Check Out The Geeky Ferret Hobby Store On 54 & Neverland Toys & Krane At The KRATEs 

The Geeky Ferret

The Geeky Ferret is a new hobby store located in the Freedom Plaza at 30044 S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel (next to the former location of Grey Wolf Armory in the plaza).

Geeky Ferret, which opened in Sept., offers Role-Playing Games (RPGs) such as Dungeons & Dragons, Collectible Card Games (CCGs) like Pokemon, Miniature games like Warhammer, Board games, Plastic Models (above), as well as paints and all the trimming to finish your models and miniatures. The store also has gaming tables for people to gather and play their games; one of them is configured for podcasting/streaming to the internet.

The store also sells geeky snacks and drinks for those long play sessions. With multiple 3D resin and filament printers in the store, the Geeky Ferret offers custom 3D-printed miniatures and other game-related products. Owner Nicole Webb says that the store will be expanding into the former Grey Wolf location (above, left) in its Phase Two, which will include radio-control products. For more information, stop in or call (813) 694-7997.

Neverland Toys & Krane Open AtThe KRATEs

While several of the restaurants have done pretty been well at the KRATE at The Grove, there’s no doubt it’s been tougher sledding for retailers at the container park.

One of the newest retail stores to open at the KRATEs is Neverland Toys, which has been open less than two months next to the Garden of Eden olive oil store. Although correctly billed as “Barbie Heaven” (photo right), it also is a great place for a large variety of Marvel and DC Comics action figures, Hot Wheels cars and trucks and games and toys for younger kids. Jannah and I found great gifts for all of our grandchildren, who range in age from toddlers through age 5.

For more information about Neverland Toys, search@never.land.toys on Instagram or “Neverland Toys”on Facebook.

Speaking of kids, if your kids love to try to grab toys and other prizes at those funky machines at fairs and arcades , the KRATEs now offer Krane, an unmanned arcade with about a dozen different machines, each with a different variety of toys and prizes, from Pikachu and other Pokemon to Hello Kitty items that the kids can pick up by operating a crane (or “The Claw” from the movie “Toy Story”). —GN

Excellence In Eye Care (Inside Costco) Can Save Your Eyesight Or Even Your Life!

(L.-r.) Optometric techs Alex Bush and Savannah Leder, Dr. David Scamard, Dr. Carson Woolwine and optometric techs Francesca Alata and Evangelina Rivero of Excellence in Eye Care, located inside the Costco next to the Tampa Premium Outlets combine outstanding customer service and the latest technology. (Photos by Charmaine George)

When you think of Costco, you think of saving money. When you think of Excellence in Eye Care inside the Costco store, you should also be thinking of saving — saving your eyesight that is!!

Located inside the Costco on S.R. 56, Dr. David Scamard, O.D., has been helping patients for more than 30 years. Since joining the Costco location in 2017, Dr. Scamard, a native Floridian, has continued his mission of providing high-quality eye care. He earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in Ft. Lauderdale in 1999. Initially drawn to the medical field, he says his time work- ing in an optometry office solidified his passion for optometry. “I knew this was my calling,” he shares, and his dedication has only grown over the years.

Dr. Scamard is joined by his associate, Carson Woolwine, O.D., who also graduated from Nova Southeastern College of Optometry and received his degree in 2016.

Together, these doctors handle everything from basic eye exams and treating conditions like pink eye to fitting patients for glasses and contact lenses. But, occasionally, their work goes beyond routine care.

A Life-Saving Testimonial

The Neighborhood News spoke with Rocio, one of Dr. Scamard’s patients. Three years ago, Rocio had recently moved to Wesley Chapel and needed a routine eye exam after not having one for two years. She booked an appointment with Dr. Scamard at Excellence in Eye Care. What seemed like a straightforward visit quickly became much more.

After completing Rocio’s exam, Dr. Scamard informed her that she needed to see a specialist immediately. He provided her with contact information and urged her to make an appointment as soon as possible. Rocio followed through, but the earliest appointment she could secure was a month away. The very next day, to Rocio’s surprise, she received a follow-up call from Dr. Scamard’s office, asking if she had made the appointment. She explained that she was scheduled for the following month. However, the office urged her to call back and request the first available slot.

“I did, and they got me in two weeks earlier,” Rocio recalls. She updated Dr. Scamard’s office, but then something unexpected happened. Dr. Scamard personally got on the phone. “He told me he had already made an appointment for me for the following day,” Rocio says. Surprised, she mentioned that she had to work, to which Dr. Scamard responded, “Give me your work number, and I’ll explain the situation to them.”

“I couldn’t believe an eye doctor would do that,” Rocio explains. She went to the appointment, where the specialist quickly sent her to the hospital. “I was diagnosed with meningitis. One of the nurses told me that if I hadn’t come in when I did, I would have died.”

Rocio credits Dr. Scamard’s insistence with saving her life. Reflecting on the experience, she remembers that her father had passed away when she was a teenager, and at the time of her illness, her daughter was the same age she had been.

“This could have been history repeating itself,” she says. “But thanks to Dr. Scamard, I’m here, enjoying my family, and they’re enjoying me.”

And, while Dr. Scamard may not have saved NeighborhoodNews editor Gary Nager’s life, he certainly helped save his eyesight. When Gary told Dr. Scamard that he was seeing spots before his eyes, Dr. Scamard ran a few tests and recognized that, in Gary’s case, those spots were a sign that Gary had a detached retina, so he immediately called retinal specialist and surgeon Dr. Alfred White at Retina Vitreous Associates in Wesley Chapel and got Dr. White to see Gary the same day. Dr. White performed retinal reattachment surgery on Gary’s left eye the next day.

“If left untreated, a detached retina can lead blindness in the affected eye,” Dr. Scamard says. “It needs to be taken care of quickly.”

Dr. Scamard also says that when Gary told the story in this publication of how Dr. Scamard diagnosed him — and then made sure Gary was seen as quickly as possible by Dr. White — a lot of people started coming in to Excellence in Eye Care to have the spots in their eyes checked.

“A number of things — even just not drinking enough water — can cause some people to see spots,” Dr. Dave says. “It’s not always a detached retina, but it is something you want to have checked as quickly as possible.”

About Costco Membership

Making an appointment at Excellence in Eye Care is simple. If you don’t have a Costco membership, just inform the greeter at the entrance that you have an eye appointment, and they’ll let you through. Dr. Scamard works directly with the Costco optical department, which can provide glasses or contact lenses based on your prescription.

In addition to Dr. Scamard and Dr. Woolwine, the office staff includes techs Evangelina, Savannah, Alex, and Francesca, all dedicated to providing a smooth and pleasant experience.

Embracing Technology
Dr. Scamard uses a lot of technology to diagnose eye problems and find the right prescription for you.

“Many of my patients come in for a quick exam,” says Dr. Scamard, “and when they’re told they need their eyes dilated, they often say they don’t have the time and will do it next time.”

Dilating the eyes allows optometrists to get a clearer view of the back of the eye, which is crucial for detecting conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In Rocio’s case, significant inflammation at the back of her eye was detected during this process.

Dr. Scamard notes that he has even seen cases of diabetic retinopathy in patients who didn’t know they had diabetes.

When patients arrive, the staff uses a refractor, a machine that helps determine the correct lens type needed. “The information from the refractor is sent to a phoropter, which pre-populates the prescription numbers,” Dr. Scamard explains. The phoropter is the device used when you’re asked, “One or two? Two or three?” during an eye exam, helping to fine-tune the lens prescription.

For patients who can’t spare the time for dilation, Excellence in Eye Care offers a modern solution: the Optos machine. Optos retinal photography captures a detailed image of the inside of the eye without the need for dilation. “It allows us to show patients exactly what we see,” Dr. Scamard says. “We charge a minimal fee for this test, and it’s worth it for many patients who are short on time.”

When it comes to children, Dr. Scamard encourages parents to pay attention to early signs of vision issues. However, he recommends that all children get an eye exam early, even if no problems are noticeable.

To support this, both Dr. Scamard and Dr. Woolwine participate in the InfantSEE program, a public health initiative started by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Managed by the American Optometric Association (AOA), the program offers no-cost comprehensive eye assessments for infants aged 6 to 12 months, regardless of a family’s income or insurance status. This ensures that vision care becomes a vital part of infant wellness.

A Clear Vision For The Future

At Excellence in Eye Care, Dr. Scamard and his team are committed to more than just helping patients see clearly — they’re dedicated to their patients’ overall well-being. Whether it’s using cutting-edge technology to streamline care or going the extra mile to ensure someone gets life-saving treatment, the level of care you receive here is exceptional.

Having compassionate, dedicated doctors like Dr. Scamard and Dr. Woolwine, conveniently located inside Costco, means you have access to high-quality, personalized care that truly makes a difference.

So, next time you’re at Costco for those un-beatable savings, remember that one of the greatest deals inside might just be on your health — because at Excellence in Eye Care, they’re not just saving your eyesight, they could be saving your life.

Excellence in Eye Care doesn’t accept insurance, but will provide an itemized receipt to submit for reimbursement with vision insurance companies. Costco Optical does accept insurance for glasses, contact lenses and other eyewear products.

Excellence In Eye Care is located inside Costco at 2225 Grand Cypress Dr. in Lutz.The office is open Mon.,Wed. & Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; 1 p.m.–7 p.m. onTues. &Thur.; & 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Sat. For more information call (813) 279-7038, or visit ExcellenceInEyeCare.net.

Check Out The Hyatt Place’s Thanksgiving Buffet! 

If you don’t feel like having to cook a big meal at home for Thanksgiving, why not check out the big Thanksgiving Buffet at the beautiful Hyatt Place Hotel Tampa/ Wesley Chapel (26000 Sierra Center Blvd., just west of I-75, Lutz), on Thursday, November 28 (obviously), with three seatings — one at 10:30 a.m., one at noon and the last at 1:30 p.m. 

The buffet menu will include most of your Turkey Day entrĂ©e favorites, including a not-so-traditional (but also extremely popular) fried turkey, as well as honey-glazed ham and tender, slow-roasted prime rib served with a savory au jus. Less traditional main course options include citrus-glazed salmon fillets and beef tips sautĂ©ed with portobello mushrooms in a rich, savory sauce. 

Starters include lobster & crab bisque and a butternut squash soup, Italian chopped salad, a “berry bliss” salad, as well as classic creamy potato salad and a “melody” of pasta salad. 

Side dishes include creamy garlic mashed potatoes, Southern macaroni & cheese, sweet candied yams, wild rice pilaf, sweet & savory glazed carrots and green beans sautĂ©ed in lemon butter. 

Save room for dessert, as there will be (of course) sweet potato pie, traditional apple pie and rich cream carrot cake. 

The meal also will include live music at all three seatings and bottomless mimosas (for ages 21 & older), although the Hyatt Place also will offer its full premium-liquor bar (Note-All bar drinks will incur an additional charge; soft drinks are included in the per-person price, however). 

The price for this sumptuous meal with no post-meal cleanup at your house? It’s just $75 per person, $30 for children under age 12 and children under age three eat for free. The prices do not include tax or gratuity and an 18% gratuity will be included for all parties of six or more. 

Reservations are definitely suggested, as the hotel believes that all three seatings are likely to sell out. To reserve your table, call (813) 803-5600. For more information, visit Hyatt.com/WesleyChapel. — GN 

Gotcha Covered — When It Comes To Windows, The Name Literally Says It All! 

Franchise owner Khaled Alhamzawi is a long-time New Tampa resident who brings his Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa showroom to your home. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

Local franchise owner says most people who call his Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa franchise say they’re looking for blinds for their homes. But, many are surprised to discover that blinds are actually not what they really wanted, as there’s actually a whole array of window coverings available from Gotcha Covered that have so much more to offer. 

“Before I became a Gotcha Covered franchise owner, I didn’t know how many options there were,” Khaled admits. “But the options are unlimited.” 

While custom blinds come in many varieties — from aluminum to vinyl to wood and much more — are cordless and can be motorized, people sometimes find what they really want are custom shades or even shutters, both of which also are available in a wide variety of options. 

“Usually people are looking at style, functionality and price,” Khaled says. “It’s always about finding what the customer is looking for.” 

Khaled launched his Gotcha Covered franchise six months ago. The company has been franchising since 2009 and currently has more than 170 locations in the United States and Canada, including 28 in Florida. 

Although his franchise is labeled “Central Tampa,” Khaled is able to serve clients anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including all of our readers in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. 

He has worked in leadership at a national corporation for more than a decade, but says he wanted to move in a new direction for his family’s future. 

“In the corporate world, we’re constantly being asked to do more with less,” he says, sharing one difficult time when his company let go of 2,500 employees. He says that also made his job feel less secure. 

“I wanted to change my career,” he says, “and choose something to build for myself.” 

For Khaled, who migrated to the U.S. from Syria 24 years ago, owning his own business feels like the fulfillment of the American dream. He and his wife have three boys — ages 16, 12, and 11 — and have lived in Tampa Palms for the last 12 years. 

Khaled says he enjoys remodeling and has done renovation projects on property that he owns, so when he learned about Gotcha Covered, it seemed like a good fit. 

Before launching his business, Khaled completed extensive training to ensure he was fully equipped to help all customers – residential and commercial – with all of their window covering needs. 

In addition to training from Gotcha Covered, the vendors he uses require that he completes courses to become certified to sell their products. 

For larger projects or those that require a special touch, Khaled says he will collaborate with interior designers. 

Gotcha Covered’s custom window treatments include blinds, shades, shutters, draperies and curtains. 

“Our window treatments are custom-made, so they’re not something you’re buying off the shelf from a retail store,” Khaled says. “They fit the style of your home and are made specifically for that window in that home.” 

Customer Rama Al Ghannam offered this 5-star review on Google: “I consulted with Gotcha Covered of Central Tampa for drapes in my formal living and dining spaces. I am very pleased with the results and the experience was seamless, beginning to end. Great customer service and high quality products! I will be using them again to install shades in my guest bedroom!” 

Today’s Big Trends 

Meanwhile, Khaled explains that automation is something that’s big in window treatments these days. Customers can control their shades using Alexa, Google Home, or even their smartphones. 

“Programming your window coverings is trendy in this day and age,” he says. “People are looking for ‘smart’ everything.” 

For example, he says, if you have a window where you get a lot of sun throughout the day and it gets too warm, you can put up a shade and program it to cover the window just for the times when the sun is beating down, having it automatically roll out of sight in the evening so you can enjoy the view. 

This helps keep the room cool and allows families to avoid overtaxing their air conditioning units and save on their electricity bills. 

An option Khaled says not many people know about is a dual shade with a roller that actually includes two shades – one to protect from the sun and one for design. You can have them both up or both down, or one up and one down, or vice versa. 

Gotcha Covered offers curtains and drapes, too. “Shades are trendy now” Khaled says, “but people often do side panels, rather than full draperies.” 

He says shutters are very common in Florida because they last many years and don’t go out of style. 

“They become part of the structure of the home and can last 10, 15 or even 20 years,” he says. 

Also popular are outdoor motorized screens for those patio areas that aren’t enclosed by a pool cage. Motorized screens go in tracks that allow families to enjoy their outdoor spaces while blocking some heat and intense light, while also limiting bugs, debris from trees and dirt. 

He says these screens are especially popular not just with families, but also at restaurants with outdoor seating areas. 

For anyone interested in learning more about products and options or what Gotcha Covered could customize for in your home or business, Khaled offers a complimentary in-home consultation. 

“We bring the showroom to you,” he says. “That is an advantage over visiting a store. You want to look at the fabric and colors in your home so you can see if they match your furniture or paint.” 

Once you’ve selected the perfect products to meet your needs and fit your budget, everything is measured, ordered and then installed, usually just two to three weeks later, by expert installers who ensure a perfect, custom fit and can help with any smart options. 

“I enjoy working with people, explaining the different options that are available, giving them design tips, and explaining how to choose the right product for them,” Khaled says. “I’ve found it to be a very rewarding experience making homes nicer and more beautiful.” 

Ricc Rollins, the owner of Riccardo’s Menswear, recently opened a new store in West Tampa. 

“Gotcha Covered came in and assessed what we needed,” says Ricc. “I was very pleased that Khaled worked within our budget and was not trying to upsell us.” 

Ricc explains that he had a list of wants and Gotcha Covered met all of them. 

“We needed our window coverings to be energy efficient, in a color that was fashionable but not take away from the aesthetic of the historic building we’re in, and cost effective [for someone] opening a new business,” says Ricc. “Khaled checked all the boxes. He lives up to his name. He made sure all my bases were covered.” 

Gotcha Covered offers a free in-home consultation. For more info call (813) 787-5550 or schedule an appointment online at GotchaCovered.com/Central-Tampa.

You’ll Love It When You Find Silva’s Coffee Grind On S.R. 54 (In Front Of One-Stop Landscape Supply)!

When Angela Silva called our office a week or before Hurricane Helene hit, the first thing that stood out to me was her New Yawk accent. That’s not always so important to me, but when that accent is telling you that her and her husband Hiram (photo below) had just opened a “new caw-fee and New Yawk bagel place called Silva’s Coffee Grind” (on S.R. 54, in a tricked-out trailer in front of One-Stop Landscape Supply at 34100 S.R. 54), I was suddenly even more interested in what she had to say.

The week after Helene decimated the Gulf coast, Jannah and I went to sample what the Silvas had to offer.

And, we both came away impressed. The coffee is delicious (they get their espresso for their cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos & espresso affogatos from Coffee Latitudes) and the bagels? Oy! Legit!

“We import them from New Yawk,’ Hiram says, “but I won’t tell you where from because I know you’re gonna write about it and I want us to be the only place that has them.”

I, of course, had my bacon, egg and Swiss cheese on a toasted everything, while Jannah opted to have her bacon, egg and cheddar on a toasted croissant. Both yum.

By the time of our next visit, a few days before Hurricane Milton hit, Angela was making sure they could get an ad in this issue of the paper and I prom- ised I would tell 105,000 or so of my closest friends in Wesley Chapel a little bit about them.

We opted for a lunch sandwich this time — a delicious turkey BLT on a toasted plain bagel, with lettuce, tomato and Angela’s zesty homemade pesto cream sauce. “I like it on everything,” Hiram says. And, who could argue with him?

Hiram, who does the on-site cooking, is all about giving the people outstanding breakfast and lunch items at a fair price and he is planning to expand the menu offerings in response to people’s requests. As seen in the ad below, Silva’s Coffee Grind also features iced coffee, cold brew, iced lattes and frappes, hot and cold teas, including green tea matcha, flavored iced teas and lemonades, bursting boba tea drinks and even smoothies and sorbets — all from that one little trailer? Ya gotta try it, yo!

Silva’s Coffee Grind is open Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. & 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sat. For more info, search “Silvas Coffee Grind” on Facebook or @Silvas.Coffee.Grind” on Instagram. — GN