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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2006

Media Contact Information:

Ashley Hallmark, ahallmark@quantifiedmarketing.com

Marc April, mapril@quantifiedmarketing.com

                                                                                                Phone: (407) 936-1010

Fax: (407) 936-1011

Two decades of great food, great service and community involvement

Bella’s Italian Café celebrates 20 successful years by giving back to the community through an ongoing monthly charity program.

Tampa, Fla. – After two decades of serving its community, Bella’s Italian Café is still looking to give back.  In 1986, Bill Shumate and Joanie Corneil moved to Tampa with the shared vision of opening Bella’s.  Today, Shumate and Corneil celebrate success and the friendship of loyal customers with a thank you to the city that’s welcomed them so warmly.

Bella’s 20^th Anniversary, which officially takes place July 31, is just another opportunity for Shumate and Corneil to offer more support to their community.  Beginning in August 2006, Bella’s will support one local charity per month.  From the 20^th of each month until the end of the month, 20 percent of lunch and dinner sales will be donated to that month’s charity.  The anniversary philanthropy will continue thru August of 2007.

With the specific goal of supporting the local community, Bella’s co-owners have decided to only choose Tampa-area charities to support.  The first charity to benefit from Shumate and Corneil’s anniversary celebration is The Spring, Florida’s largest domestic violence shelter.  The Spring, which provides services throughout Hillsborough County, has six service sites and has been in operation for nearly 30 years. 

During the months of September and October, Bella’s will partner with The Centre for Women and Metropolitan Ministries, respectively.

“We are very fortunate to have run such a successful restaurant for 20 years, and we couldn’t have done it without the ongoing support of our community,” said Bill Shumate, co-owner of Bella’s.  “We have always supported local organizations in return, but in celebration of our anniversary, we will be making an even stronger commitment this year with our new charity program.”

A single unit restaurant, Bella’s Italian Café is located at 1413 South Howard Avenue in South Tampa and boasts more than 180 seats in the indoor and outdoor dining areas, including a full bar and top-notch service.  With a relaxed, inviting and rustic ambience along with a wood-fired oven burning near the back, the atmosphere encourages customers to relax and enjoy a fine-dining experience.

Bella’s Italian Café is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday.  On Saturdays and Sundays, the restaurant opens at 4:00 p.m.