Wok Chi Stirs Up Over $2,600 for ECHO
Wok Chi, the fresh casual Chinese restaurant, located in Regency Square at 2420 W. Brandon Blvd. in Brandon raised over $2,600 to benefit the Emergency Care Help Organization of Brandon (ECHO). Wok Chi presented ECHO with the check on Thursday, January 23.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Takeout is available and the phone number is 315-9877. For more information, please visit www.wokchi.com.
West Coast Jewelry Consultants LLC– Restore, Refurbish, Repair, Recycle
Susie Crump, owner of West Coast Jewelry Consultants LLC at 510 Vondenburg Dr., Ste. 103 in Brandon is a Graduate Gemologist, GIA and a Registered Master Valuer, USF. She can do custom appraisals, have your precious jewelry refurbished to look like new, repair a broken piece, restore an item to its original brilliance or help you design a brand new piece for that special person.
If you missed Valentine’s Day, it’s never too late to purchase a gem as Crump specializes in custom pieces and uses her gemology expertise to make sure it’s the right stone for you. Her close friends call her ‘The Gem Lady’ because of her knowledge of gems. Crump currently teaches Gemology at USF.
Call the expert at West Coast Jewelry Consultants LLC for an appointment at 751-3654 or visit www.tampabayjewelry.appraisals.com.
Craft Beer Cellar Opens In Brandon
Tom Himes, owner, lived in Germany for five years and learned to appreciate good beers. Originally from Lakeland, 
he opened Craft Beer Cellar at 1937 W. Brandon Blvd. in January, the first franchise in Florida.
Craft Beer Cellar is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays from Noon to 6 p.m. For more information, call 413-4951 or visit its Website at www.craftbeercellar.com.
Buy A Sandwich, Donate A Meal
On Thursday, March 6, two local Chick-fil-a restaurants are hosting a “Buy a Sandwich, Donate a Meal” fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to closing. For every Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich purchased in the drive-thru at free standing restaurants like the Lake Brandon Village location at 11325 Causeway Blvd., or purchased at the counter at mall restaurants like the Westfield Brandon Mall location, a Chick-fil-A sandwich meal will be donated to the local charitable organization of the restaurant’s choice. To learn more, visit www.chickfilabrandon.com.
Pinot’s Palette Coming To Brandon
Pinot’s Palette is Brandon’s new upscale night out experience catering to girls’ night out, date night and corporate team building where participants can drink wine and paint. Pinot’s Palette is located at 2086 Badlands Dr. in Brandon (next door to Rolling Pin, behind Square one Burgers). It is having a grand opening on Friday, February 28 with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m., followed by an open house. To register for the 7 p.m. opening class, please go to the Website, www.pinotspalette.com/Brandon. For more information, call 618-3064 or e-mail Brandon@pinotspalette.com. Like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteBrandon
How To Save A Choking Customer
HealthSource of Brandon, located at 166 E. Bloomingdale Ave. will soon begin educating local restaurant workers on 
how to react if a customer is choking. Chiropractor Dr. Chad F. Polley said that the training was important even though Florida, unlike other states, does not require restaurants to provide it.
Interested restaurant owners or managers can contact Christy at 654-7121 to schedule a session.
Bank of America Names Elizabeth Benedetto As Small Business Banker
Bank of America announced that Elizabeth Benedetto has been appointed Small 
Business Banker for West Brandon and the surrounding areas. She will provide more personalized attention to small business owners by spending time with them at their place of business and learning more about what their companies do. Clients will have convenient access to local small business expertise and a dedicated resource who understands their business.
For more information, visit www.bankofamerica.com.
New Ownership And Management For A Brandon Salon
Sara James Salon, previously “Hot Locks, A Full Service Salon,” is under new ownership and management. It is located in Creekside Village Plaza at 106 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Brandon.
Schedule an appointment with one of its talented stylists: Carmen, Corinne or Kia at 654-6594. Salon hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Early morning and late evening appointments are scheduled as needed and appointments are recommended, and walk-ins are welcome.
Real Estate “Pitch” Session Is Coming To Brandon
The newly-remodeled Slugger’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill at 109 W. Bloomingdale in Brandon. Beginning Wednesday, February 26 and every Wednesday thereafter, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Pitch is for real estate professionals who are serious about doing business.
Bring MLS sheets for your listings, open house flyers, buyers’ wants and needs, and plenty of business cards. For more information, call Tim Ryan at Fidelity National Title at 928-2862 or e-mail TRyan@fnf.com.
New Ownership Of Villa Rina Pizza
Jamie Turner, long-time resident of Brandon and graduate of Brandon High School, announced the new ownership of Villa Rina Pizza, located at 10073 E. Adamo Dr. in the center behind Sweet Tomatoes. It celebrated its 25th year in 2013. The original owner, Tony Lauro, decided it was time to retire from business ownership, and Jamie, living in Tennessee at the time, took this chance to fulfill a long-time dream of owning his own pizza restaurant. Villa Rina specializes in New York Style Pizza and the Original Philly Cheesesteak. For menu information, call 654-5449.
Julie’s Walk-In Closet Is Launching An Online Store
Julie’s Walk-In Closet is excited to announce that online shopping is now available. It will be offering select items for
sale online. Just click on the image or go to julieswalkinclos et.com and click on Shop Online.
New items will be added weekly, so check Facebook for updates. It will be $7 flat rate shipping for First Class USPS, and it is also offering in-store pick up for its loyal customers (must allow 24 hrs.). Julie’s Walk-In Closet is located at 720 W. Robertson St. in Brandon. For more information, call 381-3846 or visit www.julieswalkincloset.com.
Shrimp Boat Opens In Plaza Bella
La Viva Plaza’s loss is Plaza Bella’s gain as the Shrimp Boat moves from Brandon to Valrico in the space that previously housed Cheddar Biscuit at the corner of Bloomingdale Ave. and Bell Shoals Rds. and is now open.
The restaurant is owned by Chef Albert “Al” Paone. “They’re not just another food chain and they offer a great variety,” said Matt Creager, who with his parents, Plaza Bella owners Roz Cimino-Creager and Mark Creager, run the Valrico center’s signature retailer, The Green Boutique.
Visit www.shrimpboat.com or call 571-7860.
Core5 Studio Plans New Classes
It is excited to announce that Core5 Studio will be offering kids classes. At Core5, it prides itself in its community involvement with a concentration in child health and children’s obesity. It is located at 1076 East Brandon Blvd., #211 near Wal-mart. Call 330-2115 or visit www.core5studio.com.
Jeans For Charity Program At Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay)
Fifth Third Bank (Tampa Bay) raised more than $11,000 last year through its Jeans for Charity program in which 
employees pay $10 a month to an employee-nominated charity in order to wear jeans on Fridays. Quantum Leap Farms in Tampa recently received more than $1,100 from this program as a benefiting charity.
When asked about their participation, Patricia (Pat) Fried, Executive Director, Quantum Leap Farm, Inc said, “When I looked to change banks for Quantum Leap Farm to a more convenient location than our previous bank, I didn’t know how fortunate we were when we selected 5/3rd.”
If It Can Wash the Dome, It Can Do Your Home
Magic Power Washing, Inc. was established in 1999 by owner, Thomas Ross. Ross strives to be on time, every time, as he feels communication with the customer is key to ensuring quality and excellent service. Its specialties include: Stain removal, paint prep, gutters, pavers, pool cages and decks, cleaning decorations, tall buildings, roofs, sterilizing and more.
Call 748-1042 or visit www.magicpowerwashinginc.com.
The Way 2 Dance Second Annual Holiday Charity Ball For Toys For Tots
The holidays were happier for hundreds of children because Bob Savage, Tatyana Frost and her dance community at 
The Way 2 Dance in Brandon hosted 250 patrons, all wearing dancing shoes and bearing gifts for children. The Toys for Tots truck looked like Santa’s sleigh as the Marines drove away with 16 boxes of toys and $3,000 in contributions.
The Way 2 Dance is located at 610 Oakfield Dr. in Brandon and offers private and group lessons for beginning and experienced dancers. For more information, contact Tatyana Frost at 966-4788 or the way2dance@gmail.com.
The Opening Of The Woman’s Group In Riverview
This is the fourth location for The Woman’s Group at its brand new location at 13005 S. US 301 just before Big Bend Rd. in Riverview, which opened on Monday, February 17. Call 347-4080 or visit www.thewomansgrouptampa.com for more information about this and other locations.
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