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- Issue #521: One Aldi Aisle at a Time, Tampa Retail Boom, Mulled Wine Mastery & USF vs. ODU
Issue #521: One Aldi Aisle at a Time, Tampa Retail Boom, Mulled Wine Mastery & USF vs. ODU
12/17/2025
Ted Grellner
17 Dec
In partnership with
Keep your finger on the Pulse!
GOOD MORNING
Dr Ted
USAF Retired
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse
Our Event Calendar
Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.
Local News
— Surviving the Aldi Cult—One Aisle of Shame at a Time
— Tampa Trails Only Charlotte in U.S. Retail Market Rankings
Of Interest
— Turn Your Holiday Hangout Into a Mulled-Wine Masterpiece
Sports
— USF’s Shot at History Runs Through Old Dominion
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Surviving the Aldi Cult—One Aisle of Shame
at a Time
New Tampa’s second Aldi has opened just south of County Line Road, and while locals are split—some love it, some don’t, and others wish it was a Trader Joe’s—there’s plenty to enjoy.
Prices are Aldi’s biggest draw, with unknown brands delivering real value (Millville cereal for $1.95!). The store’s “Aisle of Shame” is legendary—stocked weekly with irresistible, random deals like $1.99 meat thermometers or grill covers for $9.99.
The store also offers European-brand sweets, surprisingly solid frozen meals, a wide cheese selection, and even a decent wine display with bottles under $10.
Yes, you need a quarter for a cart—but you’ll leave feeling thrifty and maybe even generous, if you pass it along to someone else.
From cheap eggs to charcuterie-worthy cheeses, the new Aldi is weird, wonderful, and totally worth a visit.
Tampa Trails Only Charlotte in U.S.
Retail Market Rankings
Tampa has been named the second-best retail real estate market in the nation, according to a new report from CoStar, trailing only Charlotte, North Carolina.
The rankings evaluated 43 U.S. metro areas with at least 100 million square feet of retail inventory, using factors like leasing rates, availability, rent growth, sales volume changes, and overall return.
While Tampa didn’t lead in any single metric, it stood out for its consistency, with a 4.5% increase in asking rents and a low 3.8% availability rate—indicating tight supply and strong tenant demand.
Charlotte led the list with 7.4% rent growth and an 11.6% return, while Orlando ranked third and Miami eighth.
Analysts credit the Sunbelt region’s dominance to population growth, economic diversity, and business-friendly environments, with Tampa specifically benefiting from ongoing in-migration and a disciplined development pipeline.
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Turn Your Holiday Hangout Into a Mulled-Wine Masterpiece
There’s no better way to embrace winter than with homemade mulled wine, warm spices, and cozy company. Writer Alaina Chou shares her go-to guide for creating the perfect holiday gathering centered around this festive drink.
Her favorite recipe blends full-bodied red wine, cider, and whole spices like cinnamon, clove, and star anise to create an aromatic brew ideal for serving 8–12 guests.
You’ll need the basics: a good (but not pricey) red, a ladle, whole spices, and a large saucepan or slow cooker to keep the wine warm.
Serve your creation in elegant glass mugs, pair it with salty snacks or a cheese board, and plan a cozy group activity—think puzzles, Scrabble, or Jackbox party games.
The result? A deliciously low-effort, high-reward evening perfect for chilly nights and holiday spirit.
Read More: bonappetit.com — If you’ve never tried hot mulled wine, you’ve missed something really tasty
USF’s Shot at History Runs Through Old Dominion
USF (9-3) faces Old Dominion (9-3) in Wednesday’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl at 5 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, airing on ESPN.
With star QB Byrum Brown sidelined, sixth-year quarterback Gaston Moore gets the start. Brown was just the 12th FBS player to post 3,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
The Bulls seek their 10th win, a mark achieved only twice before, and aim for a third straight bowl victory, also a rare feat in program history.
Under interim coach Kevin Patrick, USF enters with the nation’s No. 2 total offense (501.7 ypg) and No. 4 scoring offense (43.0 ppg).
ODU, on a five-game win streak, boasts the No. 7 rushing attack, No. 16 total offense, and No. 20 scoring defense.
This marks the first-ever meeting between the programs, setting the stage for a compelling bowl battle.
30+ Free Holiday Events in Tampa Bay for a Festive Date
Source: tampabaydatenightguide.com
Things to do Around Tampa Bay this weekend |
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Useful Arts & Entertainment Event Links
The Arts
- The Exhibiting Society of Artists (new)
- USF College of the Arts
- USF Steinway Piano Concert Series
Theater
- NTPAC - New Tampa Performing Arts Center
- New Tampa Players
- USF School of Theatre & Dance
- Wesley Chapel Theater Group
- Carrollwood Players Theatre
Misc
- Carrollwood Center Events
- Craft Festivals (new)
- Fall (Farmer’s) Market Guide for Tampa Bay (new)
- The Krate, WC
- The Shops at Wiregrass, WC
- visitflorida.com
For Kids
- Fun4TampaKids
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