BUSINESS & FINANCE
25 CENT WALK-IN BINGO PLANT CITY BUSINESS PROFILE
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ne year ago, Maggie Ward decided to step down after 10 years as a Southern Hospitality store manager. She was looking forward to the next chapter of her life—retirement. She and her husband of one year, Dan, planned travel the world, and one of their first vacations together was a threeweek getaway to Europe. Yet during this particular trip something stirred inside Maggie…a deep desire to help others as she had been helped by the Connell family, owners of Southern Hospitality.
Article by Amanda Deck to the Strawberry Plaza, which has seen its share of challenges during the tough economic conditions. “Hopefully it’s helping our little community grow, our town of Plant City which I love and now my Boston man [Dan] loves, too,” said Maggie.
which buys them two bingo boards, or four facility and offers free donuts and coffee every morning. Vending machines are also cards, to be used for one game. on site providing snacks and drinks. Free “You can walk in and play one game or walk games take place each business day from 11 in and play all day, which a lot of people to 11:30 a.m., and happy hour occurs each do,” said Maggie. “For many, this is kind of day from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. where customers receive a free purple board. All a home away from home.” in all, this Plant City bingo hall is truly In other words, not only does 25 Cent first class and provides a nice, hometown Walk-In Bingo assist charities and those atmosphere where people can relax, enjoy looking for jobs, but it also give people a themselves, and hopefully win money! place to go to relax and socialize on a daily “So, come on down and try us out!” said basis. Dan. “I think we are giving some of the people in the community something to do that they enjoy,” said Maggie. “They can come here, mix and mingle, and enjoy their life. In fact, one woman told me ‘I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t open this right here in my backyard. I’ve been 25 Cent Walk-In Bingo so down and out, didn’t really want to do 1846/1848 James L. Redman Pkwy Plant City, Florida 33563 anything and I can come here and feel like I Phone: 813-752-2525 have people in my life.’”
Unlike a structured bingo hall, where patrons are required to buy a package of bingo cards and stay for three to four hours in order to get their money’s worth, customers at 25 Cent Walk-In Bingo 25 Cent Walk-In Bingo provides both “I was lying there one night, thinking about literally can play for as little as a quarter, smoking and nonsmoking rooms in its large how I can help people that I care about,” said Maggie. “And it was all of a sudden the Lord said, ‘What about your mom’s passion—bingo?’”
INFORMATION Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Tuesdays
In fact, Maggie’s original retirement plan was to spend time with her mother doing the one thing they enjoyed together, playing bingo. “I just always dreamed of her and I going to play together during our olden, golden years,” explained Maggie, “but I lost her at 65 to cancer.” Inspired by the Lord and wanting to carry on her mother’s legacy and love for bingo, Maggie, with Dan’s help, opened 25 Cent Walk-In Bingo in February 2013 in the Strawberry Plaza off James L. Redman Parkway. Not only does her nonprofit business allow her to employ people who are down on their luck and in need of a job, but she also has several charities in mind in which a portion of her proceeds will be donated soon. Charities include national organizations like the American Cancer Society and local ones such as the United Food Bank of Plant City, the Florida English Bulldog Rescue, Pet Comfort Care, the Pregnancy Care Center, and Everyday Blessings in Thonotosassa. Apart from giving to charities and providing employment opportunities, Maggie and Dan also hope to drive traffic 25 Cent Walk-In Bingo recently celebrated their business opening with a ribbon cutting through the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Nikki McAlpine
FOCUS MAGAZINE PLANT CITY JULY 2013
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