A little less than a year ago (in July 2023), we gave you an update on the Chapel Crossings community, located on the north side of S.R. 54. That article, which focused on the fact that Curley Rd. somehow had two terminuses on 54, included a discussion of the Zephyrhills (Zhills) Bypass, a long-awaited connection between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills that one day will be taking traffic off of the recently widened S.R. 54. That article mentioned that the first portion of the Zhills Bypass had finally opened, with the opening of the new Story Wesley Chapel apartments, at the westernmost entrance to Chapel Crossings.
Well now, another new development, to be located directly to the east of Chapel Crossings (but only north of the Zhills Bypass, whereas Chapel Crossings has neighborhoods under construction both north and south of the as-yet-unfinished Bypass road), may be getting ready to begin building.
The new development will be called Hamilton Oaks, and one of the most important things about it (at least from our perspective) is that the developer of Hamilton Oaks will be responsible for building the next segment of the Zhills Bypass to the east of Chapel Crossings, although there will still be several miles of that roadway that will need to be constructed before the connection to Zephyrhills will have been completed.
Pasco Countyโs comments on the conceptual site plan were sent to the applicant on Feb. 29 of this year and it appears that the county doesnโt see any major issues/problems with the new project.
This land went through a residential rezoning as โHamilton Oaks MPUDโ in 2022. It is approved for 224 single-family units on 61 acres (see site map, above). The property owner is listed with Pasco County as William D. Brown and the applicant is listed as Jeff Oligschlaeger of AMH, AMH Living, American Homes 4 Rent. We had no further information as to when Hamilton Oaks is expected to begin building or when residents may be able to begin moving in.ย
The main thing, which is already shown on the site plan, is that the development will be required to convey any needed right-of-way and build the portion of the Zephyrhills Bypass roadway up to the projectโs eastern property line. That road currently dead-ends at Cason Blvd in Chapel Crossings.
Eventually, the Bypass will be extended east to connect with River Glen Blvd. (in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel), then ultimately be extended to Handcart Rd. and connected to Eiland Blvd. with a realignment that will provide vehicular traffic with an alternative direct travel route into Zephyrhills.
The large, mostly empty parcel (labeled as Depue Ranch by the Pasco property appraiserโs office) immediately to the east of this development has not yet submitted any development or rezoning requests to the county.
Dr. Sana Yusuf (in blue) has always wanted her Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa off Old Pasco Rd. in the Promenade at Lexington Oaks plaza to offer a fun, relaxing, more-spa-like atmosphere than the average dental office. (Photos courtesy of Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa)
Sana Yusuf, D.M.D., is the first to admit that everyone โ including her โ hates going to the dentist.
Even though she has worked her whole life to become a dentist โ starting with her first job in a dental office at age 16 โ Dr. Sana, as most everyone calls her, says even she gets a little squirmy in the dentistโs chair.
So, when she became a dentist herself, while dreaming about opening her own practice, she instead wanted it to be a place everyone loves to go โ like a spa.
Thatโs why Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa, located in the Promenade at Lexington Oaks plaza (just off Wesley Chapel Blvd. at Old Pasco Rd.), feels much more like a spa from the moment you walk in.
โMy goal is to make more people more comfortable at the dentist,โ Dr. Sana says. โPeople walk in and say they donโt feel like they are in a dental office, and thatโs always been my goal.โ
While she says it was never her intention to open an actual spa, the whole atmosphere of her dental office is so spa-like, that patients kept asking her to provide spa treatments. She decided to roll with it, becoming the first dental office in the Tampa Bay area that also is an aesthetic med spa.
And, while she originally opened that Wesley Chapel office just two years ago (in March 2022), it already has undergone a major expansion, with the med spa part of the business growing โ and moving โ into its own adjacent space in the same plaza last fall. Today, Sana Dental Studio + Med Spaโs dental and aesthetic patients each have their own entrance, while the offices remain connected inside.ย
This boutique dental studio offers everything you would expect at a general dentistโs office โ cleanings, X-rays, exams, fillings, crowns, as well as cosmetic dentistry services such as teeth whitening and veneers. Dr. Sana also can straighten your teeth using Invisalignยฎ aligners.
She says her officeโs unique emphasis bridges the gap between cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics, offering โsmile makeoversโ for the most beautiful teeth and skin.
โPeople today have concerns that traditionally would have required cosmetic surgery,โ she says. โBut now, we have nonsurgical ways to address those concerns and naturally enhance each personโs beauty.โ
Dr. Sanaโs approach to cosmetic dentistry is similar to her philosophy for aesthetic procedures.
โI donโt want anyone to know you had crowns or veneers done,โ she says. โWe can make your teeth brighter and whiter, if thatโs what you want, but it should still look natural.โ
Dr. Sana graduated Summa Cum Laude โ in only three years and at the age of 20 โ with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology from the University of Detroit Mercy (MI). She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree four years later from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Downers Grove, IL.
After earning her D.M.D. degree, Dr. Yusuf joined the U.S. Army as an Active Duty Captain and worked as a general dentist. She is an honored recipient of the Army Commendation Medal.
She, her husband, and three children live in Wesley Chapel. Dr. Sana is invested in her community, where she has served as the president of the Board of Directors at Sunrise of Pasco County, a center for victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
Dr. Sana says she wants to bring back the concept of a family dentist.ย
โGrowing up, everyone went to the same dentist,โ she says. โThe dentist knew everything about your family, your kids and grandkids. I want you to bring your whole family here.โย
Dr. Sana sees patients of all ages, including babies as young as six months. She says as soon as babies get their first tooth, you should bring them to the dentist. At that age, she checks to make sure development is appropriate and focuses on educating parents on how to care for their childrenโs teeth.
Glenda Torres was one of Sana Dental Studioโs first patients and now brings her entire family to the practice. She, her husband and their two kids, plus her brother and his wife see Dr. Sana. Glenda says sheโs referred friends to the practice, as well.
โEverything is amazing,โ she says. โItโs beautiful. I love the aesthetics, like the chandeliers, and the women there are phenomenal. They know me by name and ask about my family. Itโs so nice to have a familiar feel when you walk in.โ
Glenda says the friendliness extends outside the doors of the dental office, as well.โI see Dr. Sana and her family out and about,โ Glenda says. โTheyโre people from the neighborhood.โ
Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa is unlike any other dentist office Glenda has been to, she says. She looks forward to her appointments and enjoys going to special events at the office. โI missed the โGalentineโs Dayโ event, but I went to โFriendsgiving,โโ Glenda says. โItโs like girl time, hangout time. They have cocktails and mocktails, plus representatives there to talk with you about what your next skin care treatment might be, so itโs a great way to get information.โ
Med Spa Servicesย
If you have pigmentation, freckles, uneven skin tone or rosacea, try the Lumecca IPL treatments at Sana Dental Studio + Med Spa.
Dr. Sana says she keeps adding to the array of aesthetic services on the officeโs aesthetic side, which now offers Botoxยฎ, fillers, microneedling, hydrafacials, laser skin resurfacing and laser hair removal, all provided by aesthetic nurse practitioners under Dr. Sanaโs guidance. Facials are performed by licensed aestheticians.
For those who want ongoing care for their skin, the med spa recently began offering unique โSana Squadโ memberships, with discounts for members. For a low monthly membership fee (or, you may pay in advance for 11 months and get one month free), members receive special access to discounted rates, first priority to new services and perks such as entries into giveaways.
Whether youโre looking for a dentist, an aesthetician, or both, Dr. Sana says her small business offers an educated staff that is dedicated to giving their patients a high-quality experience. She is proud that her business is veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned.
Dr. Sana says while her dรฉcor is very spa-like and relaxing (photo above), her personality is not. She likes to have fun and hopes youโll enjoy the experience at her dental studio, too.ย
โPeople donโt like the dentist,โ she says, โbut if you like me as a person, maybe that can help overcome your fear of going to the dentist.โ
Dr. Sana also has appeared on the โBloomโ and โDaytimeโ shows on WFLA-TV News Channel 8.
Sana Dental Studio + Spa (5728 Post Oak Blvd.) is open Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.-5 p.m., for general dentistry. Additional hours are available for aesthetic services by appointment. Upcoming events include a Motherโs Day event in May and a โMomsโ Night Outโ in July or August. For more info & reservations, call (813) 694-2278, visit SanaDentalStudio.com.ย
If youโve driven recently on S.R. 56 east of Wiregrass Ranch, you may have noticed the signs for Valencia Ridge, a new age 55+ community being developed by GL Homes, which also has developed both The Ridge at Wiregrass and the new Winding Ridge community on S.R. 56.ย
Speaking of Winding Ridge, the signs for Valencia Ridge lead you into Winding Ridge, as the 55+ communityโs Sales Center is located near the community clubhouse in Winding Ridge.
However, Valencia Ridge isnโt part of Winding Ridge โ itโs a separate community that actually will be located north of Winding Ridge and Chancey Rd. (see map). Valencia Ridge will have its own multi-million-dollar clubhouse, with pickleball and tennis courts, multiple pools, a resort-like lifestyle with dozens of clubs, from Rock Band to poker, cardio, table tennis club and many more clubs.
The GL Homes Crown Collection floor plans in Valencia Ridge range in price from $449,900 for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath Camelia model with 1,674 sq. ft. of air conditioned space to the 4-bedroom, 4-bath Emerald model with 3,139 air conditioned sq. ft. starting at $819,900.
For more information, call (813) 228-6300 or visit GLHomes.com/Valencia-Ridge and please tell them we sent you!ย
Among the seven businesses cutting ribbons with the NTBC on Mar. 20 were the Chamber itself (above) and Signature Workspace (below), where all of the businesses were located. (Photos by Charmaine George)ย
Congratulations to the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce (NTBC), which celebrated the most ribbon-cutting events on a single day in its history on Mar. 20, when the NTBC itself cut a ribbon at its new office at the Signature Workspace at the Shops at Wiregrass. Among the six other businesses hosting ribbon cuttings that same day were the Signature Workspace itself, plus The Copeland Team, Wesley Chapel Fingerprinting Services, Cornelius Demps for Circuit Judge, Gulf Coast Accounting & Tax and the Injury Law Office of Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer.
In addition to all those ribbons being cut, the event also featured amazing free food provided by Vesh Catering, Azteca DโOro, Chuck Lager Americaโs Tavern, Crazy Sushi, Grillsmith, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Pinchers Crab Shack and The Living Room. If you missed it, you missed something special!
Although the KRATE at The Grove container park has overall been super-successful, any number of the KRATEs have come and gone in a little more than a year. Here are some updates on a few of the newest additions to Wesley Chapel’s dining & entertainment district.
El Pasta & More
One restaurant KRATE that already has changed names and ownership twice is the newย El Pasta & More,ย which originally opened (at 5817 Goldview Pkwy., #107) asย The Fry Roomย and was followed byย Top That! Pizza & More.
But, where those predecessors have come and gone, the hope here is that El Pasta survives, as we already have enjoyed a really good penne with pesto and grilled chicken (also available with shrimp) and a unique chicken parmigiana, which is basically a sizable serving of crispy chicken tenders topped with a tasty marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, served over spaghetti.
Other options include lamb shank with spaghetti, cheese ravioli, a โbuild-your-ownโ pasta with your choice of pasta type, sauce and toppings, a variety of naan bread pizzas, as well as a number of different desserts and more.
For more information, call El Pasta at (813) 973-9359 or visit ElPastaFL.com.
Bodega Deli
If youโve never lived in New York City, you may not know that bodegas are small stores selling groceries that also usually have great sandwiches and other tasty treats.
Well, the owners of the new Bodega Deli (who also own the adjacent Beboโs Cheesesteaks) in the former location (at 5840 Grand Oro Ln.) of Sugar Pop!, have recreated the NYC bodega feel โ with yummy hot and cold subs, wraps and soups, as well as a variety of breakfast sandwiches and even a build-your-own pasta option with penne, fettuccine or ziti, and Alfredo, vodka (pink) or marinara sauce and meatballs, chicken or Italian sausage. And, of course, like any good New York deli, the Bodega features a variety of NY-style cheesecakes, as well as house-baked chocolate chip cookies and even Good Humor ice cream.
On our first visit, photographer Charmaine George and I enjoyed a โChopped Cheeseโ hot sub with chopped beef and cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup and mayo on a sub roll. Very tasty. We also liked the tuna salad cold sub and the Oreo cookie cheesecake.
Although no one is walking around wearing only fig leaves, you definitely also should visit the new Garden of Eden Olive Oil Company, located at 5830 Goldview Pkwy., Unit 102, in the former location ofย The Rebellious Hippieย andย Mythos, both of which were eclectic gift shops.
Located next to Paleta Mia, Garden of Eden is anything but eclectic. It features more than 60 different varieties of olive oils and balsamic vinegars and charismatic owner Adel Youssef is always happy to tell you about (and let you sample) each and every kind.
โAll of our olive oils and balsamic vinegars come from our supplier in California, but we have olive oils imported from Australia, Greece, Portugal, Spain and others and our balsamic vinegars are both white and dark โ and all of them are delicious and available for sampling here in the store.โ
Adel, who says he preiously was in the Egyptian Secret Service protecting president Hosni Mubarak, always has fresh bread available to sample his wares, โalthough some people will just drink them without bread.โ He also sells a variety of olive oil-based candles, skin care products and more. Go and check it all out and please tell Adel I sent you!
