Cheesecake Factory Plans Move Forward At Tampa Premium Outlets 

Although we found other graphics submitted later by The Cheesecake Factory, this earlier map, which we only found on the Pasco County Development & Growth Updates Facebook page, has the most accurate representation of where the restaurant will be located in the current parking lot at the Tampa Premium Outlets. 

Just before the start of the New Year (on Dec. 31), preliminary site plans were submitted to Pasco County for the hotly anticipated The Cheesecake Factory restaurant, which is expected to be located in the current parking lot at the busy Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 (see map). 

We were able to talk with a source familiar with the project (but who asked not to be identified for the story) to get the inside scoop about a few more details with this plan. 

Probably the most important piece of information we’re sure everyone is wondering about is “When is The Cheesecake Factory anticipated to finish construction and open its doors?” 

Our source said that while the restaurant has not yet received the permits to begin building (so this is still mostly subjective), the restaurant’s ownership/development group is shooting to open during the third quarter of this year, which would likely put it opening just before the holidays — although that seems somewhat ambitious considering it hasn’t even begun building yet. 

Even so, when we asked, “Can you really get it done that fast?,” the response was a very confident “Yes!” Our source also said that the company expecting about a three-week turnaround to get comments back from Pasco County, which means that some site work could begin as soon as this issue arrives in your mailbox, if things go according to plan. 

In addition, while what was shown in the submittal on Dec. 31 was a building of a little more than 7,500 sq. ft., our source said that the plan has since been updated to be closer to about a 7,700 sq.-ft. building, which indicates that the company is still actively working on perfecting the layout even before getting comments back from the county. In addition to the indoor space, the restaurant’s outdoor seating area is shown to be about 1,500 sq. ft. 

What About The Parking? 

When asked about the parking situation, our source claimed that the net loss would only be about 20 spaces total for the mall — four of which are handicapped parking spaces that the source said would just be shifted over to the next parking aisle and not actually lost. 

But, our detailed review of the proposed construction plan indicates the net loss will be closer to 60 regular parking spaces, with the four handicapped spaces being shifted as explained. So, which parking space loss is correct — 20 spaces or 60? We’ll have to get back to you on that one. 

Meanwhile, the mall’s website states there are only about 40 handicapped-accessible parking spaces throughout the entire property, so any loss of handicapped parking would appear to be another problem. 

As for how The Cheesecake Factory will be situated in the current mall parking lot, the restaurant is still shown as being located near the “central” pedestrian front entrance of the mall, right off the northwest corner of that entrance’s roundabout, where the primary “Tampa Premium Outlets” sign is located. The main entrance of the restaurant and the outside seating area are both shown as facing that roundabout. 

Since the restaurant was first announced, many people have wondered about how a mega restaurant like this could be getting built at this already-packed location. 

According to public information on Pasco’ County’s permitting website, this restaurant development still falls within the mall’s total entitlements (the total amount of commercial space that is allowed to be built) that were approved by the county’s Board of County Commissioners in the latest rezoning for the Cypress Creek Town Center Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) in which the Outlet Mall is located). Those entitlements were approved back in February of 2019. 

Ellie Mental Health Provides Compassionate Care For Children, Adults & Couples 

(L.-r.) Ellie Mental Health of Wesley Chapel clinical director Dina Hargrave and therapists Engy Eskander & Chailee Snyder (photo below).

The New Year, usually celebrated as a time of hopefulness following the joy of the holiday season, also can be especially challenging for those coping with the loss of loved ones, financial hardships and other personal struggles. The clinicians at Ellie Mental Health, located on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, recognize these unique emotional difficulties and provide accessible outpatient services to support individuals in emotional need during these times and beyond. The clinic encourages both therapists and clients to be their true selves throughout the therapeutic journey. 

“At Ellie Mental Health, the focus is on providing a comfortable, judgment-free environment where clients can be authentic and receive the care they need and deserve,” says clinical director Dina Hargrave. “We want both the clients and the therapists to feel they are in a safe space.” 

Ellie Mental Health is a franchise with more than 200 locations nationwide and 20 in Florida, including New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel. The Mendota Heights, MN-based company opened its first franchise in 2022. 

Dina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in both Florida and Utah who has worked with children with significant behavioral concerns and their families for more than 10 years. She brings that experience to her role as the director and supervisor of the Wesley Chapel location of Ellie Mental Health. 

Originally from Georgia, Dina earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree and a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia in Athens. Her education continued at Utah State University, where she received advanced training as an Educational Specialist in Psychology (EdS). 

Having previously lived in Tampa, Dina feels a connection to the region and is passionate about making a difference here. 

“This opportunity was unique,” she explains. “I enjoy managing people and helping them grow to their full potential. It’s rewarding to see both the clinicians and clients thrive, so when this position became available, I quickly said ‘Yes.’” 

Ellie Mental Health offers a wide range of therapeutic counseling services to meet diverse mental health needs provided by two Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns (RMHCIs). An RMHCI is an individual who has completed requirements for becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) but still needs to have supervised experience to meet the requirements for state licensure. 

Those requirements include a Master’s degree or higher in mental health counseling, a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised fieldwork and a minimum of 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy work under the supervision of a qualified LMHC with a minimum of 1,000 hours of that being direct supervision. 

RMHCIs must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and participate in continuing education. After fulfilling the internship requirements and passing the NCMHCE, an application for licensure as an LMHC in Florida can be submitted. 

At the Wesley Chapel office of Ellie Mental Health, RMHCI Rebekah “Chailee” Snyder received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida in Tampa and her Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a Trauma Certificate from Antioch University. Chailee works with children as young as age two. She also works with adults. 

Fellow RMHCI Engy Eskander received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from USF Tampa and her M.A. degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Engy focuses on clients ages 15 and older and she provides couples counseling, including services in Arabic. 

The Wesley Chapel office offers play therapy for children as young as age two, plus therapy for adolescents, adults, couples and families, including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). The clinicians also work with people with autism and those suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. 

Also offered are Psychoeducation and Psychological Testing for kids, gender-affirming care, as well as faith-based counseling, which is available upon request. Dina says she currently is working on hiring more therapists so the available services can be expanded. 

The Right Fit For Your Care 

“We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all approach,” Dina emphasizes. “If a therapist isn’t the right fit for a particular client or lacks the necessary specialty, we can easily connect them with someone else, which ensures personalized care.” 

She adds, “Wesley Chapel was a natural choice for the clinic’s location. The area’s rapid growth and the rising demand for mental health services made it an ideal spot. And so far, we’ve received positive feedback from the community. People are glad we are here because there aren’t many options like us in this area.” 

Dina also has been communicating with the Pasco County School District and says she looks forward to working with the District’s schools in the near future. She says she hopes to be able to offer services not only to the school children but their families as well. 

She also says that having flexible hours available for clients and therapists is a feature that makes this Ellie Mental Health office stand out. If the clinician is willing to work during the hours requested by the patient, Dina says those hours will be approved. Once the sessions start, if the clinician is not sure where the problem lies, a psychological test can be used to help provide clarity in diagnosing and treating complex issues. 

The team also ensures a secure and confidential environment for clients. “All communication is HIPAA-protected,” Dina explains, “and even during training, we don’t use real names to maintain confidentiality.” 

Even though Ellie Mental Health Wesley Chapel only opened in September, the clinic has already seen several success stories. Dina says one client made significant progress in just three sessions, while another, after six sessions, left with renewed hope despite having to relocate. 

“These are the moments that remind us why we do this work,” Dina says. 

Ellie Mental Health accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare, and Dina says, “We are working to finalize our Medicaid contract to better serve children and people with disabilities.” 

Recognizing the importance of accessibility, Dina says the clinic also offers online therapy services. This allows clients to receive care from the comfort of their homes, breaking down barriers such as transportation issues or time constraints. 

But, Ellie Mental Health is more than just a clinic — it’s a place of understanding and acceptance. With its commitment to authenticity, diversity and personalized care, Ellie Mental Health is not just helping individuals but transforming the way the community views mental health. 

Ellie Mental Health (30792 S.R. 54) is open Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m., with other hours available upon request. For more info or to schedule an appointment, visit EllieMentalHealth.com/locations/wesley-chapel-fl or call (813) 701-5250.

Dr. Edward McNamara Of McNamara Health & Wellness Has Got Your Back! 

You’ll never feel rushed when you visit Doctor of Chiropractic Edward McNamara of McNamara Health & Wellness in the Summergate Professional Center in Wesley Chapel, who always takes the time needed to get to the root of his patients’ health issues. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

If you looking for a chiropractor who really cares about his patients and takes the time to get to know them and their health issues, then Dr. Edward McNamara at McNamara Health & Wellness in the Summergate Professional Center (behind Sam’s Club, on the north side of S.R. 56) in Wesley Chapel is who you want to see. 

Dr. McNamara, or “Dr. Mac” as many of his patients and friends refer to him, has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 23 years. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Dr. Mac obtained his Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from Life University in Marietta, GA, in 1999. He worked in the Destin and Orlando areas first, before coming to practice in Wesley Chapel in 2015. 

“Trust is a big part of my job,” states Dr. Mac. “It’s a touchy-feely business, so if you’re not comfortable with me, you are not going to be receptive to my care. If you want to keep things quick, I can, but I am hands-on and I listen well. Generally, I spend time getting to know all about my patients and they end up hearing everything about me as well.” 

Spend five minutes talking to Dr. Mac and you’ll hear some great stories. From originally hailing from Buffalo, NY, to serving for ten years in the U.S. Air Force to working in the ceremonial honor guard at the White House during former President Ronald Reagan’s presidency, Dr. Mac always will put you at ease while he’s taking care of you. 

“I believe in being personable, effective, affordable, and family-oriented,” Dr. Mac says. To that end, he is always happy to accommodate patients with evening, weekend, holiday, emergency and same-day appointments, over and above his regular office hours. 

In addition to providing full spinal adjustments, Dr. Mac is familiar with a variety of active release and massage therapies as well as exercise rehabilitation. He believes strongly in minimizing the use of drugs or surgery. 

“Human beings were not born with too many parts and not enough pills,” says Dr. Mac. “Surgery and medications can help for a while, but then the body can become reliant on them. It’s better to help the body heal itself.” 

Some common conditions that Dr. Mac can help with include back, neck and musculoskeletal pain, headaches and migraines, sinus pain, jaw pain (such as temporomandibular joint, or TMJ) pain, whiplash injuries from car accidents, work-related injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and a variety of sports injuries. 

Dr. Mac will do everything he can to help you with your chiropractic needs,, but if you are having issues outside of his scope, he has a wide network of doctors and medical clinics that he can refer you to for further testing, such as X-rays or MRIs, without having to wait three months for an appointment. 

Caring For Patients Of All Ages & The Community 

Dr. Mac says he first got interested in chiropractic therapy in his youth after getting hurt while playing rugby. He now assists athletes, weightlifters, gymnasts, cheerleaders, dancers and more heal from their injuries faster and can even help increase their athletic performance. He says chiropractic care can improve anyone’s range of motion, flexibility, balance, coordination, reaction times and speed. 

Patient Peggy D’Alessandro recalls a positive experience when bringing her daughter to the office. 

“So thankful for Dr. McNamara!,” Peggy said in her 5-star review. “My daughter hurt her back while cheerleading. After a few days, I began to worry because she was still in pain, so I brought her in to see Dr. Mac. Her pain was relieved in minutes and completely gone by the next day! It was her first time seeing a chiropractor so she was a little bit nervous, but he was so nice, made her laugh and really put her at ease. We both couldn’t have been happier!” 

In addition to adults and athletes, Dr. Mac has patients of all ages — from babies to age 80. 

“Being born can be pretty traumatic for babies,” Dr. Mac says. “I help infants with reflux, colic and infant adjustments, which are very different than the adjustments that I perform for adults. School-aged children also need help with pain from those heavy backpacks, ‘cell phone neck,’ minor sports injuries, scoliosis and allergies (sinuses). I’m also available to give sports physicals to students.” 

He adds, “Pregnant women often suffer aches and pains and chiropractic care before delivery can help reduce labor time. Seniors come to get relief from basic arthritic conditions.” 

Patient Lauren Cione, who was suffering from back pain during her pregnancy, says, “Dr. Mac made me feel so comfortable and adjusted me while I was pregnant. When my son was born, he kept leaning his head to the left side. I knew I could trust Dr. Mac to adjust him when he was only 4 weeks old and he had instant relief.” 

Dr. Mac’s “receptionist” Wolverine is really his 8-year-old son Sebastian. (Photo provided by Dr. Mac) 

Dr. Mac works alone, so you will always talk to and receive care from him directly. But, on some days, especially Saturdays, you may also see his part-time “receptionist” — his eight-year-old son, Sebastian. Often dressed up as Wolverine (after giving up his Spider-Man persona), Sebastian will greet patients and works hard as the “face of the practice” to get his $1-per-hour paycheck that he’ll cash with his dad later at the bank. 

Dr. Mac loves to get involved in the community as well. “My son plays hockey, so I am always supporting sport fund raisers for kids,” he says. “I also am enthusiastic about helping those who are struggling with addiction.” 

If you visit the office’s Facebook page, you will see that Dr. Mac loves to help out, from promoting various donation efforts to offering assistance to local families needing extra help during the holidays. 

No matter how you interact with Dr. Mac, his patients say he’ll always try to help you. 

“The one thing that was a constant in my life was chronic back pain for 20+ years,” says patient Jay Forsythe. “Dr. McNamara is the FIRST to really help me instead of just saying ‘surgery or prescriptions’ and for that I am very grateful.” 

McNamara Health & Wellness is located at 27453 Cashford Cir., Suite #101. The office is open Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., and on Sat. by appointment. For more information, call (813) 343-1680 or visit LutzChiro.com to schedule an appointment today. You also may visit “McNamara Health & Wellness” on Facebook for the office’s latest updates and special offers. 

Chicken Guy! Is Finally Open & It’s Already Attracting Big Crowds! 

If you haven’t yet driven to, or by, the new Chicken Guy! restaurant, which finally opened on Jan. 7, on the north side of S.R. 56 (across from the Tampa Premium Outlets, at 25769 Sierra Center Blvd.), well, let’s just say you might be the only person in Wesley Chapel who hasn’t. 

The brightly colored eatery, founded in 2018 and co-owned by restaurateur Robert Earl (the founder of the Planet Hollywood and Earl of Sandwich chains) and Food Network star Guy Fieri, has been packed virtually all the time from the moment it opened, especially the drive-through, which has caused some backups onto 56 from the traffic circle adjacent to the restaurant. 

The Neighborhood News was on hand for both the Friends & Family event on Jan. 6 and the actual opening the next day, when (l.-r. in top photo) Marcelo Cardoza (the manager of culinary operations for Fieri’s Knuckle Sandwich, LLC), franchise co-owners Suhail Rifae and Moe Khalil were joined by Jason Taliaferro (the senior VP of Chicken Guy!) to introduce the Wesley Chapel/Lutz community to Chicken Guy!’s always-fresh chicken. 

Fieri, the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Flavortown,” offers several varieties of chicken at the new fast-casual chain, including his seasonal limited menu items like the pepperoni chicken parm sandwich (right photo, shown with Guy fries and the chopped cheese & chicken eggrolls), as well as “Big Bite,” two-tender sandwiches like the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado & tomato; above photo, shown with mac & cheese and a thick, hand-spun Oreo Flavortown shake); the CG Classic and Buffalo Mac ‘N’ Cheese Sandwich. 

All of the fried sandwiches and tenders come lightly seasoned, so you can add your favorite Fieri-created sauce from “The Boss of Sauce” list (below). 

The good news is that if you’re not a fried chicken lover, all of the sandwiches and tenders also are available grilled, instead of fried, and there are two salad options (including the chopped chicken Caesar with chopped grilled tenders below left). 

About the only menu items we haven’t yet sampled are the fried chicken dumplings (topped with smoked bacon, green onions & sesame seeds) and a few shake varieties. Go give it a try! 

For info, call (813) 344-3311 or visit ChickenGuy.com & tell GM Trevor McIntyre (below) I sent you! 

Tous Les Jours Bakery Opens In Former Capital Tacos Location On S.R. 56! 

Congratulations to the owners of the new Tous les Jours bakery franchise at 27209 S.R. 56 — in the former location of Capital Tacos. 

Like the Tous les Jours inside the Lotte Plaza Market in New Tampa, the Wesley Chapel location offers a large selection of freshly baked croissants, pastries, donuts, breads and more — in both sweet and savory varieties — as well as cakes, coffee drinks, teas, smoothies, lemonades and much more. 

Photographer Charmaine George and I have visited the new Tous les Jours twice and the first thing we both noticed is how much nicer and more spacious the new location is than the one in the Lotte Plaza Market food court. There are several tables, as well as couches, for enjoying your purchases inside the shop, which in no way still resembles the old Capital Tacos. 

As for the baked goods, among the sweet options we’ve sampled are an almond croissant, a large Mont Blanc pastry (which is like a huge, crispy outside-flaky inside cinnamon roll), a strawberry croissant filled not only with super-fresh strawberries, but also whipped cream, and a mini caramel apple pie. The savory items we’ve tried and enjoyed include a ham-&-cheese croissant, a spinach and feta pastry (which is both sweet and savory), a croque monsieur sandwich (a grilled French-style ham and cheese sandwich) and a sausage onion pastry, which is like a hot dog surrounded by a pastry with onions, cheese and ketchup. There also are several different kinds of milk breads, full bread loaves stuffed with whipped cream and so many more. We haven’t tried any of the cakes yet, but give us time! 

As for beverages, I’ve enjoyed both the vanilla latte and caramel macchiato and Charmaine and I agreed that the fresh, thick, hand-spun mango smoothie (below) was delicious. There also is a huge selection of hot and iced teas available and more! 

Tous les Jours is a French-inspired — its name literally means “Every Day” in French) — Korean-owned chain of bakeries with 1,700 locations around the world, including more than 100 (and growing) in the U.S. 

The Wesley Chapel Tous les Jours is open every day from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and although the menu doesn’t include some of the freshly made sandwich items other Tous les Jours stores carry, the hope here is that they’ll add some of those items in the future. 

For more info, call (813) 388-5612 or visit tljus.com. — GN