[ptownrob]

Sorry to see Bourbon St. gone. There is too long a line of closed restaurants to blame it solely on the owners. It's much more about the construction of Spanish Springs.


Owner Albert & his wife are very good people and I know they tried very hard. They put in nightly live music & were great "hosts." I'm sorry to see they didn't survive.

I think the whole Square needs a re-do. The Morses learned much when they built the Landing- it's better laid out for shoppping and exploring. The Square has the Church on one whole side, and the Sales Center/Wellness on another. Katie Belles is only for residents, so the only "draws" are TooJays & the movies.

There's always talk about financial greed for rents as well. If I were the developer, I'd use the Square as a loss leader, and build some shops adjacent to the Church- yes you'd lose the gardens, but there are already so many beautiful spots in The Villages anyway.

I'd also redo the front of Katie Belle's to include shops. It's not like it's a historic building anyway! They could leave the balcony and add shops on each side of the doors.

Finally, I'd redo the front of the new Wellness Center, get rid of the steps, move the shops closer to the street & put shops in there as well.

You guys listening? Location, location, location- foot traffic, foot traffic, foot traffic. The Square isn't set up to maximize that.