Wesley Chapel Chamber Welcomes Chocolate Artisans

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Chocolate Creations by Connie (located at 26306 Wesley Chapel Blvd., SR 54, Lutz, FL in Grand Oaks Plaza) to the Chamber in a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on September 11, 2008. For those who truly appreciate chocolate, you must try these delightful treats! Handmade by Connie and her Husband, these chocolates are not only fabulous to taste, they are beautiful as well.

Connie Matey and John Matey from Chocolate Creations by Connie (http://www.chocolatesbyconnie.com/) receive a warm welcome from Honorary Mayor Elayne Bassinger (r)

Robin Arentsen of United First Financial and Bob Black of Allstate Insurance (http://agent.allstate.com/Bob.Black/Welcome)

Blake Skiles and Michael DeLessio both of BankAtlantic

Laura Miller - Charles Rutenberg Realty, Michael DeLessio - BankAtlantic and Mary Cluck - 5/3rd Bank

Paula O'Neil ----Paula O'Neil for Clerk of the Circuit Court Pasco County (http://www.paulaforpascoclerk.com/) and Kim Bogart---Kim Bogart for Pasco County Sheriff (http://www.bogartforsheriff.com/)

Connie Matey of Chocolate Creations by Connie(http://www.chocolatesbyconnie.com/), Vicki Hamilton of Smart Health, Inc. (http://www.smarthealthrates.com/) and Mary Cluck of 5/3rd Bank

Rob Kellog of Thread Art (http://www.threadartfl.com/) and Tom Burt of Send Out Cards (sendoutcards.com/tomburt)

Capt. Rob & Vicki Hamilton of Smart Health Inc. (http://www.smarthealthrates.com/)

Cobb Theatre Opening Labor Day Weekend

We are excited to report Wesley Chapel's new 16 screen Cobb Theatre is scheduled to open Labor Day weekend. It will offer ten movie screens and snack bar style refreshments on the first floor. The second floor has six auditoriums with leather seating for up to 350 people, featuring food and beverage service available to those 21 years of age and older. Cinebistro Loge, the theater's restaurant, offers all age seating and service for 100.The theater will employ approximately 120 people. The concept of a movie theater/restaurant combo has Wesley Chapel a buzz, and residents are already making plans to attend this new addition to The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

Planning for Holiday Festival has Begun!

Plans for Wesley Chapel's 2nd Annual Holiday Festival hosted by The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce are in motion. The community event will be held on Saturday December 6, 2008 from 4-7pm at Wesley Chapel Regional Park, located off Boyette Road and Overpass Road. There is no charge for admission. Last year being the first event of this kind planned by the Chamber, we expected a few hundred people. Much to everyones surprise, approximately 2000 people showed up for this event. That in mind, we are planning bigger and better this year with more food, more activities and more entertainment. There are a lot of plans "in the works" and details will be released as we get closer to the event. A parade route for the kids is being designed and Santa will be there too. I just received confirmation from Jimmy Jumpers that they will have at least one of their jumpers or slides at the event and the Chamber will be giving out hot dogs and beverages. There will also be a Toys for Tots bin where donations of new, unwrapped toys will be accepted.

Holiday Festival 2007

Wesley Chapel Welcomes Fifth Third Bank

On July 23rd I attended a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 5/3 Bank in Wesley Chapel located at 2022 Bruce B Downs, right in front of The Shops at Wiregrass. I was not very familiar with the bank, but soon learned that although new to Wesley Chapel, 5/3 has been in business for 150 years. The bank has received numerous accolades, and is extremely community oriented. Mary Cluck, Relationship Manager of 5/3 Bank, sits on the Executive Board of Directors for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and participates in a number of our community events. I sit on a number of committees with Mary and know that she is a terrific asset to both 5/3 and our community.

Laura Miller of Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc and Mary Cluck of 5/3 Bank

Rob Kellog of Thread Art and Jim Paul of 5/3 Bank

Chuck Davis of 5/3 Bank and Sheri Goldberg - Executive Director Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce

Laura Miller of Charles Rutenberg Realty, Paula O'Neil for Pasco Clerk of the Circuit Court and Martine Duncan of The Theater Doctor

Capt. Rob Hamilton of Smart Health Inc. and David Perez of Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio

Shops at Wiregrass Expand Tenant List

The release of additional retailer names evidence the growth at the Shops at Wiregrass. JC Penney is joined by Dillards and Macy's, slated to open October 30th. There has been significant progress made since this initial symbolic scoop of dirt was turned at the March 19, 2008 groundbreaking ceremony celebrated with the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. Full Story

"Hanzel Scramble" at Lexington Oaks Golf Course

Peter Hanzel, candidate for Pasco County School Board, District 2, and his Wife, Karen, held a golf tournament fundraiser on Friday, July 18, 2008 at Wesley Chapel’s Lexington Oaks Golf Course. The successful “Hanzel Scramble” provided golf, food and prizes for the participants. Low Gross Winners were John Briscoe, Bobby Briscoe, Jennifer Carter, Dan Robinson; Low Net Winners were Dave Moore, Kevin Kopplin, Angela Caudle, and Tom Kopplin; winner of the Putting Contest
was Bryan Allman; and winner of the Longest
Drive was: Dave Moore, (men), and Angela Caudle
(women). Peter Hanzel also sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. For more information on
Peter Hanzel’s campaign go to http://www.vote4peterhanzel.com/.
















Low Net Winners: Dave Moore, Kevin Kopplin, Angela Caudle and Tom Kopplin

Buffalo Southwest Cafe Team

Michael DeLessio of Bank Atlantic (center) with JP and Donna Smith of Cafe Fresh

Wiregrass Restaurants Prepare for Fall Opening

13 restaurants have been announced to open this Fall at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. The restaurants include Moe’s Southwest Grill, The Brass Tap, Grillsmith and Put A Cork In It. As part of this process Pasco County Planning Commission gave preliminarily approval for sale of alcoholic beverages on July 9th. Pasco County Commissioners will have the final say on the permits at a hearing on August 12th. Full Story As Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, we attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the mall in March when the initial tenant list was announced. We are impressed with the progress of The Shops at Wiregrass and look forward to the arrival of these new restaurants.

Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Mall Tenants

Elayne Bassinger is Wesley Chapel's new Honorary Mayor

The results of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Race have been announced. Elayne Bassinger, of Heritage Bank, was named Wesley Chapel's new Honorary Mayor and Alison FitzGerald of Phoenix Massage & Personal Training as Honorary Deputy Mayor. The Mayoral candidates earned a combined total of over twenty thousand dollars for the Chamber.

New and reappointed Board of Directors Members Jeff Olsen, Devin Collins, Debra Kaplan, Laura Miller, Pat Carroll and Sue Davis with Board Vice President, David Perez

Lexington Oaks site for Hanzel Scramble

Peter Hanzel, candidate for Pasco County School Board, District 2, will hold a golf tournament fundraiser at Lexington Oaks Golf Course in Wesley Chapel. The tournament will take place on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 1:00p.m. The cost for the Hanzel Scramble is $75 per person or $300 per team. Participants will enjoy 18 holes of golf, cart, range balls, door prizes, food, and award presentation. For more information call 813-907-6614.

Wesley Chapel to name new Honorary Mayor

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly mixer at 6:00p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel. The Chamber will announce the new Honorary Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Wesley Chapel and the new Board of Director members. Martine Duncan, co-owner of The Theater Doctor, will step down as the current Honorary Mayor.

Wesley Chapel Welcomes Facelogic

Facelogic and the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce celebrated the arrival of the spa in Wesley Chapel with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 11, 2008. The spa offers facials and waxing, as well as an extensive cosmetic and product line.

Welcome to facelogic.

Suzanne Brown and Bonnie Wickland (Owners)

Good Food!

Jeff and Laura Miller, Charles Rutenberg Realty, Inc.


Sheri Goldberg (Executive Director Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce) and Suzanne Brown (facelogic)

Products for both women and men

Rony Tanis of Digital Rescue

Bonnie and Suzanne welcome the crowd.

"A" Smile for Superintendent Heather Fiorentino

The Florida Department of Education rated the Pasco County School District an "A" this year. The State's annual report card, which grades the individual schools and school districts, pleased Superintendent Heather Fiorentino who is quoted as saying, "We are absolutely thrilled." Wesley Chapel's Quail Hollow Elementary School moved from a "C" rating to an "A" this year. Overall, the District's schools earned 29 A's, 20 B's, 17 C's and two D's. A Pasco school has never been rated an F. Full Story

Wesley Chapel Theater Given Green Light to Serve Alcohol

The Pasco County Commissioners unanimously gave their approval for the Cobb Theatre to serve alcohol at their new location at The Grove at Wesley Chapel. Despite opposition from a nearby church, the theater's second story restaurant, Cinebistro, will be permitted to serve beer, wine and alcohol. The Commissioners gave their approval stating the theater will provide employment opportunities and be an "asset" to the community. Full story

Growing Wesley Chapel Welcomes Cobb Theatre

Construction is progressing rapidly as the announced August 2008 grand opening of the Cobb Theatre at The Grove at Wesley Chapel approaches. We should find out tomorrow whether the county commissioners will grant Cinebistro, the theater's second floor restaurant, a license to serve alcohol. The theater has received resistance to the idea of serving alcohol from a local church which sits less than 1,000 feet from the building.

Wesley Chapel site of $40M Sports and Entertainment Complex

A business plan has been filed with the Pasco County officials by business partners S. Patrick DeLorenzo and G. Valle Bain to build SportsPlex USA, a $40M Sports and Entertainment Complex. The proposed development is to be built in two phases on 15-22.5 acres of undeveloped land near The Grove at Wesley Chapel. The 288,000sq/ft facility would employ between 175-200 people. The first phase would consist of three ice rinks, mini-golf, laser tag and rock climbing as possible amenities, while the second phase would consist of a 30,000sq/ft water park, 55,000 sq/ft of retail space and a 140 room hotel. As residents and parents, we are excited about the options this new facility offers to our community.

Wesley Chapel welcomes great new movie theater/restaurant

The Grove at Wesley Chapel will be home to the new 16-screen Cobb Theater opening in August 2008. The theater will also have an upstairs restaurant, called a “cinebistro loge,” wth seating for 100 people.

Wesley Chapel new elementary school announced

Construction is underway for a new Wesley Chapel elementary school located in the development of Watergrass. The school, currently named Elementary School V, set to open in August 2009.

The Results are in for the Wesley Chapel Battle of the Wings!

Even the rainy weather didn't spoil the fun at the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Business to Business Expo. There was a wonderful turnout and the Battle of the Wings offered a variety of wing flavors. Buffalo's Southwest Cafe walked away with the "People's Choice" award and Beef O'Brady's won as the "Judge's Choice." Local businesses offered promotional items and give-aways.




Buffalo's Southwest Cafe Wesley Chapel FL Congratulations on winning the 2008 Wesley Chapel Peoples Choice Award for their Wings.


Winner's Grill (BBD/SR54) brought their A-Team - Chef Camille Choute and Jason Sierra


Beef 'O' Brady's Wesley Chapel (BBD/SR56) Won the Judges Choice Award for 2008

Sharon Ambler from Jimmy Jumpers brought the fun.

Cafe Fresh by Juice Zone - Donna Smith and her son, JP

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