Nibbles & Bites: Johnny C’s Italian Kitchen To Open By May 1!

Will offer takeout, delivery and banquet catering, in addition to dine-in seating and will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 278-8020. — Gary Nager; photos by Charmaine George

Former Saddlebrook Resort owner Thomas Dempsey, general manager Pat Ciaccio (photo, top right) and Erik and Seth Ravenna (all of whom were at Saddlebrook together before it was sold last year) have again joined forces to bring casual, contemporary Italian dining to the New Tampa area.

Johnny C’s Italian Eatery (located at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., in the space previously occupied by Precinct Pizza; photo, top left), which is expected to open by Monday, May 1, will proudly serve New York-style pizza and authentic Italian pasta dishes and other specialties.

Featuring both indoor and covered outdoor seating, Johnny C’s, which was named for Ciaccio’s father, “Who spent his entire life (working) in restaurants,” 

New Tampa Dining Updates On Zio’s, Kobe & The New Mpanitas 

Here are some updates on some restaurants we told you a couple of issues ago were getting ready to open in New Tampa. Unfortunately, none of them are open yet, but all three should open sooner than later.

We did mention before that Macaw Latin Provision on Cross Creek Blvd. (in the same plaza as Saffron) was now not going to open at all. However, what we didn’t know at that time was that the second Tampa location (the other is on Palm River Rd.) of Mpanitas was getting ready to open in its place. Owners Genesis and Julio say the Venezuelan eatery will specialize in homemade mini-empanadas, plus mandocas (fried dough rings), tequenos (cheese sticks) and other Venezuelan specialties.

For more info, visit Mpanitas on Facebook or Instagram.

Also still not open yet is Zio’s New York Bagel & Deli Co., but owner Jeff Cofini says his NY-style bagel place and deli should be open for breakfast and lunch every day very soon — hopefully only a week or two after this issue reaches you. Email Jeff at ZiosNYBagels@gmail.com if you want to work for Zio’s. 

And finally, the new location of KobĂ© Japanese Steakhouse (photo) still isn’t open, but at least the sign has finally gone up on the building. The last update we had a couple of weeks ago was that it would be at least 3-6 more months before Kobe would reopen, but we’ll keep you posted. — GN

‘Fast & Furious’ Actor Sung Kang Visits Zukku-San!

Sung Kang, who appeared in “Fast & Furious” films (beginning with “Tokyo Drift”), was in Tampa for the 16th annual Gasparilla Film Festival to promote his directorial film debut, “Shaky Shivers.” While in town, he visited the Wesley Chapel Zukku-San. Here (l.-r.) he poses with Zukku-San’s Kathy Nguyen & co-owner Ferdian Jap.—GN

Judge Postpones His Decision On Place Vs. Green Lawsuit 

Although a few had already left by the time this picture was taken, the Save Pebble Creek group, led by Leslie Green (in peach), had more than 50 Pebble Creek residents make the trip to downtown Tampa for a hearing in front of a judge regarding the lawsuit filed by Pebble Creek Golf Club owner Bill Place and his ACE Golf against Green. (Photo provided by Leslie Green)

Although no decision was reached and there was no word as to when Judge Christopher C. Nash of Hillsborough County’s 13th Judicial Circuit Court would render a decision, the ongoing legal battle between defendant Leslie Green of the Save Pebble Creek group and Pebble Creek Golf Club owners Bill Place and his ACE Golf has had its first day in court.

As we reported last issue, Place’s suit says that Green has defamed him and interfered with his ability to sell the shuttered golf course to developer GL Homes, which has filed plans with Hillsborough County to build 251 homes on 149-acre site. Green, who filed a countersuit in May 2022, is now seeking to have Place’s original suit dismissed under Florida’s Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) statute.

After hearing more than two hours of testimony on both sides of the issue on March 8, Judge Nash said he needed “more time” to consider both sides of the argument, although no timeline was given for the judge to render a decision in the case.

Despite Place’s claims in his lawsuit that Green has engaged in “a campaign of harassment and dissemination of blatant falsehoods,” she said after the hearing, “Everything I’ve said is the truth. It (Place’s lawsuit) is meant to silence me and everyone else who fears being sued as well.”

At our press time, Judge Nash had still not rendered his decision, but Green explained that if he rules in Place’s favor and dismisses Green’s claims that the suit violates the anti-SLAPP statute in Florida, a trial to determine whether or not Green did defame and interfere with Place’s right to sell or develop his property would still have to follow.

However, if the Judge rules in favor of Green and dismisses Place’s lawsuit, the Save Pebble Creek group could continue its efforts to prevent the former golf course from being redeveloped.

“We believe that adding more houses to Pebble Creek will adversely affect our quality of life,” Green said.

And, despite Place’s claims that those who support Green, a 30-year Pebble Creek resident, and her cause are nothing but a “vocal minority” of Pebble Creek residents, she said, “We literally have had hundreds of our neighbors who have signed our petitions and tell us that they support our efforts, which are continuing. We continue to host peaceful demonstrations and have a lot of people waving signs that we want to save our community.”

She added that Place’s ongoing efforts to stop the Save Pebble Creek group has definitely made it harder for the group to recruit additional people, “But, we’re not giving up. It’s been an expensive fight for me, but I know we’re in the right.”

The group’s website SavePebbleCreek.com and its Facebook page post updates on its upcoming events and also relates stories of other golf course communities that have successfully fought redevelopment, including Walden Lake Golf Club in Plant City and Bardmoor Golf & Tennis Club in Seminole.

Viera, City Officials Talk K-Bar Ranch At Town Hall Meeting 

It didn’t draw a big crowd, but the most recent Town Hall meeting at K-Bar Ranch hosted by Dist. 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (2nd from left in top picture) provided a lot of information from Tampa Police Dist. 2 Major Brett Owen (standing), traffic safety coordinator William Porth from Tampa’s Transportation Mobility Dept. (red shirt) and Tampa Fire Rescue District Chief Bob Brown. (Photos by Charmaine George)

District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera says that he feels it’s necessary to host Town Hall meetings in K-Bar Ranch — New Tampa’s only major community that is still growing — at least twice each year.

“There’s so much growth happening in K-Bar, and the residents have so many critical needs when it comes to mobility, fire and public safety issues,” Viera told about a dozen K-Bar Ranch residents at his most recent Town Hall on Mar. 13. For that reason, he added that, “It’s important to bring as many city officials as possible — as often as possible — to K-Bar.

To that end, Viera brought with him Tampa Police Department (TPD) Dist. 2 Major Brett Owen, Tampa Fire rescue (TFR) District Chief Bob Brown and traffic safety coordinator William Porth from the city’s Transportation Mobility Dept.

Each of the speakers made a brief presentation and took questions from the residents in attendance at the meeting.   

Here are some of the highlights of that Mar. 13 Town Hall event:

‱ Porth was the first speaker, as Viera said, “There’s always a new stop sign that needs to be added here,” and other transportation issues to deal with as K-Bar continues to grow. Porth mentioned that since the last time he visited New Tampa, “I have been named the construction project coordinator for the city’s ‘Vision Zero’ campaign,” which is working to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in the city to zero. It’s a lofty goal, but we’re going to continue to work on that.”

Porth also said that three new stop signs have been installed along K-Bar Ranch Pkwy., “which pretty soon, will connect through to Morris Bridge Rd.” He noted, however, that as the community gets closer to its build-out, “we may have to remove those stop signs.” Porth also said that the city is looking at increasing the speed limit on K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. from 30 to 35 miles per hour (mph), “because we agree that the speed limit is a little low, although if we raise it to 35, people will go at least 40 mph.” He also said the city is considering reducing the speed limit north of Pride Elementary to 15 mph. 

In addition, Viera said he plans to meet soon with new Dist. 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman (who replaced Mike Moore) regarding not only the Tampa-Hillsborough-Pasco connection at Kinnan St.-Mansfield Blvd., but also at two other planned road connections.

Also discussed was the possibility of adding a stop sign or, preferably (according to Porth) a traffic signal where Live Oak Preserve residents access Kinnan St.

‱ Viera also mentioned that of the 24 TFR stations in the city, four of the six stations located in New Tampa’s 33647 zip code, “have the city’s slowest response times.” TFR’s Brown mentioned that $1 million of the city’s public safety funding has been spent in New Tampa, including what is known as a “heavy rescue unit” at Station No. 21 on Cross Creek Blvd., “so we don’t have to wait for the unit downtown to be able to cut people out of their vehicles.” Stations 23 (in the Grand Hampton area) and 21 also have had their Basic Life Support ambulances replaced with upgraded Advanced Life Support units. 

‱ Meanwhile, TPD’s Owen said that although there is “almost no crime out here” in New Tampa, “most of the calls we get are either about people speeding or kids going through people’s yards.” He also noted that there has been “about a minute increase in response times here, which may not seem like a lot, but it is a concern for us that we’re working to correct.” 

‱ Viera also talked about the opening of one of his pet projects — the New Tampa All-Abilities Park in Tampa Palms — as well as the fact that there is land that is owned by the city in K-Bar that could become a new park, but it would be operated by the county. “But, I do believe New Tampa needs more city-run parks out here,” he said. 

He also mentioned that the repaving of Tampa Palms Blvd. has begun and that New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows will be next. And finally, Viera noted how important it is for all New Tampa residents to cast a ballot in the upcoming Municipal Runoff Election on April 25, where three citywide City Council seats will be filled.

Palms Pharmacy — New Tampa’s Neighborhood Pharmacy

Dr. Shahida Choudhry (front) and her friendly, professional staff at Palms Pharmacy in Tampa Palms can match or beat chain pharmacy prices and provide on-site compounding and old-time customer service. (Photos by Charmaine George)

James Kist says he truly enjoys walking into the Palms Pharmacy in The Shoppes at The Pointe plaza in Tampa Palms, just south of the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. exit off I-75.

So much so, that when he was recently asked if he wanted a 30-day supply of his prescription or a 90-day supply, he says he would take the 30-day supply so he could come back more often.

“It’s such a pleasure walking in the door and being called by your first name,” Kist says.

That’s exactly what owner and Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Shahida Choudhry envisioned when she opened Palms Pharmacy nearly seven years ago.

Dr. Choudhry was determined to create a place that felt different from a typical chain pharmacy, a place where she knew her customers by name and gave them specialized, concierge service — like what they would have expected from a neighborhood pharmacy decades ago.

Kist says he knows those neighborhood pharmacies better than most.

“My father had a retail drug store for 50 years, so I’m used to personalized service,” says Kist, a local CPA who has served New Tampa for the past three decades. “At Palms Pharmacy, they are professional and truly care about you.”

He remembers a time he asked a question, got an answer and left, thinking the conversation was over. An hour later, his phone rang and the pharmacist was providing additional details she had researched after he left.

As a CPA, Kist says he has wondered, “How do they make any money? I’m surprised at how low the prices are.”

He says the service is so excellent, he would gladly pay more for his prescriptions and other products, but that’s not necessary at Palms Pharmacy.

Dr. Choudhry says that’s the kind of service her customers have come to expect. If they have a problem, she and her staff will work to find ways to solve it.

For example, in the wake of post-Covid production and other supply issues (and other factors), some medications have become very hard to come by.

She says for some patients, she often can help them find medications that aren’t available at other pharmacies. For other patients who absolutely cannot get a medication they need that isn’t available anywhere on the market, she tries to find innovative solutions.

“We have really grown our section of supplements for kids and adults who suffer from ADHD,” she says, referring to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Adderall, a popular ADHD medication is completely unavailable nationwide right now. “If you can’t get your meds and want to try an alternative, or you’re just curious about what products are out there, come on in.”

She recommends that patients talk with their physicians, as well, but says they can get a lot of information to discuss with their doctors by coming in to Palms Pharmacy and learning about what’s on their shelves “We’re trying to be innovative,” she says.

National Recognition

Dr. Choudhry and her “Most Influential People in Pharmacy” award.

On a national scale, Dr. Choudhry has been recognized for her innovative ways. She recently won an award for being one of the “Most Influential People in Pharmacy” by the Pharmacy Podcast Network. She came in at number five, ahead of national CEOs and others says she was impressed just to be ranked among them. 

Since the award is voted on by her peers in the business, it was especially meaningful to her.

She says that it’s not so much that she appreciates the accolades, but because she’s truly trying to offer her customers something better than what they get at the big retailers.

For example, Palms Pharmacy offers on-site compounding to make your medications to custom specifications, such as low-dose Naltrexone (to manage alcohol or opioid use disorder and hormone replacement therapy. 

The store also now specializes in diabetic and endocrinology supplies, including being a preferred pharmacy for the continuous glucose monitoring system, DexCom.

And, Palms Pharmacy still offers curbside pickup for anyone who would prefer to stay in their car, rather than walking into the pharmacy.

The staff has grown to 12 people and now supports a second location, called One Source Pharmacy, in Westchase. This location has a partnership with One Source Medical Group, which helps diabetic patients get needed supplies that may not be covered under a pharmacy insurance group to get those supplies through their medical insurance.

Dr. Choudhry opened Palms Pharmacy in 2016, after 10 years as the pharmacist at the Publix in Tampa Palms. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy, then went on to receive her Pharm.D. degree in 2001, both from Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY.

“We enjoy what we do and really appreciate our customers,” Dr. Choudhry says. “We know you can go anywhere, so if you’re willing to park your car and come through our doors, we’re going to try to do a little bit extra to make you feel welcome.”

Covid Deadline: May 11

Dr. Choudhry says at-home Covid tests will no longer be covered by insurance after May 11.

“Make sure you have Covid tests at home,” she says. “Covid is not going away. It’s more controllable now because when people get it, they stay home, but you will still want to be able to test for it.”

Come in to Palms Pharmacy before May 11 and the staff will help you get four or eight take-home Covid tests at no cost to you, if it’s covered by your insurance. If you’re not sure if it’s covered, feel free to call or text (phone numbers below) or come in so the staff can help you.

Palms Pharmacy also stocks the anti-viral treatment Paxlovid and the anti-inflammatory Medrol often prescribed by doctors with it for their Covid-positive patients.

The front of Palms Pharmacy features niche products that make fantastic gifts, including locally-sourced soaps, candles and honey, plus fun candy and snacks. A popular product called “Warmies” are soft animals stuffed with lavender. They can be heated in the microwave for 30 seconds and may help your child sleep or can be used as a heating pad. These are just a few items that may make a nice surprise in an Easter basket, for a loved one’s birthday, on Mother’s Day, as a hostess gift, and for countless other occasions.

Palms Pharmacy is located at 17008 Palm Pointe Dr., Tampa, and is open Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Call (813) 252-9063, text Palm Pharmacy’s secure text-only line at (727) 513-3210. For more info, visit ThePalmsPharmacy.com. Follow Palms Pharmacy on Instagram and/or Facebook.

Whether you want bath bombs (right) for Mother’s Day or Easter candy, Palms Pharmacy has you covered!

Oriental Rug Care Can Clean & Repair Your Rug!

Owner Raymond Hosmi says Oriental Rug Care is gentle with your favorite rug and can bring back the rug’s brightness after years of foot traffic. (All photos provided by Oriental Rug Care)

Raymond Homsi has one goal in mind when a customer is in need of his services — and that is to get the customer’s Oriental rug looking as nice as it did the day it was purchased.

That means cleaning it and/or repairing it, but either way, Homsi says he and his team at Oriental Rug Care, which is located on Johns Rd. in the Town & Country area of Tampa, is your best choice to get the job done right.

Homsi has been in the rug business for more than a decade, even previously owning his own Oriental rug shop, and has always specialized in restoring the beautiful colors while protecting the intricate designs of Oriental rugs. 

The intricate touches your Oriental rug originally had can be repaired and restored by Raymond Homsi and his Oriental Rug Care’s expert technicians.

He says that cleaning the rugs is the most popular request by his customers. Oriental rugs are often handmade and also are often very expensive/valuable. The rugs can be family heirlooms, or even investments, depending upon the quality. So, a yearly cleaning can be pretty important, although Homsi says a deep cleaning from Oriental Rug Care can last 2-4 years.

“Each rug is treated differently, depending upon the contents of the rug (which are sometimes made of delicate materials, like silk), and depending on the colors,” Homsi says. “If it’s handmade, it’s a different process we use, but there are all sorts of different processes and different products. It all depends upon the rug.”

The care taken by Oriental Rug Care helps preserve many of the qualities of the rug, and is especially useful for people who have pets that may pee or chew on the rug.

“An amazing rug cleaning company,” says one of the 5-Star reviews on Google.com. “Staff came to my house and gave me a quote for cleaning my four oriental rugs. Price was right and the turnaround was quick. I love the way my rugs came out and I highly recommend this company for any of your rug cleanings.”

While you can certainly try to clean your own rug, there is a danger of disrupting the distinctive patterns and even dulling some of the deep, rich colors associated with Oriental rugs — and some fabrics are more easily damaged than others.

“Regular carpeting is just something that is synthetic and very basic and when they get cleaned out, it’s with heavy pressure washing machines or a truck mount or whatever,” Homsi says. “This is not what we do. We don’t apply heavy water, we don’t apply pressure water. Because that kind of leaves a little bit of, you know, smell and mold. We use a lot of scrubbing from the foam that we create from our natural products.”

While there may not be a school someone goes to in order to learn the art of the cleaning, Homsi says these skills are generally learned through many years of practice and experience.

“Years and years,” Homsi says. “Our guys are very experienced. You learn as you go. And you know, you’re working with so many different types of rugs that you just accumulate that knowledge.”

If you have both a pet and a valuable 
Oriental rug at home, you probably will need to call oriental Rug Care.

Oriental Rug Care also will attack pet odors and stain removal, provide sanitizing and deodorizing and also help with unwanted colors that may be the result of heavy traffic.

And not only that, Oriental Rug Care will come out to your home and give you a free estimate. If you decide to use their service, they will pick the rug up and return it to you when your service has been completed.

Homsi says the time between pick-up and drop off can be weeks for some companies, but Oriental Rug Care says they usually can have your rug back in 7-10 days.

“I think that’s where we stand out in the crowd,” Homsi says. “Even though we’re a small company, the main thing I hear from my clients is that our turnaround is very, very good and very fast
We’re very organized. We work on the rugs as soon as we get them.”

Cleaning rugs is just one part of the Oriental Rug Care business. Homsi says he has master rug weavers on staff who can repair even the most delicate Oriental rugs.

That includes repairing or replacing rug fringes, altering the rug size, restoring faded colors, fixing holes or rips or even rebinding the sides to give your rug a few added years of life.

“My rug was too long for the hallway and I called Ray — he is full of energy and knowledge,” wrote one of Oriental Rug Care’s customers. “He returned my call, showed up on time, gave me a fair quote to trim the rug’s length, remove the antiquated frills, clean it thoroughly and attach leather bonding to the underbelly. (He) kept me updated often, texting pics, and even delivered the rugs himself!”

Oriental Rug Care is located at 6101 Johns Rd., Ste 9, in Tampa. It is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. If you mention this story, you can receive 25% off any service. For more information, call (727) 377-9577, or visit OrientalRugCareCleaning.com.