Katie bells , curious
 

Has anyone seen the letter to the editor about what has happened to Katie Bells?
It seems that most who wrote in feel the same way. I am curious, any thoughts here? I know for me, I miss Cactus Jack and Katie Bells.....

can't worry about katie belles i'm still crying over spilled milk.

Didn't go before much and haven't gone since it is changed. I think a lot of folks must have been hanging around nursing one drink or ordering soda and it was floundering.


There was a reason the business plan was changed.

It is what it is. If it doesn't work, they'll figure it out and fix it.

I posted here a couple of months ago concerning the negative changes they made with the new Katie Belles. They all came true because of their greed. They ruined a good thing and changed a wonderful place that was fun to go to! What a shame.

I did not see it. What did it say?

Thoughts
 

I felt the same way but have changed my mind without question.
Especially after I saw the caliber of talent they are finally bringing in.
I am now a fan of the new KB's and if they keep bringing in shows like this Mothers Day event I just bought tickets to, I will keep coming. What bothered me was seeing the same musicians for years with nothing new. And the atmosphere was getting stale

I don't know why some people here refer to the family using the word "greed". This is a business. People go in business to make money. Doesn't matter if they need the money or not, it's still their business.
They have no obligation to subsidize any venue that's not making money.
I wouldn't do it and I'm pretty sure no one else would either if it was their money.
I am thankful for all we have here. Katie Belles is just 1 building.
I applaud the Morse family and am thankful to have such a beautiful place to live with all the activities & clubs anyone could possibly think of. I never thought I would be living such a great life in my retirement years.
A great big thank you to the Morse family !! :BigApplause:

Why do you assume KB was losing money? Maybe the developer just thought they could make more money if they reduced KB by 50% and leased out the other 50% to retail.

Good point. And has been mentioned, they are not making changes to suit the residents, they make changes to bring in more cash.

If you don't like the new venue, there are plenty of terrific places outside The Villages. We have been exploring restaurants and clubs in nearby localities, and like the variation, different clientele, etc.

We've been here 16 years and saw many changes at Katie Belles. We used to go to there 4 - 5 nights a week for dancing, drinks & most of the time dinner. I can't tell you how many people would order a coke or ice tea and expect free refills & never eat. When they tried to implement a table minimum of $5.00 per person, many would just stand around & wait for the next dance.
Can't imagine that was paying the entertainment such as Rocky & The Rollers, the upkeep, the utilities, the staff, etc.

So what is the new retail and how is it doing sales-wise?

Well said, agree 100%

How many businesses do you know that continue to operate under a failed business plan? Only one I'm aware of are subsidized or bailed out by government!

As far as ruining a good thing? Earlier stories reported that a lack of Villagers shared your opinion and did not frequent KBs.

Bonny knows of what she posts.

:agree:

I think they are still trying out difference entertainment options to see what works best.
We have been once to see Rocky and the Rollers and were thrilled to pay a $6.00 pp/ table fee, have an excellent meal and dance until closing.

When we go to the squares to see Rocky and the Rollers, it is free, extremely crowded, you need to bring your own chair or get there very early and camp out. The squares are too crowded to dance or even to really get a good view of the band.

To us, it is worth every bit of the cover fee to have a fine meal, nice atmosphere, and uncrowded dance floor and a good view of the band.

The only other entertainment we have seen there since it was re-opened was Dunning Shaw who appeared on stage in a sloppy tee shirt and sang. It was great to listen to him, but he was dressed to work in the garage, not to be on stage.

We have been 3 times to Katie Belle's since it's re-opening and really enjoy it.

We plan to express to the management the entertainment we like and the entertainment we don't. I encourage others to do the same. I think they will be responsive, because they want to keep people coming and keep the new Katie Belle's vibrant.

Good point. Of course Katie belles was making money or they would not have stayed in business for 15 years. If they've changed things around it's because they want to make more money or they feel their business model needs to be changed and they are trying to attract new customers or whatever.

If they are not making changes to suit the residents how can it bring in more money? That doesn't make sense to me. Change is hard sometimes but change is inevitable.

Probably because if they left it up to the Villagers, there wouldn't be a change.

Excellent post!

:clap2::clap2::clap2:

We have been coming to TV since 07. Been to Katie Bells 4 times, once on lifestyle package. Always wondered how they made money with the amount of people sitting at a table with a drink and water no food.

I agree Bonny..... I was very comfortable with the old Katie Belles and frequented often with friends and Rick and now we go to the new one... It is a bit more upscale and I do miss the old place but it was old and needed updating. I still enjoy many of the shows and am not a fan of what is happening on Fridays, I feel the singing servers would be a during the week venue and the bands for the weekends but other than that everyone is still very friendly and I am happy I have a place to go and dance inside with friends.... Being a former business owner you are always going to hear about greed... If you take vacations etc... there is always going to be an opinion on it... They will figure it all out .... They have too much invested in this place and it will take them time to see what the people really want and what will bring them in the door.. Rocky, UBRS and Cactus always filled the place and still can but some new faces are nice .,....

Capitalism is what makes our economy the most vibrant in the world. People speak with their pocketbooks and those ventures that don't measure up, die. Others rise up to fill the void. It has nothing to do with greed, and everything to do with sustaining an efficient and effective economy. The fiscal equivalent of survival of the fittest.

We loved the Old Katie Bells ---we tried the new renovation for the Dunning and Moore show last month --The food was much better --Was not impressed with the new decor --just feels like a catering hall ....We had a friend with us who had never been to the old one she thought it was great .

We will go for the entertainment value----By the way starting in May they will have The Singing Waiters --we have become weekly fans of them at Tappas in Brownwood -------Highly recommend everyone see these talented young singers .

Change in inevitable. I try to make it to our advantage The great thing about The Villages. there are many choices. As a frog its easy to find another Lilly pad :beer3::beer3::pepper2::pepper2:chiloutchiloutchil out

Is there any news ( I might have missed it) on what will go in to the first floor space where Katie Bell's was? Spanish Springsn is starting to look like a real small town with so many empty storefronts and "administration" in most of the occupied buildings.

agreed!!!!!!!!!!

What Happened to the News about the Mothers Day Show
 

Very confused and concerned. There was news I was watching here on the new show coming to Katie Belles on Mothers Day and all of a sudden it was gone. Why is everyone so anti Katie Belles. I bought tickets to this new show and thank goodness I just looked on their site and the show is still opening on Mothers Day. Why so negative about Katie Belles??? It is obvious someone wants to squelch any good news about KB's. The new show looks wonderful and I for one will be there. Enough of the naysayers.

DITTO! I get so tired of hearing the belly-aching, and mostly the criticisms that are down right ugly. I love TV and the Morse family for doing what they've done here. I hope they make lots of money for a very long time!

Kind of sums up my sentiments. Have had my DNA checked and I am not related to nor do I work for "the family"

Well Said!!! But Whats up?
 

The Morse Family should be highly commended for a legacy that has given so many a lifestyle that would NEVER be available anywhere in this country. I have been to MANy MANY "so called" retirement communities from Arizona to Florida and THE VILLAGES is by far the finest on the planet.

But I want to know why an entire post regarding a new show at Katie Belles was eliminated today??? I was following the news about this new show starting on Mothers Day and was very excited about it. I even bought tickets and was communicating with others who shared the same feelings. It was very interesting that this post is gone while ALL OTHERS remain.

Lets stop the negative talk folks. The Morse family is a gem in the crown of hospitality and I never met any of them. I only know it from my lifestyle here in The Villages and the concern for quality around here.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" Edmund Burke 1729-1797

LOVE this, Challenger! Clearly, I don't pay enough attention to members' quotes.

That's the American way

There is an ancient Chinese proverb, which goes like this:

富 不过三代
Fu bu guo san dai

“Wealth does not pass three generations”