Katie Belle's
 

According to the Daily Sun, Katie Belle's is being relocated to the second floor and the Cattle Baron's Club is going away. Seating is being expanded to 300 and the first floor will be commercial. Although not explicitly stated, looking at the artist rendition in the paper showing entertainment and seating area, there does not appear to be a dancing area.

I noticed that also. I suspect they will continue with a dance floor, however. One of the things I liked about Katie Belle's was the high ceiling with a very open feel. It's looks like that may be lost with the relocation to the 2nd floor. I remain optimistic that it will turn out well but it isn't clear to me how this will be an improvement over what I think is a really great venue.

Not sure, it appears so be a sad day in Village history. The open area above the large dance floor is what makes it wonderful.

Someone with more energy than me please start a campaign to stop this!!! Commercial space open to the public?????

This is a surprise with no notice, I know its free enterprise but somehow I feel they are taking away one of our best amenities. Is there a rule on that?

It is one of the most iconic things that unites Villagers.

Looks like a music hall to me...no or very minimal dance floor

"resident-only club" in a retirement community located on the second floor ? Brilliant idea for those with walkers and wheelchairs.

I'm calling shenanigans. Elaborate April Fools joke?

This looks like a awful idea that people should strongly voice their opinion on to The Villages and editor of the article. It clearly looks like no dance floor or at best a very minimal dance floor(not sure where) with no character. The current two story look (2nd floor overlooking the dance floor) with high ceiling is part of the attraction and unique look of Katie Belles. The Villages is taking away one of our best amenities for another cookie cutter restaurant. Even those that didn't dance enjoyed watching the dancers. Oh I almost forgot "First floor future commercial use" > give me a break who cares or wants commercial stores in Katie Belles! Putting this in the same category as the renovation of the new Performing Arts center is a sham. This looks clearly like a very bad idea that I hope residents will voice their opinion on and protest.

david.thevillagesmedia.com is the managing editor ( 753-1119 ext 9066) who wrote the article

Hate we will lose the Balcony at Cattle Baron----loved sitting there watching all the activity at the Square----According to article will be glassed in------

I think that the children have lost the vision of their Father and Grandfather and now only see $,Katie'Belle's really did need work but I believe that this is the first step in shutting it down

more seats = more money

Really everyone? I wouldn't second guess what is being done. These folks have done a fabulous job thus far. I am so amazed with this place.

Most who have been here for many years have watched "many" transformations of Katie Belles / Cattle Baron. It has never been a money maker. Not even a break even.
I get upset when I see people staying all night for bands like Cactus Jack and they order a coke. Some even bring a bottle of water in their purse and don't spend a dime. They'll even stand so they don't have to pay the cover charge. They are usually the complainers and then say something like, we pay our amenity fees.
I will miss the way it was, but things change. The upstairs has always been one of our favorite spots in the Villages. I will miss that balcony.
I'm sure when it's done, it will be another awesome place in the Villages.

I saw that article too and was very disappointed. Katie Belles was established for residents and guests only and was very popular for their dancing. I too was concerned that there was no dance floor pictured. I don't understand the need for more commercial space as Spanish Springs has a lot of vacant commercial space already. Residents have already remarked that their is nothing like Katie Belles near any of the other town squares and now they're gonna make it smaller??? The image of "America's Friendliest Home town is rapidly disappearing.

My wife uses a walker. She has not had any difficulty getting to the second floor.

Katie Belles wasn't established for residents only. That happened a years after it opened.

There's an elevator

Very nicely said

Katie Belles is a residents only/ guests perk. I think is disgusting that now that the Morse children are in charge the Villages is rapidly moving away from "Americas Friendliest Home Town". They are taking away all the things that make this a "Home Town". First it was the parades, (every home town celebrates with parades) that were removed. Then the parking at the polo grounds for golf carts was charged for instead of free. I understand that this is all because everything is going to private businesses, but the family is responsible for that too. It's becoming all about $$$ and not lifestyle. I appreciate the need for profit but there are limits. The Villages is selling their houses based on lifestlye and supposedly thats why they cost more than other senior developements but we are slowly losing the original vision.

When I bought, specifically near Katie Belles, it was presented as an amenity. I think the timing of the announcement is suspicious. Not only is it very short notice, but the the day after many residents have left!!!!!

Is there some legal eagle on this board that can put a temporary injunction on this project to give the community time to review??

I will donate a couple hundred to the cause.

Most of the things cited here were not done by just the children. The children have been involved with the operations here for many years and know the vision of the family.
I'm not sure what remodeling and making changes to Katie Belles has to do with moving away from America's Friendliest Hometown. I would suspect that this has been in the plans for quite sometime and is not a decision made by just the children.
They are continually investing their money making sure we have a beautiful place to enjoy.
Personally I give a big thank you to the Morse family. :bowdown:
I thank them all for the wonderful Lifestyle we have here.

Katie Bells
 

Maybe this is just an April fools joke!! Hope so!!!

Why would you think the community has the right to review this ?

I do not golf. I was sold on the amazing entertainment in The Villages ten years ago. It was what caught my attention. I was told that Katie Belles is "our Residents Club". I am so disappointed and angry. The residents opinion should be considered! The reason the music sounds so good is because of the 2 story atrium. I hope this residents club isn't totally ruined because of greed to enclose and lease the 1st floor.....this is not good news. Not good at all. KBs was the only professional indoor venue for dancing and live bands, ..............BTW ..........entertainment @ any coast and beach sounds great right now! The Villages reputation is sinking little by little......bit by bit.....what a shame.....this is unbelievable.....but my smart hubby called this act years ago.....

While some people do not like the changes, I thinks it speaks well of the family's willingness to continue investing more money on some of the older sections of The Villages.

Katie Belles
 

We bought our home specifically near Spanish Springs mostly to be near Katie Belles. It is our favorite place to be in TV.
We are not people who bring in our own water or just purchase cokes.
We enjoy eating full meals both upstairs and down. Having the choice of both floors was always a nice opportunity we enjoyed.
We believe Katie Belles needed only a face lift not major surgery. New chairs, flooring, and improved dance floor surface is all it really needed.
The artists rendition appears to lack any of the CHARM which made Katie Belles so special.
Yes it will have new fixtures and such, but it will now be just like any other joint with food, drink and entertainment on the same floor. SAME STUFF NOTHING UNIQUE!!!!!!!!
We have always been proud to take our visiting guests to Katie Belle and specifically The Cattle Barons Club for a good meal, fun, and most of all, a spacious view of the stage and people dancing below.
The CHARM AND CHARACHTER will certainly be gone having it all on one floor.
The CROWN JEWEL of The Villages will not longer be.


We appreciate the Morse family and all they have done to improve the quality of our lives here in TV.
This is just a TERRIBLE decision by them which effects us all.
THIS TIME THEY GOT IT WRONG!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A SHAME!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S AN OUTRAGOUS ACT THAT HAS NO CONCERN FOR THE WISHES OF THE RESIDENTS. WHEN I HAD VISITORS, ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO SEE FIRST WERE THE CHURCH ON THE SQUARE (GONE) AND THE BEAUTY OF KATIE BELLES. (SOON TO BE GONE) WHAT IS IT WITH THE CURRENT DEVELOPER DECISIONS? EVERYONE KNOWS THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IS WITHOUT AMPLE PARKING AND A CENTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED ELSEWHERE. WHAT STUPID PERSON IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS ??:rant-rave:

You got it right !!!! Katie Belles upstairs ( typical dining ) and perhaps a ice cream store or craft shop on the ground floor.

Wow. Start passing out the Zanex!

I am not the legal eagle, but if they tear the place apart no judge will make them restore it. It appears that "our members only club" will be less than 1/2 the size with no vaulted character.

Whether it was ever a written amenity or maybe implied it needs a little review by the interested parties before they rip it apart.

If it is considered an amenity, so be it if it loses money.

I buy my dinners and drinks, I dont bring in my own beverages and i dont milk one drink all night.

I would rather see a minimum purchase or a small rise in amenities fees than see this icon "destroyed."

Maybe I am wrong and the place will be better than before. BUT I read this board every day and no one mentioned this until today. Seems a little strange and sneaky.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, I love the villages and the developers, maybe as much as Gracie, but I would like to know what exactly is being changed and find out if the residents have any right to input.

Who in the world would ever conclude that the Family is investing their money so we can have a beautiful place to live. It's about making more and more money !!! I cannot think of a single benefit we enjoy that is a cost to the developer. Gary Morse had a net worth of over 1.2 billion dollars, so he certainly didn't invest a lot of it back into things for the enjoyment of the residents. If it doesn't make money, out it goes >>>>...

ditto that

Lets all scream it out!!!

https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Uplo...ad_as_hell.jpg

Like what ??? All of the improvements on the original side were paid out of a settlement that is administered by the AAC.

If you are unhappy with this change let the Management of Katie Bells you will no longer attend shows or dine there

Why would anyone mention it ? The residents have no say in this. Nothing would be written about this being an amenity. Yes, it is a nice selling point.
When Katie Belles opened many years ago, it was not for residents only. That didn't happen until several years later.
I remember when we used to go upstairs and shoot pool & play shuffleboard. I don't remember much hoopla when they took out the pool table and shuffleboard table.
Katie Belles / Cattle Baron has been through about 10 transformations. Some worked, some didn't. Back to the drawing board. It never made money. If it were my place, personally I would get tired of losing money. I would think most people would feel that way if it was their place.

It will be closed for renovation while those of us who are full time residents would be using it more. I bet it will be reopened just before the snowbirds return and have higher prices!
I do think they will do a nice job on it and I hope they keep it affordable.
What is next? McCalls?.......................................... .:crap2:

Downstairs, Katie Belles, does have a $5 minimum, even in the afternoons almost every time I have been in.

The Development Group has built and manages around 4million Sq Ft of commercial real estate space with occupancy in excess of 90per cent in and adjacent to The Villages. Good business practice is what makes it work.

Why are some calling them Stupid-Hmmmmmmmm!!

I understand that even though the church is now a state of the art performing arts center, that from most reports is quite beautiful and retains most of the churches beautiful features.

"You can please all of the people some of the time-----------------------"

If the current venue made money, it would not be changed. Our amenity fees do not support this business. It must stand on its own two feet.

You do understand that The Villages does not own Katie Belles, right?

It is a privately owned, for profit, business. Would you be less upset if you got a monthly assessment to reimburse the owner for the losses?