Based on the results of our annual Reader’s Survey:
1 — COLDSTONE Cathy and Chip Byrne have owned the Cold Stone Creamery since it opened on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in 2004, employed hundreds of local kids and delivering thousands and thousands of delicious treats to area residents.
Welcome to Cold Stone, indeed.
New Tampa’s favorite desert joint has a fun and friendly staff that delivers a very rich ice cream, which has so much butter fat that Cathy won’t even tell us exactly how much.
The ice cream, which is actually made in the back, is scooped onto a cold stone (get it?), and whatever flavors (a heaping spoonful of peanut butter?) and treats (Kit Kats? M&Ms?) your heart desires are folded into it for a frozen delight. Dessert and a show!
Ice cream cakes are particularly hot sellers at the New Tampa store, especially the chocolatey ganache-topped Midnight Delight.
While being located in front of a movie theater ain’t bad for an ice cream shop, what makes Cold Stone your favorite is that it is a high-quality product and a fun place. Just be ready to wait in a line if you plan on stopping by any weekend night!
2. Twistee Treat Twistee Treat is best-known for operating out of a giant ice cream cone, but its variety of soft serve ice cream flavors (including peanut butter and banana!), candy-infused Twirls, sundaes and great pricing make it a favorite.
3. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Bruster’s is what it says — real ice cream. When it comes to variety, Bruster’s takes the (ice cream) cake, and what kid in New Tampa didn’t grow up on the Dino sundaes? For a real treat, try a custom-made ice cream pie!
4. Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ may not typically classify as dessert, but as a morning sweet it’s not a bad place to pick up a donut, muffin or coffee, and the addition of Baskin Robbins ice cream to some of our locations helps add to its dessert appeal.
5. The Cake Shop was purchased by Jean Paul Petit about a year ago. Petit, who had previously been the cake and pastry chef at Don Pan International Bakery in South Tampa, has brought a new flair to this local favorite.
Head Chef Adrian Luna (left) and owner Steve Fallabella.
Based upon votes cast in our annual Reader Survey, here are Wesley Chapel’s favorite pizza joints.
1 — 900 Woodfired Pizza Steve Falabella says he doesn’t have one secret to his success as the owner of 900 Woodfired Pizza — he has many.
It starts with the pizza, sure. The New York-style pizza, his best seller, boasts a crispy crust — a little bit of whole milk when making the dough gives it some extra life — sauce derived from six different tomatoes and Grande cheese, which he says is the best around.
“It’s all about the cheese,” Falabella says, and he doesn’t mix any other into his choice of mozzarella to cut any corners.
But it’s also all about the employees. If you wonder why the food — whether one of 20 different kinds of pizza, specialty pastas like the Tortellini della casa or a big plate or spaghetti or Pesto Genovese — is always delicious, it’s because it’s probably made by the same people that made it last time.
Head chef Adrian Luna has been with Falabella all eight years he has been at the Shops of Wiregrass, as have those providing top-notch service — Cynthia, Bryan and Ivan.
“Consistency is crucial, it’s what we do,” Falabella says. “You know you are going to get the best quality ingredients cooked in the best quality way, and if you don’t, we will fix it for you in a second.”
For more information about 900 Woodfired Pizza (28152 Paseo Dr.), call (813) 527-6940 or visit 900degreeswoodfirepizza.com.
2. Amici’s Amici Pizza & Deli dropped to 2nd place in this year’s Reader Survey after winning the Favorite Pizza in WC” title last year and there’s no doubt that the pizza is true New York style and the linguini with white clam sauce is the best (and most authentic) in our area. The new location has been a blessing.
3. Mellow Mushroom Mellow Mushroom definitely has the funkiest decor of all the pizza joints on this list, and it pairs an eclectic environment with equally eclectic offerings like the Funky Q Chicken (BBQ), Holy Shittake (for the mushroom lover), Great White and Kosmic Karma, with a handful of gluten-free pies as well.
4. PizzaMania PizzaMania has never been much lower than the top three or four favorite pizza places with our readers since the day it opened in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza. PizzaMania offers authentic New York/New Jersey-style pizza and excellent veal and chicken parmigiana & other Italian specialties.
5. NY NY Pizza NY NY Pizza lives up to its name, serving up some pretty tasty NY-style pizza lauded for its sauce-to-cheese balance. One of the most popular items is the thin-crust Grandma Pie, with basil, garlic and plum tomatoes. With more than 25 kinds of pizza, as well as wings and sandwiches, NY NY has something for everyone.
6. Blaze Pizza 7. Best NY Pizza 8. Pomodoro Pizza 9. MOD Pizza 10. Fratelli’s
AMC Highwoods 20, the target of recent criticism over its appearance inside and out, may be looking at a major $6-million facelift.
According to plans filed by Kansas City-based BRR Architecture with the City of Tampa, the AMC Highwoods 20 location just off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. could be receiving major interior renovations that include an upgraded lobby, new carpet and paint, larger bathrooms and new projection and speaker systems, with roomier recliner leather seating inside the theaters.
AMC Theatres public relations director Ryan Noonan did not confirm any specific enhancements, but did tell the Neighborhood News that “the renovation process is in place” and, if permitting goes smoothly, it could begin sometime around June and be completed by the end of 2020.
A woman who identified herself as one of the AMC Highwoods 20 managers declined comment.
Noonan said that the New Tampa location would likely receive the same upgrades AMC is putting in at many of its other theaters across the country.
“The new recliner seating is always the star of the show,” he said.
According to the plans, the renovations on the 82,815-sq.-ft. movie theater would cost roughly $6.6 million dollars.
“That’s great news,” said Tampa City Council member, Hunter’s Green resident and frequent AMC 20 patron Luis Viera, whose district includes the theater.
Viera wrote to AMC’s corporate management in November of 2019 stating that the New Tampa theater was “unkempt and not properly reflecting the exterior standards of New Tampa” and could use some TLC.
Many on social media agreed.
Posters on various platforms shared their horror stories, while others said they would rather drive 20 minutes to see a movie in Wesley Chapel.
Noonan acknowledged that AMC was aware of the bad press the theater had recently received.
“They have been discussing (renovating) the Highwoods 20 before any of that came to light,” said Noonan.
An upgrade would be a big boost to New Tampa’s only movie theater, which opened in 1999 and pales in comparison to the nearby and newer Cobb Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel when it comes to amenities like food, comfortable seating and offering a more modern experience.
AMC is currently renovating a number of its nearly-700 theaters across the country and has been for the last decade, Noonan said. He said there are less than a handful of new theaters built by AMC each year, with the company instead focusing of renovating its existing properties with better and reserved seating, touch-screen ticketing kiosks, eco-friendly restrooms and a full-service MacGuffins Bar.
Any AMC Highwoods 20 renovations would typically not cause the entire theater to be closed, just certain sections.
Most of the 20 auditoriums will have their current capacities reduced to make room for the larger, more comfortable seating. Auditorium 4, for example, currently has seating for 284, but plans indicate that once renovated, there would only be seating for 140.
“There will be a 40-60 percent reduction in seating,” Noonan said. “With the new seating it’s no longer an elbow-to-elbow experience.”
Viera said he hopes those that have been unhappy will support the effort to modernize the theater.
“They are taking the steps to fix it, and I would hope New Tampa recognizes that and supports it,” Viera said. “I’m thrilled to see this happen.”
Here are the area’s top teachers as selected by their peers. Congratulations!
Stacy Hoffman Hunter’s Green Elementary Math & Science, 3rd grade STEM lead “Teaching is my passion! My students become family and together we build a class community. We don’t see differences, we encourage others, and we understand that we learn from our mistakes. Through this, I become their biggest cheerleader, encouraging them to be the best they can be.”
Simon Meshbesher Liberty Middle Social Studies/History, 8th Grade “Teaching is the most exciting and rewarding profession! The extent of enjoying student achievement, watching students learn, offers unlimited possibilities to influence generations of students, imparting to them the excitement of learning, the passion of discovery, and the magic of an inquisitive mind.”
Michelle Payton Clark Elementary Math & Science 4th grade “My favorite thing about teaching is making positive connections with my students and showing them that learning can be fun…each time I see one of my students have an “A-Ha” moment, it means success (for both of us).”
Rachael Trent Freedom High ESE “The students in my classroom run their own business, have jobs on campus and volunteer at an assisted living facility in our community. I love that I am able to facilitate all of this for them in order to enrich their lives and help them become more independent adults.”
Daniel Sturlaugson Turner Bartels K-8 School 4th Grade “My favorite thing about teaching is empowering students to lead. Student leadership isn’t something that we are mandated to teach, but it’s crucial in preparing students to be college- and career-ready. It’s a true opportunity to see students grow and change right before your eyes.”
Shane Moody Benito Middle School Subject Area Leader for the Language Arts Department, ELA-3 (8th grade) Honors/Advanced classes. “The best thing about teaching is that I get to invest my time in developing young students on a path to success relating to their life goals…I am so proud to say I am a member of the Jaguar Family.”
Kendall Arnold Heritage Elementary 2nd grade “My favorite thing about teaching is making connections with students that last beyond the year they are in my class. I have students who come to visit me years after they leave my second grade class. This is the most meaningful part of my job.”
Carol Lynch Tampa Palms Elementary 1st grade “Tampa Palms Elementary has an incredibly talented staff of teachers and support personnel, so it really is an honor to be chosen by my peers for this award.”
Dawn Harris Pride Elementary Kindergarten “My favorite thing about teaching is the growth I see ALL my students achieve. They always make me proud.”
Lisa Keigher Chiles Elementary English Language Arts 3rd grade “My own children, who are now adults, went to Chiles. Their teachers, some who are still at Chiles…inspired me to go into education. To be chosen from my colleagues is the greatest honor I could have ever gotten.”
Elizabeth Glover Wharton High Social Studies, AP Human Geography (9th grade) and Student Government Advisor. “(My favorite thing about teaching?) Working with the students! Watching them have the ‘a-ha’ moments while explaining difficult concepts to them. Teaching them tools to perform tasks, then observing them while they self-start and do (them) on their own.”
Lisa Feigel and her daughter Ashley Tillett run the Your CBD Store located in the Freedom Plaza at 30044 S.R. 54.
Lisa Feigel’s introduction to the power of cannabidiol, or CBD, happened in an unlikely place: Waupaca, WI.
It was there that her best friend, tired of listening to Lisa complain about her Fibromyalgia — which causes widespread muscle and joint pain — insisted she try CBD.
“I was like, ‘Don’t get me into that,’” Lisa recalled.
Now, Lisa is so into it, she owns two Your CBD Stores, including the first location in Wesley Chapel, open since August and located in the Freedom Plaza at 30044 S.R. 54.
CBD helped relieve Lisa’a aches and pains, as well as various joint issues she was suffering from. She says she has become a true believer and is hoping to provide the same relief to others.
Her daughter, Ashley Tillett, a former teacher, manages the store. Lisa introduced Ashley — who suffered from both joint pain and anxiety — to CBD, and her life has been changed as well.
Both ladies are eager to answer any questions their customers might have and guide them to the right solutions.
“They can be skeptical,” Lisa says, but the tastefully and minimalist-designed store offers a soothing experience the minute you walk in.
“I tell people I manage a CBD boutique, because that’s what it is,” Ashley says. “It’s not a smoke shop. It’s not a (medical marijuana) dispensary.”
Your CBD Store doesn’t have hundreds of items that promise to do a million different things. It focuses on what it does best.
There are oils and creams and edible products infused with CBD, that offer much-desired relief from a plethora of problems, in various forms, with multiple dosage sizes.
Not only will Lisa and Ashley help find the right product to provide relief from what ails you, they also will check back in with you after a few days to make sure it worked. One of their hopes is that customers will choose CBD products over opioids and other addictive and sometimes dangerous drugs prescribed by doctors.
“We are invested in our customers,” Ashley says. “We want to know if they used it, if they have questions, how they feel and if we need to adjust their dosage.”
Should I Try It?
Some of the trepidation by customers stems from the link CBD has to the cannabis plant, which historically has a strong medicinal footprint, but hasn’t always had a great reputation.
Marijuana is a variety of cannabis, and contains more than 0.3% percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the ingredient that gets you “high.”
Hemp is also a variety of cannabis — it is often called a cousin of marijuana — but it contains less than 0.3% of THC.
CBD is derived from hemp and basically provides all of the health benefits of cannabis — without the high.
Studies to date are limited, but CBD has been touted for its effectiveness in treating childhood epilepsy by stopping the onset of seizures, and proponents say it can help relieve stress, inflammation and joint pain, as well as other physical and neurological maladies.
The CBD industry is in the midst of a growth explosion across the country, and regulation is growing stronger. But, Lisa warns, all CBD stores and their products are not created equal.
With more than 600 locations nationwide, Your CBD Store focuses on quality products, with third-party testing and QR codes on the bottles if you want to check out the lab reports.
SunMed CBD products is the exclusive supplier to Your CBD Stores. They have their own farms in Denver, CO, where they grow hemp, and the processing of those plants takes place in Florida.
SunMed touts its Co2 extraction process for eliminating the need for chemical solvents while producing higher quality, full-spectrum CBD.
After the Co2 extraction process, the CBD is processed again to remove even that small amount of THC to create SunMed CBD’s broad-spectrum offerings.
Full-spectrum products contain 0.3% of THC, which is the legal limit. While just the non-THC, broad-spectrum CBD oil alone can relieve pain and alleviate stress, sometimes it is more effective in combination with THC.
Lisa says the full-spectrum CBD products are generally her biggest sellers.
Plenty of Choices!
Whichever spectrum customers choose, the CBD products come in various forms and flavors and a variety of dosages, and the store offers free samples for those who are curious.
There are water-soluble products designed to be dissolved in water, and that get into your system in 4-7 minutes, while lasting 3-4 hours. Tincture oils are dispensed under your tongue and take longer to get into your system — 45 minutes or so — but last longer than the water-soluble products (typically around 7-10 hours).
There also are gummies, hard candy and honey sticks, which can be stirred into your coffee or tea.
Lisa says the topical creams are another big seller. They provide relief by being rubbed on balky knees, bad backs, sore shoulders and more.
Publisher Gary Nager says the topical cream is the only thing that has provided relief for his knees.
“I’ve spoken with doctors who have said it works for them or they have patients who tell them it’s a godsend,” Nager says. “I’d have to agree.”
SunMed also makes award-winning skincare products — the collagen cream is popular, Lisa says — and products for dogs (edible treats, water solubles and tinctures) who may suffer from anxiety when their owners leave home, in thunderstorms or on holidays when fireworks are being set off.
At the September USA CBD Expo in Miami, FL, which had more than 300 vendors and 13,000 attendees, SunMed CBD was awarded two Excellence Awards for Best CBD Tincture and Best CBD Topical.
While CBD research is still in its infancy, some of the studies conducted have produced encouraging results when it comes to managing pain and inflammation with arthritis, as well as anxiety.
“You use Ambien if you need to sleep. You use Tylenol if you have a headache. You use Zoloft if you are stressed out,” says Ashley. “If you are all of those things, use CBD.”
Your CBD Store of Wesley Chapel is currently offering 10-percent off for any customer who mentions this article, and 5 percent off for any returning customer who brings in their empty product container.
Your CBD Store Wesley Chapel is located at 30044 S.R. 54. It is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except for Saturdays, when it is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. It also is closed on Sundays. For more information, call (813) 536-0119, visit CBDrx4u.com/find-us/Florida/Wesley-Chapel or search YourCBDStoreWesleyChapel on Facebook.
