I don’t know how they did it so fast, but the former Beef O’Brady’s located at 1660 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in the Shoppes at New Tampa plaza in Wesley Chapel, has reopened (only about four months after Beef’s closed) as Inchin’s Bamboo Garden, a small (30 units in 13 U.S. states and Canada) chain of “IndoChinese Fusion” restaurants, with an existing Florida location in Orlando.
All I can tell you after two quick visits to my new friends Mohan and Suresh’s new restaurant is that it no longer looks anything like Beef’s (it’s actually quite elegant), has a beautiful full-liquor bar (with at least ten beers on tap and many others in bottles) and absolutely everything I’ve sampled so far has been en pointe.
My favorite Indian dishes so far are the fried momo dumplings (I had them with chicken, photo left; they’re also available in veggie and with paneer, or Indian cheese, and steamed); the “Toothpick lamb,” which is skewered chunks of lamb with mild rendang curry sauce, bite-size potato cubes, green onion, curry leaves and chili peppers; and my current favorite hakka noodles (thin eggless noodles, shredded vegetables, Napa cabbage and celery) with chicken (top photo).
Other Indian dishes recommended by friends of mine who also happened to be visiting the new Inchin’s are the garlic naan bread and the “Chicken 65” (with curry leaf, bell peppers, onion, dry red chili & cumin).
Considering that most Chinese restaurants in Wesley Chapel are take-out only, you also have to sample some of Inchin’s Chinese dishes. My faves to date include the crunchy veggie spring rolls, the crispy chili baby corns (bite-sized pieces of baby corn, deep fried with onion and green chilis) and the delicious Mongolian beef (above left), sautéed with onions and served on a bed of crispy rice noodles. It also was served with a side of white rice but I definitely plan to try it with one of Inchin’s four different fried rice options — burnt garlic chili (which sounds amazing), spicy Thai basil, Szechwan-style and just “regular” fried rice. You can get any of these with veggies, chicken, shrimp or “mixed” (with chicken, lamb and shrimp).
Other Chinese-style entrées include Manchurian, Szechwan, hot garlic, chili, extra-spicy Szechwan peppercorn and AK 47 (with ghost pepper sauce, described on the menu as “dangerously spicy”) dishes. I’ve also been told I need to try Inchin’s version of Chinese “Hot Pot,” which is described on the menu as “numbing.” Many of these entrées are available with vegetable “coins,” cauliflower, tofu, paneer, chicken, lamb, beef or shrimp.
I’ve also yet to sample any of the soups or any other starters, so you can rest assured that Jannah and I will be visiting Inchin’s Bamboo Garden again in the future — and soon!
Inchin’s Bamboo Garden is open every day for lunch (11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) & dinner (5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. daily, except Sun. until 10). It closes daily between 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. For more information, call (813) 388-2818 or visit Bamboo-Gardens.com. And, please tell Mohan and Suresh I sent you! — GN
Yes, we know it’s been a few weeks but because of our once-every-four-weeks print schedule, the North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC)’s 2024 Wesley Chapel Fall Festival & Carnival was held the weekend of Oct. 26-27, which was the weekend after we went to press with our Oct. 29 issue, so this is our first opportunity to show you some of the scenes from that always-fun 20th annual event.
Held again at the Tampa Premium Outlets and benefiting the NTBC’s Foundation, a record 7,500 patrons raised a record amount of money and enjoyed carnival and pony rides, live entertainment, food trucks and vendors and of course, a great costume contest. For more info, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.
Whether you want a pool with a beach entry and a waterfall (above) or bubbling jets (below left), Savir and Sunil Mohammed of the Blu Water Pools store, located north of S.R. 54 on Eiland Blvd., and Blu Water Builders is one of few pool builders that have established a great reputation with customers. (Below right) If you want your pool to also include an outdoor kitchen, Totally Blu Builders uses grills and accessories made by Bull Outdoor Kitchens.
Sunil Mohammed, owner of Totally Blu Pools, has been in the pool servicing business for more than 17 years. Just last year, he and his wife, Rashmi Maharaj, opened a pool supply store by the same name, located at the corner of S.R. 54 and Eiland Blvd. in the Publix- and Home Depot-anchored Summertree Plaza. At that time, he decided to venture into pool building, as well, and established Totally Blu Builders.
The community was suffering from a number of failed builders who left behind unfinished pools, and Sunil saw an opportunity to help.
“We started off by finishing pools that were started by Staycation,” he says, referring to one of the pool companies that went out of business.
“We’ve built more than 100 pools in about 18 months,” Sunil says, “including finishing about 60 Staycation pools. We just do one pool at a time, and we just kept finishing them.”
Sunil hired former Staycation and Olympus Pools installer Doug Griffith and other staff members who have experience in the industry, including at those failed companies.
He says that while Doug’s knowledge of construction is vast, Sunil brings a new approach to managing his company’s finances that will protect Totally Blu’s customers.
“Doug’s knowledge in construction is amazing,” Sunil says. “Now that I’ve dug pools with him for more than a year, I can say he backs it up by also being a good person. He came from two failed companies, but he had no part in the finances of those businesses that went down.”
Sunil explains that there’s not a lot of profit margin in pool construction, so, he says, “you have to manage your finances well.”
With Sunil’s nearly two decades in the industry, he already has established good relationships with vendors and customers.
“We’ve have made a good name for ourselves, which is difficult in this day and age because of the bad reputation of pool builders overall,” Sunil says.
In fact, his fairly new business has a perfect five-star (out of five) rating on Google. While there are only a few ratings, they are all positive.
One of the keys, Sunil explains, is not to overpromise, but instead to over-deliver.
“Once we get county approval, which usually takes about a month,” Sunil says, “we finish pools within six to eight weeks. We also call every customer every Friday while their pool is in process. When someone is spending $75,000 to $125,000 on a pool, it’s a huge investment. We reassure them as constantly as possible that we are not running away with their money. At every stage, we are being careful with what we do, and are always giving our customers what we promised.”
So, why did Sunil even get into the construction business, knowing how nervous customers are to trust a pool company these days and knowing that the profit margins are thin and potentially how hard it can be to please customers making such a large purchase?
He says first, it’s about serving the community and helping people who have been put in a difficult position by other pool builders or who have heard the horror stories? “More pools being built in the community means more customers for our pool service and supply businesses,” he says. “We are servicing nearly all of the pools we’ve built. If we can build the pool and keep the customers happy, then we can also do their pool service, and that’s how we will make our money for the next 10 years.”
In other words, Sunil is in it for the long term, so Totally Blu’s reputation is of the utmost importance to him.
Building That Reputation
As Totally Blu continues to complete pools, the word is spreading and customers are referring their friends.
The Neighborhood News spoke with Ami Rivera while her pool was being filled, just a few hours before it would be ready for swimming.
“Our goal was to have the pool ready for my daughter’s eighth birthday,” Ami says. “It’s in four days and she’s already put her feet in.”
Ami, who lives in the Watergrass community off Curley Rd., says that when she bought her home in 2020, she was content to swim at the community pool, but as it became obvious that she, her husband Lorenzo, and their daughter Anabel would be staying in their home long-term, they wanted to have their own pool.
“Everyone’s heard the horror stories,” she said, referring to lost deposits and unfinished pools, “so we had a lot of questions and concerns.”
As a Realtor, Ami also is a business owner who knows the importance of supporting the local community.
She says she interviewed four companies, and that all four had very similar pricing. But, she says, her conversation with Sunil stood out. Since he also lives in Watergrass, she saw a neighbor and a fellow business owner who expressed his commitment to the people of Wesley Chapel.
“Customers are valuing communication and transparency, and doing a lot more due diligence,” Ami says. “We had such a great conversation and I felt such ownership from him. I love being able to use someone in my own community.”
While Sunil knows his long-term success depends upon his company’s reputation, he’s building his business not only for now, but also because he says Tru Blu will be a legacy for his son, 17-year-old Savir, who is a senior at Wesley Chapel High.
“Savir came to work with me this summer,” says Sunil. “This kid has taken off and really become my right hand. He has even started designing pools, he goes out on the construction sites, and he has increased sales in the store by 20 percent.”
Savir plans to study electrical engineering in college, while living at home. He is already a Certified Pool/Spa Operator (CPO), a national certification by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) that recognizes expertise in cleaning and servicing pools and spas. Next, he plans to take courses in designing pools.
The Totally Blu Pools store also serves as the Totally Blu Builders showroom.
“I’m teaching him to be ethical in how we deal with people,” Sunil says. “Customers come in here and ask for him by name. He has become an integral part of my business and, for that, I’m very proud.”
While Totally Blu also has offered lawn service in the past, Sunil says he is moving away from that business, although he can still help people who are looking for landscaping services.
With a focus on pool service, supplies and now construction, Sunil believes Totally Blu is in a good position to serve the community and provide for his family for years to come.
And, with Totally Blu’s happy customer list growing, it seems Sunil is on the right track.
“I find it very important to have business owners in our community who you can put your trust and confidence in,” Ami says. “The product is sitting in my back yard and we’re thrilled.”
Totally Blu Pools & Totally Blu Builders are located at 32781 Eiland Blvd. For information about the pool supply store or pool service, call(813)788-7665 or visit TotallyBluH2O.com. To get started with a free digital design for your new pool, call(813)550-2023 or visit TotallyBluBuilders.com.
The first time I saw “Little Shop of Horrors,” the campy, award-winning sci-fi/horror musical (based on an original 1960 film by “The King of Cult” Roger Corman) about a man-(and woman-) eating plant named Audrey II and the bumbling “Skid Row” flower shop employee who earns fame because of the voracious plant, I was sitting about eight rows back in the show’s original Off- Broadway Orpheum Theatre in the Little Ukraine section of Manhattan’s East Village in late 1982 or early 1983, only a few months after the show first opened to rave reviews.
Sitting directly in front of me were Liza Minelli, Sean Penn and Madonna. Yes, that famous trio (no one called them a “thruple”). We were all among the packed house of nearly 350 people who took in the spectacle of this flytrap-looking plant that grows from a pot on a counter to take up most of Mushnik’s Flower Shop — and plans to take over the entire world.
Four years later, “Little Shop” was made into a hit 1986 movie starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene (who also created the role of Audrey, the love interest of geeky Seymour Krelborn, who also loves “strange and interesting plants”), Steve Martin as Audrey’s sadistic boyfriend Orin Scrivello, DDS, and Vincent Gardenia as the failing flower shop owner, Mr. Mushnik.
Fast-forward nearly 40 more years and Jannah and I are sitting in a theatre almost as large as the Orpheum — the New Tampa Performing Arts Center — on what turned out to be opening night of the New Tampa Players (NTP)’ production of the show (Oct. 18), because the first weekend of performances got canceled following Hurricane Milton.
I have to admit that NTP’s “Little Shop” very much rang true to the original version I saw more than 40 years previous.
Yes, a show where four people are “eaten” by a giant plant is a little disturbing, but an outstanding cast performing great songs (with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken, the same creative team behind Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin”), great direction by NTP’s Thomas Pahl, musical direction by Rick Barclay and choreography by Makayla Raines, made NTP’s “Little Shop” an amazing tribute to that Off-Broadway original. (By the way, the Broadway revival production lasted only 372 performances between Oct. 2003 and Aug. 2004.)
And Away We Go!
NTP’s “Little Shop” opened with the title theme, sung by “the urchins” — (photo #1, l.- r.) Paige Alter as Crystal, Sara Gutierrez as Chiffon and Patty Smithey (who portrayed Lorrell Robinson in NTP’s “Dreamgirls”) as Ronette.
We then meet (photo #2, l.-r.) Mushnik (Luis Graham), who is threatening to close his flower shop on Skid Row because he can’t do any business, the oafish, love-sick Seymour (Richard Brown) and Audrey (Madison Pulica, who has the original cartoon-ish speaking voice and mannerisms of the role’s originator down to a “T”).
Seymour shows Mushnik the “strange and interesting plant” that he found following a recent total solar eclipse and says that maybe displaying the plant will bring in customers — which it immediately does.
But soon, when Seymour cuts himself on a rose thorn, the plant — which Seymour names the “Audrey II” after his unrequited beloved — first shows its thirst for blood, so Stanley squeezes a few more drops into its open maw (photo #3), after which, Audrey II first begins to grow. Meanwhile, Audrey continues to display the painful results of the “affections” of her dentist boyfriend Orin (portrayed with very much Steve Martin-esque vigor by Tom Bronson), and sings (photo #4) to the urchins about her dream to move to “Somewhere That’s Green.”
We (and Seymour) then meet Orin for the first time, after Orin sings “(“You’ll Be A) Dentist” to the urchins (photo #5). Seymour also sees Orin “rough up” Audrey for the first time and, realizing that he can’t continue to drain himself of his own blood for Audrey II, also wonders for the first time if maybe Orin should end up “providing” the blood for the now-much-larger plant.
Mushnik is now so impressed with Seymour (who is revealed early on to be an orphan), that he tells Seymour in the song “Mushnik & Son” (Photo #6) that he will re-name the now-much-more successful flower shop and adopt his now-star employee.
But next, we find out for the first time that Audrey II can talk — in the booming baritone of Christan McLaurine (at right in photo #9, who also was a scene-stealer as James “Thunder” Early in NTP’s “Dreamgirls”) in the song “Feed Me.”
Act I ends as Seymour brings a gun to his visit to Orin’s dental office, which is replete with rusty, medieval-style torture appliances. Orin can’t wait to ply his trade inside Seymour’s mouth, so much so that he gets his “special gas mask” (photo #7) — not to sedate Seymour, but so Orin can “enjoy” his work. Seymour now realizes he doesn’t have to shoot Orin, who can’t get the mask off and, without assistance from Seymour, asphyxiates and dies in the most authentic scene of the entire show.
Act II – “Suddenly, Seymour!”
With Orin now out of the way (and chopped into pieces by Seymour, so he can feed the dentist to Audrey II), it doesn’t take long for Audrey to realize that Seymour has always loved her and (she thinks) that he’s a good man who shares her dream of moving to the country, despite his newfound (and unwanted) fame, which comes with Life magazine and TV interviews. The duet between Audrey and Seymour — “Suddenly Seymour” is probably the most famous song in “Little Shop.”
But, of course, everything falls apart quickly from there. Seymour next sacrifices Mushnik, who discovered Orin’s bloody lab coat in the store’s garbage can, to Audrey II, even though Mushnik says he won’t tell the authorities, as Seymour still needs to feed the now-monster-sized plant (photo #8).
Next, Audrey, who reveals she was an exotic dancer before coming to Mushnik’s, sacrifices herself by having Seymour throw her into Audrey II’s mouth. Then, Seymour, who now realizes that Audrey II’s plan is to take over the world, also jumps into the plant’s maw. With all of the main characters now dead and plans to spread Audrey II seeds all over the country (as the plant planned all along), the show ends on a seriously ominous note.
Congrats to the Audrey II puppeteers (Joseph Conrad, at left in photo #9), Lily Sanford and Yoanivette Davila Aguiar, as well as to James Cass of Picture This Photography for the scenic art, scenic dressing and props, and Shelly Giles for the great costumes — and everyone else associated with the Players and this show. “Little Shop” was super-creepy but it was also super-fun!
For more info (including about ticket sales and audition info) about the 2025 New Tampa Players shows “Into the Woods” and “The Music Man,” visit NewTampaPlayers.org.
(Above, l.-r.) Dillon, Jessica, Zak, Stacey, Santo & Jaden of Wesley Chapel Title . (Photo provided by Stacey Arey)
When Stacey Arey, the owner of Wesley Chapel Title in the Canterbury Professional Park on S.R. 54, walks into the office, she’s surrounded by not just a group of co-workers who feel like family, but also her actual family.
Her husband, Zak, is a closer. Her son Dillon is working towards becoming a licensed title agent. Her daughter-in-law and Dillon’s wife, Jessica, is a processor. Her son Jaden is newer to the business but also is a licensed title agent.
Then there are “the two Michelles,” Michelle Warden and Michelle Peterson. Both are licensed title agents and closers, as well as escrow officers, who have been in the industry for more than 20 years.
“I feel blessed that I have incredible people who work for me,” Stacey says. “This business is complicated and there are a lot of bases to cover, so you have to have people who are excellent, detail oriented, focused on customer service and do a great job.”
Stacey says that’s what sets her business apart from her competition. Not only does everyone on her team handle each file meticulously, they also provide excellent service. Customers can expect that all of their questions will be answered and they will be kept in the loop along the way, as they go from signing a contract to the day of closing.
Whether you are buying or selling a home, a title company ensures there are no issues that would impede the transfer of the home from one person to the other. It provides an insurance policy to make sure you have a clean and clear title that protects your investment for as long as you own your property.
Wesley Chapel Title’s insurance policies are underwritten by First American Title Insurance Company, which Stacey says is the best in the industry. It gives her access to professionals who have helped her learn the details of the business since she first established the company four years ago and continues to provide ongoing support.
She says there are 150 things that have to be done to close a single file, which is why some title companies are overwhelmed and don’t have time to communicate well with their customers, but Stacey and her team make it a priority.
“Most people don’t understand how this process works,” Stacey says. “I spend a lot of time educating people. I’m always happy to take my time and walk them through it.”
The title company handles the actual closing of the property and signing of documents to complete the sale.
Wesley Chapel Title can send a Notary Public to close anywhere someone might be, whether that’s on a business trip in a foreign country or a coffee shop that’s convenient to their work.
“People really take advantage of closing at McDonald’s or Starbucks, but I like to roll out the red carpet when they come into the office,” she says.
For many people, this is the largest purchase they will ever make in their lifetimes.
“They’re excited, so we don’t rush them in and out,” Stacey says. “We have photo opportunities, like with our ‘Home, Sweet Home’ sign for new homeowners, and a baking station with cookies.”
Helping Realtors® & Their Clients
Realtor® Lisa Albino-Contreras has worked with Stacey and her team since Wesley Chapel Title first opened four years ago. As the managing Broker at Realty One Group Epic in San Antonio, she works with many title companies, but she says if she had her way, all of her clients would close at Wesley Chapel Title.
“Stacey and her team are always accessible,” Lisa explains. “She goes above and beyond to facilitate anything that is in her control. If I need an answer, she’ll find it and get right back to me.”
Lisa says Wesley Chapel Title also is the only agency that gives a gift to her clients when they close. “I think that speaks volumes,” says Lisa. “She comes in and offers her congratulations with a gift. To some it may not mean much, but I think that level of care makes my clients feel great and adds to their special day.”
Stacey says she works hard to make sure Lisa and other real estate agents want to work with her, from always providing her signature excellent customer service to offering them perks that come from her affiliation with First American Title.
For example, Wesley Chapel Title offers real estate agents a platform where they can create a “Net Sheet” for their clients right from their mobile device, showing a potential seller the bottom line of what they will make on the sale of their home.
Agents who are registered with her also can use a “Print Pro” program that allows them to print out anything they need, including paperwork, fliers, folders, or business cards at extremely low prices, such as documents for five cents each. Printed items are then delivered to the agent.
In addition, both agents and clients benefit from the secure platform used by Wesley Chapel Title called Qualia, which provides a single portal where every document from a transaction is stored, which helps to reduce the risk of fraud.
“People hack into emails and change wire instructions,” Stacey explains, which would cause money to go into a thief’s account instead of the seller’s. “It happens quite frequently, so we have another safeguard.”
Qualia also streamlines the process so that all parties have access to the documents they need in one place, so nothing is lost in an email chain and no one has to scramble to figure out where to find important information.
“With every transaction, we work with a buyer, seller, lender, mortgage broker, listing agent, buying agent, and all of these many points of contact,” Stacey explains. “They can all see the documents they need access to from their dashboards.”
Stacey, her family, and staff are committed to ensuring they have the tools in place and provide the education needed so that everyone who closes with them will have a good experience.
“Closings are always smooth,” says Lisa. “Stacey is always available, she’s a pleasant person to deal with and very knowledgeable.”
Wesley Chapel Title is located at 5857 Algerian Dr., Suite 101. It’s open Monday- Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment on weekends. For more information, visit WesleyChapel-Title.com or call (813) 993-5222.
