Jan...whew. I can type with ease not worrying that I will be graded. lol.

I THINK that Southern LifeStyles is closing because it is a traditional furniture store and those are not easily supported in todays economy. I see them closing all around me here in Cincinnati. Because of the economic situation that people find themselves in, the current furniture shoppers are mostly looking for bargains and discounts. Don't forget the developer owns the other furniture store that is selling not quite as expensive furniture. ......Something Express? in Spanish Springs. I am not at all surprised that these astute business people are responding to the market. The market is hanging onto their bucks a little more these days.

It may be the Disney model but my guess is that they are simply making a common sense decision.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong and frequently am. are.:D

ditto
 

I agree Gracie, I think the economic woes plus the advance of technology is changing a lot around us.

I read other posts and there have been many that state there are other furniture options. When the original plan was designed there was most likely a need for a large furniture store, which over time has changed. They are making quality business decisions.

Strange how things happen.

When I first came to TV in late 2004, Southern Lifestyles was at Plaza Grande (Spanish Springs) where Showcase Direct is now. The space now occupied by Southern Lifestyles was "The Street of Dreams," where new homeowners (builders) chose everything about their house: flooring, cabinets, faucets, windows, doors, sinks, toilets, appliances, light switches (and where they were to go and what they were to control), etc., etc. It was almost like having free rein in Lowes or Home Depot, but with a personal assistant to help you decide and to add it all up! It was really a wonderful experience which I was sorry to see abandoned by TV.

It made some sense to me to have Southern Lifestyles take over the space, when someone decided that the-build-to-your-own-specs program was "too expensive" to maintain. It makes lots less sense for them to move the enterprise to Brownwood. IMHO.

SWR
:beer3:

gosh, I have a friend that works over there, and I was told they are in fact “downsizing” and re-merchandising to better fit the prices customers are looking for, but they sure aren’t closing……They said they plan on having a location, even if it is a little smaller, for as long as the community is there!” Hope this helps…..I love to shop there, and at Showcase Direct too!!! Great staff, great selection, and now great prices at both places! You should check it out if you haven’t lately.

When they're gone I'll miss the free cookies....gn

We have looked in Southern Lifestyles for furniture pieces but found that the quality was good there but the prices were a little high. We have done all of our furniture shopping at Babettes in Leesburg on Hwy 441 and find that the quality there is good and the prices seem much more reasonable.

John

we purchased many items at SL and found both price and quality were very good....gn

Southern Lifestyles is a unique shopping experience. Excellent sales staff, nice selection, and great service. It is like having a consultant work with you. A nice feature is that they have the plans for all the models including a set for each garage location. Furniture cutouts give you a good idea of how everything will fit. Prices were competitive, and Villagers get a five percent discount no matter if it's on sale. I hope they stay around in some form for future TVers.

You forgot one things guys, this is the Villages and they have more money than God ( thats a joke) they don't care how much they spend on a store because its not there money, when they get tired of the store they remodel it or move it to another place.

Bogie...we purchased a place in TV in July...coming down for visit at end of month...still all new to us...
:coolsmiley:

Bring cash.....and lots of it....if you really want to be happy.

I do not think that is exactly true. Maybe you chose the wrong lifestyle.

Bogie I agree. We think TV is the most affordable retirement lifestyle in the world. I am hoping the comment is really just directed at the cost of filling and equiping a new home. I know when we bought in TV over a year ago, we basically did one room at a time to control costs. We could do this because we are still living between two homes, but if you have to move right in, you probably can't do it like that, so it will definitely cost more.

Army Guy

Doing the same here and have really found that Southern Lifestyles have been easy to work with and deliver when I am in the area.

Jennifer at Southern Lifestyles is wonderful to work with and is amazingly skilled to outfit a home with style, and has really been able to get the furniture line and pieces we wanted and less than it would have been in Ohio.