The nearest Bealls/Home Centric stores are located in New Port Richey and Brandon. The combination stores are typically 30,000 square feet, with 10,000 square feet devoted to Home Centric. The former Toys “R” space is 35,000 square feet.
The new Bealls Outlet/Home Centric is one of many new businesses opening at the Grove, which was purchased by developer Mark Gold and his Mishorim Gold Properties (MGold) in September 2019 for $64 million, with an additional $110 million being spent on improvements.
In 2021, the property is expecting a banner year for new business openings at the development. While the Grove Theater, Bistro, and Entertainment Complex opened earlier this year, a Hawaiian-themed miniature golf course and the highly-anticipated KRATE container park — 94 converted shipping containers housing 54 restaurants and retail businesses — will launch, along with a number of other businesses located in the project’s town center area.
A national coffee shop and national grocer are also expected.
For more than 30 years, Edwin Rodriguez has made the long commute to work in Clearwater every day from his home in Wesley Chapel.
But, for the past six years, he has been breaking up his Tuesday drive home with a stop at the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa.
There, he dons scuba gear and spends several hours cleaning the tanks. Rodriguez has racked up more than 640 hours of volunteering in that role, and others, at the aquarium.
For example, he says it makes him jump out of bed with a smile when there’s a special occasion.
“My favorite is Halloween,” he says. “Every year, I dress up like Spider-Man underwater, and the kids go nuts. Just imagine me crawling on the glass like a spider. The looks on the kids’ faces are just priceless.”
Edwin also volunteers to help clean Tampa Bay, especially after large events like the Gasparilla parade.
“We dive to clean the beads that end up in the water,” he says. “And not only beads. Last time we went, we got a couple of those scooters that people ride around town — all kinds of garbage that you wouldn’t even believe.”
Edwin started scuba diving in 1986 in his native Puerto Rico. He moved to Florida in 1988, and then discovered skydiving.
“At that point, I put my scuba gear away,” he says. When he suffered an injury not related to skydiving, Ruth, his wife of 21 years, told him it was time to find something different.
Edwin’s favorite time of the year is Halloween.
He agreed, on one condition. He needed to keep the adrenaline pumping, so they tried new adventures together. They started riding ATVs, and then jet skis.
“My wife said she’d like to try scuba diving,” explains Edwin, “and immediately, my passion for it came back.”
Wanting to spend more time underwater, he found out he could dive as a volunteer at the Florida Aquarium.
“Once I started, I began to understand the mission and vision of the aquarium,” he says. “When I started, my reason for volunteering was selfishly wanting to dive more, but now, I see the big picture. The aquarium’s work to restore the planet has deeply impacted me.”
“Every time I brush a coral (which you have to be properly trained to do), I realize I’m making an impact,” he says. “I’m making it more clean and safe for the animals, and helping the aquarium to be able to bring more people in, plus everything they do to help the planet that people don’t see.”
The process to become an aquarium volunteer is rigorous, and not everyone who wants to help is chosen to do so. Edwin explains that he first filled out an application, then attended a seminar to understand expectations, and completed a required medical test.
He then had to pass a swim test. He says that treading water for 10 minutes and demonstrating his scuba skills was no problem, but even after training, the now-55-year-old says it was difficult for him to swim the required number of meters in the time allotted. After that, he studied for and passed an online test, then started training, including learning how to properly dive in an aquarium.
He says it was all worth it, as he enjoys helping the aquarium, its animals and many visitors, including his six-year-old grandson. “He’s everything to me,” Edwin says. “He loves to go to the aquarium and would go every day if we would let him.”
Edwin was recently recognized at the Florida Aquarium’s annual appreciation event with its annual Outstanding Service Award.
“I don’t see me stopping anytime soon,” he says. “I want to retire from work when I turn 60 and I will have time available, so I want to use more of that time at the aquarium. If I get to the point where I can’t scuba dive, there are plenty of other things to do at the aquarium.”
The New River Library isn’t officially open yet, thanks to a number of Covid-related delays, but Wesley Chapel residents are encouraged to swing on by and check out the new digs.
The library was closed for renovations in October 2019, and until an actual Grand Opening is scheduled, the library is hosting an ongoing soft opening for those who want to see the progress.
On the day we visited, the books hadn’t arrived yet but the renovated library was mostly complete, its makeover adding a fresh new vibe to Wesley Chapel’s only full-size library.
The lobby is larger and more inviting. There is a meeting room, and the old men’s and women’s restrooms with stalls have been replaced by four new family bathrooms.
The inside of the library also is more spacious. The children’s area has been relocated to the front of the building, where it is double its former size, with three touchscreen computers. There are two soundproof study rooms, which can accommodate up to four people, and one larger study room for up to eight. A large mounted television is ideal for presentations.
The teen room is stocked with a console gaming area on one side, and Alienware computers on the other.
The scanning and printing area, as well as the book self-checkout area, also have been upgraded.
A new outdoor study area leads to a new community garden that may attract those with a green thumb. While other libraries in Pasco County offer woodworking, theater or art besides in addition to traditional books and studying, the new community garden at New River has 28 planting beds, four water barrels and will eventually have a butterfly garden and sensory items for children who have autism.
Patrons can check out a planting bed just like they would a book, to grow and maintain whatever they like, from wildflowers to fruits and vegetables. You can bring your own seeds, or take advantage of New River’s “seed library.”
“We’re hoping the garden and outdoor study area gets people active,” says branch manager Danielle Lee. “After Covid, people need something like that.”
You’re welcome to stop by the New River Library at 34043 S.R. 54, or call 813-788-6375 for more information.ialists.
Offering short-term rehabilitation in Florida’s newest state-of-the-art therapy center, Blue Heron’s health and rehabilitation blends the comforts of a luxury hotel with advanced therapies and facilities in a unique “Return to Home” program that includes private suites, advanced therapy equipment, physical, occupational and spe
As I mentioned on page 1, Blue Heron is Wesley Chapel’s only assisted living facility that also offers both short-term rehabilitation services and skilled nursing care on-site.
For residents who require 24-hour nursing care, Blue Heron has private suites in its health & rehabilitation center, where each resident will enjoy consistent care delivered by a dedicated team of professional, licensed specialists.
Offering short-term rehabilitation in Florida’s newest state-of-the-art therapy center, Blue Heron’s health and rehabilitation blends the comforts of a luxury hotel with advanced therapies and facilities in a unique “Return to Home” program that includes private suites, advanced therapy equipment, physical, occupational and spe
If the pictures below don’t make you think “nutritious,” think again. These are just a couple of the staple offerings at the new UrbanGr#d Nutrition, located at 26244 Wesley Chapel Blvd. (S.R. 54) in Lutz, in the Grand Oaks Plaza. Owners Fio and Luis Diou have both been fitness fanatics for years, and they say they were frustrated at the lack of protein-packed, lower-carb breakfast and snack options here in the Tampa Bay area, especially in and around Wesley Chapel.
Luis, a chemist who says he became a serious weightlifter after leaving the U.S. Army, and Fio, a former online fitness and nutrition coach, have come up with a unique variety of delicious options already earning some buzz for UrbanGr#d on local Facebook communities from fellow fitness fans.
Top left in the photo gallery what may be the best oatmeal I’ve ever tasted. It features added banana caramel protein (there are other flavors available, too), plus a variety of toppings. I chose crunchy granola, fresh strawberries and real peanut butter and it was almost too good.
UrbanGr#d also features a variety of protein-powered donuts (top left; less than 2g of sugar each) waffles (bottom left), açai bowls, gourmet shakes, energy teas and even hot and iced protein coffee drinks. For more info, call (813) 388-9278 or visit “UrbanGrid Nutrition” on Facebook.
Wesley Chapel, FL — The northbound I-275 (Exit 59) and northbound I-75 (Exit 275) exit ramps to State Road 56 may be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Friday (May 16 – 21) nights as work on the diverging diamond interchange (DDI) continues. Traffic will be detoured to I-75 Exit 279 as described below.
Detour to SR 56, east of I-75: Continue north past SR 56 and use I-75 Exit 279 to SR 54/CR 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right and go east on SR 54. Turn right onto SR 581 (Bruce B. Downs Boulevard) and go south to SR 56.
Detour to SR 54/SR 56, west of I-75: Continue north past SR 56 and use I-75 Exit 279 to SR 54/CR 54. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go southwest on Wesley Chapel Boulevard/CR 54 to SR 56 and SR 54. — FDOT
