[spk7951]

Originally Posted by downeaster

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Rag ******

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/i...hools/faqs.asp

Boomer

Originally Posted by 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.

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