brownwwod

[village dreamer]

the other news paper was talking about how small and empty Brownwood is. what do you think of Brownwood.

[Bogie Shooter]

It will be fine. LSL was the same way as it was growing up.

[Steve Y]

Its a shame that businesses have not been able to make it in Brownwood. I heard that well as rent they pay a percentage of their gross

[villagerjack]

The family behind The Villages are about as smart as you can get. I would not bet against them....EVER. BTW I was in Brownwood the other night and it was anything but quiet. Lively band, lively people.

[Mleeja]

With the new conference center, hotel, and medical facilities, the developer is making a major investment in Brownwood. It may take some time as the southern regions of The Villages are developed, but Brownwood will be just fine.

[manaboutown]

Well, it only opened a little over five years ago on 10/12/2012. Give it time. :gc:

[villagerjack]

All part of a massive multi year Master Plan that few especially the initiated will ever understand. Enjoy yourself, Brownwood will be fine.

[rubicon]

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

[OldManTime]

It stinks, compared to the other 2 squares

[tuccillo]

That depends on your perspective.

- very close and convenient to get to
- not as crowded as the other squares
- a number of good places for casual dining
- covered stands for the entertainment in case it rains
- MVP is located there
- beautiful cinema showing multiple movies
- golf cart store for service and parts
- administrative offices being built now so they will be convenient
- farmer's market every Saturday morning




It stinks, compared to the other 2 squares

[dewilson58]

That depends on your perspective.

- very close and convenient to get to
- not as crowded as the other squares
- a number of good places for casual dining
- covered stands for the entertainment in case it rains
- MVP is located there
- beautiful cinema showing multiple movies
- golf cart store for service and parts
- administrative offices being built now so they will be convenient
- farmer's market every Saturday morning


I agree.................there are a handful of troll perspectives on ToTV..............Just have to ignore and be glad you don't live by them.

:wave:

[Goldwingnut]

Its a shame that businesses have not been able to make it in Brownwood. I heard that well as rent they pay a percentage of their gross

This is normal for leased commercial space. Nothing new or unique to The Villages.

[Ingenuity]

I agree with other posters that said be patient. We bought in Fenney and that is only a part of Southern Oaks. There will be more people. When I first came here in June for a Lifestyle visit, I wanted a Florida experience. I have to admit, coming from Texas and seeing the cows and cowboy at the entrance seemed odd. I understand Florida had cows and cowboys too, but one thinks more western than southern when seeing that sculpture( which I like). I look forward to seeing the square grow.

[Goldwingnut]

Brownwood is unique among the three town squares in that it is not completely surrounded by TV houses, and for the time being will not be. It's also unique in that it has the most room for potential growth around the town square proper as well as to the west and south of SR44 as TV continues to spread southward. As with all prime commercial real-estate property the rents are higher than average, but once the location starts to meet its potential these businesses prosper greatly.

One of the realities of doing business here in TV is the huge revenue swings a business must endure throughout the year with the boom-bust cycle of seasonal residents. Every business must take this into account in their business plan and financial planning to be successful, not all are willing to take this on, hence the reason we don't see some of the establishments so many want to see come here.

Many people on-line like to site the failure rates of businesses in the TV commercial districts and town squares and blame it on the developer for the high rates and being greedy. How many dresses and $20 crew toys do you really think you can sell to dog owners? How many organic soy candles and soaps at $40/lb can you sell before you go back to Irish Spring and Yankee Candle? Nice dreams to open a business selling niche and novelty items but without a strong market and business plan these little shops are sure to fail. They read the contract when they leased the space and know up front what the will costs will be, there are few secrets or hidden costs and if you don''t plan for the costs then plan on failing.

The property owner looses when a business goes under also, no revenue and still having to condition the space and provide even basic security costs. The property will need to be retrofitted when a new tenant moves in which takes time and money. Then there is also the potential loss of a prime tenant who many want a location that is occupied by a failing business who moves on, lost opportunities are very difficult to quantify.

Brownwood is successful and will only grow to be more successful in the future. My crystal ball says that in 10 or 15 or maybe 20 years SR44 from Wildwood to Rohan to the Lake County line and 468 from Rohan to the Turnpike will be a booming business district not unlike what 27/441 looks like today.

None of us know what the developer has planned but they most certainly have a grand master plan laid out as evident by all the announced growth and building south of SR44. It's not greed, it's business, they are developers and they are developing property, that's their business and their business model works.

[dadspet]

The Stadium Seating is really nice. It provides some protection in the sun and rain and you can see the entertainment and dancers better. Would be nice if there were more shops and food there but got a feeling this is going to change with the addition of: a hotel/ spa, and specialty medical center.

[billethkid]

Its a shame that businesses have not been able to make it in Brownwood. I heard that well as rent they pay a percentage of their gross

The rent is not the reason why businesses fail in TV.
Every lease has spelled out in it exactly what the terms are and for what length of time.

The so called villages percentage is in many leases tied to a significantly higher revenue number than most businesses expect to realize. As a matter of specifics, in leases I have seen the businesses would be happy to pay a percent if they ever achieved that level of business....gladly!

The problem is not the rent!

[Sgroemm]

Two of my favorite shops are at Brownwood: The Rustic Rose and Kylie's Kloset. I would love to see more stores there. One of the things I love about Marco Island Florida is the unique shops in each of the small strip malls throughout the island. They seem to be able to survive with seasonal ebb and flow. I certainly hope Brownwood grows and prospers. The seating for nightly music is the best of all three squares.

[spring_chicken]

Brownwood is successful and will only grow to be more successful in the future. My crystal ball says that in 10 or 15 or maybe 20 years SR44 from Wildwood to Rohan to the Lake County line and 468 from Rohan to the Turnpike will be a booming business district not unlike what 27/441 looks like today.

None of us know what the developer has planned but they most certainly have a grand master plan laid out as evident by all the announced growth and building south of SR44. It's not greed, it's business, they are developers and they are developing property, that's their business and their business model works.

Like that brilliant idea of moving Katie Belle's upstairs to make room for retail space that STILL sits empty?
Which, by the way sits 2 blocks from that booming business district on 441.

[Bogie Shooter]

Its a shame that businesses have not been able to make it in Brownwood. I heard that well as rent they pay a percentage of their gross

Wrong!

[mulligan]

You also have to consider national retail trends that have been developing while the Brownwood area has been built. Brick and mortar stores are on the way out. Online sales are taking over for just about every facet of retail. Even Walmart has purchased a delivery/distribution service to compete with Amazon. I would bet banks are reluctant to finance new merchandising efforts that rely on foot traffic.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It will be fine. LSL was the same way as it was growing up.

I had the same attitude when it first opened, but it's been five years now. Did LSL take five years to fill up?

I always questioned the location. It's at what is now pretty much the end of The Villages other then Fenny. It's three miles between SS and LSL but eight miles between LSL and Brownwood. It always seemed to me that it would have been better somewhere between LSL and where it is now.

But who knows. It seems that we now know that their long-term plans have been to expand well south of 44. Maybe they weren't planning on it being full until the development between Fenny and Brownwood is closer to completion.

Then I heard that Brownwood wasn't actually built with The Villages in mind. They were hoping to attract people from Wildwood.

Only the powers that be really know what's going on and they seem pretty secretive until they are ready to begin building.

[photo1902]

I had the same attitude when it first opened, but it's been five years now. Did LSL take five years to fill up?

I always questioned the location. It's at what is now pretty much the end of The Villages other then Fenny. It's three miles between SS and LSL but eight miles between LSL and Brownwood. It always seemed to me that it would have been better somewhere between LSL and where it is now.

But who knows. It seems that we now know that their long-term plans have been to expand well south of 44. Maybe they weren't planning on it being full until the development between Fenny and Brownwood is closer to completion.

Then I heard that Brownwood wasn't actually built with The Villages in mind. They were hoping to attract people from Wildwood.

Only the powers that be really know what's going on and they seem pretty secretive until they are ready to begin building.

"It's at what is now pretty much the end of The Villages other then Fenny."

Other than Fenney? How about the 11,000 homes which will comprise Southern Oaks? Why would it be beneficial to build it closer to LSL?

[Wiotte]

Brownwood is not attractive, IMHO. Not enough large shade trees, NO water feature, NO town square ( simply a tiny outdoor entertainment venue ) It’s just not inviting at all, not even the huge billboards are inviting, a steer ? It simply lacks attractiveness. They cheaped out on the town square but paid too much for bronze cattle. That money could have been better spent. Not everyone is in agreement with honoring the cattle industry in a Florida retirement setting.
It also lacks the energy felt in the other town squares. I don’t think a hotel and medical facilities will do anything for this brown elephant. IMHO
It might do better as a children’s western theme park. Tear down the stadium seating and add a playground jungle gym. Charge admission so the kids can play cowboys, get deputized and chase bank robbers, build a small water park for summer time fun. The grandkids won’t want to leave.
Full disclosure, we are full time residents south of 466A and frequent LSL & Spanish Springs even though Brownwood is in our “backyard”.


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[JoMar]

Brownwood is not attractive, IMHO. Not enough large shade trees, NO water feature, NO town square ( simply a tiny outdoor entertainment venue ) It’s just not inviting at all, not even the huge billboards are inviting, a steer ? It simply lacks attractiveness. They cheaped out on the town square but paid too much for bronze cattle. That money could have been better spent. Not everyone is in agreement with honoring the cattle industry in a Florida retirement setting.
It also lacks the energy felt in the other town squares. I don’t think a hotel and medical facilities will do anything for this brown elephant. IMHO
It might do better as a children’s western theme park. Tear down the stadium seating and add a playground jungle gym. Charge admission so the kids can play cowboys, get deputized and chase bank robbers, build a small water park for summer time fun. The grandkids won’t want to leave.


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Which is why there are two other squares....you have choices. Those that enjoy Brownwood won't miss those that don't and will enjoy the space with those that do. When the next town square is built we can have these conversations all over again.

[Wiotte]

Which is why there are two other squares....you have choices. Those that enjoy Brownwood won't miss those that don't and will enjoy the space with those that do. When the next town square is built we can have these conversations all over again.



Good point. I just hope it won’t have a childish theme.


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[manaboutown]

Brownwood is not attractive, IMHO. Not enough large shade trees, NO water feature, NO town square ( simply a tiny outdoor entertainment venue ) It’s just not inviting at all, not even the huge billboards are inviting, a steer ? It simply lacks attractiveness. They cheaped out on the town square but paid too much for bronze cattle. That money could have been better spent. Not everyone is in agreement with honoring the cattle industry in a Florida retirement setting.
It also lacks the energy felt in the other town squares. I don’t think a hotel and medical facilities will do anything for this brown elephant. IMHO
It might do better as a children’s western theme park. Tear down the stadium seating and add a playground jungle gym. Charge admission so the kids can play cowboys, get deputized and chase bank robbers, build a small water park for summer time fun. The grandkids won’t want to leave.
Full disclosure, we are full time residents south of 466A and frequent LSL & Spanish Springs even though Brownwood is in our “backyard”.


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Well, at least with bronze cattle they don't have to clean up cow pies.

What might really get Brownwood going would be to stage cowboy style gunfights like they do at Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque, NM. New Mexico, Albuquerque, Gunfight in Old Town Albuquerque | A Year on the Road (https://allevenson.wordpress.com/places/gunfight-in-old-town-albuquerque/)

[Bogie Shooter]

Brownwood is not attractive, IMHO. Not enough large shade trees, NO water feature, NO town square ( simply a tiny outdoor entertainment venue ) It’s just not inviting at all, not even the huge billboards are inviting, a steer ? It simply lacks attractiveness. They cheaped out on the town square but paid too much for bronze cattle. That money could have been better spent. Not everyone is in agreement with honoring the cattle industry in a Florida retirement setting.
It also lacks the energy felt in the other town squares. I don’t think a hotel and medical facilities will do anything for this brown elephant. IMHO
It might do better as a children’s western theme park. Tear down the stadium seating and add a playground jungle gym. Charge admission so the kids can play cowboys, get deputized and chase bank robbers, build a small water park for summer time fun. The grandkids won’t want to leave.
Full disclosure, we are full time residents south of 466A and frequent LSL & Spanish Springs even though Brownwood is in our “backyard”.


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Yea, you are right the Developer ran out of money after buying the bronzes.
Who is everyone not in agreement?
Children's western theme park....is a nutty, far fetched opinion or did you forget the smiley face?.
Did you move to The Villages in May 2017?

[Bay Kid]

I like having 3 different towns. I visit and enjoy each town.

[stan the man]

i go to none of the town squares

[Madelaine Amee]

I live close to LSL so that is my local square and I love being there. IMHO what makes LSL is the coffee shops - Panera's and Starbucks. They are both great places to just sit and watch people. Maybe Brownwood would benefit from a Coffee shop!

I also think the design of the other two squares is more appealing. Personally, I like the effect of a central entertainment area surrounded by stores.

[CWGUY]

I live close to LSL so that is my local square and I love being there. IMHO what makes LSL is the coffee shops - Panera's and Starbucks. They are both great places to just sit and watch people. Maybe Brownwood would benefit from a Coffee shop!

I also think the design of the other two squares is more appealing. Personally, I like the effect of a central entertainment area surrounded by stores.

:undecided: Like the Dunkin Donuts there?

[Madelaine Amee]

:undecided: Like the Dunkin Donuts there?

NO! Like a Panera:laugh:

[HoosierPa]

Brownwood is not attractive, IMHO. Not enough large shade trees, NO water feature, NO town square ( simply a tiny outdoor entertainment venue ) It’s just not inviting at all, not even the huge billboards are inviting, a steer ? It simply lacks attractiveness. They cheaped out on the town square but paid too much for bronze cattle. That money could have been better spent. Not everyone is in agreement with honoring the cattle industry in a Florida retirement setting.
It also lacks the energy felt in the other town squares. I don’t think a hotel and medical facilities will do anything for this brown elephant. IMHO
It might do better as a children’s western theme park. Tear down the stadium seating and add a playground jungle gym. Charge admission so the kids can play cowboys, get deputized and chase bank robbers, build a small water park for summer time fun. The grandkids won’t want to leave.
Full disclosure, we are full time residents south of 466A and frequent LSL & Spanish Springs even though Brownwood is in our “backyard”.


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...and IMHO, you are dead wrong !

[Wiotte]

...and IMHO, you are dead wrong !



Ok


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[shumbapie]

:undecided: Like the Dunkin Donuts there?

The Brownwood Dunkin Donuts could use a little competition. Another coffee oriented shop would be appreciated.