Category: Featured

Chicken Boss Opening Highlights Changes at KRATE

When The Grove developer Mark Gold first started filling the many spaces at his KRATE Container Park, most of us realized that not all of the restaurants and retail shops that started out in a KRATE would last very long. Although we may not have known which would succeed and which would fail, you had to know that some wouldn’t make it.

Until recently, only a couple of retail KRATEs had gone the way of the dinosaur. But now, several more changes have either recently taken place or were on the way — and we have an exclusive look at the new and planned moves at the container park.

The first-ever restaurant KRATE to close is Falafel Factory, which shut its doors last month. That set off a couple of changes that, quite honestly, we’re pretty excited to announce.

Falafel Factory’s space between Pisco Express and Palani’s Hawai’i Noodles has been taken over by TJ’s Hot Dogs, which previously occupied the space next to the The Bacon Boss HQ.

And, while TJ’s already is open in its new space, The Bacon Boss owners Josh and Christy Norland quickly followed suit and opened their new concept — The Chicken Boss — this weekend in the former TJ’s location this weekend. The turnout was impressive, say the owners.

Christy says The Chicken Boss’ menu focuses on hand-breaded chicken tenders. And, based on the love The Bacon Boss HQ has received from our readers (it was voted the #1 Favorite KRATE in our 2022 Reader Dining Survey) and from yours truly (it was my #4 favorite KRATE), I’m sure The Chicken Boss will be equally successful — as, I expect, TJ’s also will continue to be in its new space.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Urban Sweets, the currently vacant former location of Center Ed tutoring center will reopen as the second Blush Wine Room at KRATE, but owners Felicia and Nimesh Desai say that the new location will be solely a champagne and wine-based cocktail bar with a dozen slushie machines.

The original Blush location will focus on other wines and, we hope, perhaps expand its current menu of delicious food items, although anything on the Blush menu will still be available at the new location, too. The new Blush will open before the end of March.

Two new non-food KRATEs also recently opened in previously shuttered retail locations, both of which we first told you about in our Dec. 26 issue. The first is 311 Aroma Candle Studio, which is a do-it-yourself candlemaking “bar,” with nearly two dozen different fragrances — from apple & maple bourbon to Froot Loops and many more.

3Eleven owner Shareeka Screen offers classes for beginners and sessions for experienced candlemakers and calls 3Eleven “an interactive experience bringing people and families together to explore and create through the power of creativity.”

Plus, the place smells delicious.

And, Shareeka is the sister of Yuhanna Alahmary of Radiant Wellness Spa, and 3Eleven Aroma, Blush and Mythos will all be on-hand at Radiant’s Health & Wellness Fair on Sunday, March 19.

Speaking of Mythos, it is now open in the former location of The Rebellious Hippie at the KRATEs. Mythos is an eclectic gift shop with cool T-shirts, plush toys, candles and knickknacks for your home and more.

And finally, next to Life Essentials Refillery, Valiart Designs (which previously was called Valiart Jewelry), will become the Tutti Frutti Cafe, which will sell all things fruit — fresh fruit smoothies and creative fruit desserts.

It is owned by Stacy Esposito and Eddie Nasr, who also own Cafe Zorba. They hope to open the Tutti Frutti Cafe by April. — GN

Bacon Boss

Wildcats Headed Back To State!

Karmello Branch drives to the hoop in Wharton’s region championship victory Friday night. (Photo: Mike Bitting)

New coach. Some new players. Same old results.

Wharton is headed back to the Class 6A boys basketball final four for the second straight season after dominating Charlotte 52-35 Friday night.

The Wildcats (24-6) will take on Palm Beach Dwyer (27-1) in their semifinal on Thursday, March 2 at either 6 or 8 p.m. at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.

“It’s a great feeling,” said first-year coach and former Wharton star Shawn Vanzant, considered the best player in the program’s history. “I never made it as a player (although he did make it to the NCAA Final Four as a player for Butler University). I took over this year and a lot of guys didn’t know me. It took a while to bond, but once we got that camaraderie going, it’s been an amazing ride. I’m real proud of these boys.”

The Wildcats got three-pointers early from Lucean Milligan and Jayson Montgomery to take a 6-0 lead, and it wasn’t until 40 seconds were remaining in the first quarter that Charlotte scored its first basket.

When Milligan had to leave the game with early foul trouble, Christian Ayala came off the bench to sink two more three-pointers, and finished with eight points in the first half as Wharton opened up a 21-11 halftime lead.

“I might not have started, but I brought that will to get in the game and do whatever I could,” Ayala said. “I guarded, I knocked down a couple of threes, that’s what I do. It created some momentum, and the second half we had to just had to keep the foot on the gas pedal.”

“Christian is a big part of the team,” Vanzant said. “He’s a senior, great leadership, next-guy-up mentality. I know when I put Christian in the game, he’s going to make big plays.”

Charlotte shot only 4-for-18 in the first half, and by the time it started shooting better it was too late. The Wildcats opened the second half with a Chandler Davis bucket (off a Montgomery steal), and Mike Warnock made a trey to bump the lead to 26-11.

The Tarpons (16-14) made a run towards the end of the third quarter, but the Wildcats closed the quarter with an 8-0 run (thanks to three-pointers from Davis and Milligan) to make it 39-24 and out of reach as the defense clamped down.

“The game plan was to play defense and rebound because we were outsized a little bit,” Davis said. “They were bigger, but we held out ground..”

Charlotte’s frontline of Kirby Schmitz (6-foot-7), Chris Cornish (6-5) and John Gamble (6-6) combined to average 40 points this year, but were held to a total of 15 points by Wharton’s big men Karmello Branch and Davis, as well as sterling perimeter defense by the guards.

basketball Wharton

Free Legal Symposium

If you’re new to Florida, the attorneys of Spinner Law Firm are hosting a FREE legal symposium on Wednesday, March 1, 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel (26640 Silver Maple Pkwy., Wesley Chapel 33544), to introduce you to some of the legal issues you’ll need to deal with as a Florida resident. Attorney Charles Spinner, Esq., will discuss “Insuring Teen Drivers,” Attorney Anissa Morris, Esq., will discuss “Estate Planning Basics,” and Attorney Patrick Barnes, Esq., will discuss “Business Formation Basics.” Refreshments will be provided. To RSVP or for more information, email Jyingling@spinnerlawfirm.com.

Saddlebrook Residents Continue To Hold Off Developer

Saddlebrook is becoming Sagabrook, as attempts to revitalize the former great resort continue to be mired in confusion and discontent.

The latest efforts on Feb. 7 to push through an amendment to the resort’s comprehensive plan (in order to change the land-use designations) failed when the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC), after six hours of listening to both sides, chose to delay making any decision.

District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman acknowledged that some of the changes provided to the BCC by Mast Capital, which owns Saddlebrook Resort, were only being seen that day for the first time and would require further study. His motion for a continuance until the April 4 meeting in Dade City passed unanimously.

“I get the sense we’re all at an impasse,” said Weightman, whose district includes Saddlebrook Resort.

At a Planning Commission meeting on Jan. 5, members were undecided before reluctantly passing it onto the BCC but also telling Mast it needed to add more details.

After six more hours of debate between Mast officials and more than a dozen Saddlebrook representatives and residents, the result was similar, although a vote was not held.

However, Mast did provide a few updates for a plan that has been criticized for lacking details.

It no longer plans on developing Area 4 (which includes the golf courses) with single-family homes and townhomes, instead creating a restricted area which will encompass the existing golf courses.

But, it also showed more detailed plans for removing nine of the 36 holes of the two Arnold Palmer-designed golf courses – introducing a representative from the golf architect company Reece Jones – and showed approximately where in Area 4 the driving range would be relocated. Some of the 27 tennis courts could be eliminated as well.

Mast also promised those homeowners who had a view of the golf course would keep those views no matter what.

But, the residents who spoke want the golf courses and driving range — which also is home to the resort’s golf academy — protected, and argued that the tennis courts are part of what made Saddlebrook famous and should be preserved.

“How do you attract people without an 18-hole golf course?,” resident Pat Hogan asked. “If 27 holes is such a great option, why aren’t there more of them?”

Hogan acknowledged that the golf course is in need of repair, “But it doesn’t need to be torn up.”

And, the mixed-use development planned for Area 1 — a 35-acre Village Center just east of the resort’s main entrance on S.R. 54 that would replace the current driving range — continues to be a non-starter for the residents.

It includes 75,000 sq. ft. of commercial/retail and office space, 35 townhomes and 465 apartments.

Residents argued that the Area 1 plan is not compatible with Saddlebrook’s overall nature-rich design, would ruin the natural beauty of the resort’s entrance, as well as create a traffic nightmare on the already overloaded S.R. 54.

“There’s got to be a better way,” said resident Keith Swope. “We’ve been praying for someone to come take over, and now that they have, we are left with a lot of questions.”

A 19.52-acre parcel further east on S.R. 54, labeled Area 2, will be included in Saddlebrook’s boundaries according to the Mast plan, but will have no connections into the resort property. It will include 120 townhomes and 25,000 sq. ft. of retail and commercial space.

Mast paid $15 million for Saddlebrook last year, and the developer said it had big plans to restore the resort and community to their former glory.

However, after a series of meetings with residents — Mast has been criticized for not meeting with all five homeowners associations in Saddlebrook at once — and multiple attempts to get its plans passed on to the state for approval, Mast has been unable to convince the county and planning commission members its plans are ready.

“I’d hate to see it fail because we don’t have a good plan,” said District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley. “I honestly believe (the residents) do want something, they just want (a better plan) than what they’ve been shown by Mast.”

saddlebrook resort & spa

We Are Family, Say Teachers & Principals Celebrating Benito’s 25th!

Lewis Brinson, the first principal at Benito Middle School.

Lewis Brinson had no idea where “New Tampa” was, but when he was handed the keys to Louis Benito Middle School 25 years ago, he couldn’t wait to find out. So, he decided to leave his West Tampa home and take a drive.

“I was driving and driving…and driving,” Brinson said, smiling. “When I got here, I said “Where’s the school?” All that was here was a trailer.”

Brinson, Benito’s first principal, shared the story in the school’s media center, at a celebration of Benito’s 25th anniversary, drawing plenty of head nods and laughter.

Every one of the school’s past principals attended — Barbara Hancock, Scott Fritz, Bobby Smith (who slipped in a “Benito Pride, Hard to Hide” slogan at the end of his speech) and John Sanders, who held the job the longest before retiring last year after 14 years at the school. Current principal Brent Williams, a host of teachers past and current, some Hillsborough County Schools administrators and three current School Board members joined in to mark the occasion in a small but upbeat ceremony.

(Above) Current Benito Middle School Principal Brent Williams (far left) with (l.-r.) bookkeeper Phyllis Thurman and teachers Michelle Nolan, Charmaine Jones and Barbara Lind, the staffers who have all been at the school all 25+ years it has been open, and assistant principal Kathleen LeClaire at the celebration of the school’s opening for the 1997-98 school year. (Photos by Charmaine George)

Included in the crowd and honored by Williams were Michelle Nolan, Charmaine Jones, Barbara Lind and bookkeeper Phyllis Thurman, all of whom have been at the school since Day One.

Nolan, a 6th grade math teacher, gave a heartfelt and tear-filled speech as she looked back at her 25 years.

“It’s been a joy to come to work,” Nolan said. “I’ve put my heart and soul into Benito. Tim (her husband) and I couldn’t have kids, so this became my baby.”

Jones, a 7th grade civics teacher, has worked in education for 40 years and Benito was her third job.

“I never felt the need to leave this place,” she said.

Lind, who followed Brinson from Eisenhower Middle School to Benito, said when she started, the principal gave her one piece of advice that may have saved her a few bucks: when you get to Cross Creek Blvd., set your cruise control for 30 mph or you will get a ticket (although, technically, the speed limit on Cross Creek Blvd. was, and still is, 45 mph).

Williams promised Thurman, the school’s forever bookkeeper, she wouldn’t have to give a speech, so he gave one for her, telling the crowd, “One thing I learned as an administrator is if you don’t have a good bookkeeper, you’re going to jail…well, I’m not going to jail.”

What’s In A Name?

All five of Benito Middle School’s principals since it opened were on hand for the celebration. (L.-r.) Lewis Brinson, Barbara Hancock, Scott Fritz, Bobby Smith and John Sanders.

Benito opened in August 1997 for the 1997-98 school year, as New Tampa was beginning to explode. Although many locals had petitioned to have the new school be named New Tampa Middle School, it ended up being named after well-known Tampa advertising executive Louis Benito, who played a big role in establishing the University of South Florida (USF).

Brinson’s first year was a tough one, with problems still familiar to New Tampa residents. There were major traffic issues, an abundance of construction trucks on the roads and an overflowing student population. In fact, making use of some of its 29 portables, Benito actually housed the 5th graders from the adjacent Hunter’s Green Elementary due to that school’s overcrowding issues.

Benito was a blend of teachers from all over the county, neighborhood kids and those who took buses in from the USF area.

“It was just a matter of putting everyone together, and making them feel welcome,” Brinson said. “We tried to build a culture where everybody felt appreciated and, once we did that, everything fell into place.”

As for traffic, it was predictably a mess.

According to a St. Petersburg Times story, one parent stood at the corner of Kinnan St. and Cross Creek Blvd. for 25 minutes one morning and counted 79 heavy construction vehicles — like dump trucks, concrete mixers and semitrailer trucks — as well as 26 school buses, along with all of the cars that were dropping kids off.

Because there were no crossing guards provided for secondary schools, Brinson took on the job himself. Eventually, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, as a temporary measure and until the construction in the area was completed, supplied a guard.

The wildlife in the area also turned out to be a big surprise to Brinson and his staff, which included then-assistant principal and future principal Scott Fritz.

“When I interviewed, Mr. Brinson went through a list of things (asking if I could handle) lockers, schedules, working with parents,” Fritz said. “What he didn’t tell me was that I was going to catch two alligators on campus. He didn’t tell me I’d have to catch a host of walking catfish. He didn’t tell me about all the snakes…but I will tell you what, it was absolutely the defining leadership experience I had working here at Benito.”

A slide show at the 25th anniversary celebration highlighted some of the school’s notable graduates, like 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Nupur Lala, all-Ivy League volleyball player and Yale graduate Kathryn Attar, former University of Pennsylvania running back and current Team USA bobsledder Kyle Wilcox, Canadian Football League quarterback Chase Litton (who also has spent time on NFL team practice squads) and Michael O’Rourke, the founder and CEO of Tampa blockchain services startup Pocket Network, now valued at $1.5 billion.

However, those who spoke at the Benito gathering were quick to credit the teachers and administrators for creating a family-type atmosphere and making the middle school one of the best in Hillsborough County. This year was the 21st straight year Benito received an “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education.

That’s a big part of the reason Williams calls Benito a “destination” for county educators.

“You can definitely feel the sense of school community and it’s evident in the way they carry themselves in their conversations,” he said of his teachers. “They love being here and they love the kids. You can definitely feel the family vibe.”

After the speeches, folks mingled and shared stories and hugs while eating cake. Laughter filled the room. Fritz said it was like a family, and that made the celebration feel more like a family reunion.

“I knew that this community wouldn’t let this school fail,” Brinson said. “It felt good knowing that, and being able to come back and see that it is (still) thriving makes you feel proud. Sometimes you go to a place and you don’t want people to know that you used to be there. That’s not the case here.”