Ribbon Cuttings Galore In Wesley Chapel

By Gary Nager

As we head into “season” for the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel issue, there has been no shortage of new businesses and ribbon-cuttings.

Among the recent ribbon-cutting events we attended that the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) has held since our last issue was the WCCC event for the new Jersey Mike’s Subs (1662 BBD Blvd.; photo, near right) in the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel, near Bonefish Grill. Actual sub paper was cut (instead of red ribbon) to commemorate the opening of the sub shop. For info, call 973-0600 or visit JerseyMikes.com.

An even bigger event was the Grand Opening and WCCC ribbon cutting at the new Walmart Store #3418 (28500 S.R. 54, a half mile east of BBD) on August 13.

Walmart’s opening featured not only the WCCC ribbon cutting, but also inspiring music from the Wesley Chapel High Wildcats marching band, several elected officials (and political candidates, including former Zephyrhills Mayor Danny Burgess, who is running for the Florida legislature and who gave an update about our area’s ongoing development) and a total of $8,000 in donations from Walmart to Watergrass Elementary, the Lions Club of Wesley Chapel (see item below), Victorious Life Church (Victorious Life Pastor Ed Russo gave the invocation at the event), the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and to the WCH marching band.

Most folks in attendance, however, were anxious to see the new Walmart open and check out Wesley Chapel’s only “superstore,” which is huge, nicer than most Walmarts and packed with bargains. In fact, bargain hunters have helped keep traffic backed up around the Walmart light at 54 and Wiregrass Ranch Blvd. since the store opened. We’ll update you in a future issue about some of the eateries and businesses coming to the area around the new Walmart.

Also on Aug. 13, the WCCC hosted its second ribbon cutting of the day at the new Wesley Chapel Montessori School (5401 Post Oak Blvd., behind Ker’s WingHouse; photo top far right). With food provided by City Grill (on S.R. 54, east of I-75, in the Wesley Chapel Village Market), Wesley Chapel Montessori president and founder Pavitra Arni thanked not only her students, parents, staff and the WCCC, but also “the (Wesley Chapel) Neighborhood News for helping to make all of this possible.” For more info, call 737-7517 or visit WCMontessori.com.

 • Unfortunately, the Grand Opening & WCCC Ribbon Cutting events at Pure Barre New Tampa (18091 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy., off BBD) on Aug. 23 and for the Planet Beach Contempo Spa (27607 S.R. 56, in front of Sam’s Club) on Aug. 28 were both held after we went to press with this issue, so look for info and pics next issue. For more info, call Pure Barre at 866-7873 or Planet Beach Contempo Spa at 991-4433. 

• The WCCC also will host a ribbon cutting event at All-Tech Air & Filtration (35946 S.R. 54, Zephyrhills), 5 p.m., and a Business Mixer at Hyundai & Mazda of Wesley Chapel (2700 WC Blvd./S.R. 54) on Thursday, September 11, 5 p.m.

For more information about WCCC membership, or about other upcoming Chamber events (including this year’s Celebrating Excellence Awards Banquet at Saddlebrook Resort on Thursday, September 18, and the sixth annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival on Saturday, October 11 & more), call the WCCC (6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., #105) at 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.