Both Jacobs Mitsubishi of Wesley Chapel (top) and Wesley Chapel Subaru (above) have opened recently, increasing the number of new car dealerships in the Wesley Chapel area to 19 (see chart), with perhaps one more on the way.
When someone asks you what Wesley Chapel is known for, how do you respond? I used to say that we were known primarily for shopping malls and chain restaurants, but that was before the opening of the KRATE Container Park at The Grove gave us more than two dozen new non-chain eateries over the past year.
Yes, we do also have a lot of nail salons, storage facilities, car washes and mattress stores, but until I added them all up, I didnโt realize that there also are now 19 new-car auto dealerships in the Wesley Chapel area, with only one of those โ Ferman Buick-GMC on S.R. 54 โ having a Lutz address.
The remaining 18 dealerships โ with Wesley Chapel Subaru (now open less than two months at our press time) and Jacobs Mitsubishi of Wesley Chapel (open about a month) as the two newest โ are actually all located in one of the Wesley Chapelโs three zip codes (33543, 33544 & 33545).
The Subaru dealership on Silver Maple Pkwy. south of S.R. 56, is one of only two Wesley Chapel showrooms still owned by the Fink Automotive Group (the other is the adjacent Volkswagen of Wesley Chapel), headed by Scott Fink (known for his โWhere volume makes the differenceโ TV ads), as the four others previously owned by the Fink group โ the Chevrolet, Mazda and Hyundai (and Hyundaiโs separate luxury brand Genesis, located inside the Hyundai dealership on S.R. 54) of Wesley Chapel dealerships โ were sold to the Oregon-based Lithia Motors, Inc., in 2021.
Lithia, which also purchased Wesley Chapel Honda and Wesley Chapel Toyota from the Williams Automotive Group in 2019, now owns six Wesley Chapel auto dealerships among its more than 260 nationwide, making it one of the three largest owners of dealerships in the country.
Despite those dealership sales, Williams retained its ownership of Lexus of Wesley Chapel just south of S.R. 54 on Eagleston Blvd., east of I-75, and its Wesley Chapel Super Center used car and truck dealership on Wesley Chapel Blvd., a mile or so west of I-75.
The other company that owns the most Wesley Chapel dealerships is the Morgan Auto Group, owned by the father-and-son team of Larry and Brett Morgan, which purchased Wesley Chapel Nissan in 2019, Fuccillo Kia of Wesley Chapel and MINI of Wesley Chapel in 2020 and opened BMW of Wesley Chapel in 2022. The four Wesley Chapel showrooms are among about 60 that Morgan โ which is either the 10th or 11th (depending upon whose figures you use) largest owner of auto dealerships in the U.S. โ owns throughout the Tampa Bay area.
The only other company which owns at least two dealerships in Wesley Chapel is the Parks Automotive Group, which started all of this in 1999 by moving its Heritage Ford (now Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel) dealership from Zephyrhills a few miles to the west on S.R. 54 (to just east of I-75, and the current Kia and Nissan dealerships).
The Parks group opened Parks Lincoln of Wesley Chapel (located adjacent to Parks Ford) earlier this year, after shutting down its Fiat and Alfa-Romeo dealership (in essentially the same location as Parks Lincoln) back in 2020.
According to recent documents filed with Pasco County, Auto Nation, which already opened and operates the Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel dealership on the north side of S.R. 56, has filed plans to open an as-yet-unnamed auto dealership in front of Main Event on the south side of S.R. 56, next to the under-construction Paradise Grills outdoor furniture store.
Auto Nation, which operates both new and used car dealerships among its 300 locations throughout the U.S. (more than Lithia, but just behind it in terms of sales), is the fourth largest auto dealership company in the nation.
Students get to enjoy meals together in the Saddlebrook Preparatory School cafeteria. (All photos provided by Saddlebrook Prep)ย
Since 1993, Saddlebrook Preparatory School, also known as Saddlebrook Prep, has been a place where outstanding young (middle and high school-aged) golfers and tennis players from all over the world have come to receive top-notch training in their respective sports while also receiving a quality education that truly โ as the schoolโs name indicates โ prepares these young athletes for college, the possibility of a professional career and even for life after college if theyโre not among those lucky enough to reach the pinnacle of their respective sports.
Rob Riehle
Rob Riehle, the grandson of Saddlebrook Resort founder and former owner Tom Dempsey, graduated from Saddlebrook Prep and is one of those former athletes (he started out as a tennis player but soon found he was better at golf) who appreciates both the training and the tremendous education he received at the school. He also was one of the few students at Saddlebrook Prep who didnโt need to have room and board at the school, since he lived in the community.
Riehle, who is now the director of marketing for the resort, graduated with a B.A. degree in Critical Media & Cultural Studies from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. He says that Saddlebrook Prep was an important part of his life and now, he wants to expand the schoolโs reach beyond those who attend the school to receive concurrent enrollment in the prestigious Harry Hopman Tennis Program or Saddlebrook Golf Academy.
โWhen Mast Capital purchased Saddlebrook last year,โ Riehle says, โthere was some concern about what would happen to Saddlebrook Prep, as most of the other ownership groups who looked into buying the resort and adjacent property had no interest in the school. But, not only did Mast want to continue the schoolโs programs, it wanted to make an investment in its future; they definitely were interested in keeping the resort and school the way they were while also making them better.โ
The driving range for Saddlebrook Resort, where the Saddlebrook Prep golfers practice, will be moved, as part of Mast Capitalโs planned renovations of the entire property.
Included in the improvements Mast has planned, as we reported in a previous issue, is to move the driving range (which currently sits just inside the resortโs front gate on S.R. 54) to a portion of Saddlebrookโs two Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole championship golf courses, leaving Saddlebrook with 27 โoutstanding golf holes,โ according to Riehle, โinstead of 36 mediocre ones.โ He notes that although the courses themselves are still great, their irrigation and drainage systems will be replaced as part of Mastโs $25-million investment in resort renovations. โAnd,โ he adds, โthe new driving range will be two-sided โ one for members and hotel guests and the other for golf academy students.โ
A Private School For Wesley Chapel
The Mast group also recognized that, as a former Saddlebrook Prep student whose family had owned the resort since it first opened in 1981, Riehle was in a unique position in terms of being able to help grow the schoolโs student population, which has rarely exceeded 100 total middle and (mostly) high schoolers and currently is home to around 75 students. All of those are boarding students, including about 70% from other countries.
The schoolโs small class sizes will help your child succeed.
โOne of the things we noticed,โ Riehle says, โis that a lot of local residents are looking for a local private school option, whether because their public school is overcrowded, their kids canโt get enough one-on-one time with their teachers, theyโre not happy with the curriculum, have safety concerns or for a combination of reasons. We believed, and Mast agreed, that these locals should at least take a look at Saddlebrook Prep.โ
He adds that, โThis is a beautiful, gated community with on-site security, so your kids can feel safe attending here.โ
Although the Covid-19 pandemic affected pretty much everyone and everything, Riehle says that Saddlebrook Prep was hit particularly hard and has never fully recovered. โWith our students always having been so international, and with many countries not allowing their residents to travel, much less to the U.S., the school really suffered,โ he says. โItโs come back somewhat, but Covid definitely created room for more students to attend Saddlebrook Prep.โ
Riehle also notes that although Saddlebrook Prepโs middle school has traditionally been mostly younger siblings of boarding high school students, โthat is one area we think will grow with this new opportunity. In fact, although we think our ideal student population is 100-120 students as of right now, and that number could grow if thereโs enough demand because we can always add more faculty and staff to accommodate that greater need.โย ย
Your child doesnโt have to be a future tennis pro to attend Saddlebrook Prep.
One of the things Riehle wants to stress is that this is the first time in Saddlebrook Prepโs three-decade history that being a golf or tennis player will not be a requirement to attend the school.
โWe have been doing golf and tennis for 30 years and weโre very good at it,โ he says. โBut, letโs say your child is into gymnastics, or plays hockey. They can be done with school here by 1:30 in the afternoon and have plenty of time to pursue their own sports. Or, they can get extra schooling, or pursue hobbies or charities โ whatever theyโre doing to get ready for college, because preparing your child for whatever they decide to do after high school is what weโre all about. This school will give them the freedom to pursue their goals.โ
Riehle also notes, however, that some people reading this story may not have known that there even was a golf and tennis academy right here in Wesley Chapel and that they may be interested in sending their kids to the school for those programs.
โHow much better would it be for them to attend an actual golf or tennis academy, where they can practice and train every day with world-class instructors?,โ he asks.
In fact, Saddlebrook Prep students also receive sport-specific exercise instruction for an hour every day with certified professionals.
He says that even though pros like Martina Hingis, Mardy Fish, Andy Roddick and so many others got such great training at the school, your child doesnโt have to make it to that level to benefit from attending Saddlebrook Prep.
โIt isnโt cheap to send your kid here,โ Riehle admits. โBut, we see it as investing in your kid now so that maybe they get that scholarship and you donโt have to pay as much for college. Plus, a lot of jobs look for kids who played college sports because they build dedication, time-management skills and perseverance โ all the skills that you learn by playing a sport.โ
And, he adds that, โWhen I speak to college coaches, they tell me theyโre happy to get kids from Saddlebrook Prep because they come to college already ready. Thatโs a big advantage.โ
What To Expect
The fitness facility and quality instruction by certified professionals also will be available for students who arenโt attending Saddlebrook Prepโs tennis or golf academies.
Students enrolling in the Academics-Only program at Saddlebrook Prep will take six classes each day between 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Advanced tutoring is available most days. Core classes meet college admissions and NCAA standards and Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available both on campus and online. There also are dual enrollment opportunities at Pasco Hernando State College, SAT prep courses, educational trips to locations of scientific and historical significance, school events throughout the year (including, for seniors, to Orlandoโs Grad Bash), fitness courses designed, and with instruction by, certified pros and public service opportunities.
โThe opportunity to learn with and from students from all across the globe is another advantage,โ Riehle says. โItโs a great way for local kids to be exposed to different languages and cultures.โ
Riehle also notes that Mast Capitalโs investment in the school will allow for upgrades to Saddlebrook Prepโs technology, transportation, campus and programs.
Meet Deanna Garrett
Deanna Garrett
Originally from nearby Dade City, Saddlebrook Prep Head of School Deanna Garrett earned her Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Early Childhood Education from USF. She has been a member of the schoolโs faculty since 2016 and the Head of School since 2018.
Prior to joining the staff at Saddlebrook Prep, Garrett worked in the Pasco County School District for 22 years in a variety of teaching, instructional support and administrative roles.
Her educational philosophy is that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused academic team, an encouraging community, and supportive family.
For more info about Saddlebrook Prep, call (813) 907-4300 or email Nona Wagh at nwagh@saddlebrook.com.
By now, anyone who regularly drives the Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at S.R. 56 or the new Overpass Rd. exit at I-75 has to recognize that these transportation improvements have helped relieve traffic in our area.
And, with new lanes now open eastbound and opening soon westbound on S.R. 54 between Curley Rd. and Morris Bridge Rd., it appears that Wesley Chapelโs biggest traffic problems are continuing to improve.
Even so, I still hear (and see on Facebook) lots of complaints about our traffic issues and the amount of money that is or isnโt being spent to do something about fixing them.
Does $836 million in state transportation improvements sound like nothing has been done?
Although not all of that amount has been spent on alleviating traffic in Wesley Chapel โproper,โ almost $530 million of it has been spent on a wide variety of transportation capacity projects serving zip codes 33543, 33544 & 33545 since 2002 โ and that amount doesnโt include the hundreds of millions more that Pasco and the developers of Wesley Chapel-based communities have spent to improve the roads in and around all of our areaโs new subdivisions.
The remaining $300+ million of that $836 million total is what has been spent improving the state-owned roadways in the Wesley Chapel-adjacent communities of New Tampa (nearly $187 million) and San Antonio ($94.5 million).
Thanks to our new editorial research contributor (and new local Realtor with Florida Executive Realty) Joel Provenzano, who previously worked for the Florida Department of Transportation (aka FDOT), I am proud to be able to break down just the state funds that have been spent to make traffic less of a nightmare for those of us who live and/or work in and around โThe Chapโ (see chart above).
And, while I understand that those who were here before the boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s miss all the cows, empty space and being able to have just one blinking yellow light from BBD (then C.R. 581) at S.R. 54 to one signal at BBD and I-75 in New Tampa, most of the locals who moved to this area once the development of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa started to take hold are appreciative of the improvements that have been made here since 2002.
I do realize that, with the continued explosion of new homes and businesses in our area, more money will need to be spent to keep our area from turning into another Dale Mabry Hwy. or Brandon Blvd. I, for one, however, am happy to not be sitting in traffic as often as I was before all of these improvements were made.
Check Out Our Online Ads!
Over the past few years, as online advertising has infiltrated pretty much every part of our lives, we have had just a couple of online ads on our website โ NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net.
But, as the number of visits to our site has grown exponentially the last 2-3 years, I have always wanted to offer local businesses the opportunity to place ads on our site โ which now averages 30,000 visits every month โ I just wasnโt sure what to charge for those ads.
Well, those rates are now set and the first of those online ads should be up on our site by no later than June 15. So, whether you want to supplement your print ads or advertise with us online only, please call (813) 910-2575 or email ads@ntneighborhoodnews.com.
Lillian Bischelโs Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching can help you overcome fears or help you improve your life. (Photos by Charmaine George)
A lifelong โFlorida Crackerโ and New Tampa resident for the past three decades, Lillian Bischel has spent years studying the human condition.
With Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Psychology and Anthropology, and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Speech Language Therapy โ all from University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa โ Lillian has been a speech language pathologist for the past 14 years. Prior to that, she was a legal assistant.
She says her varied educational pursuits and work experiences have led her to find her passion โ as a certified hypnotist whose practice, known as Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching, helps people to meet their goals, whether they want to improve an area of their lives or overcome a particular fear.
She also has earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Atlantic University (a distance learning university based in Virginia Beach, VA), is certified as a hypnotherapist (CHt), a master hypnotherapist (MHt), and is a member of the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists.
Here in Florida, however, the title of โtherapistโ is reserved for those who hold a medical degree, so although her certification is as a hypnotherapist, she is considered a โhypnotistโ in our state.
Lillian explains that transpersonal psychology takes the connection of mind and body that is central to traditional psychology one important step further. Transpersonal means that the therapy incorporates an unconscious element, as well.
โWhen you go to a โregularโ psychologist, they say they can fix you if you do what they say,โ Lillian explains. โTranspersonal psychology is more that you have a challenge and I can help you find your own answers.โ
The first session with Lillian is always an interview to allow her to get to know you and establish background information. She coaches people to come up with their own solutions and suggestions, then uses their own words to write a completely customized hypnosis script, which is done in a separate session.
The client-centered approach means she focuses on active listening and understanding the issues, needs, and wants of her clients, and to guide them to find answers within themselves from a mind, body and soul (meaning the unconscious) perspective.
However, she says, sometimes her clients find the coaching so helpful, they donโt even need the hypnosis.
But, for those who do, the hypnosis starts with a relaxation process and deepening technique, which helps tap into the clientโs subconscious. Then, Lillian can do a suggestive hypnosis, where she shares ideas from the interview that will help the client reach their goals.
Her โMasterโ certification allows her to do age regression and past life regression, as well.
She says that many clients donโt understand the spiritual connection to their personal problems. In fact, these problems can be hard to discuss because theyโre usually deeply personal topics, and often bring up ideas that might sound crazy if the clients didnโt experience them. Lillian says that, based on her experience, she believes people are eternal beings.
That philosophy allows her to help people who are interested in regression to a past life โ which may help them overcome fears they are presently experiencing โ or simply regression to a younger age.
All coaching and hypnosis sessions are completely virtual, via teleconference, so you can participate in these sessions from the comfort of your own home.
Lillian offers a free consultation to explain the process and โsee if weโre a good fit for each other.โ
She says most people who find her service valuable have something going on in their lives thatโs not working for them. They might not know why itโs happening or how to change, but itโs interrupting their lives in some way. It might be stress that is affecting their health, relationships, or even their ability to work.
Lillian also can help people who have set a goal for themselves, such as to be more confident, to be able to speak in front of people, to develop healthier habits, or even quit smoking.
She says she has helped any number of people with debilitating phobias to be able to face their fears.
During the training and certification process, Lillian had to do many hours of hypnosis under the supervision of her college professors. She also is required to have continuing education credits to maintain her membership in the National Association of Transpersonal Hypnotherapists.
Not For Entertainment Purposes!
One thing Lillian stresses is that therapy with hypnosis is not entertainment.
โI donโt do this for fun,โ she says. And she further clarifies that she will never make people do anything while they are under hypnosis.
โYou canโt make a person do something that goes against their morals,โ she explains. โEven though weโve reached an unconscious level, at all times your everyday mind is still there, so youโre very much aware of everything that goes on and can stop at anytime, if you want.โ
Brenda Murray says she has known Lillian a long time and that her experience with hypnosis therapy was even better than she had hoped.
โI was extremely impressed with her professional nature and calmness,โ explains Brenda. โShe was very detailed, guiding me through with ease. I was surprised at how easy and comfortable Lillian made it.โ
Brenda says she was curious about hypnosis โ as she thinks many other people also may be โ and she wanted to work with Lillian to gain some ambition in a certain area in her life. โIt did help,โ Brenda says. โI was impressed with that.โ
She also says she looks forward to working with Lillian again to focus on another part of her life.
โI highly recommend her,โ says Brenda. โSheโs a natural. I saw a different side of Lillian than I knew and I was quite impressed by her.โ
Lillian Bischelโs Client-Centered Hypnosis & Coaching offers hypnosis and coaching via virtual sessions. For more information or to set up a free consultation, call Lillian at (813) 390-2910 or email her at clientcenteredhypnosis@gmail.com.
Our congratulations go out to Florida Penguin Productions for putting on a successful third-annual Rum & Seafood Festival at the Tampa Premium Outlets on June 3, despite the constant threat of bad weather that could have caused the eventโs cancellation.
A steady stream of adult visitors paid $15 per person to get into the Festival, which featured live music, dozens of vendors โ including Siesta Key and Sailor Jerry rums, FishHawk Spirits and Jack Danielโs Tennessee Whiskey โ and great seafood food trucks like Charm City Eats, Super Grouper, Got Lobstah? and From the Soul to the Sea. Among this yearโs highlights were the Crab Races (that I unfortunately missed) and the โrooftopโ bar.
Theย North Tampa Bay Chamber received a portion of the eventโs proceeds.
Crazy Sushi Is Open At The Shops At Wiregrass; Azteca DโOro To Open June 24!ย
Crazy Sushi Is Open!
If you love sushi and all-you-can-eat Japanese-inspired cuisine and havenโt yet checked out the new Crazy Sushi Wiregrass at the Shops at Wiregrass, you probably should.
Crazy Sushi is more than just another replacement for the several restaurants that have opened and gone out of business at 28152 Paseo Dr., #150 โ itโs a much larger (having also taken over an adjacent store), real sit-down restaurant that just happens to also offer all-you-care-to-eat lunch (for $22.95 per person; available Mon.-Fri., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. only) and dinner (and Sat.-Sun. lunch, for $32.95) Japanese food that, based on our first visit, is well worth the price.
The sushi (the left photo is of a tasty sushi sampler that isnโt on the menu) is really fresh, the appetizers โ including gyoza dumplings, tempura veggies, fried chicken karaage (right photo), etc. โ and lo mein are spot-on and the hibachi sirloin steak and chicken are both of a higher quality (at least, in my opinion)than what weโre used to getting at Ginza or Koizi. And. the premium full-liquor bar offers full-sized drinks at lower-than-mall prices.
For more information, call (813) 991-8989 or visit CrazySushiWesleyChapel.com and please tell our friend Edgar behind the bar that we sent you!
Recapping Blush Champagne Barโs Grand Opening Event!
Even though we told you that the Blush Champagne & Cocktail Bar had opened at the KRATE Container Park last issue, we didnโt get to show you any of the great pictures photographer Charmaine George took at the spectacular Grand Opening party on May 19 for the second KRATE (the other is the nearly adjacent Blush Wine Room) owned by Felicia and Nimesh Desai (top left photo). The event included a DJ, a 360ยบ photo booth, the great Blush Wine Room food, a dozen frozen wine-based cocktails, a variety of sparkling wines and hundreds of happy attendees! For info about the Blush Wine Room or Champagne & Cocktail Bar, call (813) 428-6247 or visit BlushWineRoom.com.ย
Playa Bowls To Open June 17!
When Tabatha Castro and Pablo Reid open the newest location of Playa Bowls next to the Latin Twist Cafรฉ at 2653 BBD Blvd. on or around June 17, you can expect not just the ever-popular aรงai bowls, but also coconut, banana, chia pudding, green and pitaya bowls, plus fresh fruit smoothies and juices, oatmeal & more. The beach-themed healthy eating place also known as โPineappleland,โ started at the Jersey Store and has grown to nearly 200 locations nationwide. For more info, visit PlayaBowls.com.
