Store Closing

[MSNPA]

I was shocked today when I went to go to The Grateful Dog in Lake Sumter Landing and they are no longer there. The store is vacant. Does anyone know why this store closed? I shopped there often and it was always very busy. It was a great place to shop for dogs and cats.

[pooh]

Goodness I didn't realize it was closed. I no longer have a dog so I guess I just didn't pay attention.

There is a Grateful Dog store in historic Leesburg at 717 Main Street. Here's their phone number...maybe you can find out what happened.... 352-315-0300

[MinnieM]

Their lease was up and the new rent was more than they could afford. Last Friday was there last day. The new store is on West Main St. in Leesburg.

MinnieM

[billethkid]

to pay the rent....in LSL
or anywhere else.

btk

[Whalen]

It's too bad, we seem to losing all the independent, interesting and fun stores. I alway liked the Grateful Dog and Soft as a Grape.
And yes, I did shop there.
Pretty soon it will be like living in the Prime Outlets Mall.

[Taltarzac]

I used to get things for our dog fairly often at the Grateful Dog. May have to now go to Leesburg to get these.:lipsrsealed:

[billethkid]

with TV it is very specific as to the rental rates then as well as each renewal to come in the future.
The Grateful Dog obviously chose not to renew. Recall they went from a large store in LSL to the current smaller store to no renewal. There is a certain reality that comes with small business ownership...

btk

[spk7951]

Sorry if this is high-jacking the topic of this thread but I have a question on the rent.
The employees of the businesses can benefit by their kids going to the Charter Schools, so how are the schools funded? If the funding comes out of the rent then I could understand why the rent here might be a little higher than outside of TV.

[billethkid]

is very competitive with commercial space(s) adjacent to TV and nearby. They are less expensive than many of the mall offerings.
Remember ALL those who sign a lease know their rental rates for the existing term (usually 3-5 with mostly 5 years) and the subsequent renewals (usually the same as the original term). So there is no mystery as to what the rental costs are from day one through 5 or 10 years.
So it is not the rent. It has to be the business(es) just did not perform to expectation....and that does happen. Good example of The Grateful Dog going from a large space to a smaller space to zero space.
Another example: the party store North of CVS off 466....went from a huge store to one half the size in a very short time.

btk

[Pturner]

The mom and pop stores -- and restaurants-- are so much more charming, imaginative and fun. But we shop and dine the chains, we even beg them to come. Then we morn the loss of the mom and pops.
:sigh:

[adenicol]

From what I have heard stores on the landing are required to in their lease to stay open till 9pm every night or pay a fine. For some stores who have no business that late, it can become a huge financial burden to keep the store open those extra hours.

[Rag Bagger]

I know of at least one store owner who leases in TV because of the school. They have young children and they can attend the schools here if their family runs a buisness out of TV.

They in particular had a hugh increase in the business when they opened the TV shop.

So I have to believe it is the type of merchant that makes it or not. Specialty shops are always at risk to failure regardless of the location. In TV some shops think they can charge way more than the market can bear and base their business plan on higher prices that can not always be charged. How many dog/cat toys can you buy per week. Most will buy pet food from Sams or other discount type businesses or grocery stores of which there are many options.

[bluedog103]

The mom and pop stores -- and restaurants-- are so much more charming, imaginative and fun. But we shop and dine the chains, we even beg them to come. Then we morn the loss of the mom and pops.
:sigh:
I've seen it happen time after time. Home Depot or Lowes opens and everyone forgets the local hardware store or lumberyard. It's almost like their car or pickup automatically drives to the big box stores when they need supplies or tools.
They want Italian food..."oh boy, lets head for Olive Garden". Seafood...Red Lobster is a must.
Then we whine when the private stores close. Must be the rent is to high. It can't possibly be because we no longer shop there.

[downeaster]

is very competitive with commercial space(s) adjacent to TV and nearby. They are less expensive than many of the mall offerings.
Remember ALL those who sign a lease know their rental rates for the existing term (usually 3-5 with mostly 5 years) and the subsequent renewals (usually the same as the original term). So there is no mystery as to what the rental costs are from day one through 5 or 10 years.
So it is not the rent. It has to be the business(es) just did not perform to expectation....and that does happen. Good example of The Grateful Dog going from a large space to a smaller space to zero space.
Another example: the party store North of CVS off 466....went from a huge store to one half the size in a very short time.

btk

Well put btk. Sometimes the tone of some posts on this forum lean toward blaming the Developer for business failures of their lessees. In reality, the lessee bit off more than they could chew.

[downeaster]

Sorry if this is high-jacking the topic of this thread but I have a question on the rent.
The employees of the businesses can benefit by their kids going to the Charter Schools, so how are the schools funded? If the funding comes out of the rent then I could understand why the rent here might be a little higher than outside of TV.

I am not sure rent is a factor as charter schools get primary funding from the state. That is not to say the Developer has not contributed.

Maybe starting a new thread on charter school funding in general and TV's charter school in particular would yield more info of interest.

BTW, high-jacking is difficult to avoid. One subject leads to another and things can get off track. They soon get back on.

[spk7951]

I am not sure rent is a factor as charter schools get primary funding from the state. That is not to say the Developer has not contributed.

Maybe starting a new thread on charter school funding in general and TV's charter school in particular would yield more info of interest.

BTW, high-jacking is difficult to avoid. One subject leads to another and things can get off track. They soon get back on.


Thanks for the info. I do remember someone once telling us that the nightly entertainment comes from business rents. Not sure how true that is but obviously that would be an "extra" cost that a business outside of TV would not have.

[marianne237]

Made a trip to Leesburg today and wanted to get something from the Grateful Dog store. They're closed! There is a realtor sign in the window. My Scooter (jack russell) will surely miss the "scooter biscuits" they used to make and sell.

[BigLew]

Sorry if this is high-jacking the topic of this thread but I have a question on the rent.
The employees of the businesses can benefit by their kids going to the Charter Schools, so how are the schools funded? If the funding comes out of the rent then I could understand why the rent here might be a little higher than outside of TV.

as I understand they are charter schools so they would receive funding from the students 'home' districts. ths stores go under because they pay rent and some small percentage of income to the Villages. Its hard enough for them to stay afloat with just rent to pay.:shocked:

[graciegirl]

So I have to believe it is the type of merchant that makes it or not. Specialty shops are always at risk to failure regardless of the location. In TV some shops think they can charge way more than the market can bear and base their business plan on higher prices that can not always be charged. How many dog/cat toys can you buy per week. Most will buy pet food from Sams or other discount type businesses or grocery stores of which there are many options.

I so agree. Seniors are savvy shoppers. People will not pay more for things even if they have the money.

I would assume with all of the dogs here in The Villages that they were asking too much. I went in once and they didn't have a whole lot of things for kitties or with kitties or said kitties........

I am for small business....But you have to know your competition and beat it or go around it and offer what they don't. People would be foolish to spend more for an identical item they can get elsewhere for less.

[Boomer]

The topic of charter schools has become a part of this thread. (I like it when a thread goes along like a real discussion. The topics might meander a little or maybe a lot, but I don't consider that hijacking, just conversation.)

Anyway, for those who are interested in knowing more about charter schools (which do receive public funds, btw) this link is to the Charter Schools FAQ section from the Florida Department of Education site.

http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/information/charter_schools/faqs.asp

Boomer

[Taltarzac]

Made a trip to Leesburg today and wanted to get something from the Grateful Dog store. They're closed! There is a realtor sign in the window. My Scooter (jack russell) will surely miss the "scooter biscuits" they used to make and sell.

I had been planning a trip some time soon to check out the Grateful Dog's Leesburg location.

[lightworker]

Talking to some of the local merchants, they share that the rent/lease expense here is quite high with several moving on because of it.

[Summerhill Golfer]

We used to buy or Dog Food at "The Grateful Dog." We now shop at "Paws for a Moment" in Palm Ridge Plaza on CR101. We buy very expensive raw food for our Dog and the owner, "Diane", has been very accommodating.

"Paws for a Moment" handles most of the same stuff The Grateful Dog formerly stocked. Shopping here is a great alternative to driving to Leesburg to shop at the new location of "The Grateful Dog."

SG :a040::024: