Actually Southern Lifestyles began in the small storefront that now houses Beall's Outlet in Spanish Springs, next to the bank. Around 2001, the big store was built in SS connecting two strip malls. One mall had the Winn Dixie, the other mall had the Publix.
In the past, Southern Lifestyles was the only furniture company given access to new homes to come in and set up new furniture, so that when new residents arrived, their homes were furnished for them. In 2000, they had a special whereby new purchasers were given 5% of the purchase price in new furniture from Southern Lifestyles.
When Lake Sumter Landing opened in 2004, the Street of Dreams, was strictly the design center. That's why there was a swimming pool in the furniture store. Shortly after the design center opened, the developer went to all spec homes, and the design center was converted into a furniture store.
Before that, the design center was in the row of buildings anchored by Panera's in Spanish Springs. From the outside it looked like individual buildings, like it does now, but on the inside it was one big space where customers came to pick out appliances, floor coverings, etc etc. Back in those days, every house type from patio villa to premier could be custom outfitted.
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