New Tampa Brew Fest Makes Strides In Second Year

The official numbers hadn’t been tallied at our press time, but according to event co-chair Chris Stennett, there is no mistaking that, once again, the Rotary Club of New Tampa Noon’s second annual New Tampa Brew Fest was a hit.

Hundreds of revelers strolled from table to table in the Venetian Center at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd., sampling nearly 100 offerings from more than 30 breweries, both big and small, sometimes to wash down the food being served by three outstanding food trucks outside. 

The breweries represented included everything from large companies like Cigar City, Florida Avenue, Coppertail and Goose Island to smaller craftsmen who brew out of their garages, like Krazy Eddie’s Garage (KEG) Brewing, Ignorant Ales and Wiregrass Brewing Co.

“We were really, really happy with the event,” said Stennett afterward. “I feel good about what we did, and we are thankful for the community for coming out to support us.”

The event is the primary fundraiser for the New Tampa Noon Rotary (which meets Wednesdays at noon at Bayscape Bistro inside Heritage Isles Golf Club) and helped the club contribute thousands of dollars to causes like the Fisher House at the James Haley VA Hospital last year.

Few came further for this year’s event than Wisconsin’s Dennis Zweber (above, left), who took his brother Greg (right), who lives in Lutz, up on an offer to fly down for the Brew Fest and enjoy some better weather.

Dennis, who lives in Soldier’s Grove, WI, just east of Madison, found a plane ticket for $67 out of Minneapolis — about four hours away — and said that going to beer festivals was one of his family’s favorite pastimes.

“I figured, ‘What the heck,’” said Dennis. “We always have a great time when we go to these things.”

Dennis said he was impressed by the New Tampa Brew Fest, considering it was only the second year the event has been held. 

“I was really impressed with the quality of the beers,” he said. “They had a lot of breweries, a lot of variety. I drank a lot of really good beer.”

Dennis, who tends to enjoy darker beers, said his favorite was the organic Peppermint Porter served by Randy Gailit, who brews his Wiregrass Brewing Co. (page 40) out of his garage in the Meadow Pointe community. “That was a really beautiful beer,” Dennis said.

Wiregrass Brewing Co. wasn’t the only local to draw rave reviews. Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA), which is opening a place in The Grove in Wesley Chapel in January, drew a lot of attention for its offerings, particularly the Orange Suede, a passion fruit, orange peel, pineapple and marshmallow sour.

For DBAA co-owner Ryan Clarke, his first New Tampa Brew Fest was a success. He said the Orange Suede was so popular he had to crack open a second keg of it.“I thought it was a great event, and a great chance to introduce ourselves to the beer-loving community,” Clarke said.


Councilman Viera To AMC Theater: Clean It Up, People!

These photos were taken by Dist. 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera. They show the wear on the AMC 20 movie theater’s facade, as well as overgrown trees in the parking lot.

Tampa City Council member Luis Viera has said from the very beginning of his current term that cracking down on blight in New Tampa would be one of his priorities, and he has not been shy about sic’ing code enforcement on those he feels aren’t keeping the District 7 area he represents up to a certain standard.

His latest target is the AMC Highwoods 20 movie theater on Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Viera sent a letter to AMC Corporate headquarters in Leawood, KS, on Nov. 12 requesting to speak with someone about the condition of its movie theater in the heart of New Tampa.

According to Viera’s letter, he has received a number of calls and emails from residents that the building’s facade looks run down and dirty and the surrounding vegetation is not being maintained.

Luis Viera

Viera wrote that the condition of the property was “not properly reflecting the exterior standards of New Tampa” and that it was in “desperate need of attention.”

At our press time, Viera said he had not received a response.

“I don’t think we’re asking for a lot,” Viera says. “This isn’t an onerous regulation. Just take care of the exterior of your building and the landscaping. These are basic steps. We aren’t asking them to put in new seating and start serving Dom Perignon.”

Alicia Kanhai, who lives in Richmond Place, says she is glad Viera wrote the letter. She lives right down the street from the AMC 20, and says it is apparent that the theater management has let the building and the surrounding area deteriorate unabated in recent years.

The theater started out as a Muvico theater until being purchased by Carmike Cinema in 2013 for roughly $32 million.

In 2017, AMC bought Carmike for $1.1 billion.

“Every time we go for a walk, we pass it, and it’s gotten pretty bad,” says Kanhai, who is married with 12- and 13-year-old boys. “We used to love going there, but we can’t handle it.” 

It appears Kanhai isn’t alone. Viera posted his letter, as well as two pictures of the area, on the community message board NextDoor.com, and it received more than 100 responses.

Many online posters complained about the exterior, but they were also unhappy about the conditions inside.

While the theater might be showing its age in an era of large reclining seats and in-theater food service, some wrote that things like outdated seating, sticky floors and dirty bathrooms keep them away. Others used stronger wording, calling the conditions “vile” and “disgusting.”

Many posters said they would rather drive 20 minutes to see a movie at The Cobb Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel, which features many of the amenities now more common in theaters across the country.

But some, while stopping short of defending the movie theater, said other buildings in New Tampa were just as bad, if not worse. Namely, the abandoned old Sweetbay grocery store next to Home Depot, which is in far greater disrepair than the AMC 20, was cited by some as a greater concern.

Mostly, however, the prevailing response on NextDoor.com and people Viera says have emailed him is that the movie theater has seen better days, and he hopes his letter nudges management to give the theater a little TLC.

“How much can a couple cans of paint cost?,” Viera asks.

A recent Forbes.com story said that AMC Theaters reported that second quarter revenues in 2019 were up 4.4-percent, and 97 million tickets were sold during the quarter, an all-time record for the company.

The article also said that the company has added premium recliner seating to some of its 639 U.S. movie theaters.

“We can go to other places, but I don’t want to go to the Cobb, I want to go here,” Kanhai says. “This is my neighborhood. I want to go to the theater here. But, if they want people to keep coming, they are going to have to do some upkeep to keep it an attractive place.”

Noire Nail Bar Has The Best Location & Outstanding Nail Services!

Considering how many places there are to get your nails done in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, it can be difficult to tell which one is best for you.

However, considering the old adage of “location, location, location,” one elegant local nail spa has got you covered when it comes to location.

“We’re here in the middle of everything happening on (S.R.) 56,” says John Nguyen, who is the co-owner (with his wife Vanessa) of Noire Nail Bar. “We’re surrounded by popular restaurants and places to shop.”

So, whether you venture out to 56 to shop at the Tampa Premium Outlets or have dinner at Bahama Breeze or Ford’s Garage, Noire Nail Bar is right there and has everything you need to pamper yourself.

All customers receiving services at Noire Nail Bar are offered a glass of wine, soft drinks or water, and the nail salon is immaculate, with a peaceful atmosphere and professional technicians whose job it is to make you happy.

“We have a great selection of colors, and top gel and dipping powder brands like OPI, SNS, DND and Chisel,” John says. “And, we offer many different services, from basic manicures and pedicures to our Signature Spa Pedicure and our Special Care Spa.”

John says that the Signature Spa Pedicure is the “ultimate treat for your feet,” with a therapeutic lavender rub that exfoliates dry skin while citrus sugar relieves and moisturizes your tired feet. That is followed by an extensive moisturizing lotion massage and a hot towel wrap.

Noire’s Special Care Spa is designed to cater to clients with special needs, such as the elderly and those with diabetes who may have cracked heels, thick calluses, thick or ingrown toenails — anything that requires extra time, attention or precautions.

Other Services, Too!

There also are additional services offered, such as hot stone and hot candle wax massages, special prices on manicure and pedicure combos, nail enhancements, full sets, eyelash extensions, waxing services for your face and body and private rooms for your next party — and full nail services for birthday parties, bridal showers and other events are a specialty at Noire Nail Bar. There’s even Prince and Princess manicures and pedicures available for kids ages 12 and under.

Jannah’s daughter Lauren absolutely loved not only her manicure and pedicure, but also spending quality time with her mom before her upcoming big day. 

“It’s a really nice nail spa,” Lauren said. “And, the technicians were super sweet and did a great job, too.” 

And, just in time for the holiday season, if you buy $100 or more in gift cards, you’ll save 10%.

“We also give you a coupon for 10-percent off on your birthday,” John says. You will need to prove it’s your birthday, of course.

And, speaking of getting 10-percent off, you can save 10% off all services at Noire Nail Bar every Monday through Wednesday, with the coupon from the ad on page 7 of this issue.

Noire Nail Bar is located at 25682 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, and is open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. To make an appointment or for more information call (813) 536-0161.

And, please remember to tell John, Vanessa and their friendly staff that the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you! 

Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar To Breathe New Life Into The Grove

Jamie Hess was as excited as he could be when he jumped headfirst into a pool built — and filled with hope and dreams — by developer Mark Gold. 

Within days of Gold’s $62.7-million purchase of The Grove shopping complex, Hess (and his brother Joe) was one of the first local business people to sign a lease which will allow his idea of bringing a non-chain restaurant and dueling piano bar to Wesley Chapel to come to fruition.

Hess wasn’t alone in his excitement, apparently. When it came to naming his place, Hess turned to four area Facebook pages, including the popular Wesley Chapel Community and Wesley Chapel Network pages, and turned it into a contest.

The result: 1,830 entries, more than a thousand more than he says he expected.

So, welcome to Wesley Chapel, Treble Makers.

“The response has been unbelievably overwhelming,” says Hess, who has owned Gadget Repair in the New Tampa Commons plaza near the Shops at Wiregrass since January. “It has definitely exceeded expectations.”

The credit for coining the name Treble Makers goes to Wesley Chapel’s Rodney Beuno, who was the first of three Facebook posters to suggest it.

He will be rewarded with VIP entry at the Treble Makers grand opening, with free food and free drinks, and will also receive a $500 bar and restaurant tab.

Sara Brinkley and Mara Mroz, both of Wesley Chapel, also chose the same name, and will each receive a free VIP experience for their efforts.

With the name out of the way, Jamie is now focusing on bring the piano bar to life. He will apply for his permit on Nov. 26, he says, and has been ordering kitchen equipment while the designs are being finalized.

“Once that permit comes, we’re running,” he says.

Treble Makers will be located in “The Village,” as Gold now calls it, which is the long-dormant retail/office plaza located across the parking lot from the big box stores in The Grove, closer to I-75. 

Jamie and Joe will be located right across a parking lot from the new Double Branch Artisanal Ale brewpub, which is hoping to open by the end of the year.

“That whole area was a ghost town, but they (Gold and his Mishorim Gold Properties) are shaking it up,” Jamie says.

Jamie also says that Treble Makers will be a full menu restaurant serving American cuisine from salads to steaks and everything in between. 

On most weeknights during dinner hours in the 6,000-sq.-ft. restaurant, a single pianist will be featured. And, on the weekends, dueling pianists — adults only, Jamie says — will take over. There also will be other forms of live entertainment, with karaoke and trivia nights sprinkled in.

Treble Makers will be surrounded by a number of ethnic-themed restaurants, and a short walk from a container park that already is drawing massive interest. Being a part of The Grove was a big deal for Jamie when he signed his lease three weeks ago.

“I’m a big believer in the Wesley Chapel community,” Jamie says. “This is really an exciting time, and I think Wesley Chapel needs something like The Grove. Downtown Tampa is great and nice, but we need a place like that at home.”

Raymond James Submits Plans To County

It has been almost a decade since Raymond James Financial announced plans to bring a massive satellite campus to Wiregrass Ranch.

Finally, last month, the preliminary plans for that complex, which will be located at S.R. 56 and Mansfield Blvd., east of the Shops at Wiregrass, were submitted to Pasco County, as well as a request to meet with county planners.

While the original plans showed six four-story buildings totalling 1-million sq. ft. on the 65-acres of property in the Wiregrass Ranch Development of Regional Impact (DRI), the actual site plans filed with the county reveal five office buildings and two parking garages (with additional parking in lots around the office buildings).

“I assume you’ll start seeing dirt move in the next couple of weeks,” says District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. “We’re very excited. It’s nice to see it finally come to fruition.”

The St. Petersburg-based financial services company announced its original intentions, and promise of 750 employees, in 2011. Pasco County’s Board of County Commissioners approved a $14-million incentive package, but Raymond James Financial postponed its expansion in 2014 and did not close on the property until 2016.

Wiregrass Ranch developer JD Porter has long touted the impact the Raymond James campus will have, and Moore agrees: “These kind of things tend to be a trigger for other companies to come,” he says.