Friday, May 25, 2012
For Barbara Madonna and her daughters, Lori Mincey and Gloria Madonna, operating Tabitha's Tea in Brandon is a family affair.
This week marked the one-year anniversary for a Tabitha's Tea in Brandon, where "fine dining and the highest-quality loose-leaf teas" are served along with artisan sandwiches, salads, scones and soups. Owned by Barbara Madonna and her daughters Lori Mincey and Glorida Madonna, Tabitha's Tea is open at 2052 Badlands Dr., on Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family's fate as tea room operators was cemented after a period of time visiting tea rooms and hosting tea parties at home. "We just started going to tea rooms, years and years ago, collecting china," said Mincey, at the 2012 Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon. "They're all very different, …
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Tabitha's Tea
2052 Badlands Dr, Brandon, FL
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Saturday, May 19, 2012
As the newly named director of marketing and communications for the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, Justin Kropff said he moved to Tampa to join his wife, Allison Kropff, who works at WTSP Channel 10 News.
Justin Kropff got his first look this year at the annual Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon, presented by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at the Florida State Fairgrounds. “This was more energy than I expected,” said Kropff, the newly named director of communications and marketing for the Brandon chamber. “I was really impressed with the number of food vendors." In all, 108 businesses had booths at the Ma7 17 Brandon Business Expo, including 26 restaurants that offered samples of menu items that attendees voted on for the "Taste of Brandon" competition (to see who won, read Top Tastes, Booth Awarded at Greater Brandon Chamber Event). “The layout was very patron friendly,” Kropff said. "At every turn there were surprises.” …
Friday, May 18, 2012
Retiring soon from the U.S. Air Force, Richard Ligon knows his top duty is to support his spouse, YJean Ligon, whose vision for Amazingly Creative Events (ACE) earned Best Booth honors at the 2012 Greater Brandon chamber's Brandon Business Expo.
First-timers YJean Ligon and her husband, Richard, had lots to talk about after tearing down their charter booth at the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Their 2012 appearance marked the first time the owners of Amazingly Creative Events (ACE) promoted their offerings and services at the annual event. For their efforts, they received the Best Booth award, determined by the votes of the attendees to the May 17 event. "This is our first Brandon expo and it was worth it," YJean Ligon said. "I wanted our booth to be eye-catching, to separate us out from other booths." Open for business since Jan. 15, 2011, YJean Ligon said ACE fulfills her passion for creativity. As…
Attendees at the Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon gave a nod to four restaurants, for Best Taste and Best Dessert, and a media organization and event planner, for Best Booth.
Twenty-six restaurants shared their tastes at the Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon hosted by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce at the Florida State Fairgrounds on May 17. The real winners were the attendees, who ate plentifully from the displays o of food presented by the restaurants in servings that ranged from sample-sized to sizable portion. In the end, four businesses took home the top honors. The Taste of Brandon award went to Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, followed by the Copper Bell Cafe, in the runner-up position. Copper Bell filled the top spot in the two prior years, with the now-closed Giordano’s pizzeria the year before that. Cheddar’s returns to the top spot after holding that spot in each of the four years prior to …
Thursday, May 17, 2012
The Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon starts 3:30 p.m. May 17 at the special events center at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The event, presented annually by the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, features some 26 restaurants and 125 businesses.
With all the drive of a door-to-door salesman, Tammy Bracewell, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce, is promoting today's Brandon Business Expo & Taste of Brandon, set to kick off 3:30 p.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds. "Great food, fun and fellowship" are her major selling points, which she drove home in her Facebook post with a question: "Where else can you sample the best 26 local restaurants and visit with 125-plus local business represenatives, all for only $10?" Tickets at the gate cost $15 but there is a discounted price of $10 for tickets purchased in advance. Call the chamber at 813-689-1221 for information, or visit the chamber at 330 Pauls Drive. Bracewell made a plug for the …
Linda Chion Kenney
2:06 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012
My favorite Copper Bell sandwich is the turkey and stuffing entree. I was so burnt out one visit there, I had no idea what to order. After staring at the menu for minutes, I simply asked the waiter for a suggestion, took it, and I'm glad that I did. Sometimes restaurants have an off day, but that hasn't been my experience at Copper Bell. more ›