North Tampa Buzz

08/13/2026

🍔 FREE SLIDERS FOR A YEAR + WIN A $50 SMALLS SLIDERS GIFT CARD! 🎁

Smalls Sliders is celebrating its Lutz Grand Opening on August 15 at 10AM, and the first 100 people through the door get FREE SLIDERS FOR A YEAR!

And yes, the line is going to start forming early. 👀

🎁 WE’RE ALSO GIVING AWAY A $50 SMALLS SLIDERS GIFT CARD!

Entering is easy:

🍔 Follow North Tampa Buzz
🍔 Follow Smalls Sliders
❤️ Like this Reel
👯 Tag a friend in the comments

Every friend you tag counts as another entry, so each additional tag gives you another chance to win!

The Grand Opening will also have balloon animals, a coloring station, photo ops, swag giveaways, free samples and a fun family-friendly atmosphere all day.

📍 19105 Wing Shooter Way, Lutz
📅 August 15
⏰ 10AM

Who’s getting in line early?! 🍔

08/13/2026

Looking for something to do this weekend? 👀

There’s a LOT happening north of Tampa from August 14–18! 🎶🍻🛍️🎤

We’ve got local markets, live music, karaoke, comedy, trivia, family events, foam parties, brunch, yoga and plenty more happening around Lutz, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Trinity, Zephyrhills, Dade City and the surrounding areas.

Head here for the full list with links: https://www.northtampabuzz.com/p/north-tampa-buzz-events-8-14-8-18

Which one are you heading to this weekend?

08/12/2026

Two local businesses are getting ready to say goodbye, but there’s still time to show up for BOTH of them. ❤️

Black Sheep American Pub in Lutz and Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory in Odessa are both closing their doors this month.

And before they do, let’s get out there and support the people behind these local businesses while we still can.

🐑 BLACK SHEEP AMERICAN PUB | LUTZ

Black Sheep is going out with a BIG farewell celebration this Saturday, August 15 from 12-10 PM.

They’re bringing the community together for one last party with local vendors, outdoor games, raffles, food, drinks and plenty of familiar faces.

📍 18450 U.S. 41, Lutz

🍺 THIRSTY BUFFALO BREW FACTORY | ODESSA

Thirsty Buffalo’s final day will be August 29.

After three years of Thirsty Buffalo and 15 years in the craft beer industry for its owners, the brewery, Craftek + taproom are closing.

📍 2330 Success Dr., Odessa

These are the moments when showing up matters.

Grab a meal. Have a beer. Bring your friends. Support the staff. Shop the local vendors. And give these businesses the send-off they deserve. ❤️

We still have time to support them before the doors close.

Share this with someone who needs to make one last visit.

08/11/2026

🍥 Cinnaholic is opening in Wesley Chapel, and they’re kicking things off with $3 cinnamon rolls!

The build-your-own cinnamon roll bakery celebrates its Grand Opening Friday, August 21, with ANY cinnamon roll for just $3 from 9a-1p. Choose your frosting and up to three toppings, including options like cookie dough, s’mores and fresh berries.

Cinnaholic actually started in Berkeley, California in 2010, appeared on Shark Tank in 2014 and has since grown to more than 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada. And something you might not guess from looking at these rolls: everything is 100% plant-based. 🌱

🎉 Grand Opening: Friday, August 21
⏰ $3 special: 9a-1p
🍥 Any cinnamon roll, up to 3 toppings
👤 Limit one $3 roll per person
🏪 In-store only
📍 27145 Halter Loop, Wesley Chapel

That $3 deal might make for a pretty busy Friday morning. 👀

https://www.cinnaholic.com/

08/11/2026

New to New Port Richey 📚✨

Novel in the Neighborhood recently opened on Old County Road 54, and it’s more than just a place to pick up your next read.

The family-owned independent bookstore has 6,000+ new books, games, puzzles and gifts, plus plenty of space to sit, explore and hang out.

They’ve also created a space for the community to come together with:

📖 Story Times
🎨 Art Classes
📚 Book Clubs
🎤 Poetry Readings
✍️ Author Talks
⚡ Pokémon Events
🎉 Themed Book Parties

And there’s a lot happening this month!

Bookmark: novelintheneighborhood.com/events-calendar

💕 Bookstore Romance Day | Aug. 15
Build your own bouquet, grab coffee from Mindful Grind and stick around for an evening screening of You’ve Got Mail.

🎨 Family Art Class | Aug. 20
Paint and decorate a wooden book box and design miniature books to go inside.

📖 Neighborhood Book Club | Aug. 21
This month’s pick is The Midnight Train by Matt Haig.

✍️ Author Amy Buchanan | Aug. 29
Meet the romance author for a special talk, Q&A and book signing.

They also host Little Neighbor Story Time every Tuesday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. 📚

📍 Novel in the Neighborhood
8507 Old County Road 54, New Port Richey

Save this one for your next bookstore day and check out their events calendar to see what else is coming up! 📚❤️

08/10/2026

🎉 LOTS happening around town this week!

One to put on the radar for the kids: Wednesday Night Market at The Shops at Wiregrass! 🛍️☀️

And that’s just the start. There’s trivia, bingo, karaoke, live music, markets, line dancing, run clubs, a foam party, grand opening fun and plenty more happening from Aug. 11–15.

👇 Check out the full list and find something fun to do this week!

https://www.northtampabuzz.com/p/north-tampa-buzz-events-8-11-8-15

08/09/2026

🚧 Here’s a look at some local projects taking shape around our area.

🏗️ Mitchell Business Park

• 93-acre project along SR 54 west of Duck Slough

• Nearly 570,000 square feet of retail, office, and flex space

• Future tenants could include restaurants, offices, medical space, and light industrial

• First buildings are expected to open in late 2026

⸻

🏢 Asturia apartments & future fire station

• A new 290-unit apartment community is nearing completion

• The first residents are expected by the end of 2026

• The future fire station site has been cleared near Portico Street

• The station will help serve Asturia, Bexley, and the surrounding area

⸻

🛣️ Ridge Road extension

• The project will connect the Suncoast Parkway area to US 41

• Two lanes are now expected to open in summer 2027

• The delay is tied to construction of the railroad bridge near US 41

• The project also includes sidewalks and multi-use trails

⸻

🏥 Moffitt at Speros

• Moffitt’s new Land O’ Lakes campus is now fully open

• Patients can receive screenings, imaging, treatment, and clinical trials

• The larger 775-acre Speros campus continues to take shape

• Tampa Bay’s first proton therapy center recently opened there

What should we fly over next? 👀

08/08/2026

🚧 Massive Double Branch Update

We’ve gotten updates and projections in the past, but Hope Kennedy with the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce recently sat down with the developers, and we’ve finally got a much deeper look at what’s planned for the 1,000-acre project along I-75.

The vision goes far beyond another shopping center. Developers described Double Branch as a “small city” that will eventually include:

• Sprouts and Harris Teeter (Harris Teeter considering pulling out of Florida so TBD)

• Salt Shack, EOS Fitness, and H&H Bagels

• Apartments and townhomes

• A waterfront boardwalk district

• Restaurants, live music, and community events

• Parks, trails, and green spaces

• Office, medical, and retail space

Construction is already underway in some areas, with roads, utilities, and industrial space already taking shape. Townhomes could begin construction later this year, while apartments and retail are expected to follow.

Want to hear directly from the people behind the project? Check out the full interview between Hope Kennedy and the developers on the Chamber Chatter YouTube page from the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

What are you most excited to see at Double Branch?

08/07/2026

More cancellations due to weather forecasts.

🚨RESCHEDULED 🗓️NEW DATE: Friday, August 14 | 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Due to forecasted inclement weather and the potential for unsafe conditions, we have made the decision to reschedule this month’s The Market Elaine.
The safety of our vendors, guests, and staff will always come first. Thank you for your understanding, and we can’t wait to see everyone next Friday! 💛
✨ Join us for an evening filled with:
🛍️ 150+ local small businesses
🎶 Live music at KRATE
🍔 Delicious food & sweet treats
🎨 Handmade goods, art & unique finds
🏰 Bounce house
🎈 Face painting
🛍️ Boutique shopping
💐 And so much more!

📍 The Grove at Wesley Chapel
6013 Wesley Grove Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
🕠 Friday, August 14
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Tag your market buddies, save this post, and we’ll see you next Friday! 💜