If TV is the No. 1 small city for business...

[mmac321]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?

[Polar Bear]

Wow. You have very high standards.

[MikeV]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?

I wonder that myself every time I visit Brownwood.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

In a year or so, the question bee how did they fill Brownwood with all of those stores and restaurants so fast.

You got to ask, how long would it take to fill up a retail area like that in most other cities of 100,000 people. In most of them no developer in their right mind would build a retail area like that. It would likely remain less that 50% occupied for many years.

How long it "so long"?

[MikeyBoo54]

In a year or so, the question bee how did they fill Brownwood with all of those stores and restaurants so fast.

You got to ask, how long would it take to fill up a retail area like that in most other cities of 100,000 people. In most of them no developer in their right mind would build a retail area like that. It would likely remain less that 50% occupied for many years.

How long it "so long"?

Well stated sir! :clap2::clap2:

[Cedwards38]

In a year or so, the question bee how did they fill Brownwood with all of those stores and restaurants so fast.

You got to ask, how long would it take to fill up a retail area like that in most other cities of 100,000 people. In most of them no developer in their right mind would build a retail area like that. It would likely remain less that 50% occupied for many years.

How long it "so long"?

I think you're right. Seems to me they are adding stuff to Brownwood all the time.

[NYGUY]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?

As far as Brownwood goes, here is a thread that has already tackled that issue:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/brownwood-business-157441/?highlight=brownwood

If you read all of that thread, maybe we won't have to beat that dead horse again. And, if do read all of that thread, you will note how it will take at least 10 years for Brownwood to fill.

[2BNTV]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?

I'm sure some businesses have seen the article and the occupancy rate will increase, in a reasonable amount of time.

I wonder if the other squares were 100% populated, when they were built initially?

TV is still experiencing a great growth rate and sometimes, things don't always go as fast, as people's expectations.

[redwitch]

While LSL was being built and initially completed, people were railing that it would never succeed, not enough businesses, too many owned by the developer, not enough diversity. Now look at it. The same should hold true for Brownwood. First, the developer businesses. Then, the restaurants. Finally, the small stores and businesses. The motto here is very much, "Build and they will come."

[MikeyBoo54]

As far as Brownwood goes, here is a thread that has already tackled that issue:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/brownwood-business-157441/?highlight=brownwood

If you read all of that thread, maybe we won't have to beat that dead horse again. And, if do read all of that thread, you will note how it will take at least 10 years for Brownwood to fill.

New people are moving in every day. Not everyone is going to go back and read all the old posts.

"Horse-beating" is hear to stay. Without new questions there will never be any new ideas.

[Bonny]

New people are moving in every day. Not everyone is going to go back and read all the old posts.

"Horse-beating" is hear to stay. Without new questions there will never be any new ideas.
The problem is, they aren't new questions. :1rotfl:

[MikeyBoo54]

The problem is, they aren't new questions. :1rotfl:

Not to you, but definitely to the new folks who are asking them. Aren't we allowed to be curious and rely in the advice and experience of those who have arrived before us. Or should we just sit quietly and observe because we don't want to upset the status quo or be perceived as annoying because we dared to ask a question we did not know the answer to ---- or even know that it had been asked before.

[Bonny]

Not to you, but definitely to the new folks who are asking them. Aren't we allowed to be curious and rely in the advice and experience of those who have arrived before us. Or should we just sit quietly and observe because we don't want to upset the status quo or be perceived as annoying because we dared to ask a question we did not know the answer to ---- or even know that it had been asked before.
My goodness, it was just meant to be a little joke.

[billethkid]

Some need to re-calibrate their expectation timing.

If you were here as little as 10 years ago there was no south of 466.....not 466A......466.
There was no Arnold Plamer golf course.
No Lake Sumter Landing.
None of the shooping areas in and around Rolling Acres.
No Sma's Club.
No Home Depot.
No Kohls.
Most of the national chain restaurants you enjoy were not here.

ANother way to look at it 10 years ago there was only one town center, Spanish Springs.
The only commercial enterprise was in Spanish Springs and along 441!

In that 10 year period TV polulation has grown from 35,000 to well over 100,000.

Stop looking at your watch and look at the calendar!

[WhoDat]

Some need to re-calibrate their expectation timing.

If you were here as little as 10 years ago there was no south of 466.....not 466A......466.
There was no Arnold Plamer golf course.
No Lake Sumter Landing.
None of the shooping areas in and around Rolling Acres.
No Sma's Club.
No Home Depot.
No Kohls.
Most of the national chain restaurants you enjoy were not here.

ANother way to look at it 10 years ago there was only one town center, Spanish Springs.
The only commercial enterprise was in Spanish Springs and along 441!

In that 10 year period TV polulation has grown from 35,000 to well over 100,000.

Stop looking at your watch and look at the calendar!

Well said. As the population south of 466A expands, so will the business in Brownwood. I only wonder why they built Brownwood off to one side. It should have been more centrally located like Lake Sumter unless the developer wanted to draw in more people from outside TV. I think it is the only town center with billboards on the interstate.

[Bonny]

When we moved here over 15 years ago, there was nothing beyond the Savannah Center at Buena Vista. There were just building Glenview.

[tomwed]

I'd like to know what new stores and restaurants are thriving in Brownwood. Even though I'm less than a mile from the square, I don't go there very often. The novelty wore off.

I know Winn Dixie is slow and I hear the nearby Publix is not too crowded. It feels like most of the homes are sold down here.

[LittleDog]

Some need to re-calibrate their expectation timing.

If you were here as little as 10 years ago there was no south of 466.....not 466A......466.
There was no Arnold Plamer golf course.
No Lake Sumter Landing.
None of the shooping areas in and around Rolling Acres.
No Sma's Club.
No Home Depot.
No Kohls.
Most of the national chain restaurants you enjoy were not here.

ANother way to look at it 10 years ago there was only one town center, Spanish Springs.
The only commercial enterprise was in Spanish Springs and along 441!

In that 10 year period TV polulation has grown from 35,000 to well over 100,000.

Stop looking at your watch and look at the calendar!

Bill - We got here in 2005 and there was a Palmer golf course, a Lake Sumter landing, there was shopping around Rolling acres, and a Home Depot. Just wanted to clarify.

John

[Bonny]

Some need to re-calibrate their expectation timing.

If you were here as little as 10 years ago there was no south of 466.....not 466A......466.
There was no Arnold Plamer golf course.
No Lake Sumter Landing.
None of the shooping areas in and around Rolling Acres.
No Sma's Club.
No Home Depot.
No Kohls.
Most of the national chain restaurants you enjoy were not here.

ANother way to look at it 10 years ago there was only one town center, Spanish Springs.
The only commercial enterprise was in Spanish Springs and along 441!

In that 10 year period TV polulation has grown from 35,000 to well over 100,000.

Stop looking at your watch and look at the calendar!
Actually we moved into our new house in BonnyBrook in Feb. 2004, over 11 years ago. There were several places open in Sumter Landing.

[mmac321]

... when this thought entered my head I didn't think to read the hundreds of thousands of previous threads before I asked my question.

[tomwed]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?
"The Villages is not the spot for companies or employees searching for the next internet startup, but the economy is surging thanks to the services required by the growing population that cover healthcare, financial services, retail and more."

"The Villages scored well across the board on the dozen factors Forbes uses to rate smaller metro areas. It ranked first for crime, migration and projected economic growth. The Villages’ economy is expected to expand 9.1% annually through 2017, according to Moody’s Analytics. Business costs are 21% below the national average. The only metric where The Villages does not shine is living costs, which rank among the 30% most expensive smaller metros."

The metric is small cities less then 250,000. We're only halfway there. I wonder how big we need to get before we see big retail and amenity additions.

Maybe retail will look at TV with fresh eyes.

[JGVillages]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?

Considering our Country's economic climate it seems that the "independent entrepreneur" has many problems to overcome beyond the rent our or any developer may charge. Busness insurance, employer matching FICA & Medicare, workmans compensation, etc., not withstanding the potential of a $15/hour minimum wage put a lot of stress in the faces of an independent business. Considering all these factors the completed Spanish Springs and LSL have a great mix of independents. I believe the developer is attemting to attract the entrepreneur keeping a reasonable mix of business types to enhance their chance at success. Brownwood will fill in just fine. Take a look next year at this time.

[WhoDat]

I'd like to know what new stores and restaurants are thriving in Brownwood. Even though I'm less than a mile from the square, I don't go there very often. The novelty wore off.

I know Winn Dixie is slow and I hear the nearby Publix is not too crowded. It feels like most of the homes are sold down here.

It appears that most homes aren't even built down here. Look at Pine Ridge, LaBelle, Oceaola Hills, even Dunedin. Many of the homes in these areas that are built are sitting empty waiting for buyers. I would say there are still 2000 homes to be built south of 466A.

[NYGUY]

...Take a look next year at this time.

Better yet, take a look 5 years from now!!

[Barefoot]

Aren't we allowed to be curious and rely in the advice and experience of those who have arrived before us. Or should we just sit quietly and observe because we don't want to upset the status quo or be perceived as annoying because we dared to ask a question we did not know the answer to ---- or even know that it had been asked before.
:welcome: Of course you can be curious and ask questions. We welcome newcomers to TOTV and to The Villages.
In case you're not aware, there is a Search button (see above) where you can type in a topic and see previous threads.
I found it awfully helpful when I was a newbie.

[Villages Kahuna]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?A lot of houses, villas and bungalows are being sold "down south", but not enough people are moving in and staying all summer. It's a tough proposition for a merchant when his business and cash flow dwindles to next to nothing during half the year. When enough people begin staying year round, the storefronts will fill up, even the big box locations on the periphery of Brownwood.

[Skybo]

:welcome: Of course you can be curious and ask questions. We welcome newcomers to TOTV and to The Villages.
In case you're not aware, there is a Search button (see above) where you can type in a topic and see previous threads.
I found it awfully helpful when I was a newbie.


That's true...but how many times has someone commented on an old thread and inadvertently caused chaos? Such as quoting a post from a long time ago, to be followed by posters who think it's a new thread, quoting and rehashing old arguments. And then comes the comments saying "this thread is from months/years ago!!!" "Why are you dredging up old news?" "Nice first post, are you a troll?" :)

[North shore gal]

Soooo where is Costco going to be on 44?

[Club A]

When Sumter Landing opened, occupancy was rapidly filled and Spanish Springs commercial traffic dropped around half. Brownwood is being rented at a controlled pace in line with increased population so as to not disrupt the other squares.

[skip0358]

I happen to think Brownwood is filling up just fine.Of course that's my opinion. Gators, City Fire, Ricardis, World of Beers are doing fine. The new Golf Cart garage opened which is bringing a few more people down that way. The Movie Theater has a decent draw. Too Jays will be opening soon. As for 466A PDQ is in the works after that there isn't much other property left. When the new section of TV is done there will be new stores in the Fruitland Park area but not GC accessible. As for Rt 44 there is a new small shopping area planned just E/O the Rohan Rec Center with Publix as a base. I'm sure something will go W/O Buenna Vista Blvd ater the Publix. There's a small Center being built across from Brownwood on Rt 44. I think there's plenty of Shopping. Yea I'd like to see
COSTCO but I guess the timings not right for them yet. If your looking for a BIG Mall well Ocala is only 1/2 hr away and that's close enough for me. I for one don't want a MALL around here because that will take away from the small shops we have in our Squares then people will be complaining we have to many empty stores in all the squares.

[Fore-Reel]

When The Villages put up the first Winn Dixie on hi-way 441 in 1982-83, over 30 years ago! Everyone thought , who is going to support a grocery store out here ?! Orange Blossom Gardens, your average Florida mobile home park was about the only community to support a store like that. Well, here we are , 30 years later, look what we have today. I watched the small,retail,center East of 441 go up, along with a Post Office, then Spanish Springs a building or two at a time. When Lake Sumter Landing was announced, to,be built in its entirety before any business moved in , everyone thought it would be a ghost town . Now we have Brownwood, many great stores and shopping , and more to come. Sit back an enjoy Villagers ,you will not be disappointed in the future of the Community !

[asianthree]

That's true...but how many times has someone commented on an old thread and inadvertently caused chaos? Such as quoting a post from a long time ago, to be followed by posters who think it's a new thread, quoting and rehashing old arguments. And then comes the comments saying "this thread is from months/years ago!!!" "Why are you dredging up old news?" "Nice first post, are you a troll?" :)

:boxing2: yep you are to read old posts but not comment on them. So go ahead and start that new post, what I thought 4000 posts ago may have changed:coolsmiley:

[MikeyBoo54]

Thank you Barefoot and Asian for your input. I appreciate your responses and suggestions. I just think it will be better for all concerned if I get my questions asked and answered in a different manner.

It is just not worth the aggravation of searching through threads and then being berated because I ask a question about it in the current time.

My teenagers are grown up......I don't have to argue about anything anymore.

[dbussone]

When Sumter Landing opened, occupancy was rapidly filled and Spanish Springs commercial traffic dropped around half. Brownwood is being rented at a controlled pace in line with increased population so as to not disrupt the other squares.


Interesting. I had not heard that and I was not living here at the time.

[Bonny]

When Sumter Landing opened, occupancy was rapidly filled and Spanish Springs commercial traffic dropped around half. Brownwood is being rented at a controlled pace in line with increased population so as to not disrupt the other squares.
Where did this info come from that commercial traffic dropped in half at SS & Brownwood is being rented at a controlled pace ?

[billethkid]

Where did this info come from that commercial traffic dropped in half at SS & Brownwood is being rented at a controlled pace ?

one minds eye opinion?

[2BNTV]

When The Villages put up the first Winn Dixie on hi-way 441 in 1982-83, over 30 years ago! Everyone thought , who is going to support a grocery store out here ?! Orange Blossom Gardens, your average Florida mobile home park was about the only community to support a store like that. Well, here we are , 30 years later, look what we have today. I watched the small,retail,center East of 441 go up, along with a Post Office, then Spanish Springs a building or two at a time. When Lake Sumter Landing was announced, to,be built in its entirety before any business moved in , everyone thought it would be a ghost town . Now we have Brownwood, many great stores and shopping , and more to come. Sit back an enjoy Villagers ,you will not be disappointed in the future of the Community !

:bigbow: Excellent post. Nice perspective on the continued growth of TV!

I believe someone told me that 441 was one lane, in both directions. I believe TV will continue to grow and it will bigger, and better. IMHO

[HHWilliams]

I agreed that it seems to be taking quite a long time to attract venues to Brownwood. Whats there now for the most part are restaurants, many of which are overpriced and offer poor quality.

[Bogie Shooter]

I agreed that it seems to be taking quite a long time to attract venues to Brownwood. Whats there now for the most part are restaurants, many of which are overpriced and offer poor quality.
Really?
This was posted by nyguy on another thread.


Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Villages Cycles
Memories Engraved
Brownwood Jewelers
SAS Comfort Shoe Store
Nail Salon
Cal's Barber & Beauty
Hear USA
Tommy Bahama
Evelyn & Arthur
Christine's

And non retailers such as:

Raymond James
Prady Financial
United Healthcare
MVP Athletic Club

[graciegirl]

Not to you, but definitely to the new folks who are asking them. Aren't we allowed to be curious and rely in the advice and experience of those who have arrived before us. Or should we just sit quietly and observe because we don't want to upset the status quo or be perceived as annoying because we dared to ask a question we did not know the answer to ---- or even know that it had been asked before.



I think I recognize you. Three Plane Kid?


Family member on Scioto Drive here.

[graciegirl]

I agreed that it seems to be taking quite a long time to attract venues to Brownwood. Whats there now for the most part are restaurants, many of which are overpriced and offer poor quality.



Horse Excrement! There wasn't anything south of 466A but grass and cows just a little over three years ago. Not a home, not a sign, not a golf tee, not a danged thing. NOTHING.


Some of us like the restaurants. You live outside somewhere????

[graciegirl]

... why is it taking so long to fill Brownwood with stores and why isn't there more shopping on 466a and 44?



I have read that it is the fastest growing area in the U.S. But ...I don't receall that it is the fastest growing small town for business. Can you link?

[MikeyBoo54]

Nope, sorry Gracie. To my knowledge I have no relation living in The Villages. However, it is possible that my opinion could be shared by others. :icon_wink: