The Greater SouthShore Chamber of Commerce has a new home in Ruskin.

The chamber opened its headquarters at 226 W. College Ave. with a rope-cutting ceremony that drew a packed crowd of members, community leaders and supporters, the Osprey Observer reported Sept. 9. The organization dubbed the space the "SS SouthShore," leaning into a nautical theme that carried through the entire event.

Guests toured every "deck" of the new building, took part in a sea-shanty scavenger hunt and ate together as the celebration ran, in the chamber's words, "from bow to stern." Overflow parking was needed.

The chamber, led by Executive Director Bonnie Peacock and Board President Sean Andrews, serves businesses across South Hillsborough County. More information is available at www.southshorechamberofcommerce.org.

Council Growers Sets Date For Fall Farmers Market

Council Growers Garden Center is hosting a farmers market Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3226 24th St. S.E. in Ruskin.

The market will feature local produce, chicken and eggs, seafood, sourdough, local honey, microgreens, jams, pickles and coffee, all at the family's working sod farm and nursery.

Owner Travis Council started growing sod in 1997 with his father, Pat, and went full time by the mid-2000s. He and his wife, Amber, run the operation. Garden center manager Jessica Colabuno and director of communications Becky Council have been planning the fall market since at least July.

"The hook for me was the Councils didn't want this to simply be a garden center ... They want people to feel like they're coming to the family farm," Colabuno told the Observer News in a July 31 article about her vision for the center.

Travis Council echoed that philosophy in the same article, saying Colabuno understands the family "truly want to do more than simply sell a plant" and instead aims to give customers an experience at the farm.

The Oct. 10 market is the first confirmed date and vendor lineup for the event.