Michelle Colesanti, Business Editor

Pinch-a-Penny Hosts Customer Appreciation Night At Rays Game

Pinch a Penny in FishHawk recently held a Customer Appreciation Night and customers and team members enjoyed an evening game, transportation and even came home with Rays baseball hats from the event. Although the Rays didn’t bring home the win vs. the Cleveland Indians that night, the group enjoyed food, fun and a great night out together.

“We had a great time with our customers,” said Jimmy Rutledge whose parents Larry and Kathy make up the ownership team of the store.

“In the third inning, we had an announcement about our group on the Jumbo Tron,” said Jim. “Everyone got a hat with the Rays Hat Club and this night is something we do to let everyone know we appreciate the support from our customers and a good community to build a small business.”

Pinch a Penny is located at 16715 FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia. Call 655-3700 or visit www.pinchapenny.com.


An Eclectic Boutique For Your Wedding Needs – REVE

Visit Reve, which is an eclectic boutique located at 211 S. Moon Ave., directly across the street from Brandon Regional Hospital. Reve offers a unique, elegant collection of quality products at affordable prices.

Reve is owned by Christy Jackson-Collins. You will find many items not only for weddings, but for other events at the boutique. Check out wedding accessories including bridal veils, unity candle sets, cake toppers, blusher veils, bridal beach sandals, bridal bouquets, decorative bra straps, bridal belts, bridal and special occasion jewelry sets, decorative shoulder chains, Quinceanera and prom tiaras,  Quinceanera rings, bridal and special occasion hair jewelry, birthday cake toppers, cake knife sets in English and Spanish, beach wedding flip flops, bridal shawls, bridal totes, ring bearer pillows, and much more.

Wedding Packages are available to save Brides-to-Be both time and money starting at just $60. Hours are Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 643-6446 or visit www.reveeclecticboutique.com/, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reveeclecticboutique.com.

Tuesday Night Market Kicks Off At 22 Moons

Come experience the magic and artistry of the Tuesday Night Market at 22 Moons, located at 3110 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico. With farmer and artisan markets becoming so popular, owners Kebbie Rosenberg and Maria Malec of Socializing with a Purpose are spearheading the market.  22 Moons is the place for fine and artisan craftsmanship, antiques, classes and so much more. It is the ideal location to accommodate the busy lives of families-on-the-go and support local farmers, artisans, food trucks and more.

The Market will run weekly and kicks off on September 12 and will run through December 2017 from 3-7 p.m. and pickup again from February to May 2018.

 The market will include live music and vendors who provide fresh local organic produce, eggs, food artisans, handcrafted jewelry, vintage wares, small batch specialty, candles, soaps, and greeting cards, essential oils, accessories and so much more. Let your children unwind after school and enjoy face painting while mama gets some relaxing henna done. Forget about cooking dinner by eating in or taking to go delicious choices from our eclectic food truck offerings.

Ten percent of vendor sales will be donated to a local charitable cause. If you know a family or group who could use such assistance or if you are looking for a vending opportunity, please contact the market coordinator, Kebbie Rosenberg at 993-6901.

Sound Exchange of Brandon Moves To Pinellas Park In Merger

Sound Exchange, a Tampa Bay area independent record store chain open since 1987, has announced that it will merge its Brandon and Pinellas Park stores into a 6,400 sq. ft. building at the corner of 66th St. N. and 86th Ave. N. in Pinellas Park.  The new location will open at the beginning of October.

Members of the Brandon store staff have been offered jobs in the Tampa or new Pinellas Park locations.

Jim Butcher and Ron Stoy, who started the Brandon store together in 1992, are both eager to spend semi-retirement in racing cars (Jim) and restoring vintage stereo equipment (Ron). Ron said, “We thank our Brandon-area customers for 25 years of patronage and hope that you will venture to the Tampa or Pinellas Park stores in the near future.”

To welcome Brandon-area customers to other Sound Exchange locations, the company is offering people with Brandon, Valrico, Riverview, Lithia, Seffner, and Plant City addresses 10% off purchases at the Tampa and Pinellas Park stores, from September 15 until the end of 2017.  Just show your driver’s license at the register for the discount.
Visit  www.soundexchangetampabay.com.

Local Business Chambers To Celebrate ECHO’s 30 Years of Community Service

On Thursday, September 7, ECHO of Brandon (Emergency Care Help Organization) will partner with the Brandon, Riverview, Seffner, and Valrico/Fishhawk Chambers of Commerce to celebrate 30 years of service to residents of Hillsborough County. The event will be held from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at ECHO, 507 N. Parsons Ave. in Brandon.

The fun will then commence, as attendees in groups of 5 are taken on a fast-paced excursion through ECHO to experience “how their donations ECHO through our community. Additional parking will be provided at well-marked locations and Sheriff Deputies will be on hand to assist with traffic. Come and learn about ECHO’s new programs and the many resources offered to help clients become self-sufficient. There will be music and refreshments to add to the festivities.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony To Celebrate Opening of Play-Dates

On Saturday, September 16 at 9:30 a.m., a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to introduce Play-Dates, an indoor play center for children 5 years old or younger who desire an imaginative, challenging, and fun environment in which to exercise, play, and explore. The mission is to provide parents and caregivers an environment where their child can explore freely, feel satisfaction from self-selection, and interact with other children. 

This environment has toys and activities that will spark imagination and nurture overall development.  Parents can rest assured knowing their child is playing in a clean, safe environment, that is easy to get to and doesn’t require an all day commitment.

In addition to open play, daily enrichment classes and birthday parties are offered.  The enrichment classes focus on literature, fine/gross motor skills, creativity, and movement. 
All classes are age-appropriate and expose children to learning and discovery. 
Enrichment classes are free with paid admission. Socks are required for children and parents.

Admission costs are: ages 1-5 years $10; ages 6-11 months $6.25; ages 0-5 months are free with a paid sibling. Ages 0-5 months are $6.25 without a paid sibling. Each admission includes two free adults. Additional adults are $3.50
Play-Dates is located at 1040 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico. Call 438-5248 or visit www.playdatesflorida.com.

Valrico/FH Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting for LuLaRoe Boutique

Meredith Tucker was proud to share in the ribbon cutting of her LuLaRoe Boutique. LuLaRoe is a fashion brand with comfortable, affordable and stylish clothing that is sold by a national network of Independent Fashion Retailers.

Tucker started with LuLaRoe in 2015 in order to be the first person to open every box, and be the first to see new inventory. It quickly evolved into a full time opportunity to support her family, spend more time with her daughter and have fun and flexibility in her schedule. She opens her home boutique for personal styling sessions by appointment, but also hosts regular live sales via Facebook and other
social media marketing.

For more information, contact Tucker at 601-2269 or LuLaRoeLadies813@gmail.com.  

New Vice President of Marketing At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has named Kyle Dunavant its new Vice President of Marketing.

Dunavant brings more than a decade of marketing experience in the casino industry. He spent three years as Vice President of Marketing at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis and was at MGM Resorts International for eight years holding various roles with the final year as Director of Marketing Strategy & Analysis – Regional Operations.

“Given his vast experience, we’re thrilled to have Kyle on board,” said Joe Lupo, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s President. “We’re looking forward to seeing the positive effect his efforts will have on the Tampa Bay community and guests of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.” 

Dunavant holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. Visit www.seminolehardrocktampa.com.

New Ownership For Royal Maid Service

Austrian Entrepreneur, Mike Honsa recently became the new owner of Royal Maid Service and has hired special management to help make Royal Maid the best in the industry. Stacy Serrano is the general manager. All the staff are specially trained and before anyone is hired, they are background checked, vetted and insured – as well as bonded and fully licensed.

The Royal Maid staff is always on time and uses the best machines and products in the industry.

Residential and Commercial cleaning are available 24 hours a day; seven days a week on request and at no extra cost.

To show customers the new quality of service offered by the new management team, get 50% off of your first three cleanings.

Royal Maid service is a nationwide 5 Star rated franchise with over 25 years in business.
For more information, call 999-4929 or email Honsa at mike@honsagroup.com or Serrano at office@royalmaidservice.com. Visit www.royalmaidservice.com.

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Michelle Colesanti
Michelle has been with the Osprey Observer for almost nine years, and her current position is Assignment Editor. She resides in Bloomingdale with her husband Phil, two sons, Philip and Matthew, and Tigger the cat.