Issue #180: Tampa Bay's Fall Restaurants, School Policies, & Rays Welcome Junior Caminero

08/14/2024

Author

Ted Grellner
14 Aug

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In this issue of

NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Local News

— Tampa Bay's Fall Restaurant Lineup: Exciting New Eateries to Savor

— Tampa Bay Schools Tighten Cell Phone Rules as New Year Begins

OMG!

— Subaru of Wesley Chapel Supports Local Teachers with $15,000 Donation and Supplies

Sports

— Junior Caminero Expected to Join Rays Amid Offensive Struggles


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Tampa Bay's Fall Restaurant Lineup: Exciting New Eateries to Savor

Tampa Bay's dining scene is buzzing with excitement as a host of new restaurants prepare to open this fall.

Among the highlights are a new food hall in Seminole Heights, a cocktail-focused sister concept called Slim Charmer in St. Petersburg, and the arrival of South Korean fried chicken chain Bonchon in Tampa.

Other anticipated openings include the upscale Juno & The Peacock and Pluma in St. Pete, the Mexican-inspired Green Lemon expanding to the area, and the trendy Sparrow Rooftop with its panoramic views. Notably, Maru and O-ku will bring fresh seafood to South Tampa, while The Huntsman offers a unique wild game menu in St. Pete.

With diverse concepts ranging from casual eateries to upscale dining, this fall promises to be a thrilling time for food lovers across the region.

Read More: cltampa.com <— check out this article and photos

Tampa Bay Schools Tighten Cell Phone Rules as New Year Begins

As the 2024-25 school year begins, over 430,000 students in Hillsborough and Pasco counties return to school with significant changes, especially stricter cell phone policies aimed at reducing distractions. In both districts, students must keep phones stashed away during the school day, with limited use allowed in older grades during lunch or between classes.

Hillsborough County introduces new programs, including a business academy and cybersecurity courses, while opening the Kenneth E. Adum PreK-8 Magnet School in South Tampa. The district is also dealing with a legal battle over a property tax referendum to secure $177 million annually for teacher salaries.

In Pasco County, the new Kirkland Ranch K-8 School opens, blending world languages and entrepreneurship into its curriculum. The district is expanding pre-K programs and adding more advanced courses, while also enhancing safety with new door locks and access protocols across campuses.

One particularly striking and little-known fact about new restaurants is that around 60% of them close within the first year, and nearly 80% shut down within five years.

However, what’s less known is that the failure rate is not always due to the quality of the food or service. Often, it’s a result of underestimating the costs involved in running a restaurant, such as rent, utilities, and labor, as well as the challenges of building a consistent customer base. Additionally, many new restaurants struggle because they lack a well-thought-out marketing strategy, relying heavily on foot traffic or word-of-mouth, which can be unpredictable.

This high failure rate underscores the importance of solid financial planning and effective marketing for new restaurants to thrive.

Subaru of Wesley Chapel Supports Local Teachers with $15,000 Donation and Supplies

Subaru of Wesley Chapel partnered with AdoptAClassroom.org to kick off the school year with a $15,000 donation and 25 school supply kits for teachers at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School. The donation, part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, was presented during a back-to-school celebration, where teachers were also treated to a catered lunch.

This contribution will benefit over 1,240 students, with each teacher receiving $200 to purchase classroom supplies through the AdoptAClassroom.org Marketplace. Scott Fink, president and CEO of Subaru of Wesley Chapel, emphasized the dealership's commitment to supporting local education and making a lasting impact in the community.

Subaru’s partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org has supported more than 750,000 students nationwide, underscoring the brand's dedication to education through the Subaru Loves Learning initiative.

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Junior Caminero Expected to Join Rays Amid Offensive Struggles

The Tampa Bay Rays are expected to promote Junior Caminero, baseball's No. 2 overall prospect, for Tuesday's game against the Houston Astros. Caminero, who debuted in the Majors last September, has excelled in Triple-A Durham this season, hitting .276 with 13 homers in 53 games. His recent hot streak, with 14 hits in his last 40 at-bats, has demonstrated his readiness for a return to the big leagues.

Caminero’s power-hitting potential could be crucial for a Rays team struggling offensively. They rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored, OPS, and home runs this season. Expected to play primarily at third base, Caminero might also see time as a designated hitter.

The Rays, who recently traded Isaac Paredes, have opened the door for Caminero to fill this key role as they seek a much-needed boost to their lineup.

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