Check Out The Revamped Skybox Rooftop Bar Menu At The Residence Inn! 

The outstanding housekeeping staff at the Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel was celebrated by the hotel’s managers at a special luncheon at the hotel on Sept. 15. (Photo above by Charmaine George) 

If a night out at a rooftop bar sounds like a fun way to spend an evening or the perfect venue to host a party, there’s no need to head to downtown Tampa. 

Stay right here in Wesley Chapel instead, where the Skybox Rooftop Bar is perched atop the Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel, located next to the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, just off S.R. 56 near the Shops at Wiregrass. Skybox is a unique and fun spot for gatherings with gorgeous sunset views, small plate food options, and tasty drinks. 

Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel is a Marriott-branded hotel designed and managed by Mainsail Lodging & Development. Mainsail was founded in Tampa by Joe Collier in 1998, and now has eleven hotel properties in Florida, Georgia, and the Caribbean, including signature properties such as the Fenway Hotel in Dunedin and the Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa. 

The Skybox Rooftop Bar at the Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel recently expanded its menu and offers not only Wesley Chapel’s only lounge with a view but also a beautiful place to stay if you enjoy one drink too many. (Photos provided by Residence Inn)

Not only is Skybox the only rooftop bar in Wesley Chapel, it’s also the first-ever at a Residence Inn. It’s available to both hotel guests and those who want to enjoy craft cocktails and tasty small plates, even if they’re not hotel guests. Many of the Skybox’s online reviews refer to it as a “hidden gem” in Wesley Chapel. 

“It’s a sports bar atmosphere with TVs and a beautiful sunset view,” says Becky Hayes, the Residence Inn’s general manager and director of sales. 

Becky says that makes it the perfect place to watch football, with specials on wings on Sundays and beer buckets on Thursdays. There also are sangria specials on Tuesday, and Wednesday is Hospitality Night with specials for anyone working in the hospitality industry. 

Any night, you can try a Skybox whiskey flight or a “bubbles and wine” flight offering a variety of wines and champagnes. 

There’s also a large selection of premium alcohol craft cocktails, fine wines, craft beers and non-alcoholic beverages. 

The Skybox Rooftop Bar’s food menu was revamped as of early September. While there are only a few small plate options, Becky says there’s enough variety to find something for everyone, from wings to flatbreads to the soon-to-be-famous Skybox Cuban. 

Becky says Skybox is an absolutely perfect to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or any type of party. This time of year, the hotel is getting a lot of inquiries for holiday parties. Parties at Skybox can be semi-private, where an area of the bar is reserved for your group, and private parties also can be booked. 

For more information or to book a party, go to SkyboxRooftopBar.com or contact sales manager Erica Davis via email at EDavis2@mainsailhotels.com. 

If you want to visit Skybox, be sure to look for the Residence Inn sign on S.R. 56, as there is no separate sign for the rooftop bar. 

Staying At Residence Inn 

Although Skybox is worth the trip without staying in the hotel, some locals find that the Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel is great for a weekend getaway, as well. 

Theresa Pandales is a New Tampa resident who says she recently visited the hotel for a quick “staycation,” spending a weekend away from her busy life with kids and grandkids. 

She was pleasantly surprised at how perfect the entire weekend turned out to be. 

“I like that it feels like home away from home,” Theresa says. “It’s so inviting. The lobby even smells amazing.” 

Theresa says she enjoyed lounging by the pool, relaxing and visiting the Skybox for drinks. 

Becky says the hotel also is great for those who need long-term accommodations, as it is fully equipped to be a home away from home. 

“Because we’re extended stay, we offer full amenities, including full kitchens with refrigerators, dishwashers, stove tops — although not all units have ovens — pots and pans, dishware, silverware, living and sleeping areas,” Becky says. “All rooms have a living area and a sleeping area, while some are open and some have one or two bedrooms.” 

She says the hotel also is a great choice for guests coming to visit family in the area. Also, a lot of people stay at the hotel while they are purchasing a home, waiting for a closing or the completion of their home’s construction. 

The hotel offers 128 rooms, including 65 studio king suites, 24 studio kings with conservation views, 19 studios with two queen beds, 8 one-bedroom king studios, 8 one-bedroom studios with two queen beds and 4 two-bedroom suites with one king and one queen bed. 

Other on-site amenities include complimentary hot breakfast, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, market and an on-site laundry with washers and dryers. Some other fun and unique perks include bicycle rentals with the first hour free, and outdoor grills by the pool for guests. “We are perfect for families,” Becky says. 

And, while larger parties are hosted at the rooftop venue, the hotel also has a cozy meeting space inside, too, accommodating up to 25 people in its indoor meeting room. 

The Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel recently won a Marriott award, called the Silver Circle Award, for meeting stringent Marriott standards and placing in the top 20% of all 856 Residence Inns in the U.S. and Canada, based on how guests rated the hotel in customer service, cleanliness and their intent to recommend the hotel to others. 

Becky says the award is thanks in no small part to the housekeeping staff. She says the housekeepers are the hardest working group in the hotel. The Residence Inn management recently celebrated the team during “Housekeeping Week,” providing meals, gift and activities to thank them for their efforts to keep the hotel clean and up to the guests’ high expectations. 

Based on her stay, Theresa feels the award is well deserved. “Everyone was so nice, the food was delicious and the service was unbelievable,” Theresa says. “My sixtieth birthday is coming up, and that’s where I’m going,” she says. “I won’t go anywhere else.” 

The Skybox Rooftop Bar and the Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel are located at 2867 Lajuana Blvd. For more info about hosting a party at Skybox or booking a stay, call (833) 214-9098, visit Marriott.com or SkyboxRooftopBar.com. The Skybox is closed on Monday, open Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., and 5 p.m.-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Nibbles & Bites: Now Open: Slim Chickens, Bad Ass Coffee & Sorbo! 

After a few delays, which certainly isn’t unusual here in Pasco County, Slim Chickens (at 27244 Wesley Chapel Blvd.) is finally open and the Arkansas-based chain with 225+ units and many more on the way is definitely worth a try.. 

The trio of partners who opened the Wesley Chapel Slim Chickens — Patrick Lee, Jared Blair and Charlie Blumberg — also have five additional units in development, with the closest planned for Mirada. 

Jannah, Charmaine and I all enjoyed our sampling of the Slim Chickens menu two days before it opened. We loved the hand-breaded chicken & waffles, the crispy and aptly-named chicken tenders (photo, above), the garlicky Texas toast, the super-crisp wings with multiple different sauces (our favorites so far were the honey BBQ and garlic parmesan) and the signature mason jar brownie dessert. And yes, you can take home the mason jar! 

For more info, visit SlimChickens.com or call (813) 923-7727. 

It Is Bad Ass! 

If you’re like me and crave delicious coffee from someplace other than the “S” word, I definitely recommend visiting the new Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, located inside the same Shell gas station that already is home to a Taco Bus location, at 25195 S.R. 54, where it meets S.R. 56 and Wesley Chapel Blvd. in Lutz. 

Owners Jillian (with Minnie Mouse, the Sicilian mini-donkey, in the photo, left) and Christopher Bruckner, who also own the adjacent Taco Bus, are excited about the response so far from the community. 

And, please don’t be offended by the name. Born on the shores of The Big Island in our 50th state, the coffee is named for the stubborn donkeys who originally carried the coffee down the steep mountains. 

Whether you love the name or hate it, the chain’s 30 locations serve delicious coffee and other beverages as well as a variety of breakfast and dessert items. My favorite beverage so far is the hot Caramel Wave with both caramel and vanilla flavors, while Jannah is partial to the iced blended Chai tea. We both enjoyed the cinnamon Malasada donuts and bacon, egg & cheese breakfast sandwich. We haven’t yet sampled the lunch sandwiches. For more information about Bad Ass Coffee, call (813) 949-2428 or visit BadAssCoffee.com. 

Sorbo Opens On BBD! 

Those who have more upscale taste in coffee and tea but also are partial to baked goods and wine can check out the new Sorbo at 2653 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. Owned by the same owners as Umu Japanese & Thai in the same plaza across from Advent Health Wesley Chapel, Sorbo (right) specializes in Matcha teas, espresso beverages and Refreshers. We’ve only sampled the tasty cappuccino and green matcha tea so far. For info, visit SorboWesleyChapel.com or call (813) 428-5396. 

Shuckin’ Shack: Now Serving Fresh American Seafood! 

The only people who have been waiting for the opening of the 20th Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar (at 25026 Wesley Chapel Blvd. extension) longer than yours truly are the people in the top photo — (l.-r.) co-owners Bill DiPaola and Brad Harper, GM Alie Ragsdale, manager Shane Cllett & kitchen manager Hunter Tilton. 

Well, the wait is over and all I can say is that I genuinely like the North Carolina-based chain. The casual new eatery had only been open a couple of weeks at our press time, but Jannah and I had already sampled quite a few tasty — and properly priced — items, including (left) excellent steamed snow crab legs, (bottom, right) blackened mahi-mahi tacos and steamed local clams. Photographer Charmaine George said the “Greggah” lobster roll sandwich also was spot on. But, my favorite item so far has been the clam-loaded New England-style clam “chowda.” Trust me, this is not just potato soup with a bite or two of clams. So good! 

Jannah and I already feel very much at home at the spacious bar (below left), which has plenty of TVs, full premium alcohol and specialty drinks, as well as beer and wine, just in time for football and hockey seasons! For more info, visit TheShuckinShack.com or call (813) 949-0016. 

Business Briefs — Updates On Crunch Fitness & Sana Dental + Medspa! 

The new Crunch Fitness is going directly next to Ace Hardware in the Wesley Chapel Village Market, in the space formerly occupied by Bealls Outlet, which closed during the summer of 2022 (after a new one opened nearby at the Grove). But, about a year later (May of 2023), Crunch submitted plans to Pasco County for approval. 

The new Crunch will be 33,000 sq. ft. and construction is ongoing, but the current plan is for it to open at the end of this fall. 

This location will be Crunch’s 12th in the Tampa Bay area, with close to 450 locations nationwide. 

In front of the site at the plaza, Crunch’s management sets up a tent every day to answer questions and sign people up to the fitness facility’s email system. 

Jay Valez, the assistant general manager, says that the new Crunch is getting ready for a cyber pre-sale “rate reservation,” where membership plans will be offered for as little as $9.99 per month for a basic membership (normally $14.99/month) and $19.99 for the full membership (normally $29.99/month). 

The first 500 to sign up also will receive a $1 “Joining Fee” on Crunch Wesley Chapel’s “cyber sale day,” which is has not yet been announced, as well as receive their first month free, plus “merch” and other discounts. 

Plus, if you are one of the first 500 members, these “Founders Rates” will be for the lifetime of your membership. An email will be sent out to those who have signed up, letting them know when the one-day sale will be. All Crunch memberships are individually priced, with no family plans offered. Full membership includes access to all available classes, including Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, Cycle, and HIIT Classes, which their website says is a, “high intensity training program unlike any other.” 

Valez says that Crunch plans to offer 55 -60 mixed classes a week, with some starting in the early morning hours, early enough to allow workouts before work. 

For more info, call the Wesley Chapel Crunch at (813) 587-2714 or email Sidney@CRfitness.com. 

Spotlight On: Sana Dental Studio + MedSpa! 
(L.-r.) Tara Clark, Dana Carter, Dr. Sana Yusuf & Jenn Link of Sana Dental Studio + Medspa. 

The renowned Sana Dental Studio + Medspa is thrilled to announce its grand expansion, bringing a wave of excitement to beauty and wellness enthusiasts across Wesley Chapel. The latest addition to their services is the exclusive “Sana Squad” membership, offering an array of unbeatable deals on Botox, Fillers, Lasers, Expert Opinions and Medical-Grade Skin Care. 

Members of the “Sana Squad” will have access to the latest in aesthetic enhancements. Botox treatments, known for their remarkable ability to smooth wrinkles and lines, are now within reach for those seeking a youthful, rejuvenated appearance. Additionally, premium fillers are available to enhance lips, cheeks, and facial contours with expert precision. 

Sana Dental Studio + Medspa’s expanded services also include state-of-the-art laser treatments. Whether you’re looking to remove unwanted hair, reduce the appearance of scars, or rejuvenate your skin’s texture, the spa’s advanced laser technology is designed to meet your unique needs. 

The “Sana Squad” membership extends beyond treatments. Members will receive expert opinions and personalized care plans tailored to their specific goals. The experienced team at Sana Medspa is dedicated to helping clients achieve their desired results while ensuring a comfortable and informed experience. 

Sana Medpsa’s commitment to excellence in aesthetics and wellness has made it a trusted destination for those seeking top-notch treatments and personalized care, led by Sana Yusuf, DMD. The introduction of the “Sana Squad” membership is a testament to their dedication to providing accessible, high-quality services to their valued clients. 

To learn more about the exclusive “Sana Squad” membership and the exciting expansion of Sana Dental Studio + Medspa, visit SanaDentalStudio.com, stop by the spa at 5728 Post Oak Blvd., or see the ad at the bottom of this page. Beauty, confidence and wellness await you. 

Need An IT Expert For Your Home Or Business? Try NerdsToGo! 

(L.-r.) NerdsToGo New Tampa operations supervisor Angie Bosley, owner Michael Varnadore and certified IT tech Abhishek Singhai look forward to serving your personal and business technical needs at the store in the Pebble Creek Collection. (Photos by Charmaine George)

In the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel area, there is no shortage of places that claim to be able to fix a broken device, such as mobile phone, laptop or computer. 

But, NerdsToGo is the only one owned and run by Michael Varnadore, a U.S. Air Force veteran with four decades of experience and education that have all dovetailed into his latest endeavor. 

Michael enlisted in the U.S. Air Force right out of high school, four days after his 18th birthday. Of his 20-year military career, he says that 15 were spent in computer service, including teaching his entire squadron how to use personal computers when they received them while stationed in Korea. 

Along the way, he earned a Bachelor’s degree and went on to receive a Doctorate degree in information systems management. 

After retiring from the military, Michael started his second career at an aerospace corporation. He served as director of personal computing, responsible for 80,000 end points (personal computers and laptops). After nearly two decades, he retired again, and that’s when he decided to take all of the knowledge he had gained to start something new, as the local franchise owner for NerdsToGo, located in the Pebble Creek Collection plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. 

“Everything I’ve done — starting with working on my first Tandy 1000 in 1986 — has led to where I’m at today,” Michael says, “it’s been a progression of skill sets and responsibilities, and I’m still learning.” 

He teaches, too, as a college professor teaching introductory computer classes at Hillsborough Community College and University of Maryland online. 

Those decades of experience and extensive education have given Michael the expertise to help both consumers and businesses with any computer or IT issue that may arise. 

Since opening the business in 2019, Michael says he’s proud that his small business has served the needs of the New Tampa area and has racked up more than 150 5-star reviews on Google, and an average of 4.9 stars out of 5. 

“As a small business, I don’t have any way to brush off bad reviews,” he says. “We have very few untrue or unfair reviews.” 

NerdsToGo is a growing franchise, with about 35 locations nationwide. 

Michael explains that when you hire NerdsToGo, you’re hiring an IT specialist, and he and his staff provide the expertise to fix your problem. 

Got a cracked phone screen? Bring it in. NerdsToGo can fix most devices and even has a special laser to remove the back glass off iPhones. Without that laser, Michael says, it can take hours to try to pry it off by hand because of the strong glue that holds it in place. At NerdsToGo, repairs are quick and you can generally get your phone back within a couple of hours. 

Virus on your computer? Michael says this is a big issue these days. You clicked on something you didn’t realize was a scam and now you’re having all kinds of problems with your computer? He and the other “nerds” at NerdsToGo know exactly what to do to get rid of any signs of the problem you encountered. 

Michael says he also often helps people upgrade computers that are running slow. It can cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to replace a computer, but Nerds ToGo can offer upgrades that will keep your computer running efficiently for years without having to buy a whole new system. 

NerdAssure For Business 

But, don’t just think of NerdsToGo for your own personal needs. 

As a small business owner, Michael knows all too well just how many hats have to be worn and how many things small business owners have to become experts in just to get by. 

He promises that those who own small businesses don’t have to learn to be IT experts, as Nerds ToGo’s exclusive NerdAssure program will manage all information technology services for you. 

He says the service uses software to monitor machines for performance and fix hardware before it breaks, along with providing antivirus services, cloud backup to ensure all data and email is backed up and recoverable in case of a problem, and the administration of some kind of office productivity software, which could be Office 365 or something else. 

He says this includes making sure everyone has access to the things they should and not to the things they shouldn’t. 

“For businesses that have no IT department or person, we can remotely manage and monitor the environment,” Michael explains. “For those who have a person or small department, this service complements that and takes a lot of work off their shoulders.” 

That’s how it works at Ridge Manor Christian Academy, where assistant principal Nathan Puentes is responsible for the school’s IT but can’t do it by himself. 

“We’ve worked with five different companies over the last 13 years, and before NerdsToGo, no one was as accessible to us as we needed them to be,” Nathan says. “When something goes wrong, we can’t wait days for it to get fixed. Our students need their devices working immediately.” 

He says that, for the past three years, working with NerdsToGo has met all of the school’s needs and has performed beyond their expectations. 

“These guys are amazing,” he says. “They are performing updates, identifying issues in the system, getting the right people right away to solve problems.” 

NerdsToGo is located at 19651 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Suite C6. The store is open Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, visit NerdsToGo.com, call (813) 321-1700.

Business Briefs — Hobby Town USA To The Grove; The Spa At Saddlebrook Cuts A Ribbon 

Although The Grove at Wesley Chapel already has a Michael’s Arts & Crafts and there also is a Hobby Lobby store on the north side of S.R. 56, a lot of locals are excited that HobbyTown USA is opening in The Grove. 

Whereas Hobby Lobby and Michael’s are both much more crafts-oriented, HobbyTown USA is a much more male-skewing hobby store, focusing mainly on model airplanes, boats, cars, trucks, drones, helicopters, rockets and toys. 

Hobby Town USA, which has more than 125 stores in 39 states (with the closest location being on N. Dale Mabry Hwy. in Carrollwood; photo left), will move into the former Bed, Bath & Beyond space at The Grove. We had not yet heard of an opening date for the Wesley Chapel location. 

Esthetics813 Cuts A Ribbon At The Spa At Saddlebrook 

Although, as we reported several issues ago, Saddlebrook Resort is currently undergoing major renovations, we send out our congratulations go out to Esthetics813 (located at 1051 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.) at owner Kyymara Rosey, who recently reopened the long-dormant 7,000-sq.ft. Spa at Saddlebrook Resort (5700 Saddlebrook Way). 

Kyymara and her husband Kurt Wickiser hosted a well-attended North Tampa Bay Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 8 (top photo), with tours of the many treatment rooms, where both hotel guests and locals can receive a variety of luxurious spa services — from massages, facials and skin treatments to waxing services, microdermabrasion, brow sculpting, spray tans and many more. There’s even a Far Infrared Wellness Sauna (right), hair salon cuts and blowouts, separate men’s and women’s dressing rooms and much more. 

For more information about the The Spa at Saddlebrook Resort, call (813) 474-4486 or visit spa-at-saddlebrook—esthetics813.square.site and please tell Kyymara and her crew that we sent you! — GNÂ