Two Sections, 40 Pages of Community News
Brandon/Winthrop
C E L E B R A T I N G
Page 13
July 2019 Volume 14, Issue 7 Ph: 657-2418
33 1 7
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
P O S I T I V E
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
Brandon Tradition, Babe’s Pizza Now Has New Owners After 41 Years
Opening Dates Announced As Bloomingdale Square Reconstruction Continues
Babe's Pizza double-decker has been a staple pizza, as well as of the Brandon their name, will all community for more remain the same. than 40 years and Before buying was established in Babe’s Pizza, the the community in Patel’s accom1978. Until recently, plished quite a lot. the landmark pizza Sofia used to be a joint has been Certified Nursing owned and operatAssistant (CNA) ed by Pat and Rich while Craig Paddock. worked at Pizza Now, the two Hut and Papa are happily retiring John’s. After that, and have left their he took over prized pizza shop to seven the new owners: Dunkin’ From left to right: New Sofia and Craig Donut locaowners Craig Patel and Patel. tions. He Sofia Patel shaking Throughout the hands with the previous later sold now-retired owners Pat years, the those and Paddock and Rich Paddocks have cre- Paddock bought in front of the ated a family-friendBabe’s Babe’s Pizza Logo ly environment Pizza, by connecting which he and making now runs long-lasting relawith his tionships with wife. their customers Craig bought Babe’s Pizza and employees. because he saw it as a place Running Babe’s that could flourish. Pizza over the “I want to help Babe’s Pizza years has grow,” he said. As the new ownbrought them ers, the Patels want only the many loyal cusbest for their new restaurant. tomers and Babe’s Pizza is located at friends. 107 N. Kings Ave. in Brandon So, it may be and is open Tuesday through a relief to those Saturday, from 5-10 p.m. and loyal customers Sunday from 5-9:30 p.m. It is that the Patels plan to keep most of closed on Mondays. For more inforeverything the same, other than a mation on the menu, visit places.sinfew upgrades. For sure, its famous gleplatform.com or call 689-2282.
It has been almost a year since the redevelopment of Bloomingdale Square began, and with all the construction underway, everyone is curious about the target dates for new tenants and store openings. The long-vacant Walmart space is currently being converted into a new New exterior Bloomingdale Square monument signs (22 ft.) have 48,841-sq.-ft. Publix, been designed to replace those currently located at the entrances on Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rd. a 1,600-sq.-ft. Publix It has also been announced that Beef Liquors, as well as a 15,000-sq.-ft. Home ‘O’Brady’s will open next to Truly Greek. Centric, a home goods store owned by Adjacent to that is a currently availBealls that features a continually changable 1,200-sq.-ft. storefront, followed by a ing assortment of home products. 3,000-sq.-ft. Banfield Pet Hospital, then a The anticipated opening date for the 2,800-sq.-ft. Pacific Dental Services. new Publix is tentatively set for Thursday, Next will be 1,200-sq.-ft. GNC Live Well, November 7. The existing Publix will keep and the building will be anchored by a its doors open until the day the new one 2,700-sq.-ft. Chicken Salad Chick, a is ready. “There will be no down time for restaurant specializing in fresh, housePublix,” reported Marc Elias, who is made chicken salad. the leasing contact agent for A traffic light has been installed at the Bloomingdale Square, Regency Centers. entrance/exit on Bell Shoals Rd. The old 40,000-sq.-ft. Publix location For leasing information, contact Elias will be home to a new LA Fitness once at 664-4823 or visit the corporate website the storefront becomes available and at www.regencycenters.com. build-out is complete (early 2020). Construction of the new, 14,400-sq.ft. strip center (with 2,000-sq.-ft. of patio In This area) began September 2018 with a comIssue pletion date of the exterior shell estimated to be in September or October. It will then take tenants another month or so to comNATIVITY CHURCH PARTNERS ...........PG 4 plete their build-out in order to customize STATE SENATORS ...............................PG 9 their stores. The work being done behind the McDonald's is related to water FLIGHT TO HONOR...........................PG 10 drainage retention and will not be develTHREE BULLS OPENS........................PG 13 oped. Located along the entrance roadway EYE ON BUSINESS .....................PGS 25‐26 closest to McDonald’s, the center will be ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT................PG 36 home to a 3,500 sq.-ft. First Watch restaurant with a patio. A SPORTS CONNECTION...............PGS 38‐39 breakfast/lunch/brunch favorite, this location has also requested for an Alcoholic READ MORE LOCAL NEWS ONLINE Beverage Permit and is planning to serve www.ospreyobserver.com adult beverages (unlike most other local First Watch restaurants).
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
By Jasmine Haroun
Generous Portions!
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Brian Bokor
CRAB, CRAWFISH, CALAMARI & LOBSTER
Made Fresh Daily!
Local resident Helen Lepre recently celebrated Cow Appreciation Day at the Brandon South Chick-fil-A on Bloomingdale Ave. She is an inspiration to the thousands of residents who put on a cow costume for this annual event. This year marks the chain's 15th annual Cow Appreciation Day, which was Tuesday, July 9, all participating Chick-fil-A locations gave away one free entree to anyone dressed as a cow.
At Crafty Crab, we know food tastes better with your hands, so don’t be shy-dig in!
704 E. Brandon Blvd. • Brandon, Fl. 33511 • 813-278-5111 Mon -Thurs 12pm -10pm | Fri & Sat 12pm - 11pm | Sun 12pm - 10pm
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Try our Cajun rice, chicken tenders and other flavorful menu options.