HomeSense Headed To Wesley Chapel!

According to Pasco County permitting records, a HomeSense discount home furnishings store is coming to the Publix (and Ross)-anchored Shoppes at New Tampa shopping center on the southeast corner of S.R. 56 and Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd.

Permits filed with the county indicate a 26,277-sq.-ft. store will be built next to the Ross Dress for Less store in the same plaza.

If you haven’t previously heard of HomeSense, don’t be surprised — according to its website, this will be the first location in Florida, although there are more than 40 locations in a 10 other states, mostly in the Northeast.

HomeSense is a Canadian chain owned by TJX Companies, which also owns HomeGoods, TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

That makes HomeSense something of a sister store to HomeGoods, but with a larger selection of furniture, art and lighting. HomeSense stores also sell rugs, kitchen items and a wide variety of home décor items.

Work hasn’t begun yet, but expect to see the new HomeSense store open sometime in 2023.

For additional information, visit US.HomeSense.com.

Dr. Jureyda Will Make You Smile At Radiance Orthodontics

Dr. J’s personable, caring demeanor with his patients and their families is one major reason why Radiance Orthodontics has been so successful. (Photo by Charmaine George)

Braces used to be a somewhat embarrassing, somewhat uncomfortable rite of passage for pre-teens, but it doesn’t have to be that way anymore.

The field of orthodontics continues to evolve and grow, with simpler ways to solve complex problems that relate to the straightening of the teeth and jaw — and not just for those in middle school.

While technology now offers many improvements, Dr. Sam Jureyda says he won’t allow it to replace his favorite thing about practicing orthodontics — developing relationships with people and working closely with them to achieve their perfect smile.

“Dr. J,” as his patients call him, opened his Radiance Orthodontics more than six years ago in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off of Commerce Park Blvd., near the New Tampa Rec Center.

His patients say they appreciate his warm, friendly demeanor, paired with his expertise and attention to detail. 

Radiance Orthodontics is not a corporate practice where patients are shuffled through as quickly as possible. Instead, all aspects of the practice are marked with Dr. J’s generous style, where he personally ensures that each patient gets the treatment they need, along with the respect and kindness he feels everyone deserves.

“The staff is friendly, the prices are reasonable, and I love that they all pay close attention to details,” says Rawan, a Wesley Chapel mom whose 16-year-old twins just got their braces off.

In fact, the girls were beyond thrilled with the results. They love how straight their teeth are, but Dr. J told Rawan he wasn’t quite satisfied.

“He’s a perfectionist,” Rawan says. “He’s amazing. He likes to make sure everything is perfect to their liking — and to his — so he decided to use Invisalign¼ for little finishing touches.”

Rawan says that once her girls started their treatment with Dr. Jureyda, she decided to get Invisalign for herself, as well.

“I never had a problem with my teeth, but over time, I started to get overcrowding,” Rawan explains. “My teeth weren’t terrible, but it was starting to bother me.”

Rawan says that when compared with other orthodontists in the area, the prices at Radiance were the most reasonable, which made it affordable for her to start treatment, too.

Affordability is one reason Karyn Kraf, a West Meadows mom, chose Radiance Orthodontics for her teenage daughters, Karis and Lydia, too.

“He’s got great payment plans and options, which is a big concern with two kids,” Karyn says. “Having flexibility in setting up payments was very helpful.”

She says she also chose the practice because, as treasurer of the Freedom High PTSA, she sees how invested Dr. Jureyda is in the community.

“He supports the local schools,” she says. “It means a lot to the community that he gives back in that way, and I want to make sure he knows he’s appreciated.”

Not only is the practice a business partner at all of New Tampa’s public schools, but for the past four years, Radiance Orthodontics has awarded a scholarship each spring to a Wharton High senior who has demonstrated a commitment to serve the community through volunteering. This year, he also will offer a scholarship to a senior at Freedom.

More Options Than Ever Before

“Orthodontics is a rapidly-changing, dynamic specialty that offers more options than ever before,” Dr. Jureyda explains. “But, that also makes it confusing for patients.”

He offers a unique, personalized treatment plan to every patient, taking into consideration medical needs, budget, and lifestyle. The office staff works with patients to determine orthodontic benefits through dental insurance and provide affordable payment options.

Dr. Jureyda has practiced orthodontics for more than 25 years. Before moving into private practice in 2006 — and subsequently opening Radiance in 2016 — he taught graduate-level students at the University of Buffalo, NY.

He offers a completely free, no-obligation consultation, whether or not you’ve been referred to him by your dentist. Dr. J provides a thorough examination and makes recommendations as to whether or not treatment would be beneficial. Radiance Orthodontics offers both traditional braces and InvisalignÂź, and Dr. J will help you understand the pros and cons of each type of treatment. 

Even traditional braces continue to evolve and use better technologies, and are typically available in either metal or clear ceramic.

Dr. J says that InvisalignÂź, which uses a series of invisible, removable, comfortable aligners to straighten teeth, is a constantly improving method that is now so effective, it often works more quickly than traditional braces.

Fancy television commercials may say that “do-it-yourself” options can work just as well, but Dr. J emphasizes that having treatment in person with an orthodontist allows you access to an expert who will check your progress every step of the way to keep you on track and watch to ensure no problems develop or worsen.

When it’s time to start treatment, Radiance Orthodontics uses a compact, hand-held wand and optical digital technology to create 3D images of a patient’s mouth. This technology is much easier and more comfortable than taking impressions by hand with a goopy material. It also streamlines the process of moving from diagnosis to treatment. Patients can view their “before” images immediately on the screen during the appointment, and a proposed “after” image comes via email shortly thereafter.

In between, Dr. J takes time to carefully review exactly how the technology recommends the teeth be moved in to position, using his decades of experience to be sure that each of his patients receives a treatment plan that is perfect for them. While the technology adds some degree of automation, he says it doesn’t replace his careful eye and expertise throughout the process.

That’s exactly why Karyn says she’s glad she chose Radiance Orthodontics.

“We’ve had such a great experience,” she says. “He’s so attentive and personable and very professional.”

And, while she says she never feels rushed, her time is respected and she’s able to get in and out much faster than when her son was in braces in another office, and she was often kept waiting for more than an hour before appointments.

“When we first met Dr. J, we immediately felt comfortable with him and his staff,” Karyn says. “He spends so much time with the girls, he pays attention to details, and makes every patient feel special.”

To schedule a free consultation, text or call Radiance Orthodontics at (813) 972-1100. For more information about the practice, located at 17427 Bridge Hill Ct., Suite A, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center, search for Radiance Orthodontics on Facebook or visit MyRadianceBraces.com.

Life Essentials Hosts Storytime & Wins EDC Award! 

Fresh off winning the Pasco Economic Developmental Council (EDC)’s SmartStart Entrepreneur of the Year award at the EDC’s annual awards banquet on Sept. 8, Life Essentials (Re) Fillery owner Sheila Haque (at right in the top left photo) hosted a hugely successful Toddler Storytime event, where dozens of toddlers and their parents got a special visit from some furry friends on Sept. 22. 

Toddler Storytime, held Thursdays from 10 a.m.-11 a.m., in front of Life Essentials at the KRATE container park at The Grove, featured a visit from Mercy Full Project, a local animal rescue, at its Sept. 22 event. 

Heydi Acuna, founder of Mercy Full Project, read Tails Are Not for Pulling with an 8-week-old rescue puppy in her lap, the puppy’s sibling in a nearby crate, and two 8-week old kittens in a carrier.

The kids (and parents) who attended got to pet the animals, sing songs, and do a special puppy craft. 

Toddler Storytime is free and sponsored each week by Life Essentials (Re)Fillery, located at 5804 Grand Oro Dr. (Suite 104).

“I’m grateful that we are able to give back to our community by providing fun, engaging, no-cost activities to our local families,” Haque said.

For more info about the snacks, household products and more at Life Essentials, call (813) 642-6402 or visit LifeEssentialsRefillery.com. — JCC

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar & Rodizio On The Way

If there is one hole in the growing Wesley Chapel dining scene, it might be the lack of a true seafood place.

That hole will be getting partially filled soon.

A Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar is in the process of being built in the same mini-plaza as the recently opened Chicken Salad Chick next to the Costco off S.R. 56 on the extension of Wesley Chapel Blvd.

The 4,162-sq.ft. oyster bar will have a 535-sq.-ft. patio and started the permitting process in July.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has 10 locations in North Carolina and four in South Carolina, as well as single locations in Maryland, Georgia, Illinois and Texas. 

The Wesley Chapel location, which is expected to be casual and no-frills like its other locations, is part of a Florida expansion that will add new restaurants in the Space Coast and Ocala areas.

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar’s go-to items are the oysters on the half shell, although they also are served steamed and chargrilled. Other seafood items include scallops, ahi tuna, shrimp, snow crab legs and calamari, as well as American bar staples like chicken wings, burgers, fries and macaroni and cheese bites. 

Tacos, po-boy sandwiches and shrimp ‘n grits also are on the menu, and, of course, beer and cocktails.

For more information, visit TheShuckinShack.com.

Also, in the same area, we told you in July but now it’s official — Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse, has posted a sign saying “Coming Soon!” in front of the At Home store just south and across the road from Costco.

Rodizio Grill was the first authentic Brazilian steakhouse or “churrascaria” in the U.S. established in 1995 by Ivan Utrera. There is a location in Sarasota.

For more information, visit RodizioGrill.com. — JCC

AdventHealth Care Pavilion In Hunter’s Green Celebrates One Year

In the year since it opened on Sept. 14 of last year, the AdventHealth Care Pavilion at Hunter’s Green has served many people looking for a modern, convenient way to meet their primary health care needs.

Located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. just south of Cross Creek Blvd. in front of Hunter’s Green, the Care Pavilion offers a reimagined experience to make going to the doctor easier, with a lot less hassle.

The 50,000-sq.-ft. building houses primary care, on-site labs and imaging, and an expanding list of specialties. Patients sign in one time at the concierge Welcome Center and don’t need to go anywhere else. An in-house pharmacy means patients can leave with their prescriptions already in hand.

“Our strategy was two years in the making to really think through what people want,” says John Johannessen, senior executive officer of non-acute care in AdventHealth’s West Florida division. “People don’t like going to doctors. You go because you’re sick and you want to be healthy. But, if people went more often for regular checkups and physicals, things could be addressed early and not become (more) serious conditions.”

So, AdventHealth tried to take away many of the frustrations that are typical of a visit to the doctor’s office, such as scheduling way in advance, crowded waiting rooms with a long wait for the doctor, and filling out pages and pages of forms.

The Care Pavilion is open for early morning appointments, evening hours, and even all day Saturday, for flexibility and convenience.

Johannessen says AdventHealth is adding advanced practitioners and physicians to the location, in order to be sure they can accommodate the number of people who visit.

While appointments are available for patients who prefer them, you can walk right in and expect to be seen in a reasonable amount of time. You may not get to see your favorite doctor — whose schedule might be already filled for the day — but there will be someone available to see you in a timely manner.

“Walk-in doesn’t mean extended wait,” Johannessen explains. “We are monitoring demand and want people to understand that ‘just walk in’ doesn’t mean I’m going to sit and wait three hours.”

Johannessen adds that another perk of the Care Pavilion is that patients won’t be asked to fill out forms over and over again. Online registration and communication through a patient portal and app mean communication when the office and its services are available at your fingertips.

“My personal experience is that I went into the Care Pavilion for lab work and had the results that night,” he says. “Six hours later, I could access all my results in the patient portal.”

He says technology continues to evolve, but the at-your-fingertips convenience of lab results, prescription refills, and other services are appreciated by the Care Pavilion’s patients.

Entering The ‘Kid Zone’

For parents, another inconvenience of going to the doctor can be having to bring children along and keep them entertained. But, the AdventHealth Care Pavilion has a solution for that, too.

The office offers an on-site “Kids Club,” where up to eight children at a time are cared for, while their parent is seeing a doctor in the building.

“We call it our ‘Kid Zone,’” Johannessen says. “It’s not a daycare center, but is equipped with trained staff while people are getting services at the building. You can drop your child off and go get your medical care taken care of.”

He says that the Care Pavilion does not charge any fee for the Kid Zone, which follows strict safety measures, such as procedures for registering and releasing children, and doors are kept locked for security.

“The feedback I’ve gotten is that kids want to come back,” Johannessen says. “It’s a convenience tool that we have, to try to make it a little easier when (a parent needs) care.”

And, while Johannessen says the Care Pavilion is not an urgent care center, it is structured in a way that patients can receive all of the care they would get in an urgent care facility.

Since opening a year ago, the AdventHealth Care Pavilion at Hunter’s Green already has expanded to add dermatology to its available services.

“It’s a challenging need,” Johannessen says. “You live in Florida — the Sunshine State — and it can take such a long time to get in and see a dermatologist.”

Being that it’s a new specialty in the building, the Care Pavilion currently has capacity for people to see a dermatologist fairly quickly. See the contact information at the end of this article to schedule a specialty appointment.

The Care Pavilion still has room to grow, and Johannessen says further expansion is being considered, especially centered around primary care needs.

“We’re having conversations with a dental practice, ophthalmology, and audiology,” he explains, “and (we’re) also considering physical therapy services.”

He says the company’s focus will continue to be on convenience, as well as patient experience and satisfaction.

“We hope that people would start to accept the Care Pavilion as a first choice for primary needs,” he says. “If you have any primary care need, this center has all of the tools to get everything you need in one place.”

The AdventHealth Care Pavilion at Hunter’s Green is located at 8702 Hunter’s Lake Dr. It’s open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call (813) 467-4700 or visit AdventHealthCarePavilion.com.