Business Insider: Southshore Edition

Want to get your business in The Southshore Circle?

Let’s Talk!

Featured Story

🏡 Meet Your Neighbor: Eric Nowak of McBreen & Nowak, P.A.

Attorneys get a bad rap. Blame the movies, the billboards, and those jingles that haunt your dreams. It’s a tough job, and while people love the lawyer jokes, when you actually need one, there’s no substitute.

That’s why we jumped at the chance to partner with a local attorney who’s not just sharp in the courtroom but genuinely cares about people. Too many firms treat clients like dollar signs or case numbers. Eric Nowak from McBreen & Nowak doesn’t. He takes the time to listen, explains your options, and fights for what’s best for you.

We sat down with Eric to get to know him better. Here’s why he stands out at McBreen & Nowak and why Southshore’s lucky to have him.

How long have you lived in Southshore? Which town?
Eric: I’ve lived in Riverview since 2017. However, I’ve lived in the Tampa Bay area since 2009, and for a few years before law school.

What’s your favorite thing about living here?
Eric: The people and the relaxed atmosphere.

How long have you been practicing law?
Eric: I’ve been a plaintiff’s personal injury attorney for 16 years.

What made you choose personal injury law as your profession?
Eric: I always wanted a profession where I could help people. My clients come to me when they’ve lost their car, their ability to work, and sometimes a loved one. While I can’t undo what’s been done, I strive to make the financial impact of the loss less burdensome.

When did you start your practice?
Eric: This year is our 10th year in business. I practiced in a larger firm for 6 years before opening McBreen & Nowak, P.A.

What did you do before becoming a personal injury attorney?
Eric: Before law school, I worked on political campaigns here in the Tampa Bay area.

What’s your favorite thing about your work?
Eric: Getting to know the clients and their families. Every client I have gets my cell phone number. I often develop strong relationships with my clients and enjoy the friendships I develop with them more than anything.

What’s the most challenging part of your work?
Eric: Insurance companies that don’t take care of their insureds and the people their insureds have harmed.

Outside of your practice, what do you like to do for fun?
Eric: I love to cook and to fish. I’m an avid open fire and campfire cook.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Southshore?
Eric: Circles or Finns, whichever doesn’t have a wait.

What’s your favorite success story from helping a client?
Eric: In the 10 years I’ve been in business, we’ve represented hundreds of clients and have had wonderful outcomes. Unfortunately, the details of these cases are protected by attorney-client privilege. Fortunately, many of our clients have posted reviews on our website, which you can read here: mcbreennowak.com/testimonials

Why is it important for you to serve clients in the community?
Eric: This is my community, and I want to make sure my friends and neighbors get the personalized representation they deserve. We think we can provide that at a high level.

What’s one common misconception people have about personal injury cases?
Eric: That they’re all fraudulent. Many folks think people who sue are just out to make a quick dollar. In my experience, those cases are a very small minority. I can’t tell you how many people call our firm and say “I’m not the kind of person that sues” or “I never thought I would call someone like you.” I don’t take offense. Many people feel this way until something tragic happens to them or someone they love. If you ask people, “Should someone at fault pay to make the person they harmed whole?” most would agree they should. We’re here to work for you and make the at-fault party do what many would say is the right thing.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone if they’re ever injured in an accident?
Eric: Take pictures. Too many pictures. At the scene, there’s vital information we often can’t recover later. Get photos of your car and the other person’s car. Get photos of the scene and any property that was damaged. If there’s a witness, get their name and phone number.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Guess What’s Coming to Town

No really, guess.

Remember that mall they promised us. I tend to make a joke about it every week. Well, looks like “better late than never” just showed up with a version that might have you wishing “never” came first.

LC Promenade has entered the chat, a 130+ acre space across from East Bay. That’s the talk anyway. A massive project with roughly 750,000 square feet of commercial space and even a hotel. Translation: enough room for twelve nail salons, four urgent cares, and at least one place that only sells weird popcorn flavors.

The comments across social media seem generally hopeful as folks try to guess whether we’ll be blessed with Costco or Trader Joe’s. Honestly, that’s the most exciting part of this entire project. I’ve made reading the comments as the speculation wheel turns an afternoon event. I saw one person predict an indoor ski slope. Dream big, Southshore.

Traffic concerns and overall population density are already on the board, but I think we’re just screaming into a bottomless well on that. I’m holding out hope for a Jetsons quadcopter or hitching a ride on an Amazon drone. If neither pans out, I’ll settle for a left-turn lane that doesn’t require prayer.

Bokors Corner does a bang-up job keeping up with these things, so check out their post if you want more info and a front row seat to the speculation train. We’ll keep an eye on it, but even if this pushes ahead, it’ll be a while before you’re picking up those dark chocolate peanut butter cups you’ve been waiting for. In the meantime, pace yourself, Costco-sized optimism comes in bulk.

Southshore Spotlight

Wheels of Success

Wheels of Success is a Tampa Bay nonprofit that helps low- and moderate-income working families with reliable transportation—vehicle replacement, repairs, and help with licensing and payments. Through programs like Build-A-Car and other targeted initiatives, they repair and place donated vehicles so people can get to work and keep life moving.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Southshore Services

Need a painter? A plumber? Someone brave enough to tackle that lightbulb orbiting 30 feet above your living room? We’ve got you. And the best part, they’re all right here in our community.

Interested in joining the list? Shoot us an email to [email protected]

“Keep it Local!”

Foodies Only

Food Reviews with The Honest Food Guy

Today, we follow The Honest Food Guy over to Ruskin to check out Galuba Bear and their Butter Chicken Loaded Fries. Sounds serious, check out the review below.

If you’ve got a restaurant, food truck, or even a lemonade stand, it could be featured here. Email us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Football

Lennard vs Plant City, Friday 10/3 @7:30 PM - Home

East Bay vs Wharton, Friday 10/3 @ 7:30 PM - Away

Sumner vs Lakeland, Friday 10/3 @7:30 PM - Away

Riverview vs Bartow, Friday 10/10, @ 7:30 PM - Away

Spoto vs Freedom, Friday 10/3, @7:30 PM - Home

News or Events you’d like to share? Email us at: [email protected] 

Until next time,

Keep It Local.