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.