[LuvItHere]

I think having familiar, national-chain businesses near the Preview homes area is very important for making visitors/wannabes feel at home. When we stayed in Creekside landings home for preview, it was "comforting" to see some of our favorite places from home up north, such as Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, and now Coldwater Creek and TGIFridays.

And having them so close, and midway on the walk to the town square, made it even better because we can't walk or ride a golf cart or bike to these places at home (6-lane, gnarled mall traffic around them). Barnes & Noble is one of the places I always mention in describing the place to those who've never seen TV. Some think shopping would be lacking in a snug, friendly hometown like this--my father-in-law asked, "Well do they have a supermarket?" (By answering "yes--there's Publix on each side of TV, Winn-Dixie, and SweetBay, and there's Lowes, Home Depot, Sam's, Kohl's, 2 Walmart supercenters, etc." they understood better.)

It's hard to describe how much MORE shopping etc. is available by golf car, walking, etc. here, than by car at home in other states. But they do know the new B&N stores are not built in isolation from other familiar retailers we frequent. Shopping choices are very important when moving to another state.