Celebrity chef Fabiano Viviani is bringing Chuck Lager America’s Tavern to the Shops at Wiregrass next spring. (CBS Philadelphia)
Chuck Lager America’s Tavern is coming to the Shops at Wiregrass, according to the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
By mid-April, the new restaurant inspired by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani could be open in the 7,500-sq.-ft. space previously occupied by Primebar.
According to TBBJ, the operating partners are Anthony Sandstorm and Brian Henry, formerly regional managers with Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza.
The Wesley Chapel location will be only the second for Chuck Lager America’s Tavern, which also has a Pike Creek, DE location.
The made-from-scratch menu, designed and perfected by Viviani, is loaded with American classics with a twist from the Florence, Italy-born chef.
A restaurateur, cookbook author and former Top Chef star three different seasons — including one where he was voted the “Fan Favorite,” Viviani helped craft a menu that includes items like crunchy smoked mozzarella with tomato jam, asiago gnocchi, chicken marsala, roasted salmon risotto and a variety of pizzas, burgers and salads.
The brunch menu includes tasty-sounding treats like bananas foster french toast, carnitas omelets and lemon ricotta pancakes.
Viviani is involved in several restaurant projects in the Tampa Bay area, including Mision Lago Ranch in nearby Thonotosassa.
While Pure Nail Bar Spa opened about five years ago next to Burger 21 in the Trout Creek Commons plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., it’s only been since July of last year that it has been owned by Kevin and Nicole Nguyen.
Kevin and Nicole are New Tampa residents who have been in the nail spa industry for 15 years.
Since the couple took over, their focus has been on providing outstanding service and all-natural products for their customers.
“We removed all harmful chemical substances and use NuSkin products instead for all of our pedicures,” says Kevin. “It’s healthier for you and for our employees, too.”
Kevin explains that Pure Nail Bar offers services that are priced similar to other nail salons, but even the classic pedicure, which is just $25, uses natural products.
A wide range of pedicures includes the classic natural pedicure, natural pedicure foot treatment, signature natural pedicure or luxury natural pedicure, offering treatments such as an herbal mineral bath with essential oils, exfoliating with Liquid Body Lufra, hot stone massage, Sole Solution foot treatment and Baobab Body Butter for all-day moisturizing and enhancing the resiliency of the skin over time.
All types of manicures are available, too. While acrylic nails are still an option, Kevin and Nicole suggest customers try dipping powder instead, which feels and looks lighter than acrylic, but is actually stronger.
Any Design, Any Color
From the trendiest shapes to the most intricate designs, the specialists at Pure Nail Bar Spa can copy any design you can dream up or find on Pinterest.
“Bring in your design and we’ll match it,” Nicole says.
Cristina Chanquin is a Pebble Creek resident who says she doesn’t trust many people with her nails. While she prefers Nicole as her nail tech, she says she’s seen others who work at Pure Nail Bar, and likes what she’s seen with them, too.
“Nicole can do any shape, any design,” says Cristina. “I always get a coffin shape and she doesn’t do them too thick. She is always on trend and knows what’s going on.”
Cristina says strangers often tell her that her nails are “amazing” and ask where she has them done. She happily refers them to Pure Nail Bar Spa.
It’s not just Nicole’s skill that keeps Cristina coming back. It’s also the great customer service.
“They’re so accommodating,” she says, explaining that Pure Nail’s technicians always offer water, soda, or a glass of wine to their clients. If Cristina is running late, they will still see her and won’t make her feel rushed, and there are other personal touches, too. “If someone is unhappy with something, they’ll redo it, and they won’t charge you,” she says.
Nicole explains that this is Pure Nail Bar Spa’s guarantee. On pedicures and gel and dip manicures, “if anything chips, come in and we’ll fix it for free,” she says.
To see many examples of the specialty nails designed by Nicole and other nail specialists at Pure Nail Bar Spa, visit the spa’s Facebook page by searching “Pure Nail Bar New Tampa” on Facebook.
Other Available Services & Holiday Raffle
In addition to nails, Pure Nail Bar Spa offers a full menu of waxing and facials. The spa’s nail techs recommend and use the AgeLOC brand LumiSpa device from NuSkin, a handheld personal skin care device with gentle, nonabrasive silicone surfaces that helps to help lift skin and reduce sagging. In 2018, it was an award winner in the global Pure Beauty awards.
The LumiSpa machine and products used for facials, pedicures and manicures are available for sale at Pure Nail Bar Spa.
“The clients use it here and love it so much that they want to bring it home,” says Nicole.
And, the good news is that Pure Nail Bar Spa is currently offering a holiday raffle, now through Tuesday, December 24. You’ll receive a ticket into the raffle by purchasing any service (limit one raffle ticket per visit).
The first prize in the raffle is the aforementioned NuSkin LumiSpa personal skin care device (a $200 value!). Second prize is a $50 gift card to Pure Nail Bar Spa and third prize is a tub of NuSkin Epoch Baobab Body Butter (a $35 value).
The salon currently has 11 employees, and Kevin and Nicole say they are hiring. All Pure Nail employees must have a full specialist cosmetology license.
“It’s easy to work here,” says Kevin, “There’s no pressure to sell, you just have to make customers happy. Customer service is the most important thing here.”
Sandra is a full nail specialist who has worked at Pure Nail Bar Spa for about a year and a half.
“It’s such a positive environment,” she says, “We’re really focused on better service and better products.”
Pure Nail Bar also offers a menu of services for when parents come in with their children, such as for a mother/daughter day. These include manicures, pedicures and polish changes.
A private room is available and Pure Nail Bar Spa can accommodate all kinds of parties, such as birthday, bridal, bachelorette and even Christmas parties.
Kevin and Nicole hope to treat every customer who walks through their doors to healthy and natural products with excellent customer service, so they will be as happy with their experience as Cristina has been.
“I require something special,” says Cristina. “I like a special color, so they make sure it’s in stock. It’s very personal.”
Pure Nail Bar & Spa is located at 20304 Trout Creek Dr., Ste. 104. It is open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday.
To make an appointment or for more information, call (813) 991-0099, or search “Pure Nail Bar of New Tampa” on Facebook. Also, be sure to mention this article or bring in their ad in the latest issue for a 10% discount for first-time clients.
The much-anticipated Sprouts Farmers Market has gone vertical, as the The Village at Hunter’s Lake center begins to take shape on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., directly across BBD from the main entrance to Hunter’s Green.
The completion of Sprouts will likely signal the end of the retail segment of the project, which includes still-to-come apartments and the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, which is still in the design phase.
Of the 19 retail spaces at The Village at Hunter’s Lake, 18 have already been leased. The remaining spot, a 3,530-sq.-ft. space in between the Fresh Kitchen and Via Italia Woodfired Pizza & Bar (see list), is likely to be a breakfast-oriented restaurant, according to Regency Centers senior leasing agent Mark Elias. A lease could be signed by the end of the year.
“We are working on the last place now,” Elias says. “Once that’s complete, we will be at 100 percent.”
Sprouts, the first green grocer to enter the New Tampa market, is the anchor of the retail strip and is expected to open around April of 2020.
While some of the other retailers and restaurants may open earlier – according to its website, Via Italia Woodfired Pizza & Bar is hoping for a January opening, for example – the majority of the smaller businesses may wait for the completion of Sprouts, since it is expected to attract a lot of foot traffic.
“We haven’t hit any major delays,” Elias says. “It looks like good weather for the immediate future, so we’ll be delivering to the smaller retailers soon.”
The official numbers hadn’t been tallied at our press time, but according to event co-chair Chris Stennett, there is no mistaking that, once again, the Rotary Club of New Tampa Noon’s second annual New Tampa Brew Fest was a hit.
Hundreds of revelers strolled from table to table in the Venetian Center at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church on Cross Creek Blvd., sampling nearly 100 offerings from more than 30 breweries, both big and small, sometimes to wash down the food being served by three outstanding food trucks outside.
The breweries represented included everything from large companies like Cigar City, Florida Avenue, Coppertail and Goose Island to smaller craftsmen who brew out of their garages, like Krazy Eddie’s Garage (KEG) Brewing, Ignorant Ales and Wiregrass Brewing Co.
“We were really, really happy with the event,” said Stennett afterward. “I feel good about what we did, and we are thankful for the community for coming out to support us.”
The event is the primary fundraiser for the New Tampa Noon Rotary (which meets Wednesdays at noon at Bayscape Bistro inside Heritage Isles Golf Club) and helped the club contribute thousands of dollars to causes like the Fisher House at the James Haley VA Hospital last year.
Few came further for this year’s event than Wisconsin’s Dennis Zweber (above, left), who took his brother Greg (right), who lives in Lutz, up on an offer to fly down for the Brew Fest and enjoy some better weather.
Dennis, who lives in Soldier’s Grove, WI, just east of Madison, found a plane ticket for $67 out of Minneapolis — about four hours away — and said that going to beer festivals was one of his family’s favorite pastimes.
“I figured, ‘What the heck,’” said Dennis. “We always have a great time when we go to these things.”
Dennis said he was impressed by the New Tampa Brew Fest, considering it was only the second year the event has been held.
“I was really impressed with the quality of the beers,” he said. “They had a lot of breweries, a lot of variety. I drank a lot of really good beer.”
Dennis, who tends to enjoy darker beers, said his favorite was the organic Peppermint Porter served by Randy Gailit, who brews his Wiregrass Brewing Co. (page 40) out of his garage in the Meadow Pointe community. “That was a really beautiful beer,” Dennis said.
Wiregrass Brewing Co. wasn’t the only local to draw rave reviews. Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA), which is opening a place in The Grove in Wesley Chapel in January, drew a lot of attention for its offerings, particularly the Orange Suede, a passion fruit, orange peel, pineapple and marshmallow sour.
For DBAA co-owner Ryan Clarke, his first New Tampa Brew Fest was a success. He said the Orange Suede was so popular he had to crack open a second keg of it.“I thought it was a great event, and a great chance to introduce ourselves to the beer-loving community,” Clarke said.
Considering how many places there are to get your nails done in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, it can be difficult to tell which one is best for you.
However, considering the old adage of “location, location, location,” one elegant local nail spa has got you covered when it comes to location.
“We’re here in the middle of everything happening on (S.R.) 56,” says John Nguyen, who is the co-owner (with his wife Vanessa) of Noire Nail Bar. “We’re surrounded by popular restaurants and places to shop.”
So, whether you venture out to 56 to shop at the Tampa Premium Outlets or have dinner at Bahama Breeze or Ford’s Garage, Noire Nail Bar is right there and has everything you need to pamper yourself.
All customers receiving services at Noire Nail Bar are offered a glass of wine, soft drinks or water, and the nail salon is immaculate, with a peaceful atmosphere and professional technicians whose job it is to make you happy.
“We have a great selection of colors, and top gel and dipping powder brands like OPI, SNS, DND and Chisel,” John says. “And, we offer many different services, from basic manicures and pedicures to our Signature Spa Pedicure and our Special Care Spa.”
John says that the Signature Spa Pedicure is the “ultimate treat for your feet,” with a therapeutic lavender rub that exfoliates dry skin while citrus sugar relieves and moisturizes your tired feet. That is followed by an extensive moisturizing lotion massage and a hot towel wrap.
Noire’s Special Care Spa is designed to cater to clients with special needs, such as the elderly and those with diabetes who may have cracked heels, thick calluses, thick or ingrown toenails — anything that requires extra time, attention or precautions.
Other Services, Too!
There also are additional services offered, such as hot stone and hot candle wax massages, special prices on manicure and pedicure combos, nail enhancements, full sets, eyelash extensions, waxing services for your face and body and private rooms for your next party — and full nail services for birthday parties, bridal showers and other events are a specialty at Noire Nail Bar. There’s even Prince and Princess manicures and pedicures available for kids ages 12 and under.
Jannah’s daughter Lauren absolutely loved not only her manicure and pedicure, but also spending quality time with her mom before her upcoming big day.
“It’s a really nice nail spa,” Lauren said. “And, the technicians were super sweet and did a great job, too.”
And, just in time for the holiday season, if you buy $100 or more in gift cards, you’ll save 10%.
“We also give you a coupon for 10-percent off on your birthday,” John says. You will need to prove it’s your birthday, of course.
And, speaking of getting 10-percent off, you can save 10% off all services at Noire Nail Bar every Monday through Wednesday, with the coupon from the ad on page 7 of this issue.
Noire Nail Bar is located at 25682 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, and is open Monday-Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. To make an appointment or for more information call (813) 536-0161.
And, please remember to tell John, Vanessa and their friendly staff that the Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News sent you!
