new stores in Brownwood

[jeraldinemarie]

Does anyone know why there are still so many empty store spaces in Brownwood? I have heard so many times that xxx is going to open but it's not ready yet and yet 5 Guys and World of Beer didn't have any trouble getting opened in time for Jan. 2014. Just wondering if anyone has the scoop.

[Bogie Shooter]

Does anyone know why there are still so many empty store spaces in Brownwood? I have heard so many times that xxx is going to open but it's not ready yet and yet 5 Guys and World of Beer didn't have any trouble getting opened in time for Jan. 2014. Just wondering if anyone has the scoop.

Guess the scoop is they are not ready to open.
The Villages Vmail - February 2014 - Coming Soon! (http://thevillages.com/newsletter/201402M3RkW4I/happenings-soon.htm)

[jnieman]

It takes time. It will eventually happen. Brownwood has come a long way just in the past 6 months.

[justjim]

OP, with the new mortgage regulations it takes time and more documentation for a small business to get a loan these days. That could be a major factor but not the only one.

The "chain stores" are not expanding as rapidly as they did a few years ago.

The lease costs could be higher than some expected at Brownwood.

These are possible challenges but they are just "bumps in the road" given the potential development you will likely see in Brownwood.

[ROCKETMAN]

Cody's and gators dockside will be open in spring or early summer so that adds 2 restaurants that seat over 200 patrons to the mix. Also the tapas place.

[Shimpy]

Cody's and gators dockside will be open in spring or early summer so that adds 2 restaurants that seat over 200 patrons to the mix. Also the tapas place.

Still not a single place to get breakfast.

[russtcc]

Any chance of a Panera Bread?

[Shimpy]

Any chance of a Panera Bread?

I'm sure there will eventually be a Panera Bread, Dunkin Donut, or Starbucks. What I was hoping for was a place not just serving coffee and donuts or pastries but a full breakfast.......eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, etc.

[Bonny]

Cody's and gators dockside will be open in spring or early summer so that adds 2 restaurants that seat over 200 patrons to the mix. Also the tapas place.

Not sure where you got your information, but Cody's is not opening until the fall. Some time in September is the goal.

[jimbo2012]

The lease costs could be higher than some expected at Brownwood.


Bingo!

At $35 a Sq, retailers have many others choices, just like buying a house here they don't negotiate much.

Also the number of shoppers when the snowbirds are gone makes it harder for some biz to cover their overhead.

Have you been there in June or September?

[rayschic]

I'm sure there will eventually be a Panera Bread, Dunkin Donut, or Starbucks. What I was hoping for was a place not just serving coffee and donuts or pastries but a full breakfast.......eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, etc.

Does anyone know if the new Scooples has eggs, bacon, pancakes, etc ?
They are advertising that they need cooks for their restaurant which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can't find a menu on-line.

[Bonny]

They plan on doing that in the future. Right now just light breakfasts.

[villagerjack]

Bingo!

At $35 a Sq, retailers have many others choices, just like buying a house here they don't negotiate much.

Also the number of shoppers when the snowbirds are gone makes it harder for some biz to cover their overhead.

Have you been there in June or September?

Why are these businesses not amply supported by the full time residents? A previous post made the case for more stores and restaurants to handle the presumed growth and "overcrowding" in The Villages and in this thread we seem to be suggesting a lack of support from full time residents who ironically complain about the "crowds", without which, most agree, we would have fewer not more, restaurants? If some of the small percentage of full time residents who complain about the "overcrowding" would rally the full time residents support of these businesses during the Low Season" then perhaps that would solve a part of the puzzle?

[buzzy]

What you see on TOTV does not represent the majority of residents

[Happydaz]

Why are these businesses not amply supported by the full time residents? A previous post made the case for more stores and restaurants to handle the presumed growth and "overcrowding" in The Villages and in this thread we seem to be suggesting a lack of support from full time residents who ironically complain about the "crowds", without which, most agree, we would have fewer not more, restaurants? If some of the small percentage of full time residents who complain about the "overcrowding" would rally the full time residents support of these businesses during the Low Season" then perhaps that would solve a part of the puzzle?

It is a matter of numbers. Let's say there are twice the number of people here in the winter than in the summer. To keep things even in the summer season, the full time residents would have to go out to eat twice as much as they do in the winter. People here already go out often. You would have to eat out a lot to make up for the snowbirds flying north in the summer. There is no puzzle, it is just the seasonal flow of business.

[ROCKETMAN]

Not sure where you got your information, but Cody's is not opening until the fall. Some time in September is the goal.

I know you always have good info on the restaurants and looking where they are now, you are right. Probably the same with gators dockside and the tapas place

[jalopy54]

Breakfast would be nice! Come on Bob Evans!!!

[Bonny]

I know you always have good info on the restaurants and looking where they are now, you are right. Probably the same with gators dockside and the tapas place

Codys wanted to wait until there were more things at the square. ;)

[villagerjack]

It is a matter of numbers. Let's say there are twice the number of people here in the winter than in the summer. To keep things even in the summer season, the full time residents would have to go out to eat twice as much as they do in the winter. People here already go out often. You would have to eat out a lot to make up for the snowbirds flying north in the summer. There is no puzzle, it is just the seasonal flow of business.

So I would agree that we should welcome the fact that restaurants are crowded during the HIGH SEASON because if they were not crowded, there would be fewer restaurants during the LOW SEASON. I was unaware that the population doubles in the HIGH SEASON? Where did you get that information?

[cquick]

I'm sure there will eventually be a Panera Bread, Dunkin Donut, or Starbucks. What I was hoping for was a place not just serving coffee and donuts or pastries but a full breakfast.......eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, etc.

:agree:yes, there doesn't seem to be anywhere close to get breakfast around the 466A side of TV yet.....When we lived in Summerhill, there was IHOP, Perkins, Bob Evans, SunShine diner, Lill Bits, and one more I can't think of right now....but nothing down here except McDonald's which is not a sit-down and get served place.

[shcisamax]

I've been waiting for Toojays who said they were going to open not this past January but the one before. Still waiting.

As for restaurants not having enough people in the summer, although people may not necessarily be lined up at the door with an hour and a half wait, we saw a definite increase from two summers ago to last summer. There are a lot more people living here full time and many more to come. A restaurant that is doing well during snow bird season, should still be able to crank out a living during off season. In fact, many people who choose not to go out during snow bird season will be frequenting those restaurants...I being one of them.

[Shimpy]

I've been waiting for Toojays who said they were going to open not this past January but the one before. Still waiting.

As for restaurants not having enough people in the summer, although people may not necessarily be lined up at the door with an hour and a half wait, we saw a definite increase from two summers ago to last summer. There are a lot more people living here full time and many more to come. A restaurant that is doing well during snow bird season, should still be able to crank out a living during off season. In fact, many people who choose not to go out during snow bird season will be frequenting those restaurants...I being one of them.

A good point. I've noticed in the last 3 years traffic getting heavier during the summer months but not surprised because all that has been built and sold south of 466A. As an example, my wife and I love to go out to breakfast and usually to Spanish Springs since that is where the most choices are for a full breakfast menu. During the winter months we have to get up too early to get there without a long wait so many times we just stay home. We live just north of 466A and would be a lot quicker to go to Brownwood if there was something there.

[graciegirl]

A good point. I've noticed in the last 3 years traffic getting heavier during the summer months but not surprised because all that has been built and sold south of 466A. As an example, my wife and I love to go out to breakfast and usually to Spanish Springs since that is where the most choices are for a full breakfast menu. During the winter months we have to get up too early to get there without a long wait so many times we just stay home. We live just north of 466A and would be a lot quicker to go to Brownwood if there was something there.



On 466 There is Sonrise, Little Bits, Perkins and our favorite Bob Evans.

[Shimpy]

On 466 There is Sonrise, Little Bits, Perkins and our favorite Bob Evans.

Perkins is good but kind of expensive compared to others. Sonrise and Bob Evans are too greasy for my taste.
Spanish Springs has Katie Bells, Athens, and 2 Jays for a full breakfast menu, all good.
Sumter Landing has 2 Jays and Johnny Rockets, both good.
Brownwood has absolutely nothing.

[jmvalcq]

Scooples is open for breakfast at 9AM. Yes, they serve food in addition to ice cream. The manager said that they would open earlier as the foot traffic in Brownwood increased in the morning.

[Bogie Shooter]

Perkins is good but kind of expensive compared to others. Sonrise and Bob Evans are too greasy for my taste.
Spanish Springs has Katie Bells, Athens, and 2 Jays for a full breakfast menu, all good.
Sumter Landing has 2 Jays and Johnny Rockets, both good.
Brownwood has absolutely nothing.

At the same time in the life cycle of Lake Sumter Landing there also was nothing.

[Barefoot]

What you see on TOTV does not represent the majority of residents

:agree: I think this is often true about many varied topics.

However TOTV is definitely a great resource for contractor referrals, product recommendations, restaurant reviews, etc.

[anarick]

A CrackerBarrel on 44 would be nice. They have a nice breakfast menu.
:smiley:

[Jim Straz]

Still not a single place to get breakfast.

The new Italian restaurant serves breakfast 7 days a week.

[Didiwinbob]

Golden Coral

[raynitsche]

I'm sure there will eventually be a Panera Bread, Dunkin Donut, or Starbucks. What I was hoping for was a place not just serving coffee and donuts or pastries but a full breakfast.......eggs, bacon, potatoes, pancakes, etc.

Athens from SS seems to have the perfect restaurant and would be a good fit.

[tialarre]

There is a First Watch by SS it is by far my favorite breakfast place. Great banana-granola pancakes and skillets with potatoes eggs and toppings. Wish there was one in Brownwood. Great service, food, and extremely consistent.

[Shimpy]

The new Italian restaurant serves breakfast 7 days a week.

Who and where in Brownwood? I'd like to try them. I've never heard of an Italian restaurant serving breakfast. I thought maybe Italians, Chinese and Mexicans didn't eat breakfast by observing their restaurants.
This is good news and I would appreciate the name of the restaurant.

[Shimpy]

Scooples is open for breakfast at 9AM. Yes, they serve food in addition to ice cream. The manager said that they would open earlier as the foot traffic in Brownwood increased in the morning.

Thanks, I'll try them for sure.

[Shimpy]

Athens from SS seems to have the perfect restaurant and would be a good fit.

Our favorite. I talked to Mike who is one of the family and said that between the 3 of them they have all they can handle at the one in SS's.

[Shimpy]

Update......Scooples does serve breakfast but not a FULL breakfast. You can get eggs, but only on a sandwich. Not eggs, bacon, homefries, hashbrowns, pancakes, etc.
We tried them and the egg on bagle was delicious. Good coffee also.
We also went by the Italian restaurant that someone said serves breakfast, but they were closed. I'm not supprised..... never heard of an Italian restaurant serving breakfast.

[Lovey2]

Who and where in Brownwood? I'd like to try them. I've never heard of an Italian restaurant serving breakfast. I thought maybe Italians, Chinese and Mexicans didn't eat breakfast by observing their restaurants.
This is good news and I would appreciate the name of the restaurant.

Ciao!! We eat cold pizza for breakfast!! :)

[golf2140]

There were many open stores fronts in Spanish Springs when it first opened, the same with Lake Sumter. They will fill the open space. Don't get your shorts all twisted. :crap2: