Family Jewelry Business Maintains Sterling Reputation

JB Jewelers is a family-owned and -operated business located in Winthrop Town Centre.

All that glitters truly is gold in the abundant display cases at JB Jewelers' new home in Winthrop Town Centre. It's here that owner Jim McGowan and his sons, Daniel and Benjamin, showcase a wide selection of custom-made jewelry, estate finds and Rolex watches in a setting where customer service is as precious as the gems they sell. Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Jim McGowan began working in the jewelry industry 32 years ago, following a stint in the Air Force.  In that time, he worked for some of the biggest names in the business throughout the United States. However, his dream was to own and operate a family jewelry business, a dream he realized in 1999 when he opened JB Jewelers in La Viva Plaza in Brandon with a partner, whom …

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Obama for America Opens in Winthrop

The May 2 grand opening for the Obama for America office drew volunteers eager to join neighborhood teams.

The Obama for America office, for securing and serving Southeastern Hillsborough County volunteers, opened at Winthrop Town Centre in Riverview May 2, with meeting rooms for residents from Brandon and Valrico, Plant City, Riverview and South Shore. “I am a staunch Democrat and  I’ve always been one and I love our president, who’s doing wonders for America right now,” said Bloomingdale volunteer Christine Prescod, who was at the office at 11215 Bloomingale Ave. to sign in visitors and volunteers. “He is a very intelligent president and he takes care of his people, the American citizens.” Inside, OFA workers rallied visitors to the cause, heralding the Riverview office as the 25th office in Florida — and the second in Hillsborough County — …

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Riverview Shops to Host Breast Cancer Awareness Ladies Night Out

The Little Shoppes of Winthrop Town Centre invite all ladies in the community to the event Saturday, Oct. 8.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Little Shoppes of of Winthrop Town Centre, 6032 Winthrop Town Centre Ave., Riverview, will host a Ladies Night Out Saturday, Oct. 8 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Love That Boutique will have special breast cancer awareness T-shirts on sale that read: "Love That Pink" and sport the pink ribbon. Royalty X Thr33 will give away a free accessory with a $25 purchase. And Bellafia Chocolate Boutique will have specials on its fine chocolates. In addition, there will be other vendors along the sidewalk in front of the shops, complimentary wine and food for all. For information, call 813-638-1354. 

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Beaux Arts Gallery Returns to Winthrop Town Center

Artists will display their works at a gathering on the last Thursday of each month.

Residents are invited to explore the works of various artists while enjoying live music, wine and hors d'oeuvres when the Beaux Arts Gallery at 11252 Winthrop Main St. in Winthrop Town Centre, Riverview, officially reopens this Thurday, July 28, from 7-9:30 p.m. The brainchild of Winthrop Town Centre artist Bryant Martinez, the Beaux Arts Gallery, located on the south side of the St. Petersburg Times Building, hosted 10 exhibits of works by local artists in 2009-10. Now Martinez, with the help of Plant City artist Debra Bryant, is reviving the shows in the newly renovated gallery starting this month. Events, with live music and refreshments, will continue on the last Thursday of each month from 7-9:30 p.m. "This will be an opportunity to …

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Riverview Photographer to Host Benefit Fashion Show Thursday

The show, featuring local high school seniors, will take place at the Winthrop Barn Theatre.

A Riverview photographer is hosting a fashion show Thursday to benefit the establishment of an arts museum at Winthrop Town Centre in Riverview. Stacy Larsen of Stacy Larsen Photography, 6030 Winthrop Town Centre Drive, Riverview, will host “Lights, Camera, Fashion” May 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Winthrop Barn Theatre. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. The fashion show, featuring 21 models wearing clothing from Downtown Divas, Royalty X Three,  and Hut 8, with hair and makeup by makeup artist Brandi Lynn and Asonipse Aveda Salon. The event will include refreshments and desserts provided by the Italian Kitchen in Riverview. "I'm hoping to make this an annual event," said Larsen. Anyone attending will receive a certificate for $…

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Beat the Summer Heat with an Authentic Italian Treat

The family-owned and -operated business brings real deal Italian ice to Riverview.

The secret is out and customers are raving about Morelli’s Italian Ice, which opened its doors only five months ago in Riverview. Offering an array of authentic Italian ice flavors, Morelli’s Italian Ice has customers returning again and again to indulge in this smooth, sweet and refreshing treat.    Nestled behind Regions Bank in the Winthrop Town Centre, this small shop owned and operated by New York native Joseph Morelli and his family is proving to be quite the hidden gem. “When you have folks come in from Brooklyn and Queens and tell you that your Italian ice takes them back to their childhood, you know you are doing something right,” said Morelli. Most Floridians think of Italian ice as chopped up ice with flavored syrup squirted on …

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5 Things to Know Today, April 19

Here's some things you might want to know as you go about your day.

1. Would you like fries with that order? Today is national hiring day at McDonald's. The hamburger chain is expected to hire 50,000 people for jobs ranging from entry level up to middle management. At Tampa Bay McDonald's restaurants, about 300 jobs will be up for grabs today. So, if you're looking for a job, drop by a local McDonald's and fill out an application. 2. If you like transportation, make plans to attend Planes, Trains and Automobiles Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Plant City Airport. The event is free; parking is $5. Guests can see real airplanes, remote control planes, model trains, passenger trains and classic car displays.  There will be free flights for kids 8 to 17. Boy Scouts can also earn their …

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Winthrop to Host 3rd Annual Arts Festival

Organizer Bryant Martinez is currently seeking artists and vendors for the April 30, May 1 event.

Nearly 100 artists as well as business and charity vendors are expected to converge at Winthrop Town Centre for the third annual Winthrop Arts Festival, scheduled for April 30 and May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bryant Martinez, organizer of the event and Winthrop town artist, is currently seeking area artists interested in exhibiting at the fair "I'm looking for artists of all mediums to participate," said Martinez. "This has become a community tradition that grows every year. It's an excellent venue for emerging and well-known artists." The event, to take place in the parking lot in front of the St. Petersburg Times building, will include 12- by 12-foot spaces for 100 artists. In addition, there will be 25 business vendor spaces available, …

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2nd Ladies Night Out at Winthrop Planned

The event will take place April 2 at Winthrop Town Centre.

Ladies, get ready to shop. The Little Shoppes of Winthrop Town Centre, 6026 Winthrop Town Centre Ave, Riverview, will host their second Ladies Night Out Saturday, April 2 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. "The first event was wonderful," said Deborah Williams, owner of Bellafia Chocolate Boutique, one of the Little Shoppes in Winthrop, all women-owned businesses. "We had 10 vendors along with the shops open, and we were packed. We had shoppers come all the way from Tampa for the event." The Ladies Night Out features Lady Chameleon Accessories Boutique, Bellafia and Royalty X Thr33 shops in Winthrop. In addition, 15 women vendors have been invited to display their wares on the sidewalk in front of the shops. The event includes complimentary wine, coffee …

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Chef of the Week

Pastry Chef Delights Taste Buds at the Bridges

Adina Erdelji has been baking for just four years.

Unlike all the other chefs I have interviewed who have pedigrees as long as your arm and decades of experience on the first page of their resume, this pastry genius has only been cooking professionally for a mere four years. Don't make the mistake of misjudging her or her skill level. I hold both her persona and skill set in high regard as you should, also. She worked for nearly four years at the Publix bakery in Winthrop Town Centre on Bloomingdale Avenue and she now works at the Bridges on Bloomingdale Avenue in Riverview under Chef Clyde's tutelage. Working for Chef Clyde is a serious education in the first place but to have worked four years at a Publix bakery is a dream job to anyone wanting to learn the baking trade. I can't think of…

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