[Bonny]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

That appears to be the developer's business plan. They owned and ran several restaurants, Southern Life Style Furniture, The Entertainment Department and The Villages Transportation. The Restaurants included The Lighthouse, Cane Garden, and The Veranda in my memory.

These businesses were established for the convenience of people living in The Villages and of course to turn a profit. They were run very well under the Morse management. That appears to be one of the successful components of The Villages that needed businesses were established which sets this development apart from other like developments across the country.

They were established and in the case of some of the restaurants and the entertainment department and the paper then sold to the person who managed it. It appears that it was not in their long term plan to keep them, but they still own the property which is leased to these businesses.

The Veranda was a wonderful restaurant, really much nicer than Panera, in my opinion. They did not fail, any of these businesses. I think that was the plan for The Villages Health System as well, but sadly it is failing. At least I think it was established to fill a need. When we moved here, all of the decent doctors had waiting lists. We were left with shady quacks in many cases who were not board certified and had other not good things in their past. They tried. It appears that health care is not an easy endeavor.

And, of course, one cannot forget restaurants such as Chula Vista, Santiago, Silver Lake, Cafe Ole' and Augustines. We loved those restaurants.