WCNT-tv One-Year Anniversary Party Ends With A Surprise Marriage Proposal!

For those who don’t know me personally, I was separated in 2006 and have been divorced since 2009 and, although I’ve done a lot of dating and had a few relationships since then, I honestly never thought too seriously about getting married again.

Two-and-a-half years ago, when I was a member of the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club, a fellow club member and I who had known each other through business only prior to that, met by chance at what used to be Stage Left (now Brunchies). She was sitting with a few other fellow club members and invited me to join them at their table.

By the end of that super-fun evening (it became my birthday at midnight that night), Jannah McDonald (who was working for the American Cancer Society at the time, but became the marketing and events coordinator for the Pasco Education Foundation shortly after that evening) and I had arranged our first date, where we embarked on a journey that has had a few ups and downs (as all of our friends know all too well). But ultimately, the good times far outnumbered the bad, which led to the night of the one-year anniversary party for WCNT-tv (Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television), which was held in and outside of my office on June 30.

When we hired mine and Jannah’s favorite local band — Restless Soul (search “Restless Soul” on Facebook) — to not only provide the entertainment for the event, but also to learn a song (“Saint Valentine’s Day, by Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist, Miami Steve Van Zandt, who recorded the song with his own band, called Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, which was released in February 2017) for us to sing with them, I wasn’t actually planning anything other than to have a kick-butt invitation-only party to thank all of our friends and sponsors, but…

A couple of weeks before the event, I decided that Jannah and I should also do a little dance routine during the song’s 45-second musical interlude and it was during our first lesson (anyone who knows me can tell you that I maybe can sing a little bit, but have never been much of a dancer) at the Rhapsody Ballroom on N. 56th St. just north of E. Fowler Ave. that I decided that there would be a surprise ending to the song (you can check out excerpts of the song and the entire dance on our “Neighborhood News” Facebook page).

The evening did not go off without a hitch, which had me concerned about whether we would even get to perform the song, much less whether I would get to spring the beautiful faceted garnet-and-diamond ring I got a great deal on from my friends at Leiva’s Jewelry (in the New Tampa Center shopping plaza) on her.

Although we had a little more than 100 people on hand at around 7, the skies opened up — as they so often do during the summer here in Florida — around 7:15, while everyone was enjoying the truly amazing food from my friends Jessica and Carl Meyers of Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering in Lutz, Ramses and Ana Garcia of Las Palmas Café and Phil and Natalia from Olde Heights Bistro in Seminole Heights, plus the incredible desserts from Nothing Bundt Cakes (right now in Carrollwood, but looking to secure a Wesley Chapel location) and my friend Evelyn Barreno from 7 Layers Bakery.

The plan was for our song to open the band’s second set — and for us to do a Facebook Live event for the song — at 8 p.m. But, by the time the rain stopped shortly before 8, more than half of the people had left. Undaunted, we went ahead and performed the song when the rain gave us about a 15-minute window and I ended the song by asking Jannah if she would marry me “some Saint Valentine’s Day?” And yes, even though no one actually heard her say it, she did say yes.

Obviously, those who stuck around for it were glad they did and Jannah and I thank the hundreds of you who have already posted well wishes on Facebook.   

Getting A Taste-y Reward!

Although I am now a member of the New Tampa Noon Rotary Club (which meets Wednesdays at noon at Mulligans Irish Pub in the Pebble Creek Golf Club), the Rotary club that put on the successful 2017 Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel is actually New Tampa’s original, or “breakfast” Rotary Club, which meets Fridays at 7 a.m. at Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club (TPGCC).

In the spirit of Rotary, I agreed to help (more like forced myself on) the Rotary’s Taste coordinator (and now, newly inducted president) Karen Frashier and her committee with restaurant procurement for the event and the rest, as they say, is history. Or so I thought.

At their club’s annual banquet at TPGCC on June 23, Jannah and I were invited as honored guests and even though it was on one of my deadline Fridays, we were thrilled just to be there. Imagine my surprise, therefore, when I received the plaque on this page from outgoing president (he of the newly shaven head) Brice Wolford. Calling me “Mr. Taste” was pretty sweet, but I had to acknowledge the amazing “You Believed. You Made It Happen” inscription in these pages. Thanks so much!.

  

Wesley Chapel Residents Score Hit With Mini Doughnut Factory

(l.-r.) Zezura, son Jordyn, daughter Aryanna and Patrick Ruddell have made their Mini Doughnut Factory in South Tampa one of Tampa Bay’s hottest spots, and hope to bring one to Wesley Chapel one day. (Photo courtesy of Lindsey Meyer)

Wesley Chapel resident Patrick Ruddell doesn’t wait for many things, and he knows what he wants.

So, when he found himself tossing and turning in bed one night three years ago mulling his next move, he got up and opened his laptop at 3 a.m. and emailed three of the top donut shops in Tampa with one simple question:

“Do you want to sell? I want to buy.”

“That’s all I sent,’’ Patrick says. “Three emails with the exact same phrase.”

In 12 hours, he had a response, and just two hours after that, he had a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Three days later, he was at Perks Donut Bar in South Tampa.

“I loved it,’’ he says. “It was perfect.”

And with that, Patrick and his wife Zezura were on their way to becoming the King and Queen of Doughnuts in the Tampa Bay area.

Mini Doughnuts, to be exact.

The Wesley Chapel couple, easily recognizable around the area for his distinguished beard and her wide smile, have created a succulent sensation with their Mini Doughnut Factory, which opened in November 2015 on S. Dale Mabry Hwy. in South Tampa and became a social media wonder on Instagram and Facebook, thanks to a smart and aggressive strategy and a fresh twist on a pretty standard product.

The Mini Doughnut Factory makes its popular, double-bite-sized donuts to order in a small, 1,200-sq.ft. space in a nondescript strip center with bad parking and, almost always, a crowd out the door.

The cake portion of their donuts are tasty, but not too sweet. That is saved for the variety of interesting and unique toppings ranging from sweet to savory — from your basic chocolate and vanilla to eye- and taste-bud-catchers like the Sweet Pig (maple icing and bacon), LeLe Coco (lemon icing and toasted coconut) and the Homer Simpson (strawberry icing with rainbow sprinkles). Customers know to keep their eyes open for new flavors, like the Guava minis for Gasparilla and the Fireball buttercream icing and Hot Tamales for Father’s Day.

Initially, Ruddell was worried that regular customers of Perks would turn their noses up at the newer, smaller doughnuts. “Why are you doing mini donuts?,” people told him. “That’s stupid.”

He actually considered offering regular-sized donuts initially, before easing into the miniature version. But, that was hardly the Ruddells’ style.

“We decided, that’s it, we’re opening as mini doughnuts from Day 1,” Zezura says. “You’re either going to love it or hate it. And, people loved it from Day 1.”

By January, the lines were long and seemingly unending. “I went out the door, took a selfie and was like, oh my God, what did we do here?,” Patrick says. “In less than three months, how did this happen?”

“We cried,” Zezura says. “We literally cried.”

It is more than just the doughnuts, says business partner and friend Lee Kearney, a broker for Spin Real Estate in Seminole Heights. It’s the experience, as customers can watch their doughnuts being dipped, rolled and packed up, as well as the interaction with employees, including Patrick and Zezura.

Always Giving Back, Too

The Ruddells say they feel deeply connected and thankful to their community and customers. They have spearheaded a number of charitable projects around Tampa Bay and are not only regulars at events to help the less fortunate, but among the first to reach into their own pockets.

“They are a big hit because they have integrated themselves into the community,’’ Kearney says. “They promote good things in the community. That, and it’s a great product, by great people. That’s what makes it special.”

Success was nothing new for the Ruddells. Patrick had a great run in real estate years before, flipping more than 700 houses between 2005 to 2008, before the  market crashed and took almost everything he owned with it.

“We lost everything, literally everything,” Zezura says. “We were living in Seven Oaks, had what we thought was our forever home. Great money, great house, nice cars, the whole shebang. We lost everything down to where we had to sell jewelry to pay bills.”

“We short sold that house,” Patrick says, adding, “We lost $170,000 selling that house.’’

The Ruddells struggled that first year after the economy crashed, but slowly worked their way back, emboldened by a never-say-die entrepreneurial spirit. The family moved to Fort Lauderdale sometime in 2010, and began to rebuild as Patrick worked on some web ventures.

He flipped some web domains, including ScienceFiction.com (the country’s top sci-fi website, he says, with four million visitors a month) in 2012. They moved back to Wesley Chapel and used that money to get back into real estate.

But this time, they paid more attention to being diversified. Their next move, they decided, would be to find something that was recession-proof.

Driving around Wesley Chapel and New Tampa, Patrick says he felt like he was passing a Dunkin’ Donuts at every turn. One of his hobbies, he says, is walking into a business and analyzing it. How much would it cost? Could he make it better?

“Obviously, if there are five Dunkin’ Donuts within a few square miles of where we are, doughnuts are doing well,’’ Patrick said. And he had no doubt he could make better doughnuts, specifically smaller ones that are made-to-order and always fresh, in a variety of designs and toppings.

The Power Of Love…& Great Doughnuts

Success has taken the Ruddells on a roller coaster ride neither ever imagined.

“Success is more stressful than failure,’’ Patrick says.

Zezura says they worked 100 hours a week for six straight months, creating a major imbalance between work and family, including their two children, son Jordyn and daughter Aryanna. Even a 20-year relationship couldn’t withstand some of the pressures they were now facing.

They separated and even filed for divorce at one point. However, what initially tore them apart brought them back together, stronger than before.

“We decided last year that we needed to turn the corner and fix this,’’ Zezura says.

It came down to being unable to live without each other.

“I’m the one that will run through the wall, but this is the most supportive woman ever,’’ Patrick says.  “Success or failure, she is always there, saying, ‘We are going to do it, we are going to make it.’”

“I’m not afraid of failure, really,’’ Zezura says.

“Because we’ve been there,’’ Patrick adds. “If you’ve made it once, you can make it again.”

And yes, they have made it, again. After breaking even the first month, Patrick and Zezura were pulling in six-figure profits at the Mini Doughnut Factory by the sixth month, far exceeding their goals and expectations.

They will open a second store in St. Petersburg later this summer. Another is planned for Orlando.

However, what’s the one place they would like to build a Mini Doughnut Factory more than any other?

At home, here in Wesley Chapel.

“We want it more than anything,’’ Patrick says.

They live in Wesley Chapel, and send their kids to schools here. Patrick coaches basketball at the Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Rd. — a pretty good hoopster himself, the 5-foot-10 donut maven says he once harbored NBA dreams —and the couple are regulars at Wesley Chapel eateries like their favorite, First Watch, where they say they can be found a handful of times a week.

The one thing they’d like to do most in Wesley Chapel, though, is work. Two months ago, they were on the verge of a deal to open a store on S.R. 56. What they thought was a done deal, however, wasn’t, as they say the leasing company reneged on an agreement.

It was devastating. So, they have had to move on. But, every once in a while, a customer from Wesley Chapel will venture into their store, and ask why they can’t have one here.

Patrick says he hasn’t given up yet.

“It hits me hard in the heart,’’ he says. “I wanna be everywhere where people want us to be.”

For more info, visit MiniDoughnutFactory.com, or search MiniDoughnutFactory on Facebook and Instagram. Just don’t do it on an empty stomach.

Irish 31, Noble Crust Set To Open

Irish 31
Irish 31

Two of the most highly-anticipated new restaurants in Wesley Chapel — Irish 31 and Noble Crust — have finally announced their grand openings.

Irish 31 Pub House & Eatery will officially open its fifth Tampa Bay location when the doors swing open at the new Shops at Wiregrass location on Thursday, July 6.

The festivities at the 2,734-sq.-ft. location are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.. The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will be on hand for the official ribbon-cutting at 4 p.m.

Founded by former USF football player Jay Mize (who wore No. 31 as a Bull), Irish 31’s other locations are in Hyde Park Village, Westshore Plaza and Westchase, as well as a space on the Chase Club level in Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa.

Meanwhile, Noble Crust is expected to open its doors in mid-July, following a special VIP event on Saturday, July 15, to benefit the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Foundation.

The 166-seat restaurant (with 56 outdoor seats on the patio) will feature its popular brand of seasonal Italian fare with Southern soul.

“This is a flourishing area, and we’re looking forward to growing our success in this community,” said co-founder TJ Thielbar.

For more information, visit Noble-Crust.com.

Firehouse Subs — Serving Great Subs…And First Responders Across The Country

Sarrk Restaurants, LLC, is the owner and operator of nine Firehouse Subs locations in the Tampa Bay area. Through a valuable partnership with the Impact Group, Sarrk Restaurants, LLC, became one of the earliest franchisees to sign on with Firehouse Subs, with its first location that opened in New Tampa in 2002 that was later relocated to the Shoppes at New Tampa of Wesley Chapel plaza in 2012.

The New Tampa Firehouse Subs was the 51st location for the franchise. Since then, the company has grown to become a national & international brand in 44 states, as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, totaling more than 1,000 locations, making Firehouse Subs one of the fastest growing fast casual restaurant concepts.

All restaurants have a focus to provide the highest in Quality, Service and Cleanliness, all based on a Firehouse Subs’ firefighter theme. And, for the Sarrk Restaurants, LLC, owner Sarju Patel and the public, the brand has become much more than that.

Firehouse’s current marketing drive focuses on a new slogan, “This Sub Saves Lives.” And it really does! Through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, the company’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, which has granted more than $25 million to hometown heroes in 46 U.S. states (plus Canada and Puerto Rico) since it was established in 2005 to provide lifesaving equipment to more than 2,800 first responder organizations.

All of Patel’s valued team members that make this company run to its optimum are expected to learn what the foundation is all about and, in turn, educate the community.

The life saving equipment that is provided is truly remarkable. This part of the business is so strong, that the company’s own analysis has shown that the restaurants that raise the most foundation dollars has a higher percentage of sales than restaurants that do not embrace this aspect of the business. The old saying “Giving is Receiving” is very much alive and true. Funds are raised in three ways — customers can donate their loose change into canisters at the register, they also can “round up” their Firehouse purchases to the next dollar and/or purchasing a five-gallon pickle bucket for only $2.

Firehouse of America will donate 0.13 percent of your purchase in 2017 at all U.S. Firehouse Subs locations to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. This percentage will result in a minimum donation of one million dollars.

The Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Firehouse Subs co-founders, Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, traveled to Mississippi, where they fed first responders as well as survivors. As they traveled back to Florida exhausted and exhilarated, they knew we could do more and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was born.

Locally, through the funds raised from all Firehouse locations in the Tampa Bay area, here is a list of some of the Equipment that local organizations have received to date, valued at over $100,000:

•AED Defibrillator — Pasco County Sheriff’s Office

•Personal Locator Devices – Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office

•Fire Prevention Safety materials to educate the community – City of Seminole Fire and Rescue

•See-Doo water craft and trailer, surf rescue sled, life vests, ropes and helmets – City of Treasure Island Fire Dept.

•John Deere Gator Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) and Medlite Transport Deluxe System – Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue

•RoboteX Inc Avatar Tactical Robot – Largo Police Department

•Extrication Equipment – Tampa Fire Rescue Station 13

•AED Defibrillator – Clearwater Central Catholic High School

What About The Food? — GN

Of course, most people still know Firehouse Subs for their steamed meat, toasted subs and everyone in our office has their favorite. I’m partial to the semi-spicy tuna salad sub and the steak-n-cheese sub (and I also really enjoyed the savory chicken noodle soup,too).

Graphic artist Blake Beatty and assistant editor John Cotey both prefer the NY steamer sub, which features corned beef and pastrami.

Sales rep Tom Damico enjoyed the hook & ladder sub, which comes with smoked turkey breast, Virginia honey ham, and melted Monterey Jack.

And, billing manager Stephanie Smith said she really enjoyed the crispy, toasted sub roll on her meatball sub, as well as the zesty tomato sauce.

You can add your favorite dressings and toppings to any Firehouse sub, but the chain is famous for serving its subs “Fully Involved®,” or loaded, complete with mayo, deli mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a kosher dill pickle on the side. The pickles are pretty tasty, too.

And, the fresh-baked, fudgy brownies are to die for and everyone in the office enjoyed the white chocolate macadamia nut and chocolate chip cookies, the Miss Vicki’s chips and Coca-Cola “super fountain,” where you can combine more than 100 different sodas and sparkling waters.

The Wesley Chapel Firehouse Subs is located at 1824 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. For more info, call (813) 977-3181 or visit FirehouseSubs.com. Or, see the ad on page 35 of our current issue for $2 off when you buy a medium or large sub, chips and a drink.

Nibbles & Bytes: The Chamber Stays Busy

The Chamber Stays Busy

If you think the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) is going to slow its roll anytime soon, guess again.

Since our last issue, the WCCC has hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies on May 24 at the new Axiom Bank inside the Walmart on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and at the beautiful, new Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa North-Wesley Chapel.

This month, the Chamber unveiled its new “Explore Wesley Chapel & New Tampa” video at its Monthly Business Breakfast at PHSC on June 6, held ribbon cuttings on June 5 at Mystic Oaks Dentistry and at The Joint Chiropractic in New Tampa.

(Please note that not all Chamber events are free, although most are open to the public. For info (including all start times for these events), call (813) 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.)

I also wanted to give a special shout-out to the folks at the new Holiday Inn Express, which hosted one of the best Grand Opening  events I’ve attended, with delicious food from Puff ‘n Stuff Catering and lots of great giveaways (I won two tickets to the Cobb 16 movie theater, where I saw “Wonder Woman,” and a $30 gift certificate to Texas Roadhouse, where I had an excellent NY strip), as well as tours of this beautiful, new hotel located adjacent to Florida Hospital Center Ice.

The Joint Opens!

Even though I had never been adjusted by a chiropractor before I visited the new The Joint Chiropractic, located in the space previously occupied by the Halftime Sports Lounge at 19014 BBD Blvd., in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center Plaza, I’m a true believer now.

The Joint New Tampa is owned by Dr. Edward Leonard, D.C.’s TJ Wesley Chapel PA and managed by Valerie and Alex Pierroutsakos’ VALEX Inc. The Joint welcomes walk-ins and no insurance is needed because the prices are so amazing. New patients pay just $29 for their initial visit for a limited time (when it goes back up to $39), which includes a consultation, exam and a chiropractic adjustment with Dr. Leonard or Dr. Barnabas Bickerton, D.C.

For more info, visit TheJoint.com, call (813) 995-7380 or see the ad on pg. 3.

The Cake Shop Opens!

Congratulations to my new friends Joe and Jana, the owners of The Cake Shop, which opened in May at 20327 BBD in the Live Oak Preserve area, next to Firestone Complete Auto Care.

The Cake Shop naturally has a European flair and feel, as the owners are from the eastern European country of Montenegro, and Jana’s incredible, different-each-day variety of truly gourmet cakes by the slice, square (like the moist, delicious chocolate ice cube in the photo) or the whole cake are beyond compare and made with the highest-quality ingredients.

There also are different-each-day, gourmet cupcakes, gluten-free and egg-free cakes and desserts, plus sandwiches, salads, Lavazza coffee and you should also ask about their awesome custom cakes for special occasions.

You really have to see it to understand it, so please tell Joe and Jana that you saw them in the Neighborhood News, whether you stop in, call (813) 991-8513 or check them out on Facebook or Instagram @TheCakeShopTampa.

Irish 31 & Noble Crust Still On The Way, But…

It seems like new dining options are opening near the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) almost every day (e.g., signs for the previously announced Wendy’s and Taco Bell have recently gone up across the street from TPO), but the restaurant question the most people ask me is “Are Noble Crust and Irish 31 still coming to the Shops at Wiregrass?”

The answer is a resounding “yes,” but neither restaurant looks like it will be ready to open by the end of this month, which was the last thing I heard from Noble Crust Wesley Chapel GM Will Perez and founder TJ Theilbar several weeks ago.

Even so, Irish 31, which has existing locations in Westchase, Westshore, at Amalie Arena and Hyde Park Village, all in Tampa, will open its first Pinellas County location on Clearwater Beach and its first Pasco location at Wiregrass, hopefully sometime in July.

We told you about Irish 31, which is owned by former USF football star Jay Mize, before any other news medium, back in January 2016. The Irish 31 at Wiregrass will be 2,800 sq. ft. and will feature the same great chef-inspired cuisine as the other Irish 31 locations. Visit Irish31.com for more details.

Meanwhile, Noble Crust, which had a widely viewed WCNT-tv episode following its second place People’s Choice award at the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel, has a 4th St. in St. Petersburg location that continues to impress me with its array of delicious Italian cuisine with a southern twist, like the bucatini pasta with beef, lamb and pork meatballs pictured on the previous page. Just get it open, guys!

For more info, visit Noble-Crust.com.

The Gift Box Celebrates 3 Years!

The Gift Box Boutique (17032 Palm Pointe Dr. in Tampa Palms) will be celebrating its third Birthday with a three-day event!

From Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24, purchase any three items at The Gift Box and the third item will be 30-percent off. Come join the fun! Sips and Snacks will be served while you shop!

For more info, call (813) 284-5986, check out The Gift Box on Facebook, Yelp and Instagram or see the ad on pg. 50.

Openings & Closings In New Tampa

There’s been a lot of businesses opening and closing in New Tampa over the past several weeks. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Wing Zone has closed in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza, while the new China One take-out Chinese restaurant has opened next to Leiva’s Jewelers and The Joint (see previous page) in the same plaza.

• Tuesday Morning has announced that its store in the Publix-anchored City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center will close by the end of June, or whenever the store runs out of inventory. No word yet on when The Fat Rabbit Pub & Grub will open in City Plaza.

• Pita’s Republic (in the same plaza on BBD at County Line Rd. as Five Guys and Frogury) will become NY Guys Grill & Smoothie by the end of the month. We were told the eatery will remain open during the transition.

• The second location of Precinct Pizza has opened at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., in the space previously occupied by Zaytoun Grill.

• Starbucks has opened in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. —  GN