I’ll admit that the first time I happened to walk into the Kangaroo Express gas station at 17519 Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa last year, I was actually looking for the Paris Baguette bakery — which is now located across BBD, but hadn’t opened yet.
But, what I found was a section of the gas station’s convenience store that was a Cuban-style bakery that actually was open — known as CAO Bakery & Café— and you were definitely hit with a whiff of delicious baked goods in a large display case as you walked towards that case.
“OK, great,” I thought, “I can always go for a guava pastelito, a beef or chicken empanada and/or a slice of cake — or all of the above.”
CAO stands for Cuban American Original, but it also is the actual last name of one of the co-owners, Antonio Cao, who is a third-generation baker. Antonio and his partner and childhood friend, Carlos de Varona opened their first bakery together around 2000, in a very Cuban area of Miami called Westchester, not too far from Little Havana.
Today, there are 20 CAO locations, mostly in South Florida — although there also is a full-service CAO Bakery on W. Hillsborough Ave. in Tampa — with more on the way. The BBD location is corporate-owned, but franchises are available, according to Antonio’s wife Yvette, who handles the marketing of the brand.
“Most of our other locations are full-service bakery-restaurants of anywhere from 2,000-4,000 square feet,” Yvette says. “We were looking for a spot in the Wesley Chapel area and found that the previous vendor at this location had left, so we decided to open what we call an ‘express’ location there as a test market.”
Even so, I had no idea how huge the menu at the New Tampa CAO was until I spoke with Yvette. Yes, there is a tremendous selection of freshly baked (from frozen) sweet and savory treats that are delivered from Miami to Tampa twice a week. But wait, there’s more.
“You can tell that everything is freshly baked on premises,” Yvette says. “Once people find us, they tell us they love us!”
And, despite being open for less than a year at this location, almost all of CAO’s Google reviews are 5-stars out of 5, including customer Omar Rodriguez-Hazan, who says he drives an hour from South Lakeland at least once a week, “to enjoy the flavors of Miami. The food and service are awesome. Don’t be fooled by the fact they are located in a gas station. They are a top-notch bakery which I highly recommend!”
As for the non-pastry food options, CAO has delicious bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches (below left), a twist on the popular Media Noche sandwich called Medio Dia (above right; it’s a classic guava and cheese pastelito filled with ham and melted Swiss) and even a churrasco steak plate (top photo) of which customer Jason Hicks said in his 5-star Google review, “The meat was tender and the chimichurri sauce was great. The Cuban sandwich was good also and the prices are reasonable.”
Other sandwiches include the frita CAO (a Cuban-style cheeseburger that is a house-made blend of beef, pork & chorizo, topped with crispy shoestring papitas, Swiss cheese and sazon aioli) and the Croqueta club (signature croquetas de la casa, layered with sliced turkey, crisp bacon, melted American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes & mayo) — and many more.
Other satisfied customers have loved CAO’s catering options, like trays of assorted pastelitos and croquetas shown above.
There also are more American dessert favorites like strawberry cheesecake (bottom photo on next page), carrot cake and Latin dessert staples like flan, cuatro leches, panetelita dulce de leche, flan cheesecake and so much more.
And, many customers, including yours truly, rave about CAO’s café con leche, including Oscar Olivera, who called it, “The best café con leche in Tampa, no questions about it!!!”
For more information about CAO, call (813) 280-9640 or visit CAOBakeryCafe.com to order pickup or delivery online. If you use code “CAOTAMPA” when you order, you’ll save $5 off any order of $20 or more. Or, mention the ad below or this story when you order in person to receive the discount. And, please tell them I sent you!
Although the Pebble Creek Golf Club has been closed for several years, members of the group called Save Pebble Creek, organized by long-time Pebble Creek resident Leslie Green, have been doing everything they could to have the golf club reopen, rather than become single-family homes.
Yesterday, the group and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) won a significant victory in their efforts to prevent golf course owner Bill Place and his Ace Golf from rezoning the 149-acre property and selling it to GL Homes, which was planning to build 250 single-family homes on the golf course site.
In July of 2023, the attempt to rezone the golf course property was denied 5-2 by the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), after Comm. Hagan said he had received 1,800 letters from residents of the community, the vast majority of which were in opposition to the rezoning.
But, in October of last year, the home builder appealed the county commission’s denial of the rezoning request to Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Paul Huey and, on June 24, 2024, Judge Huey “quashed” the BOCC’s denial of the rezoning petition which means, in legal terms, “to set aside or void.” Judge Huey’s ruling on the developer’s appeal was that, “The court cannot find that the Board of County Commissioners relied on competent, substantial evidence when it denied GL Homes’ proposal.”
The county appealed Judge Huey’s decision to the Second District of the District Court of Appeal of Florida, which overturned that decision and quashed the lower court’s order that would have allowed the rezoning.
Commissioner Hagan said of yesterday’s ruling, “I am very pleased to report that the Second District Court of Appeal agreed with the County’s rezoning denial and overturned the Circuit Court’s decision. I would like to thank you for your support and vigilance throughout this difficult ordeal. We would not have won without you!” He also previously said that the county would consider buying the golf course “if the price were right.”
Green echoed Hagan’s sentiments regarding the latest decision: “Thanks to the rallying of the community and to our Commissioner Ken Hagan’s efforts, we have accomplished our goal of no rezoning that will keep the golf course land around which our entire neighborhood is based protected from development. I hope that we can now work with the landowner to find a more mutually agreeable solution. Ultimately, we would wish to have another golf course operator step in. Commissioner Hagan had mentioned in a Townhall meeting that the county would consider buying it for a municipal golf course. This would meet another goal of ours, which is to avoid having the toxins that lie under the ground dug up for remediation. Now, the land can be used for its intended purpose. I personally look forward to the next step.”
Place said that he would have no comment on the most recent ruling “until GL Homes reviews its options early next week.”
We also had not yet received comment from either of the homeowners associations in Pebble Creek.
Wednesday, July 2, 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m. – Alzheimer’s Caregiver C.A.R.E.S. Workshop, presented by USF Health, Byrd Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute. At Embassy Suites-USF (3705 Spectrum Dr.). This workshop gives Critical Answers, Resources, Education & Support to families dealing with Alzheimer’s Disease. $25 to attend, includes breakfast, lunch & resources. To register, visit Shop.USF.edu, click on “Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Caregiver Cares Conference” & click “attendees” to register and pay. For more info, call (813) 396-0849 or see the ad below.
Attorney Denise Welter of the Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park wants to be the attorney you turn to when you need any type of estate planning. (Photos by Charmaine George)
When Shari and Bill Daniel had small children more than two decades ago, they realized immediately that they needed a plan in case something ever happened to them.
A friend highly recommended attorney Denise A. Welter, Esq., who was practicing estate law in South Florida, so they reached out.
“She is so easy to work with,” Shari says. “It gives me such peace of mind knowing we have every legal document we need. I have this overwhelming sense of calm that my kids won’t have to worry.”
Even though Shari’s children are now grown and have never yet had to reach for that paperwork, Shari has referred a stream of relatives and friends to Denise, who prepared them for many scenarios that can happen — from incapacity to illness to, of course, death.
“Denise helped my mother before she got sick,” Shari says. “The only non-stressful part of her illness was knowing I had everything I needed at my fingertips. I had medical power of attorney, so I could make the decisions I needed to make. Her wishes were very clear and I could follow them to a ‘T,’ thanks to Denise’s amazing planning.”
Shari says that many people think all they need is a will, but Denise showed her that there are many other options to consider. Denise provides a comprehensive binder for her clients, encouraging them to document family values, funeral preferences and account passwords.
“Just to pay my mom’s water bill, I had to have a durable power of attorney,” Shari says. “But, all I had to do was open the folder and it was there.”
When Denise’s husband of more than four decades retired, the couple moved from South Florida to New Tampa.
Two years ago, Denise opened her Welter Law Office in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, just east of I-75 and north of S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel, where she helps families with estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and advanced health care directives.
In addition to her legal expertise and making it easy for families to organize important legal documents, Shari says the best thing about working with Denise is her compassion.
“Doing this type of paperwork is very emotional,” Shari says. “[Denise] has empathy beyond her legal experience and really understands the emotional aspects of the process.”
Denise had been a legal secretary for 17 years when she was let go from her position, a turning point she describes as the “best worst thing that ever happened to me.”
As a busy mom of two young boys, she then made the decision to pursue a law degree.
Over the next five years, she obtained both her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, majoring in Legal Studies, and her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, both from Nova Southeastern University, which is based in Ft. Lauderdale.
A member of the Florida Bar since 2002, Denise passed the examination on her first try. After assisting in another firm’s real estate department, she found her calling in estate planning and probate.
“I found my niche, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” she says.
Denise goes over an estate plan with a client.
Emphasizing the importance of wills and trusts, Denise highlights the role of these important legal documents in providing directions to the courts regarding asset distribution.
When someone passes away with assets solely in their name and without a designated beneficiary, their estate has to go through the probate court process before their assets can reach their heirs. In order to bypass probate, Denise advises her clients of the benefits of trust planning, which transfers assets into a trust, creating a separate legal entity that holds and manages them, ensuring a smooth transition to the deceased’s beneficiaries.
“With a trust, because you technically don’t own the assets at your death — the trust owns them — so nothing has to go through the probate process,” she explains. “Most people do trusts to avoid probate and to protect their assets, especially for their minor children.”
She adds that trust planning serves as a preventive measure against court involvement and the necessity for guardianship in situations involving dementia or other illnesses that render individuals incapable of handling their own financial decisions.
Highlighting an often-overlooked scenario, Denise also suggests that parents of 18-year-olds should consider having health care surrogate designations, living wills and powers of attorney for these new adults to navigate potential HIPAA law challenges.
Otherwise, if their 18-year-old is hospitalized or otherwise incapacitated, medical providers are unable to give parents any information about the adult child’s condition.
Denise says that the most important skills she needs in this field are the ability to listen to what her clients’ want and expect and then put together what they need for their family dynamic. “A lot of attorneys like to do a lot of the talking, but when clients come in, they want someone to hear their story,” Denise says.
She notes how helpful that can be, especially when connecting with clients who face difficult and complicated family dynamics, whether it’s a blended family or adult children who are estranged from their parents.
“It’s a very sad trend I’m seeing, but one of our roles as an attorney is as a counselor,” Denise says. “So, I help clients analyze those issues and give them tips to navigate those waters that can sometimes feel overwhelming.”
Denise also sends digital follow-ups annually to inform her clients of any law changes that could affect them and encourages them to review their estate plans every five years or during important life changes.
She is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys, The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, The Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Lawyers of Distinction and Lead Council Verified.
Denise offers a free consultation to sit down and talk through a client’s needs and wants and understand what their complications might be. Then, she quotes a flat fee of the cost to prepare the needed documents.
Denise and her paralegal, Jackie Shoemaker, are committed to great client communication. Jackie joined the firm after Denise’s former paralegal moved out of the area.
“Jackie has been here since January and has already become a great asset to the firm in such a short time,” Denise says. “She has a lot of experience.”
When not at her law office, Denise says she can be found at the beach with Bob, her high school sweetheart, visiting her sons Chris and Eric, playing with her three grand-daughters, Abbey, Amelia and Lillian, traveling, or participating in a marriage communications weekend with United Marriage Encounters.
For more about info about the Welter Law Office (2405 Creel Lane, Suite 102, Wesley Chapel), call (850) 388-3845, visit WelterLawOffice.com.
Realtor® Dee Strom, of Florida Executive Realty’s office in Tampa Palms, helps clients like Dr. Alex Lteif (below right) and the Moyer family (below left) find their dream homes. (All photos provided by Dee Strom)
When Dee Strom transitioned from the hospitality industry many years ago (see below) into real estate, she never imagined how deeply she would fall in love with her new career. Encouraged by her husband Michael, she took the leap and quickly realized that being a Realtor® wasn’t just a job for her — it was her passion.
Since joining Florida Executive Realty (FER), Dee has made a name for herself as one of the top-performing agents in the area. Now with more than a decade in the business, she consistently sells more than $20 million in real estate annually, placing her in the top 1% of Realtors nationwide.
Her dedication and expertise have earned her multiple awards. She was named FER’s “Agent of the Year” company-wide (for 2023 & 2024) and for the New Tampa office (for 2019- 22). She has consistently ranked among the top producers at the company over the past several years and remains a top-three agent company-wide. She shares with gratitude that none of her success would be possible without the unwavering love and support of her husband and their two daughters, Sloane and Stella, who keep her grounded and motivated.
“I am all about my clients,” Dee says, “and about this wonderful business that I love. The awards show my commitment to this industry but, more important, to the people I work with and represent.”
For Dee, success in real estate is about more than just sales.
“Building a solid relationship with your clients is key in the real estate business,” she explains. “Both buyers and sellers should collaborate with a Realtor they genuinely connect with, like and trust.” Dee understands that every client’s time is valuable, which is why she works strategically around their schedules to ensure a smooth and personalized experience. Real estate is not just her job, it’s her full-time commitment.
Among the things that sets Dee apart are her deep-rooted relationships with builders. When it comes to new construction, Dee brings more than just market knowledge, she brings relationships. She often has established connections not only with the on-site sales agents but also with the builder’s management.
Understanding their preferences, processes, and flexibility allows her to negotiate strategically and confidently for her clients. “My job is to advocate for you, and the best way to do that is by being informed, prepared and well-connected,” she says.
Dee’s extensive marketing reach is another factor. As a member of “Leading Real Estate Companies of the World” (LeadingRE), she ensures that her listings are marketed both locally and globally. “There are people in other places looking to relocate, and they can see the listings through LeadingRE,” she says. “It is seen on over 700 websites throughout the country.”
Dee also prides herself on her ability to truly listen to her clients. “For me, it’s about more than just real estate, it’s about people,” Dee shares. “I want to learn about my clients, their families, their lifestyles and what truly matters to them. The better I understand their stories, the better I can guide them and help them achieve their goals in a meaningful way.”
For example, some families might not immediately think about community amenities that would benefit their children. Others, with hectic work schedules, may need a home where the landscaping is taken care of by the HOA. Dee emphasizes the importance of being well-versed in various neighborhoods, the available inventory within a community, as well as understanding what builders or sellers may be willing to negotiate. Equally important, she says, is knowing each of her clients’ specific needs and priorities to align the right opportunities with the right people.
As a child, Dee says she was shy, and those who know her now find that shocking. Her time working from a young age to then working in the hospitality industry helped her break out of her shell. She was a hospitality manager for bars and clubs in South Tampa and was part of the opening team in 2008 for Aja in Channelside. Aja further expanded, opening another club that was located in the Shops at Wiregrass where Dee was part of the management team. When the Wiregrass location closed in 2012, Dee then worked for Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant, overseeing the company’s books and accounting for all of its locations.
“That foundation in customer service has truly shaped the way I serve my clients,” Dee says. “It’s one of my greatest strengths as a Realtor. I believe customer service is a very important part of what I do, because real estate is a customer service industry. People sometimes forget that. We are here to satisfy the needs of those looking to sell or purchase a home.”
The residential real estate market is constantly changing, and Dee understands the importance of staying informed. She says she uses social media to network, but also actively networks with top agents in the area as well as builders and industry professionals to stay informed about market trends and opportunities. Equally important to Dee is staying sharp on market knowledge and current trends. She doesn’t just rely on outdated statistics or general assumptions, she actively tracks historical data and, more critically, the real-time shifts happening in today’s market. “I study the numbers that most agents have never even seen,” Dee explains. “It’s not just about what happened last year—it’s about what’s happening right now.” This depth of knowledge allows Dee to advise her clients with precision, confidence and relevance. Whether she’s pricing a home for sale or guiding a buyer through a competitive offer, her insight into up-to-the-minute market conditions sets her clients up for success — especially in a market as unique and fast-changing as the one we’re in now.
Dee is passionate about earning her clients’ trust, and she believes that chemistry is vital. She has an impressive 5-star Zillow track record, 141 Realtor.com recommendations, and a 4.9-star overall rating on Google. The majority of the reviewers say they love Dee and how she went above and beyond to help them. But, she says that 4.9 overall rating comes from a single one-star review — from a seller on the other side of a transaction. “I was advocating so well for my client that the seller left me a one-star review,” she says. At first, she was devastated, but then she realized it was a testament to her commitment.
“I can’t make everyone happy, and my priority is always my client,” she says. “In that case, the person I needed to make happy was my client, and I did my job.”
Her most recent raving fan, the Meisters, say, “From the very beginning, [Dee’s] knowledge, friendly manner, patience and attention to detail was evident as she guided us through a difficult decision process to help us find the perfect home. Simply put, Dee Strom is as good as it gets in real estate, and we will happily recommend her to others looking to buy or sell property. We also will not hesitate to use her services again, when and if ever the need arises.”
Dee takes pride in handling all aspects of a transaction for her clients, allowing them to focus on their move without stress.
She adds that there are other Realtors out there, “without the proper contract and market knowledge and education to know how to professionally operate, which can be a detriment to the client. I have had sellers come to me to switch [to me], whether for better service and/or market knowledge to get their home sold.” Dee says one of the biggest problems in home pricing and value is that some Realtors, “simply look at homes they believe are comparable based on square footage or bedroom and bathroom count to determine a home’s value, but knowing the home’s history, builder, community and current market activity is critical, too.”
Dee also says, “Experience is not how many years you have been doing the job but how many homes you have actually sold.” She firmly believes that experience plays a crucial role in doing the job right, but that the experience comes from transaction volume, constantly negotiating and the consistency in the business. “It’s about having faced all types of real estate challenges multiple times,” she says.
Dee and her husband Michael, with daughters Sloane (left) and Stella.
When discussing the local market, Dee explains that some areas are currently built out but remain stable and there is no crash happening here. The Wesley Chapel area is still booming with new construction and “offers great affordability for buyers, whether you’re a first time home buyer, looking for more space, or downsizing and need maintenance-free living.” As an expert in the area, she helps clients navigate builder incentives and contract negotiations.
“For my clients who are selling, new construction can create competition,” she says, “but with the right marketing strategy, I can position their listings to stand out and sell for top dollar.”
Dee utilizes professional photography, video tours, social media and targeted outreach to attract the right buyers. “Every home has a story,” she says, “and I make sure that story is told in a way that captivates potential buyers.”
To Dee Strom, real estate is about strategic marketing, dedicated advocacy and building lasting relationships. Her passion for her clients and her deep knowledge of the industry makes her a Realtor unlike any other.
And that …is “The Dee Difference.”
Realtor® Dee Strom is based at Florida Executive Realty’s Tampa Palms office at 15802 Amberly Dr. For more information, visit DStrom.floridaexecutiverealty.com. You also can find her @DeeStromRealtor on Facebook and Instagram or by calling (813) 525-7851.
