New Interior Makeover Business Takes Homes from “Drab to Fab”

From Drab to Fab was created when Charla Lagasse, certified interior decorator, and Vicki Popple joined together to form a home interior makeover business. They specialize in using their clients’ current furnishings and accessories to get a fresh, updated look in just one day. Having over 20 years of experience in design and decorating, they can see your room’s hidden potential. From Drab to Fab can also give you the competitive edge when it comes to selling your home. Lagasse and Popple will stage your home with an unforgettable look that will attract serious buyers. For more information, contact Lagasse at 505-9498 or charlas.interiors@gmail.com for their spring special.

Sell Your Home with “Curb Appeal”

Trying to sell your house in the real estate market today can be challenging. Curb appeal can mean the difference between a potential buyer driving right by your house, or putting it on their must-see list. A new business in Brandon offers a variety of home services to meet whatever your curb appeal needs are. Owner Joe Joiner of Curb Appeal Concepts, is a native of the Brandon and Riverview areas and has been in the real estate business for several years. The reason he began his company was because he realized there was a niche that was not being served in the Hillsborough County area. “Sellers were not taking the time or didn't have the time to make their properties eye-catching to potential buyers,” said Joiner. “I noticed that properties with a lot of promise were sitting on the market for months while others were being sold in the same neighborhood in weeks. The difference was curb appeal.”

Joiner indicated that the ideas to improve curb appeal can be as simple as looking at the property from the street through the eyes of a potential buyer.  For more information, contact Joiner at 486-9844.

Chick-fil-A Lake Brandon Village Welcomes New Marketing Staff Member

Madonna Abruzzese joins the marketing team of Chick-fil-A at Lake Brandon Village. She will be representing the owners, Paul and Tammy Holmberg, at local events and chamber meetings.

For more information or to welcome Abruzzese, visit her at 11325 Causeway Blvd. or call 655-1237.

Reduce Stress and Find More Time

The Professional Organizer company of Marietta, GA announced its newest affiliate Jill Ferguson. Ferguson, who owns Living Orderly, is a new professional organizing service located in Valrico and serves the Tampa Bay area. Ferguson brings her previous life experiences to organizing including teaching, operating a business, and raising a family. For 20 years, she owned and operated a small business called Video News Clip, a news monitoring service. She utilizes her experience in running a small home-based business to assist others. Ferguson indicated that by living with your "things" in order, you bring order to other areas of your life. 

Specialties include: entire home, closets, kitchens & pantries, Downsizing/ “Empty Nesters”, seniors, Home office / Small Business.  The philosophy of The Professional Organizer is that, "you can reduce all kinds of stress in your life if you begin with an organized space and systems that work".  When you clear the clutter from your life, you can focus on what is truly important to you. For more information, contact Living Orderly at 685-9986 or email at livingorderly@verizon.net.

Revisit the Past with New Soda Shoppe

How would you like to take a stroll back through memory lane? Now you can. A Flavor in Time Soda Shoppe has recently opened in Valrico and will take you back in time to the 1950s soda shoppe. A Flavor in Time serves ice cream cones, sundaes [and specialty sundaes], shakes, malts, fountain drinks, old fashioned soda and popcorn. The new store is located at 4344 Bell Shoals Rd. in Valrico in the Beef O’ Brady’s anchored plaza. For a special treat you can try a 'penny licker' and even purchase a 'penny licker' T-shirt. For more information, call 245-1372.

Company Completes Jobsite Safety Training

The technical and office staffs of Wilhelm Heating and Air Conditioning completed an updated training course on jobsite safety. The course was designed to increase its technical skills and efficiency in addition to safety procedures. This training was the current installment in an aggressive and dedicated training effort. Owner Mary Ann Wilhelm has dedicated herself to committing the resources to ensure that her staff receives continuing state of the art training. This training ensures that her staff members are able to deliver service to clients in the most professional manner. For further information, please contact Wilhelm Heating & Air Conditioning at 641-1811 or visit www.wilhelmhtgandac.com.

Curves in Lithia to Hold Vendor Fair

If you’ve been curious about what Curves in Lithia, or Bloomingdale, has to offer, then stop in at the Lithia Club on Saturday, April 19, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a vendor fair featuring products, services, and crafts offered by businesses owned or represented by Curves’ Lithia and Bloomingdale members. Curves’ staff will be available to assist those interested in a membership. "This is an excellent time for everyone to come in, see the equipment, learn more about our programs, and learn about the various local businesses owned by our Curves’ members", said owner Nancy Marc, a registered nurse. Marc indicated that most ladies are unaware that their insurance company may cover the full cost of their Curves membership.  Curves is also offering a sign up special: Join with a friend, and you can split the service fee! 

"Many of our members, who are busy, local business owners themselves and have little time for exercise, have learned that Curves provides an exercise and weight control program designed specifically for women,” said Marc.

The company is located at 5618 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia in the new Publix at FishHawk Shopping Center. For more information, contact Marc at 413-8500 or nmarc@tampabay.rr.com.

New Backyard Bird Watching Store Opens

Are you a backyard bird watcher? If yes, a new store called Rich’s Backyard Birds is certain to have something useful for you. Owners Rich & Tanya Crete recently opened their store and cater to backyard birdwatchers in the area. Products offered include premium bird seed and seed blends, a great selection of bird feeders and baths, mounting hardware, optics, wind chimes, books and gifts. Rich Crete has 25 years of ‘birding’ experience and 20 years working in the retail industry. According to Crete, “FishHawk, River Hills, Bloomingdale, Valrico and Riverview have lots of homeowners who live here because they love to enjoy nature. The reality is they don’t always have enough time to go out and enjoy it.  Rich’s Backyard Birds brings nature home.” The store is located at 5670 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia. Hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon.-4 p.m. For more information, contact Crete at 657-BIRD (2473).

Local Business Owners Honored at Play It Again Sports Conference

Local business owners Judy and Sandy Fortin were pumped up, re-energized and motivated, among hundreds of other Play It Again Sports owners, who attended the 2008 Play It Again Sports Winter Conference and Trade Show. However, what made the event even more rewarding and memorable for the Fortin’s was receiving multiple Top Performer awards.

"Being given these awards really added on to the overall experience at this year's conference and trade show," Sandy said. "I'd like to thank the company for recognizing the hard work and efforts of my staff and myself in successfully building the business in Brandon."

"We congratulate Sandy and Judy for making strides in the Brandon business and really being of great assistance to our customers there. We were more than happy to honor them with these coveted awards," said Pat Quinn, director for Play It Again Sports. "Our objective at the conference was to give our team the best possible knowledge of the industry, as well as tools to make their businesses flourish. Whether it was learning about the snow sports, hockey, or soccer and football markets, or hearing stories of success from each other, we were excited to provide all of those who attended this year's conference and trade show an amazing experience."

Play It Again Sports provides a place for parents to trade-in quality, used sports equipment and trade up for new gear for their children. For more information about Play It Again Sports of Brandon, please contact the Fortins at 661-4141.

HoneyBaked Ham Co. Offering New Summer Fruit Tray

The HoneyBaked Ham Co. is offering a delicious summer fruit tray as a perfect compliment to any HoneyBaked platter or buffet.  From last minute meetings to seasonal office parties, its quality products and outstanding service is sure to meet the highest of standards. Locally, Honey Baked Ham is located adjacent to Target at the Regency Plaza. For more information, contact Erin Dudgeon at 661-0809 or email at lsr0323@hbham.com.

Handcrafted Jewelry Available

Geri Lou Ciotoli, a FishHawk Ranch resident, recently became an independent representative for Silpada Designs. The company provides handcrafted jewelry that is considered the finest .925 sterling silver jewelry available [no painted or plated fashion or costume jewelry]. Ciotoli said, “There is really something for every taste and style.” Ciotoli showcases the jewelry at a Silpada Designs Home Show, where there is no formal presentation or pressure. Guests drop in for a "Fun Ladies' Night out Playing Dress-up with Jewelry," and purchase the things they like. As the Hostess, others would want to become a representative receive up to 30 percent of total retail show sales in free Silpada Designs Jewelry. For more information, contact Ciotoli at 684-6987.

New Life Theatre to Present Edges

A newly formed theatre production company, The Frenzie – Life Theatre, based in the Greater Brandon area, is staging EDGES: A Song Cycle by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul on April 2 through April 5 at the Winthrop Event Center (The Barn Theatre) located at 11349 Bloomingdale Ave, Riverview. 

The show is directed by The Frenzie co-founder and previous Bloomingdale High theatre arts instructor Michael Mercer. EDGES features four talented young performers: Pedro Amaral, Doug Buffaloe, Sarah Mitchel and Ashley Squires.

According to Pasek and Paul, “EDGES isn’t a traditional musical – it’s a collection of songs that are thematically linked.  The four characters sing songs posing classic coming of age questions: Who are we and who do we want to become?” 

Tickets are available through cast and crew members or at the door, and are priced at $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. The box office opens at 6:30 pm, with the show beginning at 7:30 pm.

All net profits from the Wednesday, April 2 opening night performance will be donated to the Brandon Performing Arts Center building fund.

Due to adult themes and language, this show is not recommended for children under 13. No children under 5 years of age are permitted.

For more information, call 655-0789 or visit the Website at www.TheFrenzie.com.

 New Pizza Store Opens

Jet’s Pizza, located at 13429 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia, recently opened its doors to residents in the FishHawk, Bloomingdale, and Boyette areas. The new business offers pizza, subs, salads, and wings.

Co-Owner Bill Gibson owns three Jet’s Pizza locations in Taylor, Allen Park, and Lincoln Park, Michigan.  He has been with Jet’s for over 10 years.  Co-owner Jerome Grable has lived in the area for more than 25 years and has worked in the financial services industry for 15 years. 

“Jet’s Pizza is made with fresh ingredients,” said Grable. “We make the dough fresh every day; it is not shipped frozen. Our cheese is grated in-store and not shipped frozen in bags. Green peppers are chopped fresh from whole peppers. Our sauce is flavorful and not just an afterthought, like many of our competitors.  We offer freshness and quality at a great value. We offer deep dish, hand-tossed, thin, and our new Bold Fold New York style crust.” Jets opened with a bang with a Webkinz promotion with each of its Jets Specials. For more information or to order for pick up or delivery, call 654-5388 (JETS).