The week of October 15, 2026
Good morning, neighbors. A lot of "finally" in this one: a date for Nordstrom Rack, a road closure to plan around, and a Saturday made for a festival. Grab your Mug award winning coffee and let's get into it.
THE BIG STORY
Nordstrom Rack is opening soon and throwing a party you don’t want to miss.
You could win a $1000 Gift Card.
It's official, at least according to Nordstrom Rack's own new-store page: the Plaza at Citrus Park location opens Thursday, Oct. 22. It's the 24,700-square-foot store in the center across from Citrus Park Town Center, with brands marked down up to 70%.
Nordstrom is also running a pre-opening shopping party
A grand opening celebration. The company says openings can include free coffee, giveaways and a chance at a $1,000 gift card, with drawings starting at 7 a.m. on opening day and winners needing to be present.
HomeGoods is already open and so is Total Wine next door, so the Plaza is filling back in.
Also new:
Buddy Brew Coffee is now open inside the Sprouts at 15110 N. Dale Mabry in Carrollwood, which held its grand opening Friday, Oct. 2, following the Westchase location.
Worth a stop on your next grocery run. Check out all the other locations they have around the Tampa area. It’s a great story too.
THIS WEEK'S CAN'T-MISS EVENT
Carrollwood Fall Fest, Saturday
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Carrollwood Cultural Center Park, 4537 Lowell Rd. Free. The neighborhood's harvest-themed festival (presented by the Carrollwood Village HOAs) has live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, pumpkin painting and games. The Kids' Zone, with a petting zoo and bounce houses, runs 1–4 p.m. and is sponsored by AdventHealth-Carrollwood. Click below to learn more
Entertainment Schedule
11 am: Carrollwood Strummers
noon: Storyteller Windell Campbell
1 pm: Tampa Bay Music Academy
2 pm: The Accordion & Guitar Duo of Tom & Robert
3 pm: Carrollwood Jukebox Big Band
*entertainment schedule subject to change
Bring a chair or blanket. Parking fills up by lunchtime.
CPCW Reader Perks:
Exclusive Coffee Shop Discounts!
We’re excited to share a few special offers from some of our Mug award winners. These businesses have helped make our community awards and local coverage special, and now you can enjoy a little something extra just for being a reader. Show them some love and visit.
The Bean Bar Co.
Save 10% on your order!
Show this newsletter ad when you visit The Bean Bar Co. to receive 10% off your purchase. Drop them a message or tag them when you visit.
Facebook: The Bean Bar Co. Instagram: @beanbar_co
Perfect Press Coffee Co.
Celebrate with 15% off!
Perfect Press Coffee Co. is offering CPCW readers 15% off for one month after this newsletter is published! Show the newsletter promotion when you visit to redeem your discount.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday: 7 AM–3 PM, Saturday–Sunday: 8 AM–4 PM, Monday: Closed
Instagram: @perfectpresscoffeeco
Shop local. Save local. Love local.
Thank you to these businesses for supporting our community and to our readers for continuing to support the local spots that make Citrus Park and Carrollwood special!
CONSTRUCTION WATCH
Gunn Highway closes for up to 28 days
If you cut through between Lutz and Odessa, plan ahead. Hillsborough County is closing Gunn Highway between Van Dyke Road and Lutz Lake Fern Road (work is near 18830 Gunn Hwy) to replace an aging culvert. The closure was set to begin on or after Oct. 12 and could last up to 28 days. Crews may work weekends to finish sooner. LEARN MORE HERE
Detour: Lutz Lake Fern Road, Dale Mabry Highway and Van Dyke Road. The Veterans Expressway also works as an alternate, but regular tolls apply. County data says about 20,000 vehicles use this stretch every day, so build in extra time, especially at school drop-off and pickup.
RECAP OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 15 – Friday, October 30
Fall festivities are in full swing around Northwest Tampa! From a free community Fall Fest in Carrollwood to Halloween fun at local parks, here’s what to put on your calendar over the next two weeks.
Thursday, October 15
Lightning vs. Kraken
7 p.m. | Benchmark International Arena, downtown Tampa
The Bolts return home to face Seattle. Check local listings for television coverage.
Official Lightning preview
Rays vs. Guardians — ALCS Game 3
6 p.m. | Cleveland | TBS
The American League Championship Series moves to Cleveland. Tampa Bay and Cleveland continue their best-of-seven playoff battle.
Official MLB postseason schedule
Friday, October 16
Trunk or Treat at Northdale Park & Recreation Center
6:30–8:30 p.m. | Northdale
Free family fun! Kids can wear their costumes and collect candy from creatively decorated vehicles. The event also features a scavenger hunt, a spooky haunted hallway and a caution-tape maze.
📍 Northdale Park & Recreation Center
Event details from the Northdale Civic Association
SPORTS:
Rays vs. Guardians — ALCS Game 4
6 p.m. | Cleveland | TBS
The playoff series continues. Game time and broadcast details are subject to change.
Friday Night Football
Local high school football is another option for Friday night. Check individual school schedules for confirmed matchups and kickoff times before heading out.
Saturday, October 17
Carrollwood Fall Fest (this is a local event you’ll want to be at)
10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Carrollwood Cultural Center grounds
One of the weekend’s biggest local events! This free, family-friendly fall festival features live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, crafts, games and a kids’ zone with bounce houses and a petting zoo.
📍 4537 Lowell Road, Tampa
🅿️ Free admission and parking
Make a day of it with friends, family and neighbors.
SPORTS:
Lightning vs. Canucks
4 p.m. | Benchmark International Arena
Catch the Bolts at home for their Saturday afternoon matchup.
Rays vs. Guardians — ALCS Game 5, if necessary
8 p.m. | Cleveland | TBS
This game will be played only if the series has not already ended.
Sunday, October 18
Bucs Game Day
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers at 1:00 p.m.
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The game will air on CBS.
Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers are coming to Tampa, and the Bucs will look to build on their 24–16 win over Dallas.
Monday, October 19 & Tuesday, October 20
Rays ALCS Games 6 and 7, if necessary
Monday, Oct. 19: Game 6, scheduled for Tampa Bay at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 20: Game 7, scheduled for Tampa Bay at 8 p.m.
These games will take place only if needed. Check the official MLB schedule for any changes to start times or series status.
Thursday, October 22
COMING SOON
Halloween Plans
Friday, October 30
Keystone Park & Recreation Center
6:30–8:30 p.m. | Odessa area
A free, family-friendly Halloween event featuring decorated car trunks and candy for trick-or-treaters. A great option for families looking for a community Halloween outing.
Halloween Jam at Carrollwood Village Skate Park
Registration: 5:30 p.m. | Event: 6–7:30 p.m.
Grab a costume and head to the skate park for a Halloween evening featuring a best-trick contest, costume contest and coffin race. The county lists free entry to the contests, along with food, drinks and prizes.
ONE LAST THING
Share us with friends and family. It’s our own little community within another. Help me grow it.
Whether it's a Saturday at the Fall Fest, or a lap around the new Nordstrom Rack, get out there and enjoy your corner of the Tampa Bay area. Know about a new business, a road project, or something strange being built on your street? Just reply to this email. I read every one.
See you next Thursday, — Citrus Park & Carrollwood Weekly