Susan Byrd, RN (at right in left photo below) and Dr. Joseph Perno (at right in right photo below) led the tours of the new Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital After Hours Pediatric Urgent Care on Oct. 17. (Photos by Charmaine George)
The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital under construction in Wesley Chapel isn’t expected to open until late 2027, but that doesn’t mean the pediatric clinical and academic health system isn’t making news in our area.
Not only does Johns Hopkins All Children’s already have a specialty clinic open off Wesley Chapel Blvd., it also celebrated the opening of its first-ever pediatric urgent care facility in Tampa (which is located at 12220 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite B, near USF) on Oct. 17, with a North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) ribbon-cutting event that included tours of the after-hours (it’s open 5 p.m.-midnight on weekdays and 11:30 a.m.-midnight on weekends) and pediatric (under age 21)-only urgent care facility.
The tours were led by Susan Byrd, RN, the executive director of ambulatory services, Dr. Joseph Perno, the VP of medical affairs, and Chrissie Ladd, PA (in floral dress in top photo), for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. The NTBC ribbon was cut by the urgent care facility’s first patient Shanella Fisher (with scissors in photo below).
And, the Johns Hopkins All Children’s OB/ GYN Specialists Office located at 19707 Aprile Dr., Land O’Lakes, was set to host another NTBC ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 18,
For more information about the new Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Pediatric After Hours Urgent Care, call (727) 767- 8170 or visit HopkinsMedicine.org. — GN
As a former Gator, I remember when former University of Florida guard Shannon Snell — who recently became the franchise owner of the Sonny’s BBQ (Note-Snell took over for previous franchisees and New Tampa residents Jim and Cristina Hoff, who ran the local Sonny’s since it opened in 1998) on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel — was a first-team All-American back in 2003.
What I didn’t know was that Snell lived in Tampa Palms, but attended Hillsborough High instead of Wharton (where he was zoned to attend), and he was a three-year starter for the Terriers and a USA Today High School All-American.
But, Snell told me that he injured his shoulder during his junior season at Florida and somehow went undrafted by the NFL because he never had the shoulder repaired and couldn’t pass a physical. “It just kept getting worse,” he said. “But, I just wanted to rehab it and not have surgery.”
Between 2004-06, he had brief stints with the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, but told me, “I loved football, but I knew I didn’t have the passion to play that some guys did. My dad said that when you find your passion in work, it’s more fun, more like a hobby.”
So, when he was still living in Gainesville, Snell says he, “started at the bottom with Sonny’s. But, it had everything I wanted — a chance to move up, with a corporate structure.”
He adds that today, all Sonny’s franchisees have to also become barbecue pitmasters.
“Every location has a real person who really knows how to do barbecue,” he says. “And, since every pitmaster does barbecue a little different, you’re allowed to have your individuality, but within our corporate standards. We go to Florida BBQ Association competitions and even have corporate competitions, so we’re always learning how to do barbecue better.”
Today, Sonny’s has almost 100 locations throughout the Southeastern U.S., owned by CEO Jamie Yarmuth, and Snell says that even though Yarmuth is young himself, he has been “a mentor to me. After I was the GM of a Gainesville location for ten years, he came to me and said, ‘Wesley Chapel is coming available and we’d like you to become the new franchisee.’”
So, after a couple of months with Sonny’s “back home,” Snell held a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting (top photo) on Oct. 29, that Yarmuth and other Sonny’s execs also attended.
Snell likes to show off the seasonal menu, with items that aren’t always available — like the maple BBQ turkey club sandwich (left) and the maple BBQ pork burnt ends (above right), which were my favorites of the seasonal items. There’s also a pulled pork stack on “corncakes” (cornbread “waffles”), sweet potato fries, pulled pork mac & cheese and seasonal wings tossed in maple or golden BBQ sauce.
My favorite thing at Sonny’s, since BBQ sauce doesn’t always agree with me, are the grilled steakburgers (like the candied bacon burger below right) and the new loaded tots (topped with crispy onion straws, queso & drizzled with BBQ sauce, top left). We added some pulled pork because the tots just didn’t seem messy enough (just kidding — they were definitely messy!).
Every attendee at the ribbon cutting also received a free “Pork Big Deal” with any other entrée purchase. It included a big pulled pork sandwich, a side and a drink.
And of course, Sonny’s — “Pitmasters since ‘68” — also still has “Signature BBQ” like St. Louis-style and baby back pork ribs, beef brisket and more. We believe Snell is going to do great at his Wesley Chapel location!
Sonny’s BBQ (5324 BBD Blvd.) is open every day for lunch & dinner (11 a.m.-9 p.m.). For info, call (813) 994-8989 or visit SonnysBBQ.com. — GN
Although there previously were two locations in Zephyrhills and others around the Tampa Bay area that closed, Whataburger, the Texas-based fast hamburger chain with nearly 1,200 U.S. locations, has begun the interior renovations at the former Aussie Grill, located at 25340 Sierra Center Blvd., between Walk-On’s and Bonefish Grill.
The first new Whataburger in the Tampa Bay area in years will actually open soon in Largo, but the 2,800-sq.-ft. Lutz/Wesley Chapel location is expected to open by the summer of 2026.
The $1.3-million renovation will be led by general contractor WH Bass, Inc. which recently fenced in the former Aussie Grill. The new Whataburger is expected to hire 80-100 people. — GN
Congratulations go out to Phani Mukkavilli (center person holding a cup in the photo, above) and Keerthi Gollamudi (not in the picture), the franchise owners of the new Fresh Monkee Wesley Chapel “healthy shakes shop,” located at 6417 E. County Line Rd., Suite 101 (which, we know, is actually in New Tampa, not Wesley Chapel) — in the same plaza as LA Fitness, in the spot previously occupied by Island Fin Poké Co.
Fresh Monkee is a growing brand that differentiates itself from the usual “smoothie” shops because it doesn’t rely on sugary fruit blends and strange powders. Founder Judy Flynn started in 2014 with “10 recipes and $5,000” in a 650-sq.-ft. space in Wethersfield, CT. Although nine of its current 28 locations (in 14 states) are in Connecticut, the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel location is the first in the Tampa Bay area. There are 27 more locations listed as “Coming Soon” on TheFreshMonkee.com, including Palm Harbor.
Flynn said on the website that her vision for Fresh Monkee was simple: “Start every shake with high-quality protein, good carbs, healthy fats and, most importantly, real ingredients like the ones in your own kitchen. And make each shake to order — fast, convenient, and healthy.”
Perfect for the LA Fitness crowd next door, there are 25 “Protein Shakes” on the menu, from the “Chunkee Monkee” — vanilla (or milk chocolate) protein, banana and natural peanut butter (shown left) — to “Antioxidant Berry” (water, splashes of pomegranate, or “pom,” juice, orange juice and milk, with vanilla protein, spinach and mixed berries) and so many more.
There also are green shakes, like the “Ultimate Green” shown below left, with water, splash of pom juice, spinach, cucumber, green apple, banana, chia, flax, pineapple, ginger and your choice of lemon, orange or lime. Charmaine was a little surprised by how much she liked it.
There also are “Mass Shakes” to help increase mass, like “Mass PB Cookie” and “Mass Strawberry Oats.” There’s even a “Protein Iced Coffee.”
Also available for your shakes are coconut and almond milk and more than 30 different “Add-Ons,” from agave and almonds to macro greens and turmeric.
But, Charmaine and I were both super-impressed with the 130-calorie, 13 grams of protein “Monkee Ballz” (center cup in photo, above)) that are made in-house and taste like a healthy version of the peanut butter Buckeyes you find at Cracker Barrel and other stores. They are made with natural peanut butter, oat flour, chocolate whey protein, maple syrup and vanilla extract, rolled in semi-sweet chocolate chips and coconut oil and come in 6- and 12-packs. The store also has a small selection of pre-packaged healthy snacks.
Phani says that the shop is planning to host a North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting event sometime soon and that he really hopes the communities of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel will come to check out Fresh Monkee and discover why it’s truly a different…animal.
Fresh Monkee is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. It is closed on Saturday & Sunday. For more info, visit TheFreshMonkee.com or call (813) 838-8306. — GN, photos by Charmaine George
Attorneys RaeAnn Compton & Todd Smith of Compton & Smith, P.A., handle a wide variety of legal cases from their office in the New Tampa Professional Park off BBD Blvd. in Pebble Creek. (Photos by Charmaine George)
At first glance, Compton & Smith, P.A. may appear to be just a small, local law firm tucked in the New Tampa Professional Park (on Regents Park Dr., off Bruce B. Downs Blvd.,) in Pebble Creek. But, for the clients who have leaned on them during their most trying times — and for the community they serve — the firm is so much more. It’s a family, a lifeline and a place where compassion meets competence.
Founded by attorneys RaeAnn Compton and Todd Smith, the firm of Compton & Smith has become a pillar of the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel legal community over the past eight years. What started as a professional rivalry between two strong-willed legal minds turned into a lasting partnership — built not only on mutual respect but on shared values, complementary skills and a deep commitment to their clients.
“We used to face off in court all the time,” Todd recalls with a smile. “Eventually, we got tired of roughing each other up and decided to sit down for lunch. That’s when we realized how well we’d work together.”
Both attorneys bring decades of experience to the table — along with deep roots in the local area. RaeAnn, who grew up in Dade City, earned her B.S. degree in political science from St. Leo University and her Juris Doctor (J.D., or Law) degree from Stetson University College of Law in DeLand. She passed the Florida Bar in 2000. After three years as an assistant state attorney, RaeAnn opened her private practice in Pebble Creek, where she’s been ever since.
Todd’s path started in Jacksonville, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in History from the University of North Florida and his J.D. degree from the Florida Coastal School of Law, also in Jacksonville. He passed the Bar in 2001. Like RaeAnn, he began his career as an assistant state attorney before branching into private practice and, eventually, to partnering with RaeAnn.
While Compton & Smith, P.A. offers legal services in a few key areas, RaeAnn says the largest portion of the firm’s caseload is focused on family law — guiding people through deeply personal challenges such as divorce, custody battles and child support disputes. These clients, who come to them during some of the most emotional times in their lives, are met with honesty, compassion and strategic legal insight.
Still, the partners’ expertise extends beyond just family law. They also handle select cases in criminal defense and personal injury, offering the same level of dedication and professionalism.
Practice Areas:
• Family Law: Divorce, Custody, Visitation, Child Support, Modifications, Paternity
• Criminal Law: Misdemeanors, Felonies & DUIs
• Personal Injury: Auto Accidents
RaeAnn and Todd’s commitment to serving the community with integrity and personal attention has earned them a loyal following and a strong reputation, not only among clients, but also among their peers.
Their personal ties to the community make their work all the more meaningful.
This isn’t just where we work,” RaeAnn says. “It’s where we live, where we raised our families and where we’re deeply invested.”
RaeAnn has lived in Wesley Chapel since 2007 with her husband Jeff and their two children, Jessica and Hunter.
Todd, who lives in Dade City with his wife Lisa, also emphasizes their local connection.
“We’ve both lived in the area for years,” he says. “RaeAnn was from Dade City and is now in Wesley Chapel and I was from Wesley Chapel and am now in Dade City. We have deep roots in the area and care about what happens to the families around us — because our families are among them.”
One of the firm’s greatest strengths is its team-oriented culture. While some firms operate with strict individual caseloads, Compton & Smith handles things differently.
“Todd and I work on almost every case together,” RaeAnn explains. “Clients might meet with one of us at first, but behind the scenes, we’re both looking at everything. We challenge each other, play devil’s advocate and walk into court with multiple perspectives.”
This collaborative model means clients benefit from the combined expertise of both attorneys — and the steady support of a dedicated team, which includes RaeAnn’s daughter and paralegal Jessica Compton, who plays an essential role in the firm’s success. “Jessica is really the backbone of our office,” says RaeAnn proudly. “She’s been with us for 15 years, and our clients adore her. She’ll take a call at 7 a.m. or answer an email on a Sunday if that’s what someone needs.”
Todd agrees: “Jessica has this incredible ability to ease a client’s anxiety. She’s savvy, compassionate and goes above and beyond every single day. She’s not just our paralegal — she’s our anchor.”
Although all areas of law require knowledge and expertise, when it comes to family law, the dynamic is very different.
“In family law, “ Todd says, “it’s not just about winning. It’s about helping people get to a better place. It’s a challenging and emotional area, one that requires both legal knowledge and emotional intelligence. It also requires thinking outside the box.”
That thoughtful approach was evident in a recent case where a contentious custody hearing was scheduled to proceed.
“We were able to talk with both sides, come to an agreement, and cancel the hearing,” says RaeAnn. “It avoided what could have been an emotionally draining day for everyone involved — especially the child.”
RaeAnn is known as a patient negotiator, someone who seeks common ground without compromising strength. “She has a way of finding solutions people can actually live with,” Todd says.
It’s a philosophy grounded in the firm’s core values: empathy, diligence and transparency.
“We take this work personally,” RaeAnn says. “It’s not nine to five for us. We do whatever it takes to be there for our clients.”
Jenny, a current Compton & Smith client, says, “One of the things I love about them is that they don’t need to be micromanaged. They are very good at taking care of things behind the scenes. In a terrible time of life, they have been the most supportive, still telling me how it is even when its not pretty. They treat you and take care of you like family.”
Compton & Smith also has embraced technology to better serve their clients. For example, since the pandemic, the use of Zoom for hearings and mediations has become a game-changer.
“Zoom has made things so much more efficient,” says Todd. “Before, you might spend half the day just traveling for one hearing. Now, we can do so much more in less time — and save our clients money in the process.”
Both attorneys continue to stay on top of changing laws, particularly in family law. “It’s constantly evolving, so we make sure to take continuing education courses every year,” says RaeAnn. “We owe it to our clients to stay informed.”
Beyond the courtroom, the firm supports a variety of community causes — from local children’s sports teams to domestic violence shelters and animal charities. “If someone’s raising money for a good cause, we try to be there,” RaeAnn says. “I’m a sucker for animals,” she adds with a laugh. “And we both have a soft spot for anything that helps kids.”
While some firms focus on scaling and expanding, Compton & Smith values consistency over growth. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” RaeAnn says simply. Todd agrees. “We’ve thought about adding associates, but our biggest concern is whether someone would treat the cases with the same care we do. Both of our names are on the door, and that means everything.”
With most of their clients coming from word-of-mouth referrals — and even a few former opposing parties sending others their way — it’s clear that their reputation speaks for itself.
“We’re not here to churn through cases,” says Todd. “We’re here to help people. Sometimes that means finding the best legal argument, and sometimes it means just listening and being there.”
As RaeAnn puts it, “It’s never too late to hire a lawyer. No matter your situation, we’ll give you an honest assessment and help you stop the bleeding. That’s what we’re here for.”
Compton & Smith, P.A., is located at 8905 Regents Park Dr., Suite 210. To schedule a free consultation, call (813) 994-2026 or visit ComptonAndSmith.com.
