–10:00 PM

Starkey Market's Summer Concert Series continues this Saturday with Bryan Edwards, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter with deep Florida roots who blends country, folk-rock, and heartfelt storytelling into an easygoing summer concert experience. Having shared the stage with artists like Jason Aldean and Keith Urban, Edwards brings plenty of talent to the farm for a free evening of live music. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, settle in for the sunset, and enjoy a relaxing night outdoors.

Kids Market at the Carrollwood Market
Carrollwood Cultural Center, Tampa
Saturday, June 13 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

The Kids Market returns to the Carrollwood Cultural Center this Saturday, giving young entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their creativity and business skills alongside the popular Carrollwood Market. Visitors can browse handmade crafts, treats, unique products, fresh produce, artisan goods, and more while supporting local families and aspiring young business owners in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

New Tampa Student Earns Global JROTC Honor

Pretty incredible news out of New Tampa. Middleton High junior Arthi Gouravelli has been named the national recipient of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution JROTC Award, making her the top cadet among more than 600,000 JROTC students worldwide.

Gouravelli, who serves as a student leader in Middleton’s Air Force JROTC program, was also awarded $6,000 as part of the honor. Beyond JROTC, she captains the school's academic leadership team, participates in several student organizations, ranks in the top 10% of her class, and has logged more than 300 volunteer hours with local and international nonprofits. Not bad for someone who originally joined JROTC on a whim during freshman orientation.

Crêperie Coming to The Shops at Wiregrass

Something a little different is headed to Wesley Chapel this fall. Sweet Paris Crêperie & Cafe is planning to open at The Shops at Wiregrass, bringing a menu of both sweet and savory crêpes to the center.

The new café will be located near Center Court between White House Black Market and Pottery Barn. The menu is expected to include options ranging from Chicken Alfredo and Philly Cheesesteak crêpes to dessert favorites like Dulce de Leche and Apple Cinnamon Crème Brûlée, giving locals another dining option at Wiregrass.

2,000 Acres Preserved in New Pasco Community

Growth along the State Road 52 corridor isn't slowing down, but one new project is setting aside a significant amount of land in the process. Verona, a planned 2,500-home community west of I-75, will preserve roughly 2,000 acres as open space, agricultural land, and recreational areas through an agreement with Pasco County.

The development is expected to begin home sales in late 2027 and will include trails, a clubhouse, resort-style pool, fitness center, pickleball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a dog park. Developers say additional homebuilders will be announced later this year.

Big Retail Names Coming to Citrus Park

A shopping center that has seen several vacancies over the past few years is getting a fresh wave of tenants. Nordstrom Rack is expected to open at The Plaza at Citrus Park, joining other incoming retailers including HomeGoods and Total Wine & More.

The plaza, located near Citrus Park Drive and the Veterans Expressway, is already home to stores like Burlington, Old Navy, and Five Below. The new additions could help fill several high-profile empty spaces and bring more shopping options closer to home for residents in Citrus Park, Carrollwood, and the surrounding area.

New Italian Restaurant Planned for Zephyrhills

Zephyrhills could soon have a new go-to spot for Italian food. Trattoria Napoli is targeting a July opening on 7th Street and plans to serve handmade pasta, pizza, seafood, and steaks in a casual neighborhood setting.

Chef-owner Matthew Zappoli brings more than 30 years of culinary experience to the project, including the past decade with Hard Rock in Tampa. The restaurant is expected to feature house-made pasta, a wood-fired pizza oven, indoor and outdoor seating, and family-inspired recipes, including meatballs based on his grandmother’s recipe.

New Medical High School Planned for Wesley Chapel

A new medical magnet high school is planned for Wesley Chapel and is expected to open in August 2028. The school will focus on healthcare-related fields such as medical sciences, imaging, and nursing, with room for about 1,300 students when it opens.

The school will be built near Meadow Pointe Boulevard between Wesley Chapel High and Wiregrass Ranch High, both of which are currently over capacity. District leaders say the location was chosen in part because of its proximity to several hospitals, creating opportunities for future healthcare training and career pathways for local students.

A Huge Thank You to our wonderful local partners!

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.