Author: Gary Nager

The 2021 Holiday Shopping Season Begins With Two 5K Runs

Although I always try to support our local business community, I’ve never really been a big fan of the holiday shopping season. And, I generally shake my head when I see and hear of so many people who are willing to wait on line outside a store for hours on Thanksgiving Day or Black Friday in order to save a few dollars on a big-ticket item.

Gary Nager Editorial

But, if you’re the type of person who doesn’t think your time is worth more than that, I’ve always said “more power to you.”

What I will say is that this year, I’m genuinely hoping that all of our local mom-and-pop businesses — including our advertisers, of course — will be able to rebound from last year’s Covid-induced coma.

And, since this is our pre-Christmas issue for New Tampa, I promise to do my part to help as many small businesses as possible this holiday season. I also would like to help as many charitable organizations as possible, because I know that Covid also was brutal to nonprofits, especially those whose mission is to help people in need.

So, feel free to email me at ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com or post on our “Neighborhood News” page on Facebook with information about your locally owned small business or a nonprofit organization that you support anytime between now and December 23 and I’ll share that information with our online audience. Considering that we have more than 12,000 followers of our Neighborhood News page on Facebook, I hope it’ll help.

About Supply Chain Issues & Employee Shortages

I also will admit that I don’t really understand why Covid also has caused the worldwide supply chain problem, but I do know that it’s real and that the issue doesn’t bode well for the holiday shopping season.

What I do have a better first-hand understanding about are the ongoing employee shortages that also are making things more difficult for local businesses. In addition to having difficulty finding one part-time office and sales assistant, despite months of looking, I also have had a number of restaurant owners tell me that they couldn’t afford for me to do a Dining Feature story about their place because they’re short-staffed and couldn’t handle the expected huge influx all at once of new patrons when the story would break. This is literally a problem I had never heard of before in my nearly 28 years in this business.

And, as someone who dines out as often as possible for both business and pleasure, this obvious shortage of employees — despite more employers paying (or offering to pay) their people more money — has greatly affected me personally.

It seems that every local restaurant is hiring and many across the country are facing, according to a recent New York Times article, “a potentially catastrophic inability to hire,” because of Covid fears, too-generous government benefits (that make it too easy for people to not work) and other factors.

Even though Florida’s minimum wage has been raised to $10 per hour (and will rise by $1 per hour per year, to $15 per hour, by 2026), it’s apparently not enough, especially since the increase for tipped workers is currently only from a minimum of $6.98 per hour plus tips now and will increase to $11.98 per hour plus tips in 2026.

The bottom line appears to be that despite my best hopes, wishes and prayers, despite the minimum wage increases and still-declining Covid hospitalizations, the 2021 holiday shopping season still may not be everything yours truly and so many other small business owners are hoping it will be.

And then, there’s the new Omicron variant that I hope won’t put yet another monkey wrench into the works for restaurant and retail business owners. So, if you‘re not already vaccinated, please do so ASAP.

A Turkey Trot By Any Other Name

If you were confused on Thanksgiving morning by the fact that there were two 5K “Turkey Trot” events in Wesley Chapel, you weren’t alone. Rich Wills, the former owner of the FitNiche (now Fit2Run) store in the Shops at Wiregrass, had started the annual “Wiregrass Wobble Turkey Trot 5K” eight years ago, but was told that since he no longer owned the store, the mall was still going to host a “Wiregrass Turkey Trot 5K,” with the New Tampa Rotary (again) as a partner, without him.

Undeterred, Wills moved the “official” Wiregrass Wobble 5K and 1(tur)K runs to the Tampa Premium Outlets and the events at both malls attracted more than 1,000 runners and walkers and raised money for worthy causes. We were happy to help Wills promote his 8th annual run, the first ever held at the Outlets, and people raved about the new course, the camaraderie and the weather. Congrats, Rich!

Fall Festival Makes A Successful Move To The Outlet Mall

The North Tampa Bay Chamber made a bold move by switching the venue for the 17th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival from The Grove to the Tampa Premium Outlets — and, despite some parking issues during the two-day event that was held Halloween weekend (Oct. 30-31), the event was definitely another big hit, attracting some pretty big crowds both days.

Instead of the usual fairway-style rides, this year’s Fall Festival, presented by Florida Penguin Productions for the first time, featured another installment of the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally, with dozens of unique food trucks (see page 46 for pictures of a few of them) offering everything from hot dogs to churros and from mac & cheese to crepes.

And yes, the event still featured the always-popular Lil’ Miss & Lil’ Mister Pumpkin Pageant.

Some folks were confused (including yours truly) because The Grove still did host a Fall Festival with amusement park-style rides and more food trucks, but I give the busy NTBC two thumbs up for this year’s Fall Festival. — Gary Nager; photos by Charmaine George

If you didn’t get to attend the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival Oct. 30-31, you missed out on the return of the World’s Largest Food Truck Rally, which, while it didn’t break the record for the most-ever food trucks in one location, the pics on this page are just a small sample of the more than 80 different food trucks that did find their way to the parking lot of the Tampa Premium Outlets on Halloween weekend.

Whether you were hoping to find Filipino Food, Hot Diggity Dogs, Alston’s Grilled Chicken, Kickin Caribbean cuisine or desserts from the Ice Cream Hearse, snow cones, frozen drinks or fried bananas, they were all on hand at the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival! — Gary Nager; all photos by Charmaine George

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival

Carmel Friendship Church Celebrates Its 11th Anniversary!

If you’re looking for a new church home for your family, I can’t imagine a more welcoming Christian environment than what I experienced during my first-ever visit to Carmel Friendship Church, which has been located in its own building next to the Wesley Chapel school complex on Wells Rd. since 2011 (although the church didn’t purchase the building until 2014).

I visited Carmel Friendship Church for its 11th anniversary — the church started meeting at the home of Pastors Quincy (Pastor Q) and Jennifer Stratford and their children in 2010 and moved to Benito Middle School in New Tampa on Easter Sunday in 2011 — on Oct. 10 and I have to say that, as a member of the Jewish faith who has attended many Christian churches in years past, I have rarely, if ever, felt the warmth and love I felt from everyone I met at this very special place.

I walked in a few minutes after the church’s music program had begun and was blown away by the talent of the dancers and choir singers, especially soloists Morgan Mackall, Curlin Beck and Chris Sampson. Many of the dancers appeared to be young teens, but the music, under the direction of Kazi Whitfield, and choreography were impeccable and beautiful to watch and hear.

The inspirational message given by the Stratfords’ friend, visiting Pastor Dr. Johnnie R. Bradley, of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, quoted scripture from both the Old and New Testament to illustrate how the Holy Spirit is a Real, Divine and Unique person who provides comfort to all of those who believe. And, Dr. Bradley’s message fit right in with Carmel Friendship Church’s motto of “Real God. Purpose. People.”

Before the blessings and closing messages given at the end of the service by Pastor Q and Pastor Jennifer, another close friend of theirs, cancer survivor Patrice Kissentaner Starks, whose health issues prevented her from being able to visit her friends for several years, told how much the support of the Stratford family and her faith have helped and meant to her.

The service was followed by a free barbecue meal and a cake to celebrate the church’s anniversary.

Carmel Friendship Church (30081 Wells Rd.) offers both adult and children’s services at 9 a.m. on Sundays and Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 991-1300 or visit CFriendship.org. — GN

Carmel Friendship Church

Falabella Family Bistro Unveils Its Delicious New Menu!

Wesley Chapel’s Favorite Restaurateur Upgrades His Bistro With A New Chef & New Menu Items!

*(Above, l.-r.) Steve, Giulia and Micaela Falabella. Missing from the pic is Steve and Micaela’s other daughter, Mavi.*

Earlier this year, as owner Steve Falabella was getting ready to open his Falabella Family Bistro in The Grove, and started telling me about some of the menu items he was planning, I was already excited about it.

After all, Steve already had one of the best pizza places in Wesley Chapel (which is saying a lot because I think The Chap has a lot of really good pizza) — his 900º Woodfired Pizza in the Shops at Wiregrass — and as a true Italian raised in New York, I knew he could create a great bistro experience.

But, when Falabella Family Bistro did open in early June, the only thing I told Steve he could use was a little more diverse menu and maybe to add some fresh veggies.

Just a few short months later, as Steve was reunited with his new Executive Chef Chance Drake (who started with Steve as a dishwasher at 900º Woodfired ten years ago but who honed his chef skills at Noble Crust and Lake Jovita Country Club), he promised me that a revamped menu was on the way — and boy has Wesley Chapel’s favorite restaurateur delivered again, in a big way!

Although Chance will continue to offer a weekly special Friday-Sunday only (like the amazing rigatoni with broccoli rabe and sausage), only the most popular of Chance’s specials and other often-requested dishes have been added to the actual new menu at the Bistro.

My favorite new pasta dishes and entrées so far are the chicken piccata, the beef short rib ragu and the crispy fried zucchini, which is unlike any I’ve ever sampled, as the zucchini is cut into thin slices, rather than in traditional “sticks,” and the Roma tomato aioli dipping sauce also is a change from the always-popular marinara.

Other new “piattini” (small plates or starters) on the menu are the garlic baguette (garlic bread with a pomodoro dip and fresh basil), the broccoli and ricotta toast (with roasted broccoli, whipped ricotta, hot honey and fresh basil) and a ravioli flight I can’t sample because it includes lobster in the flight (along with sasuage, broccoli and five-cheese ravioli, all of which I can try).

I haven’t yet tried all of the new pastas and entrées, but look forward to sampling the Bistro’s new veal Marsala (I’ve had the chicken Marsala, which is yummy). I also can’t eat the garlic shrimp Alfredo (I hate allergies!), but Steve says it’s been extremely popular already.

And of course, among my already-on-the-menu favorites are the Vongole (spaghetti with clams), the classic spaghetti with meatballs, the chicken parmesan, the lasagna (with bechamel, instead of ricotta) the gnocchi Genovese (with house-made pesto sauce) and starters like the bruschetta, burrata caprese, the Caesar and Mediterranean salads and the crispy calamari.

Although I know a lot of Steve’s regular customers go crazy for the antipasto boards shaped like Italy and I do enjoy some of the panini sandwiches (my favorite is the pesto chicken), I honestly haven’t sampled many of either because I have so many favorites on the rest of the menu. I’m sure it’s my loss though.

Don’t Skip Dessert!

While Jannah and I are usually trying not to eat dessert, it’s hard to skip the decadent desserts available at Falabella Family Bistro, especially knowing that they are supplied by Evelyn Barreno of Seven Layers Bakery. I’m particularly partial to the chocolate mousse cheesecake, the equally creamy tiramisu, the cannolis and the turtle and triple chocolate cheesecake options. I’ve yet to sample the affogato (vanilla ice cream “drowned” with hot espresso) or Macedonia (fresh fruit salad topped with whipped cream) desserts.

I have sampled the Bistro’s outstanding cappuccino and Peroni beer on tap, and Jannah is partial to glasses of pinot grigio and prosecco. And, though his red wine list isn’t extensive, it’s also not too expensive, as the Casa Migliaccio Barolo is only $49.95 per bottle and there are two Nero d’Avolas for only $29.95 per bottle. Bottled beers, hard seltzers and wine cocktails and a reasonably priced kids menu are available.

Falabella Family Bistro (6027 Wesley Grove Blvd.) is open for lunch (at 11 a.m.) & dinner (until 9 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.) every day. For more information, visit FalabellaBistro.com or call (813) 428-6957.

Pick Of The Week: The Liquor Shoppe!

Congratulations to my new friends Dev Swaly and his wife Shejal Parmar, who just opened The Liquor Shoppe in one of the spaces at 10020 Cross Creek Blvd. in the Cross Creek Center Plaza (at Kinnan St.) that previously was occupied by Café Olé restaurant, next to Thai Lanna (photos, right).

I’ve made a couple of purchases at The Liquor Shoppe, including a limited edition “Be The Thunder” Tampa Bay Lightning promotional bottle of New Amsterdam Vodka. “Our supply is definitely limited,” Dev says. “So come get them now!”

The Liquor Shoppe will continue to add to its already impressive selection of imported and domestic beer, wine and spirits at very fair prices, and is hosting a great upcoming event to introduce the store to the New Tampa community.

On Friday, November 19, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., The Liquor Shoppe is hosting both a Premium Wine Tasting with Advanced Sommelier Gregory Mayer, as well as a Neff Vodka Tasting. For more info, call (813) 388-2164. — GN

The Liquor Shoppe