Katie Bells, what were they thinking, or were they.

[crowwing8]

I guess The Villages has transformed from Florida's Friendliest Home Town to Florida's "greediest" home town. I can't believe what is being done to Katie Bells, their employees and Spanish Springs Square performers, aka bands, in order to make, I assume, "The Sharon" a going concern. If this is the case, I hope "The Sharon" is a financial disaster for the developer(s)!

Who's short sided planning was it to build "The Sharon" without adequate parking? Who's brilliant idea was it to close the first floor of Katie Bells? Who had so much respect for the Katie Bell employees that they terminated them without severance? Oh, but wait, they can reapply for their old position. I wonder, is that with or without a salary reduction? Who's idea was it to eliminate live music on the Square during high priced (or any) performances at "The Sharon". Who is this intellectual business marvel? I don't know, but who ever made these inane decisions, should be fired!

Looks to me like Harold's kids have one thing in mind, more money.

Good Luck!
Larry Kraning

[hulahips]

Are they really doing away with music on the as square if there is a performance that night?

[graciegirl]

I guess The Villages has transformed from Florida's Friendliest Home Town to Florida's "greediest" home town. I can't believe what is being done to Katie Bells, their employees and Spanish Springs Square performers, aka bands, in order to make, I assume, "The Sharon" a going concern. If this is the case, I hope "The Sharon" is a financial disaster for the developer(s)!



Who's short sided planning was it to build "The Sharon" without adequate parking? Who's brilliant idea was it to close the first floor of Katie Bells? Who had so much respect for the Katie Bell employees that they terminated them without severance? Oh, but wait, they can reapply for their old position. I wonder, is that with or without a salary reduction? Who's idea was it to eliminate live music on the Square during high priced (or any) performances at "The Sharon". Who is this intellectual business marvel? I don't know, but who ever made these inane decisions, should be fired!

Looks to me like Harold's kids have one thing in mind, more money.

Good Luck!
Larry Kraning

Your very first post. Hmmmmm.

Why don't we just wait and see how this all works out? All of the "sturm und drang" from all of the other supposed disasters have been tempests in teapots. Are you an employee affected? You do know that the high prices for tickets don't all go to a pile on the Morse's desk? You have to PAY the acts.

It makes me furious when I see this greed, greed, greed thing. Doesn't anyone know that not everything works like the federal government, at a deficit?

You get something nice and there is someone who is jealous. My bet is this is someone who can't for some reason move here and enjoy this place and I am sorry for that.

Kinda. It is probably someone who just bought some other place in Florida and is regretting it.

But if this is a real resident....couldn't you wait to pan it after it didn't WORK??????? Sheesh!!!!!

You hate all this supposed greed? I hate all this negativity for something that hasn't happened.

[Challenger]

I guess The Villages has transformed from Florida's Friendliest Home Town to Florida's "greediest" home town. I can't believe what is being done to Katie Bells, their employees and Spanish Springs Square performers, aka bands, in order to make, I assume, "The Sharon" a going concern. If this is the case, I hope "The Sharon" is a financial disaster for the developer(s)!

Who's short sided planning was it to build "The Sharon" without adequate parking? Who's brilliant idea was it to close the first floor of Katie Bells? Who had so much respect for the Katie Bell employees that they terminated them without severance? Oh, but wait, they can reapply for their old position. I wonder, is that with or without a salary reduction? Who's idea was it to eliminate live music on the Square during high priced (or any) performances at "The Sharon". Who is this intellectual business marvel? I don't know, but who ever made these inane decisions, should be fired!

Looks to me like Harold's kids have one thing in mind, more money.

Good Luck!
Larry Kraning

The "Family" owns and manages over 4million sq feet of commercial space in and adjacent to The Villages with occupancy rates above 90 per cent. In order to be succrssful in business there often comes a time when you need to pull the plug and modify the plan even if it is not yet perceivd by the masses that change is needed.

Thank heaven the the "Family" is running the commercial development, and adapting , and renewing, and reacting to the needs that the inmates often do not have any experience with, nor concept of.

[costagrande]

Katie Bells was in dire need of an update!

[Beechie]

and the beat goes on...if only they could have discussed this with the OP before hand. One would have to ascribe any past accomplishments of the Morse dynasty tantamount to sheer luck in light of your mischaracterization?

[Bonny]

I guess The Villages has transformed from Florida's Friendliest Home Town to Florida's "greediest" home town. I can't believe what is being done to Katie Bells, their employees and Spanish Springs Square performers, aka bands, in order to make, I assume, "The Sharon" a going concern. If this is the case, I hope "The Sharon" is a financial disaster for the developer(s)!

Who's short sided planning was it to build "The Sharon" without adequate parking? Who's brilliant idea was it to close the first floor of Katie Bells? Who had so much respect for the Katie Bell employees that they terminated them without severance? Oh, but wait, they can reapply for their old position. I wonder, is that with or without a salary reduction? Who's idea was it to eliminate live music on the Square during high priced (or any) performances at "The Sharon". Who is this intellectual business marvel? I don't know, but who ever made these inane decisions, should be fired!

Looks to me like Harold's kids have one thing in mind, more money.

Good Luck!
Larry Kraning
Wow, quite a post. I hope you don't live here if you are wishing a financial disaster for the developer.
Seeing as this is your first post, I am assuming you are an employee at Katie Belles.
Yes, it is going to rough on some of the employees and I wish them well.
This is not a decision just made by the kids. My guess is this has been in the planning stages for quite sometime.

[SoccerCoach]

WOW ! I guess if you're going to be negative, oh well, I guess you can. BUT, YOU'RE ALSO IN THE MINORITY !

[crowwing8]

Really coach? 64% of those responding today agree with me.

[RickeyD]

Really coach? 64% of those responding today agree with me.


Somebody paid attention in 5th grade math...

[Bonny]

Really coach? 64% of those responding today agree with me.
How are you coming up with 64 % are here agreeing with you ? Just curious

[crowwing8]

Wow, your empathy for the employees is quite breathtaking. We know several of the employees at Katie Belles and all have been terminated. Yeah I'd say that's rough but, I suppose if you're retired and get your social security, pension or what ever, it's not that big a deal, huh. I do live here and have since 2004.

[RickeyD]

IMHO, the whole Katie Belles thing is overrated. The food average and the entertainment that I saw amateurish. A lot of people loved it, kinda corny if you ask me. I guess my generation the middle baby boomers won't care if it goes away or not. One poster said most people south of 466 don't go anyway. I think that's accurate. Most everybody goes once because it's our own but a lot of newer people never go back. Just saying...

[crowwing8]

I'm sorry, it's 69%. Check the poll in todays ************* online.

[Beechie]

I'm sorry, it's 69%. Check the poll in todays ************* online.

Perhaps 69% are disappointed with the changes but it certainly doesn't reflect how many people concur with your rant on TOTV. Nobody wants to see anyone lose their job especially for reasons out of their control. However, one does not garner sympathy and/or empathy through character assassination.

[Bonny]

Wow, your empathy for the employees is quite breathtaking. We know several of the employees at Katie Belles and all have been terminated. Yeah I'd say that's rough but, I suppose if you're retired and get your social security, pension or what ever, it's not that big a deal, huh. I do live here and have since 2004.
I've lived here 15 years and know many of them. I am very sorry and have a lot of empathy for the employees and the entertainers.
I don't cook and we go out every night so needless to say I love all of the bartenders, servers and owners of many of the restaurants and love the entertainment we have. We used to go to Katie Belles 3-4 nights a week. We also go to Cattle Baron quite often.
Yes, I'm sad to see this, but that's not going to change anything.
Your bashing everyone, wishing financial disaster will not help anyone either !!

[Bonny]

I'm sorry, it's 69%. Check the poll in todays ************* online.
I thought you meant on this thread that you started.

[janmcn]

I'm sorry, it's 69%. Check the poll in todays ************* online.

It's now up to 71%.

[Bonny]

The poll can be a little misleading. It's only a yes or no question. That doesn't mean everyone agrees totally with the OP. I also would say I'm not in favor of it. It's always been one of our favorite places so yes we are sad about it.
That doesn't mean I'm going to get mad and bash everyone. Change happens in this world all of the time. I'm sure in the end it will be beautiful.

[Beechie]

It's now up to 71%.

Not surprised by the numbers. Most respondents to these types of Polls tend to be the disappointed as opposed to the disinterested.

[RickeyD]

Again, this discussion has degraded into another ****ing contest. My mind is numbing. please someone start an intelligent post !

[Allegiance]

Like any big firm the developers have a public relations team as well as many IT professionals. I am sure they are busy with damage control. They are skewing the poll results. There is no way 29% agree with the plan. I am sure it's like 99% against. It will be evident when the protesters and news crews get there. I HOPE the news points out how it was announced just after the snow birds flew home.

[graciegirl]

Like any big firm the developers have a public relations team as well as many IT professionals. I am sure they are busy with damage control. They are skewing the poll results. There is no way 29% agree with the plan. I am sure it's like 99% against. It will be evident when the protesters and news crews get there. I HOPE the news points out how it was announced just after the snow birds flew home.


We have been to Katie Bells three, maybe four times in the evening. Three or four times for breakfast on Sunday in eight years.

It just isn't important to a lot of people. There are the golfers and the dancers and the drinkers, and the stinkers that live here. Some people would be in Hell and ask for ice water as my Uncle used to say. Some people are NEVER happy.

And one of my treasured posters calls ME Pollyanna. She has had two names after being kicked off once. There are all kinds of agenda's in the naked city.

I am an old woman enjoying every day God will give me.

[Mike&Marilyn]

Katie Belles was in dire need of a facelift. The carpets were stained and disgusting. The paint needed a redo. I could go on and on. The food is mediocre and hoping that with the major redo project that they will also look at their menu and cooks. Whatever gets done it will done with class and will be nice. I feel bad for employees but am sure they will try to make it right with and for them.

[Moderator]

It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable. This thread has failed miserably in that regard. It is closed.