With the novel coronavirus pandemic cutting a swath of destruction through virtually every country on Earth, what was once the fear of the complete unknown has been replaced by the fear of not knowing how long weâre all going to have to deal with it.
Publisher Gary Nager
And of course, the virus itself is scary, because itâs been affecting and killing more than just the elderly and the immune-compromised. Its level of contagiousness seems to be far beyond any flu during my lifetime, including the swine flu that was labeled a pandemic back in 2009 or so, even though that virus never shut down life as we know it here the way Covid-19 has already.
One of the things that has this editor additionally concerned about its effects here in the Sunshine State was that the Pinellas County beaches were allowed to remain open by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (who I voted for) â despite warnings from U.S. President Donald Trump and his Coronavirus Task Force (headed by VP Mike Pence), the World Health Organization and other experts across the globe saying that there should be no gatherings larger than ten people, at least until the virus leveled out.
It was hard to blame Pinellas County officials for not wanting to close the beaches at the height of the all-important Spring Break season, but how many more new cases of the virus could we have prevented going forward by closing them as soon as the social distancing recommendations for gatherings got below even 1,000 people a week or so before those Pinellas officials finally decided to take action? What effect will those potential additional cases have on our economyâs long-term attempts to crawl out from under this rock?
No one loves St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira and the other area beaches more than Jannah and I do. We try to stay there as many nights as we can because theyâre 1) an hour or less away (and have much easier access than Clearwater Beach), 2) theyâre beautiful, 3) have great restaurants and nightlife and 4) we canât afford the time off work or the expense of going away for more than a few days at a time. Why go anywhere else?
The only time we didnât consider heading that way was once this virus started to affect people here, especially once we saw â every day â how devastating the effects have been on China, Italy and other countries that didnât act quickly enough to curtail the kind of casual contact with others we all usually take for granted.
This is particularly upsetting for the foodie in me â seeing our local restaurants closing at least to dine-in customers or altogether â and not knowing which ones wonât be able to return, even after the spectre of Covid-19 isnât as terrifying. I know it was unfortunate timing that we finally released my âGaryâs Favesâ the week after this thing really hit us here, but most of the eateries listed were at least still doing the takeout and/or delivery-only thing at our press time. Please call the restaurants to see what theyâre doing and please support them if they are still open.
And Finally…Help Us Help You!
Obviously, restaurants arenât the only ones hurting right now and, as a local business that makes most of its money from hyperlocal businesses, thereâs no doubt weâre already feeling the pinch of this pandemic, too â and have no idea yet how much worse itâs going to get.
But, after 26 years of serving only the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel communities, I have had to respond to many problems beyond my control in years past, but never anything that has me as concerned as this does right now.
My promise to the 70+ businesses that still saw fit to place an ad in our latest New Tampa issue â and the similar number of businesses that advertise in our Wesley Chapel editions â is that we are going to try to do as much as we can to continue to support you not only in print, but on our Facebook page, our website and our YouTube channel â at no additional charge, of course.
If you already are or see fit to become a Neighborhood News advertiser at this grim hour, anytime your hours change, or you have a special offer to help keep your business as solvent as possible, and anytime you make a Facebook post or send out an email explaining what you are doing (even if it changes more than once), we will share it on our website and social media. We want…no, make that we need…to try to help you make it through this crisis and yes, we still need the business, too.
Email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com or call our office at (813) 910-2575 for more information.
Stay safe and stay healthy, both physically and fiscally. Godspeed! Â
Tampa City Councilmember Luis Viera, who represents District 7 which includes New Tampa, wrote the following for the Neighborhood News and their New Tampa readers.
The effects of Covid-19 present a catastrophic challenge. In mere days, Americans went from relative affluence to fear and insecurity.
For our families, this crisis is acute and traumatic. The good news is that Tampa residents are not alone.
For small businesses, there exists a growing number of initiatives that can help.
These initiatives include:
1. There is the Tampa Recovery Hotline (1-800-TPA-INFO) for social service and business relief information. Updates on business resources can be received by texting TAMPABIZ to 888-777.
2. Florida has the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program (FloridaDisasterLoan.org). This interest-free loan is intended to âbridge the gapâ for a catastrophe for up to $50,000.00 per eligible small business (with applications accepted through May 8, 2020, contingent upon availability). Â
The loan is short term: 0% interest the first year, 12% after that.
For an updated list of resources, visit Tampagov.net/emergency-management/covid-19. The City of Tampa is establishing a task force for Social Services and an Economic Development Task Force to find other ways to help.
Know that as your Tampa City Councilman, I will continue to work to make resources available for constituents and make calls to local businesses and residents.
And federal, state and local resources will continue to grow.
So many of the stories I have heard are crushing: I spoke to a recent immigrant who came here with nothing, found success, began a restaurant and now has had to close shop; a small business owner digging into his savings to allow his employees to have something to live on; and workers feeling abandoned with no savings or health insurance after their last day on the job.
Houses of worship are doing much more with a lot less. And anxiety, depression and emotional challenges are brutally compounded.
I ask that you do your patriotic duty. Engage in best practices as recommended by medical professionals. Practice acts of compassion for the vulnerable. If you are a member of a religious congregation, support your congregationâs purpose.
People are hurting and suffering But, have no doubt, we will rebound as a people.
Americans are, at heart, fighters. Many of us come from families that, as immigrants and refugees, fought against crushing odds just to get here and be called Americans.
We, as Americans, have, in just the last 100 years, overcome a Great Depression, defeated the Nazis, saw many of our fellow Americans beaten and sometimes murdered in fighting Jim Crow, won the Cold War and sustained the September 11th terror attacks.
We will overcome this crisis and will do so together as Americans. We have different faiths and traditions, but are all Americans who are our brother and sisterâs keeper.
And, please know that you can always count on my help and friendship along the way.
Stonewood Grill and Tavern once again tops publisher Gary Nager’s Top 25 list of restaurants in New Tampa.
Every year, after we report the results of our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest, I always feel compelled to give you my dining favorites, including all of the restaurants that opened in (or very near) New Tampa and Wesley Chapel the previous year. Some of you love my opinions; others…not so much.
Even so, most people I meet out in our neck of the woods tell me they agree with my choices more than they do those of the readers year after year.
But, having waited until after the coronavirus outbreak hit home here in Florida to give you my list of favorites for 2019 surely didnât help matters any, as several of the eateries listed on pages 32-37 of this issue were closing, at least temporarily, rather than be open for takeout and delivery only, per Florida Gov. Ron De Santisâ order on Mar. 20.
Sadly, thereâs no doubt that some on this list may not be able to weather this storm and may close permanently. Until that happens, however, please support as many of the still-open eateries on my list as you can. I know Jannah and I will.
Iâm glad I got to sit down to a perfectly seared ahi tuna appetizer, a tender medium-rare filet, and a flavorful grouper piccata at my (and our readersâ) favorite restaurant in New Tampa â Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms â shortly before DeSantis gave his order.
As for the rest of my New Tampa top-25, please read on! â GN
1 — STONEWOOD 17050 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa Palms | (813) 978-0388 Even though it hasnât always been my #1 favorite restaurant in New Tampa, thereâs no doubt that Stonewood Grill & Tavern in Tampa Palms has been near the top of my list since the day it opened nearly two decades ago.
New GM Matt Passardi â who previously ran the Grillsmith in the Shops at Wiregrass â and his staff usually also keep their guests happy at New Tampaâs most-happening bar scene, but of course, covid-19 has shut down the bar and Stonewoodâs elegant dine-in experience, at least for now. My suggestion? Get it to go while you can!
2 — THE FAT RABBIT 16029 Tampa Palms Blvd. | (813) 252-3004 The day The Fat Rabbit opened a few very short years ago, I was impressed with the look and feel of the place as a bar hangout, but I was thrilled when I sampled the food the first several times. Even though Iâm not so much a wing aficionado as I am a foodie, many in our area agree that The Fat Rabbit has the best wings anywhere Ââ blackened with a side of the Fat Rabbit cilantro sauce are my faves â as well as great burgers, âtatersâ (try the garlic sweet potato) and grown up grilled cheese. But, adding a Catch of the Week (blackened mahi-mahi above) moved the Rabbit way up on my list.
CICCIO CALI Shoppes at The Pointe 17004 Palm Pointe Dr. | (813) 975-1222 The Ciccio Restaurant Group has created one of the most successful slates of local eateries in the entire Tampa Bay area, with concepts like Green Lemon, Daily Eats, Ciccio Water and Better Byrd (look them all up), but Ciccio Cali has been the only one in our area since Lodge closed in the former Ciccio & Tonyâs location in City Plaza. But, I have always credited Ciccio Cali as the first to bring âbowl cultureâ to New Tampa. The menu has been simplified, with multiple âbowl styleâ options (the âLean & Cleanâ with tuna is my fave), plus crisp-crust pizza and famous wrap sandwiches (the Cali Club is my fave). Â
6 — BAYSCAPE BISTRO at Heritage Isles Golf Club 10630 Plantation Bay Dr. | (813) 994-3445 Former Wharton High culinary teachers Eddie and Lourdes Bujarski have created an impressive restaurant inside the Heritage Isles GC clubhouse. With a more extensive menu, Bayscape would finish even higher on my list, because itâs hard to beat for breakfast, lunch and dinner,. There are great wings, burgers, salads and sandwiches, but my faves are the dinner âsignaturesâ like country fried chicken and slow-roasted, top round roast beef with brown gravy pictured above. Itâs been a while since Jannah and I stopped in for dinner and Friday night karaoke, but the last time we were there during the week, the chef-made pasta bar was incredible.
7 — FUSHIA ASIAN BISTRO Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15317 Amberly Dr. | (813) 903-6705 If you still havenât tried Fushia, youâve been missing one of New Tampaâs best-kept secrets. Fushia may not serve traditional New York-style Chinese food, but it features many dishes I love you wonât find anywhere else in our distribution areas. Iâm partial to the pan-fried pork dumplings, but Fushia has a large menu of dim sum (served 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) appetizers, plus all-you-can-eat Chinese hot pot and Korean BBQ, but my faves are the yang chow fried rice, the spicy yan jian pork, dry pot chicken and the beef with Chinese broccoli shown above.
8 — THAI RUBY Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15319 Amberly Dr. | (813) 558-0570 As Thai restaurants go, Thai Ruby is the most beautiful Thai place in New Tampa and also has the best food, especially since Sukhothai closed a couple of months ago. The spring rolls, ginger chicken, the spicy Thai combination fried rice (with chicken, beef and pork), the Siam chicken, filet of grouper and soft shell crab are all top-notch and Thai Ruby may have the largest selection of veggie dishes youâll find anywhere (I love the steamed broccoli with carrots, green beans and snow peas), but this is the place I go when I have a craving for crispy duck, whether its the tender roast duckling shown above or the âfancyâ duck with sweet & sour sauce. Â
9 — KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE Pebble Creek Collection 19601 Bruce B Downs Blvd. | (813) 994-6600 For those who crave the teppanyaki (hibachi) table experience in our area, you wonât find a better choice than Kobe. And, even though Jannah and I usually sit at the bar rather than share a table with families with young children, you get the same great meal, just without the show. Kobe definitely has the best-quality filet mignon, sirloin steak and chicken of any Japanese restaurant in our area, and you can even get pepper-crusted tuna tataki hibachi, as well as beautiful-looking surf-&-turf combos with lobster, shrimp and scallops that IÂ (sadly) am not able to enjoy. The sushi is really good, too.
11 — FULL CIRCLE PIZZA Pebble Creek Collection 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 994-3700 Donât get me wrong…even though I find the deep-dish, Chicago-style pizza shown above very tasty, Iâll never say I like it as much as the New York-style pizza I grew up with. And, even though I know that deep-dish and thin-crust Chicago pizza is a big reason why many locals love Full Circle, Iâm actually a much bigger fan of the other delicious menu items owner/chef Freddy Nova and his wife Julia have added since taking over the place in 2017. My favorites are the chicken and broccoli in garlic and oil and the meatball and chicken parmigiana subs.
14 — KOIZI ENDLESS HIBACHI & SUSHIÂ Shoppes at The Pointe 17012 Palm Pointe Dr. | (813) 971-1919 Anytime you get into a discussion with a local about which endless hibachi and sushi restaurant they prefer â Koizi or Ginza â things can get a little heated. Koizi is $1 less for adults for lunch ($11.95) and dinner ($18.95)and it actually does have teppanyaki tables (above), I just have long felt that the quality of most items, especially the appetizers, is better at Ginza. Even so, the hibachi filet mignon, New York strip steak and chicken are all pretty good and there is a great variety of sushi and sashimi available. The teriyaki and black pepper chicken are also pretty good options .
15 — WOODFIRED PIZZA Palms Connection 2822 E. Bearss Ave. | (813) 341-2900 The first woodfired pizza place to open in (or near) either of our distribution areas is known for its high-quality pizza ingredients, as well as owner Peter Taylorâs unique pizza names â like my favorite Pizza Raquel, which features house-made fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, grana padano cheese and olive oil, to which I usually add either pepperoni, fire-roasted sausage or Italian-style meatballs (Peterâs âcarnivoreâ pizza has all three) and fresh spinach. The wood-fired meatball appetizer and wings also are delicious, and Iâve yet to sample the wood oven petite (4-oz.) filet mignon, but the classic Caesar, Greek and iceberg wedge salads are excellent, too.
16 — LITTLE GREEK New Tampa Center 19022 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 972-0707 Although itâs a completely different kind of eatery than Acropolis, Little Greek also has really good Greek food, as evidenced by the crowds that usually are in line (but always moving; great service!) during lunchtime. In addition to the only true gyro sandwiches (photo) and platters in New Tampa, this still-growing small chain (with around 30 locations in Florida and 50 total in six states), also features excellent steak, chicken, salmon and even lamb skewers, spanakopita, falafel, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and hummus and the only true Greek salad dressing in zip code 33647.
17 — SAKE HOUSE Shoppes at Amberly, Tampa Palms 15311 Amberly Dr. | (813) 977-3838 This unassuming little sushi bar and Japanese restaurant has previously been called Fongâs Sushi and Sushi Raw, but one thing has remained consistent through all of its incarnations â really good sushi (photo) and specialties like gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) filled with your choice of pork, chicken or shrimp, tempura (shrimp, chicken, beef, scallops, salmon, veggie or even tofu), and beef and chicken teriyaki. The seared tuna tataki appetizer is outstanding, and among my favorite rolls are the tuna trio (spicy tuna inside, red and white tuna on top) and the OZ roll, with fried grouper and spicy crabmeat.
18 — OAKLEY’S GRILLE 17631 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 523-5075 Even though the restaurant hasnât been owned by anyone with the last name Oakley in a few years, current owner Luca Ammirati is a native Italian who has added a number of specialties from his homeland, starting with authentic fried meatballs served with the tomato sauce on the side. The last time I was in Oakleyâs, Ammirati had not yet added penne carbonara, lasagna or penne al ragu (meat sauce), but all three are now listed on his website, so I definitely need to stop in to try them. And of course, Oakleyâs still has my favorite bacon cheeseburger and crisp fries in New Tampa.
19 — ISLAND FIN POKE CO. 6417 E. County Line Rd. | (813) 575-8002 This newcomer, which was opened by former New Tampa residents Brenda and Jeff Sproat in late 2019, has established itself as the first Hawaiian-style create-your-own poke bowl place in New Tampa. I love the regular and spicy ahi tuna options as my protein (I usually do two scoops of spicy and one scoop of regular), and there are unique options like spam, octopus, shrimp and tofu, plus veggie options (like regular and spicy pickled veggies, edamame and corn), but as the Sproats say, the thing that sets Island Fin apart are the sauces. I really only need the OG and Island Fire marinating sauces…and an occasional Dole whip dessert.
20 — THAI LANNA & SUSHI Cross Creek Center 10022 Cross Creek Blvd. | (813) 991-0108 For those of you who donât live off of Cross Creek Blvd., Thai Lanna is another excellent (and pretty) Thai place that also really good appetizers like the Thai spring rolls, pan-fried dumplings (bottom right in the photo) fried calamari and even fried eggplant. There are three kinds of crispy duck, with the volcano duck (with mixed veggies and sweet chili sauce) being my favorite. Try the and crab fried rice! Thai Lanna also has really fresh sushi (cooked shrimp sushi and California roll are shown above), too.
21 — MR. DUNDERBAKâS Oak Ramble Plaza 14929 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. | (813) 977-4104 When the original Mr. Dunderbakâs was in the University Mall, I thought it was a cool place for German food, even though I really only had roast bee and pastrami sandwiches there. The location on BBD (which has been around the last 15-20 of its 45 years in business) has a much more diverse menu, and I really enjoy German dishes like the crispy jagerschnitzel (available in veal or pork, both are great) shown above, and the kassler rippchen (pork chops). Iâm not a big beer drinker, but Mr. Dâs biergarten has a huge selection and is always packed. Great European chocolate selection, too.
22 — PETRA MEDITERRANEAN 17503 Preserve Walk Ln. | (813) 898-8991 If youâve ever had a hankerinâ (as I sometimes do) for authentic beef shawarma hand-sliced off a rotating spit (photo), Petra is the place for you. The authentic Mediterranean/Middle Eastern menu includes a great sampler platter, which includes fried kibbe, falafel, hummus, babaganoush and grape leaves, served with a side of tahini sauce. I also really enjoy the nabulsi fried cheese appetizer, the tabouli, fattoush and Greek salads, as well as the chicken shawarma and chicken and shish (cubed lamb) kebab sandwiches and the Petra mixed grill with shish, kufta (ground lamb) and chicken kebabs.
24 — THE BRUNCHERY 17507 Preserve Walk Ln. | (813) 533-7271 For those of us who had been begging for a great breakfast place in New Tampa, owner Stanley Athanâs The Brunchery filled that void. And, even though I prefer fried eggs over easy with crispy bacon to the scrambled egg breakfast shown above, this was such a pretty picture we decided to use it instead. The Brunchery also serves a selection of âBenedictâ (poached egg) breakfasts, avocado toast, a lox (smoked salmon) platter, ultimate omelets and an incredible variety of French toast options. Iâm embarrassed to say Jannah and I havenât sampled it for lunch yet, but it offers burgers, sandwiches (including tuna and grilled chicken melts) and salads.
25 — TAMPA PALMS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd. | (813) 972-1991 There was a time, like when I first purchased the Neighborhood News 26 years ago, when this beautiful club, Boston Cooker and Hunterâs Green Country Club were the only ârealâ restaurants open for dinner in New Tampa. But of course, you usually had to be a member to dine at TPGCC, so I really only got to eat there when I attended New Tampa Rotary Club breakfast meetings on Friday mornings â and that club still meets there every week! However, I will say that the times when Iâve gotten to have dinner at TPGCC, the food has always been pretty good, like the filet shown above.
GARYâS NEXT 25 FAVES (in alphabetical order) All of these restaurants are very good, just not good enough (in my opinion) to make my Top-25 in New Tampa. Iâm even admitting to liking some âfast foodâ places.-GN
Al-Sham Palace Aroy Thai Bearss Tavern & Tap Burger 21 Cantina Mexican Grill Cappyâs Pizza Deanoâs Pizza & Pasta Don Julioâs Authentic Mexican Five Guys Burgers & Fries Ho King Hummingbird Jerk House Hunterâs Green Country Club Jersey Mikeâs Subs Juice Factory Minerva Indian Restaurant Mulligans Irish Pub (at PCGC) Olive Garden Palm Thai PJ Dolanâs Irish Pub Saffron Indian Cuisine Snowrolls Steak nâ Shake Sushi Avenue Taste of NY Pizza Westshore Pizza
*- Notes – Mahana Fresh & Lima both didnât open until 2020, or they would have made this list.
** – Sukhothai, Vallartaâs (Tampa Palms), and Regina Margherita (previously called Chefs of Napoli) were all on this list before they all closed (with Regina Margherita closing the week we went to press with this issue) and El Pescador, which previously occupied Limaâs location in the New Tampa Center plaza, made my top-50 before it closed.
Editor’s note: Since this story was written and sent to the printer on March 20, many things have changed. On the same day that Hillsborough County had its first coronavirus-related death on March 26, county leaders unanimously voted for a safer-at-home measure that goes into effect tonight at 10 p.m, a day after City of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a stay-at-home order against the wishes of county administrator Mike Merrill.
All sides came together for Thursday’s decision, which urges residents not to go to work unless they are performing an essential service, not to visit friends and family unless its an emergency as well as maintaining a six-foot distance from others if you go out.
Trips to grocery stores, pharmacies and doctor appointments are allowed, as are outdoor activities like biking, jogging and walking your dog as long as social distancing is fulfilled.
Also, since this story was written, the number of cases of coronavirus in Florida has increased from more than 500 to nearly 2,500, and the number of deaths has nearly tripled from 10 to 29.
In Hillsborough County, there are 151 cases of coronavirus, and only 21 in Pasco County.
Be safe. — JCC
The shelves containing toilet paper, hand sanitizer and other necessities at area stores like Publix get emptied quicker than they are re-stocked, as fears grow about the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The novel coronavirus death toll has reached double figures in Florida, and the number of positive cases has surpassed 500.
That was on March 20, when we went to press with this issue.
What are those numbers today, as we land in your mailboxes?
Doubled? Tripled? Quadrupled?
Or worse?
Efforts to flatten the curve and prevent the spread are creating new dilemmas.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered schools to be closed, maybe for the rest of the academic year. Small businesses and restaurants are closed, some possibly forever. Many jobs are gone, and may not return.
âIt is all happening so fast,â says Hunterâs Green resident Denise Maguire. âEvery day we learn more.â
An ABC News/Ipsos poll released March 20 revealed that 72 percent, or nearly three out of every four Americans, now say their lives have been upended in some way by Covid-19.
The previous week, that number was only 26 percent.
And, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases for the National Institutes of Health, continues to say things are going to get worse before they get better.
Because testing has lagged, the full extent of the virus remains unclear. In New Tampa, BayCare Urgent Care on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. opened a drive-through site (above) for coronavirus testing on March 18 (other sites by other providers also are open in the Tampa Bay area).
Tents are set up behind the building, although only those who meet the strict criteria â fever and cough for at least a week, recently traveled internationally, or contact with someone infected â established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) & Prevention and the Florida Department of Health are being tested.
Roughly 1,500 were tested at all seven drive-through sites set up by BayCare on the first day, and just under half of those who showed up were tested while the others did not meet the criteria and were turned away.
Social distancing is currently the best defense against coronavirus, according to the experts â which is why pictures of crowded Pinellas County beaches that have now been closed horrified many â and locally, people have been taking heed.
They also seem to preparing for the long haul — toilet paper, milk, eggs and hand sanitizer are among the items that have flown off the shelves at Publix, Winn-Dixie, Wal-Mart and others, as local stores hustle to keep the shelves stocked.
To combat hoarders, Publix and the Publix Pharmacy went as far as to set aside times (Tuesday and Wednesdays, 7 a.m.-8 a.m.) where only seniors (age 65 and over) could purchase needed items, since they are the most at-risk for the virus.
âSpring Breakâ Extended
Schools have taken drastic steps as well, closing until April 15, and it seems most likely they will not reopen by then, and that the 2019-20 school year will either have to be extended or completed online.
âThe district is working very hard to come up with a plan providing as much support as they can,â says Hunterâs Green Elementary kindergarten teacher Roxi Coriell. âItâs been amazing to see the response from teachers across the nation. Iâm in all these Facebook groups and everyone is sharing all these resources. Weâre trying to wrap our brains around what resources are available and how to put them to use.â
In an email to parents on March 19, new Hillsborough Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis announced that for the 2019-20 school year, all state-administered assessments are canceled, school grades will not calculated and all school districts will be required to launch and successfully implement an eLearning Continuity Plan.
Davis also said the Florida Department of Education (DoE) is working with the CDC to determine graduation plans. Wharton and Freedom seniors have been scheduled to graduate May 26 and 28, respectively.
The Wawa on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel remains open but prohibits customers from gathering outside.
As the illness spread nationwide, Floridians were at first encouraged to keep the size of any groups or gatherings at 1,000, then 100, then 50 and finally 10, numbers that seemingly changed every day.
People have been encouraged â but not yet forced, in all cases â to work from home, creating a whole new set of circumstances to deal with and forcing many businesses and parents to adjust.
Restaurants have suffered the brunt of social distancing locally, and while a few remained open last week as we went to deadline, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced as we were finishing this issue that restaurants can only be open for take-out and delivery.
Restaurants in New Tampa (& across Florida), like Las Palmas Latin Grill, had to quickly convert to takeout & delivery only to comply with Gov. Ron DeSantis order on Mar. 20. (Photo: John C. Cotey)
At Glory Days Grill in New Tampa, managing partner Jorge Hernandez says he and others have been blindsided.
âItâs pretty insane how everything happened so quickly,â he said, adding that sales had been up at his location before heading into March.
According to Hernandez, in the span of a few weeks, his restaurant had lost 60-80 percent of its business. On a typical night, he would have 10-12 servers working the floor. Before DeSantis shut down dine-in service, he was down to two, and he thinks that may be one too many now.
He had to let 70 percent of his staff go, although he hopes to rehire all of them when business returns to normal.
âWe are keeping everyone on benefits, donating food to employees, trying to do these things to keep our (work) family together,â Hernandez said. âBut, itâs so difficult to see my staffâs faces. It hurts.â
Hernandez said that one day last week, nine of the 10 people in his restaurant were friends, neighbors or family there to support him and/or his staff.
âIt made me want to cry to see their support,â he said.
Like many restaurants in New Tampa, Glory Days is hoping curbside pick-up helps blunt the blows, but Hernandez knows it wonât be enough.
A little ways up the road, The Brunchery, which had only opened a few months ago, closed its doors for what management hoped would only be for two weeks.
âBut, I think it will be longer than that,â owner Stanley Athan said.
Athan says that business had been slowly declining as the coronavirus news worsened, but on March 18, it dropped off the cliff, as fewer than a dozen tables were seated and he quickly made the decision to close.
As he drives around Tampa, he sees restaurant closures everywhere. And, those that aren’t already closed are only delaying the inevitable, he fears.
Athan also closed a restaurant he owns in Seattle, WA, which has been one of the coronavirus hotspots, last week.
âThis is unprecedented,â he said.
If he has to stay closed for six months, heâs not sure he will be able to re-open.
The New Tampa Regional Library (above) has closed, and larger businesses that draw crowds, like the recently opened Urban Air Adventure Park, also have suspended their operations â at least temporarily.
The entire Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 was already shut down, and many stores at the Shops of Wiregrass also followed suit.
TJX, the parent company of HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, announced it was temporarily closing all its stores.
In accordance with social distancing, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church suspended masses, while St. James United Methodist Church livestreamed services Sunday on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, with plans to continue to do so.
Family of Christ Christian School on BBD may be closed due to the governorâs orders, but its child development center was still open to provide important daycare to children of parents who continue to work.
âUnless someone says I have to, thereâs just no way I could close,â said Jill Hammon, the schoolâs director for the past 13 years just before we went to press. âWhat Iâm surprised about, though, is how many people had to pull out because theyâre not getting paidâŠWeâre just trying to keep it running the best we can, because if we shut down too much, it will be hard to be able to open again.â
Meanwhile, the New Tampa YMCA closed on March 17, but continued its spring break camps, which were already in progress. At press time, the Y planned to stay closed until March 29, then re-evaluate when or whether to resume operations. And, on March 23, the New Tampa Y started offering all-day school-age relief care for essential workers.
On social media, dozens and dozens of people are offering their support, as well as their supplies and services. Maguire posted on NextDoor.com that she was willing to help with any grocery or supply deliveries, and was thrilled to see she wasnât the only one offering.
âThe last time I went out, I noticed there were very few people on the road and nothing in grocery store,â she said. âIt was one of the reasons I put that note out there to help. Thereâs plenty of people who canât afford food, who arenât working right now. Since I did that, Iâve seen a lot of other people put the same message out. Itâs been wonderful to see the community coming together.â
But, it will take more, she says: Listening to the experts, washing your hands and yes, social distancing.
âItâs so important that we do these things,â she said. âItâs definitely going to be a challenge.â
Tom (seated) and Patrick Murtha have not only helped area businesses grow, but have grown quite a bit themselves since moving to Wesley Chapel in 2015. (Photo: John C. Cotey)
Tom Murtha and his son Patrick do more than just crunch numbers during tax season. Partners and owners of their own accounting firm â Murtha & Murtha, LLC â in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 (across from Samâs Club), the father-son duo has more than 50 years of combined experience in handling ever-changing tax laws on behalf of their accounting clients.
The Murthas consult, advise and deal in complicated and intricate tax laws and provide things like business valuations and due diligence while also running the successful Murtha & Murtha Mergers and Acquisitions, LLC.
And of course, they do taxes.
âWe do it all,â says Tom.
And, as they help businesses grow and prosper, so has their own business. The Murthas are coming off a year in which they merged with another office in Zephyrhills, which is now called Henson & Murtha, CPAs. Tom says that transition went off seamlessly and is helping the Murthas spread their influence across eastern Pasco, an area they feel is underserved.
â(The merger) was very, very successful,â Tom says. âWe (inherited) some great people, havenât lost any clients and have grown over there.â
Tom, who earned his B.S. degree in Management from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, in 1976, and his M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) degree in Accounting from St. Johnâs University in Queens, NY, in 1981, has been doing mergers, acquisitions and business valuations since the 1990s.
Patrick, who grew up around tax codes at his fatherâs business, graduated from the University of South Florida in 2009 with Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in both Finance and Accounting. He joined his father in opening a firm in Tampa in 2010, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. One of Patrickâs first tasks was to sell Tomâs former Englewood accounting firm.
In 2013, the Murthas expanded to full service, and in 2015, moved to their current location in Wesley Chapel.
Currently in the middle of tax season, Murtha & Murtha is expecting to do more than 2,000 tax returns between the two offices. In its Wesley Chapel location alone, where the Murthas and senior accountant Kyle Flischel, CPA, are particularly busy, business is up 70 percent.
Tom calls it âexplosive.â Patrick draws a laugh from his father when he says this tax season has already been like âtrying to drink water from a fire hose.â During a recent two-day span, Patrick says he had meetings with 20 new, potential clients.
That speaks to the success of the firm. The staff has grown and stayed ahead of the growth, allowing Murtha & Murtha, LLC, to provide business services that are never interrupted by seasonal changes or having too much on their plates.
Business Gurus, Too
Much of what Murtha & Murtha does is help businesses large and small handle their accounting. While the proliferation of online filing software has replaced the duties of many accountants over the years, Tom says it has only helped his business thrive.
Now, instead of using most of their time inputting numbers into a computer program, the Murthas have more time to advise businesses on more important matters that can improve their bottom line.
âToday, with QuickBooks and other accounting software, that stuff is already done,â Tom says. âThat doesnât do anything for the client; itâs all after the fact. We can actually help clients with what they need. Weâre helping them become successful, not just doing this work that shows them where they were last year.â
Thatâs why the Murthas suggest that businesses meet with them during the year, to make decisions before tax time, when it may be too late to help maximize a return or save money for that year.
Services Your Business Needs
Murtha & Murtha offers a âCFO Retainer Package,â which is designed to help businesses and those who are self-employed whose company may need a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) but donât have the budget to hire a full-time manager or accountant for that job.
For a fraction of the cost of a full-time CFO, the Murthas operate in an advisory position and can handle everything from accounting and bookkeeping to setting up payroll and ensuring that all of a clientâs income and expenses are classified correctly.
They also will put together a budget, which Patrick says hardly any other companies do. The Murthas are big on budgeting, which helps their clients make decisions in real time, instead of waiting until the end of the year.
And of course, they will take care of all of the tax preparation and planning.
Patrick says it is that personal touch that differentiates Murtha & Murtha from others. While some CPAs may take a pass on your more complicated business problems, the Murthas specialize in taking them on â and solving them.
At Murtha & Murtha, the person you talk to is the person who does your tax return. Whether youâre a filer from a lower income tax bracket, a business bringing in $100,000 a year or someone with an $80-million stock portfolio, you get personalized treatment.
âWe want our clients to view us as advisers,â says Patrick, ânot just the guys who do their tax returns.â
And if the help you require is outside of their parameters, they will help you find the right person, whether itâs a lawyer or a certified financial planner (CFP).
âHelping the client is our brand,â Tom says. âWe help people be successful. Thatâs what our firm does.â
Murtha & Murtha, LLC, is located at 2236 Ashley Oaks Cir., Suite 101, Wesley Chapel. For more info, visit TampaTaxFirm.com, see the ad on pg. 19 or to schedule a free consultation, call (813) 991-1120. Henson & Murtha, CPAs, is located at 5315 8th Ave. in Zephyrhills. For info, call (813) 782-0580.
