Art Of Drawers Turns Kitchen Frustrations To Joy With Quality Solutions


Why should you have to choose between beauty and functionality when doing a kitchen remodeling job? Why not get both? When you choose Art of Drawers, whether for installation of drawers, refacing of your cabinets or both, everything can be customized to your specifications. (All photos provided by Sid Kinghar) 

If the dark corners of your kitchen cabinets seem to swallow up the things you need, the designers at Art of Drawers want to get to know your frustrations and come up with a solution that will make working in your kitchen a little more joyful, with beautiful, high-end, perfectly customized drawers that will make finding items in your kitchen a lot easier — and look a lot more elegant. And, in addition to erasing problems with your kitchen cabinets, Art of Drawers provides custom solutions for pantries and bathrooms, too. 

“Art of Drawers offers premium quality, a lifetime warranty and really solves everyday problems for customers in their homes,” says Sid Kinghar, owner of the Tampa Bay-area franchise. 

He says his company is not about selling drawers. “We offer solutions to increase your storage and give you more accessibility and better organization,” he explains. 

While that is helpful for anyone, it is particularly beneficial for those who may be struggling to reach items in their kitchen, sometimes due to aging. “It can be a game changer for people who have accessibility or mobility issues,” he says. “For customers with back pain or who can’t bend down, this makes life a lot easier.” 

He adds that, because everything is custom made, each project is completely unique. Art of Drawers can provide solutions for cabinets where there also is plumbing or other obstacles, because the drawers can be fully customized to fit around those items. 

“We can install drawers where you would never think a drawer could be,” Sid says. “We also have drawer heights from two-and-a-half inches up to nine inches. Whatever it needs to be to fit your pots and pans, with dividers to stack lids, no two solution are exactly the same.” 

(Right l.-r.) Sid, Inaya, Faiza & Amani Kinghar of Art of Drawers. 

However, he says, what is consistent from job to job is Art of Drawers’ quality. In addition to a lifetime warranty on all product installations, the company offers an “elation guarantee,” promising that if you’re not thrilled within the first three days after your installation, you can receive a refund. 

But, he says, that just doesn’t happen. 

In fact, most of Sid’s customers enjoy their upgrades so much that they want to have Art of Drawers improve additional spaces, whether it’s more cabinets, a pantry or even bathrooms. 

“All of our drawers are handcrafted in the United States, with solid wood construction and soft-close, undermount rails,” he says. 

That high quality is what attracted Sid to the Art of Drawers brand, when he wanted to transition from corporate America to working for himself as an entrepreneur. 

Sid previously held roles in finance and management for two decades. Originally from India, he came to the U.S. and earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Business Management, Finance and Marketing from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton in 2005. In 2013, he earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Babson College in Wellesley, MA, a school known as a leading college for entrepreneurship. 

Sid’s background in both management and working for his family’s retail company in India has helped him serve his Art of Drawers customers well. He says that serving his neighbors throughout the community was another key reason he decided to become an Art of Drawers franchise owner. 

Sid and his wife Faiza, who is an oncologist, have lived in Tampa Palms for the last six years. They have two young daughters, Inaya, who is six, and four-year-old Amani. 

A Little History… 

Art of Drawers launched nationally in 2019 and opened a corporate location in the Tampa Bay area in 2022. That location was sold in 2023 as a franchise, which Sid then bought last year. There are currently 43 Art of Drawers locations nationally, including three other Florida locations. 

The local Art of Drawers franchise includes three designers who work throughout the Tampa Bay area, from Wesley Chapel to Sarasota and from Lakeland up to Brooksville — and everywhere in between. Sid says the team includes two installers who execute the designers’ plans to perfection. 

Designers and installers are trained by Art of Drawers to be certified in the company’s products, so you can be confident that anyone working in your home will always meet the company’s high standards. 

The process starts with a free in-home consultation. A designer will come to your home to create a personalized design that is unique to both your home and your individual needs. 

Once the designer provides an estimate, you choose what to move forward with, whether it’s an entire kitchen upgrade or a smaller job to solve the problem you may be having with your most frustrating space. 

An installer will come out to verify your measurements — down to the millimeter — before everything is custom-built for you. It typically takes about six weeks for the drawers and organizers to be built, but then everything is installed in one day. 

“As the owner, I go back to make sure everything went smoothly,” Sid says. “We go on a ‘Wow’ tour so they can show off. I always want to make sure my customers are 100% elated.” 

Refacing, Too! 

Art of Drawers can transform your pantry from a cluttered mess into a neatly organized drawer system to make accessing the far reaches of the pantry a breeze.

In addition to adding functionality to your kitchen cabinets, pantry or bathroom, Art of Drawers now offers cabinet refacing, too. 

“You keep your existing cabinet boxes, but we can provide drawer faces, doors, and hardware,” Sid explains, adding that it’s a much longer-lasting solution than simply repainting cabinets, and Art of Drawers has about 200 options available. “It’s about half the cost of new cabinets and can be done in just two or three days. You can still use your kitchen while the work is being done.” 

He says customers who are looking to improve both the beauty and the function of their kitchens will appreciate that they can do both with Art of Drawers. Cabinet refacing also is available for customers who don’t also want to add drawers. 

Judy Cochran recently hired Art of Drawers to solve issues in her kitchen. 

“It’s been several years now that we’ve been frustrated because we couldn’t find anything in the pantry and it’s hard to get to stuff in the very back of the cabinets,” Judy says, “so we decided to seek out someone to do pull-out drawers for us.” 

She says Art of Drawers was recommended to her, so she called the company for an estimate. “Sid came out and was very efficient and explained everything in-depth,” she says. 

After taking a few days to think about it, she decided it would be worth the investment. 

“I’m very pleased,” she says, “We did the pantry and lower cabinets, and it was great.” 

She also says that Sid provided ideas for her that she hadn’t thought of herself, such as including a pull-out drawer for her trash. She was happy with the follow-up and customer service, saying Sid always either answered her calls or called her back right away. 

“I’m so glad we did it,” Judy says. 

Art of Drawers is licensed and insured, and comes to you for a free in-home estimate. For more info, visit ArtofDrawers.com or call (813) 548-6866.

Wiregrass Ranch High Sophomores Help Vulnerable People Get Ready For The Heat

Siyana Khan (left) & Nicole Huynh started “Hydrating for Hope” to help vulnerable Florida residents better deal with the upcoming summer heat. (Photos provided by Siyana Khan) 

While some Floridians grew tired of the prolonged cold we experienced in the early weeks of 2026, Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) sophomores Siyana Khan and Nicole Huynh know the heat is coming. Soon. Fast. Difficult for those without air conditioning and, especially, proper hydration, to survive. 

As student athletes, Siyana and Nicole have both experienced some of the consequences of dehydration. “I’ve had sunburns, heat exhaustion and even strong nausea from not hydrating myself completely,” says Nicole, who is a member of the WRH color guard. 

Siyana had lived in New Jersey for 10 years and wasn’t used to the heat, so playing flag football in Florida proved to be overwhelming for her. “When I moved to Florida, I wasn’t hydrating properly,” Siyana says. “I actually passed out and had to go to the ER, and was diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension (abnormally low blood pressure) because of dehydration.” 

The girls teamed together and used their shared experiences to consider how others may need help when Florida’s heat takes hold. 

“We created ‘Hydrating for Hope,’” Siyana explains. “It’s a local community service initiative dedicated to hydrating and serving those around us. Many vulnerable communities around Tampa Bay suffer in this hot environment, making them more susceptible to [several] heat-related illnesses.” 

They began collecting heat-related essentials and also raised $1,260 through GoFundMe to purchase additional supplies. 

Their efforts have allowed them to purchase nearly 1,200 items, including bottles of water, reusable water bottles, Gatorade, sunglasses, hats and portable electric and paper fans. 

These items will be donated to homeless shelters and organizations that help vulnerable populations, such as Better Together, a Naples, FL-based nonprofit organization with a Tampa Bay-area chapter that is focused on preventing foster care by supporting families in crisis. 

“I was genuinely moved by [Siyana and Nicole’s] passion for serving their community,” says Joy Harris, executive director of Better Together. “It was clear in our conversation that this initiative is coming from a place of deep compassion and a desire to make a tangible difference for others.” 

Siyana and Nicole also worked with 100 students, including their peers at WRH and some at John Long Middle School, as well as The Learning Experience of New Tampa, to create 140 handwritten cards (above) for family members who are being served by Better Together. 

The recent Hydrating for Hope event at WRH.

“Their efforts not only provide encouragement to those receiving the cards,” Joy says, “they also inspire others to step up and look for ways to support their neighbors. I am grateful for the opportunity to partner with students like these and for the chance to see the next generation lead with such heart and intentionality.” 

The girls have become close friends through their time at the WRH Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club. They plan to enter a statewide FBLA competition for community service projects this summer. They also are considering creating their own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to be able to continue doing the work they’ve started through their Hydrating for Hope project. 

“We hope to hold more events, like when we held an event to write cards,” Siyana explains, “and also make bracelets or other crafts, too.” 

They hope their initiative will not only help those who are vulnerable, but will also provide awareness of heat-related problems for all of those living in Florida. 

To learn more about Hydrating for Hope, visit Hydrating4Hope to link to its Instagram, GoFundMe, donation list on Amazon and more.

Charlene Joyce Files To Run For State House District 54 Seat Against Randy Maggard

Local Realtor and registered nurse Charlene Joyce is a conservative Republican running in Nov. 2026 for the Florida House District 54 seat currently occupied by Rep. Randy Maggard. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Charlene Joyce has filed to run in the Nov. 2026 mid-term elections for the State House District 54 seat which covers parts of Pasco County, including Dade City and some of Wesley Chapel, and is currently held by fellow Republican Randy Maggard. 

Charlene is a conservative Republican who lives in Dade City and says she disagrees with legislation Rep. Maggard filed in November to prohibit counties and cities from adopting their own rules related to water quality, wetlands, and pollution control. 

“The State House is trying to put more emphasis on [its own] power,” Charlene says, “rather than trying to let the people make the decisions for where they live.” 

She says overdevelopment is a big issue, and that Pasco County needs smarter ways to grow. “It shouldn’t take an hour to get somewhere that’s 20 minutes away,” she says. 

And, while she says she has nothing personally against Maggard, “God put it on my heart that I need to try to make a change, and make a difference in the lives of others.” 

Charlene says it’s important to her to listen to her future constituents, and to maintain the beauty of Pasco County. 

“I listen more than I talk,” she says. “I want to ask people questions, [find out] what’s important to them, keeping it grassroots, conservative, and helping others protect their rights as parents and landowners.” 

Charlene grew up in Wesley Chapel and is a single mom of two children, ages 6 and 3. She attends Life Church in Wesley Chapel, and says faith is central to her campaign, which she sees as a calling. 

She also is a licensed registered nurse and obtained her R.N. degree through Rasmussen College in Tampa in 2018. She is the health care administrator for a residential facility in Hillsborough County for the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), where she cares for female residents, ages 12 to 18. 

“One of my pushing points for running was when I started working at DJJ,” she says. “I saw a lot of things that could be implemented through legislation and a lot of loopholes that could be closed.” 

For example, she says, while DJJ employees are drug tested before they are hired, there is no Florida statute that requires testing throughout employment. 

“I’ve encountered people who came to work smelling like marijuana,” she says, “and that’s unacceptable in a place with youth.” 

However, she says, since residential facilities are contracted out to third party providers, they stick closely to legal requirements. 

“They do what they have to do,” she says, “but not anything extra, because it’s money out of their pocket.” 

She says her experience working with the youth in the facility where she works has been moving. On the weekends, she volunteers there with a team from a ministry called Set Free out of Pinellas County. 

For kids who want to participate in the Set Free program, Charlene and the team bring Christian music and Bible teaching. She says she brings hope to the youth in her facility, most of whom have experienced trauma such as physical, sexual and emotional abuse. 

“No one is hopeless,” she says. “God always finds a way, letting them know they are loved and valued. It’s so important for a child to thrive and to walk a different path. These children may have made some bad decisions that put them in a position that might alter their lives for the worse, but I want to take that opportunity to change it for the better.” 

Charlene also is a licensed real estate agent who obtained her Florida real estate license in 2024. 

She says she is looking forward to the election, which will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. 

For more information about Charlene’s campaign for State House, visit CharleneforStateHouse54.com, or follow her on Facebook or Instagram @CharleneforStateHouse54. She can be contacted at (813) 333-8612. For more info about Charlene’s real estate business, visit CJoyceHomes.com.

Benito Middle School Welcomes New Principal Jacqueline Enis!

The new principal at Benito Middle School on Cross Creek Blvd. is Jacqueline Enis, who plans to continue the New Tampa school’s tradition of “A”-rated excellence. (Photo provided by Jacqueline Enis) 

Jacqueline Enis is the new principal of Benito Middle School. 

Enis started in the role on Sept. 16, after former principal Brent Williams was tapped to lead Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy Middle Magnet School in Tampa. 

It was announced at the school board meeting on Aug. 26 that Williams would begin in his new role on Sept. 2. Hillsborough County Pubic Schools officials then acted quickly to interview candidates and appointed Enis to lead Benito, making the announcement at the School Board meeting on Sept. 9. 

Enis joins Benito after six years at neighboring Turner Bartels K-8 School, where she served as the assistant principal of curriculum. 

Prior to that, Enis had served as assistant principal of curriculum at Farnell Middle School since 2013. She began her career with Hillsborough County Public Schools in 2001, when she taught ESE language arts and reading and served as a reading coach. 

Enis says the transition to taking the reins at Benito has gone smoothly. 

“It’s absolutely awesome,” she says. “I love the community and I love what we’re doing for students. I’m happy to continue the legacy of those who came before me.” 

Benito has been a strong “A”-rated school for more than two decades. It has only two “Bs” in the school’s history, with the last one coming in 2001, so Enis says she isn’t looking to make a lot of changes on campus. 

“The students respect adults and have been very welcoming,” she says. “They tell me that they miss Mr. Williams, but they have embraced me and have made me feel at home.” 

Benito PTSA president Rob Taylor agrees with the students’ sentiments. “While we miss Mr. Williams, we are very excited to have Ms. Enis as our new principal,” Taylor says. “She seems on board with our goals of planning fun and exciting activities, events and rewards for students, and doing everything we can for our amazing teachers.” 

Enis says she’s happy to partner with the PTSA and volunteers on campus, and she likes to be accessible to parents. 

“I’m waving at them in the car line to make sure they recognize who to go to, whether they have positive things to share about their students, or concerns,” she says. 

Enis says her first few weeks at the school have been filled with one-on-one meetings with every employee on campus and that the teachers and support staff have been welcoming to her, as well. 

“I want to inspire students to succeed and help my school grow,” she says. “Benito is a place where learning is respected and there is collaboration. I want to continue to build those connections with students, staff and the community.”

Palms Pharmacy — The Independent Neighborhood Pharmacy That’s Here To Stay

Doctor of Pharmacy Shahida Choudhry (left) and Angie Pares, Palms Pharmacy’s director of operations, celebrated the local independent pharmacy’s ninth anniversary in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms on Apr. 11. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

On a recent Friday evening, Shahida Choudhry, Pharm.D., threw a party, complete with goodie bags and free ice cream (provided by the Ice Dreammm Shop in Wesley Chapel), to celebrate the nine years since she first opened (in 2016) Palms Pharmacy in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms. 

The annual event is a way for Dr. Choudhry and her staff to mark the impact they have on Tampa Palms, New Tampa and the surrounding areas (including Wesley Chapel) by offering an alternative to big box stores and corporate chains. 

“When you walk through the door, we greet you,” Dr. Choudhry says. “When you call the pharmacy, someone picks up the phone.” 

Grace Dimalanta followed her to Palms Pharmacy from a local Publix, where Dr. Choudhry had previously served as the pharmacist for ten years. 

“Everyone is so personable and friendly at Palms Pharmacy,” Grace says. “It’s a different feel than anywhere else. They’re like family. When I leave, they’re calling out, ‘Bye, Grace, see you later! Have a good day!’” 

From its much more humble beginnings, the staff — and the amount of space it occupies in the plaza — has grown to a total of 16 people, including four pharmacists, three interns, plus six others who work in roles such as pharmacy technicians and support staff. They are all committed to providing a personal experience and truly care about their patients, with that bar being set high by Dr. Choudhry herself. 

In addition to top-quality Korean skin care products at outstanding prices (below), Palms Pharmacy also specializes in vitamins and supplements (above).

“I’ve been her customer for a long time,” Grace says. “She knows me so well. She’s even called my doctor to say a medicine that I was prescribed wasn’t good for me.” 

The large staff stays busy shipping orders throughout the whole state of Florida, offering next day delivery on prescriptions, compounded medications, specialty products and supplements. 

The pharmacy’s shelves are stocked with over-the-counter medications and high-quality supplements, including private label supplements made specifically for Palms Pharmacy. 

Dr. Choudhry says that a popular supplement, especially among those with ADHD, is a magnesium blend called Palms NeuroFocus. Other Palms Pharmacy supplements include a daily multi-vitamin and iron. 

And, she says, a new private label is coming soon, called Thrive Plus by Palms Pharmacy. 

“I’ve converted many of my favorite supplements to gummies,” Dr. Choudhry says. “We want to provide top-quality products to be cost effective so people can afford them.” 

She adds that she has found that she can produce some supplements locally to reduce the cost for her customers. 

This includes magnesium glycinate to help with sleep and nighttime carb cravings, a probiotic gummy, a creatine gummy, a greens gummy and NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) capsules, which are known as the “fountain of youth” and help with energy and visible signs of aging. 

“These [Thrive Plus] supplements had to go through FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration) clearance and are being produced in a facility in Tampa,” Dr. Choudhry explains. “They will be on our shelves by the end of June.” 

The best part about purchasing supplements from Palms Pharmacy is having access to experts who can explain them and help you get the best products for you. Whether you come in the store and talk with the pharmacist, or call and speak with someone on the phone, they are always happy to answer all of your questions. 

Supplements also can be purchased online at Shop.ThePalmsPharmacy.com. 

In addition to vitamins and supplements, Palms Pharmacy carries a variety of unique gift items, skin care products, and sweets and snacks. 

The Latest & Greatest Skin Care 

“Korean skin care currently is our biggest thing,” Dr. Choudhry says, adding that, unlike some other stores, “Everything we have is under $15, including rice oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, vitamin D and retinoids.” 

Regular customers like Grace always enjoy coming into the store to see what’s new. 

“There’s so much unique stuff,” Grace says, “like little soaps. I also buy supplements like vitamin D and calcium pills.” 

Grace says she doesn’t know anything about the quality of supplements, but her daughter-in-law, who does, pointed out that the brand she bought from Palms Pharmacy is a good one that doesn’t use fillers like a lot of companies do. 

“That makes me feel great because I know the store is stocked with stuff that’s good for you,” Grace says. 

She also appreciates that she can get vaccines at Palms Pharmacy, such as the flu shot. 

“I just make an appointment and it’s a nice experience,” Grace says. “I’m always happy to go there.” 

And, Dr. Choudhry says, when you shop at Palms Pharmacy, you’re supporting a small business where the money you spend actually stays in the local community. “We appreciate it when you support your local people and your money goes into the local economy,” Dr. Choudhry says. “While other pharmacies are sold to private equity firms or are closing locations, we’re here to help and give back.” 

In addition to caring for the store’s customers, the staff schedules team-building events every quarter, and often pair their days together with opportunities to serve the community, such as a recent beach cleanup. 

Dr. Choudhry, who earned both her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degrees from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY, was recently named the 2024 Independent Pharmacist of the Year by Pharmacist Moms, a national professional organization of more than 35,000 women pharmacists. 

Palms Pharmacy also has been nominated for the 2025 Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year. There are more than 5,000 independent and locally owned neighborhood pharmacies allied together under the Health Mart banner. To win the award, which will be announced in June, the pharmacy has to have best-in-class clinical practices, be a community leader and exhibit excellent financial performance. 

“We enjoy what we do and really appreciate our customers,” Dr. Choudhry says. “We know you can go anywhere, so if you’re willing to park your car and come through our doors, we’re going to try to do a little bit extra to make you feel welcome.” 

Palms Pharmacy is located at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr. and is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. You can call the store at (813) 252-9063 or text the secure text-only line at (727) 513-3210. For more info, visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com.