Will the Villages ever bring back katie Belle's?
 

The newer villagers probably haven't heard of Katie Belle's which was a Villager only unique 2 story country dance hall with 2 restaurants located in Spanish Springs. For many it was the place to go and bring out of town guests. Down stairs there was a large dance floor with a raised stage and casual dining around the floor to watch the dancers. Upstairs was a fine dinning restaurant “Cattle Barren” overlooking the dance floor. There was a live band everyday. Katie Belles was unique, everyone we knew loved it and I'm sure it had a lot to do with many of us buying our first home here; but for some reason The Villages closed it. In our opinion, and everyone else we talk to, it was and remains The Villages biggest mistake. I guess I should also say the Villages built an outstanding community and I don't think they make many mistakes. As The Villages grew, many hoped they would build a new Katie Belle's and it seemed like a wonderful location was Brownwood across the street from Blue Fin. Of course we know that isn't going to happen since we will be graced with some other restaurant serving health food I think. The excitement is really building on this!!!!

But, besides bringing back a sore subject for many, it turns out The Villages announced in today's (11/23/21) paper they are planning to put apartments in the Van Patten building were Katie Belle's was located.

Just wondering what others think about the old Katie Belle's and The Villages building a new one – Someplace? Who knows, maybe someone who counts will read this and listen. I think the advertisement value of Katie Belle's far exceeded the restaurant profit.

Katie Belle's downstairs was closed because it was not making a profit. The Cattle Baron was an okay restaurant not fine dining. The upstairs Katie Belle's restaurant was much better then the Cattle Baron and had good entertainment. Not enough people wanted to pay for shows and dinner.
The Harvest opening across from Blue Fin is not a health food restaurant. It will be a very good restaurant along the the lines of Blue Fin and Chop House.
When Katie Belle's was closed all furnishings were removed. There will be apts in the upstairs.
I can not fathom why rhey would reopen a business that is not profitable.

Good business planning dictates cutting losses and do not repeat a losing venue!!

It closed before we move here but since it was losing money why would they bring it back?

My money is on the apartments, sooner, rather than later.

Absolutely!

I loved Katie Belle's down to its plastic beer mugs but Villagers did not spend enough there for it to remain open. R I P Katie Belle's

Who would want to rent an apartment there with all the noise and commotion every evening?

Not picking on you Stu. I have been here since 2005 and logged countless hours at KB's. Tony D (RIP) and I were on first name basis. No way did they fold because they couldn't make a profit. If that is so how can the other restaurants around the square survive when they have to pay rent and the developer didn't? No proof has ever been offered up in these countless conversations about this other than hearsay. From one who has some firsthand experience may I possibly suggest there was possibly a drug and prostitute problem that wasn't worth dealing with if one's entire livelihood depended on Katie Belle's.. Be observant to what may appear to be a sheltered bubble.

Really a drug and prostitute problem? I know several restaurant owners in TV and KB was closed due to lack of profit.

Wow!

I’m sure at some point in time, the losses at KB were a “loss leader” to attract buyers.

Attracting buyers isn’t a problem anymore.

WOW!!!!! You talk about proof and then say that??????

Your post nailed it!

How can one not make a profit when people stand in line waiting to get in. Again burden is on you to show they didn't make a profit. Just produce one piece of evidence like yearly Morse meeting or (chuckle) The Villages Sun other than TV posters of which 90% spouting out this hearsay didn't live here and never stepped foot in KB's. Added footnote - let me be clear - I am talking about the original KB's. Not that poor excuse we were fed when it went upstairs. Yea that's how successful the developers wanted it to be. They put a night club on the second floor of a senior citizen's community.

KB closed because deadbeat patrons sat for hours and hours on end nursing one drink. Food was, frankly, mediocre - nothing to brag about. In another location, probably outside of TV, KB would have been very successful.

Have owned/lived here for 3 years and this ? keeps coming up.

Admit that I was not familiar with this business, but have seen other businesses like this and they are not in businesses any longer. Can't tell you how many bars and restaurants who have come and gone over the years.

The following come to mind:

Studebakers
Urban Cowboy inspired bars/nightclubs.

From the developers point of view, apartments are a no-brainer.

The Cattle Baron was on the 2nd floor. No difference. If the downstairs was profitable they would not have closed it. The Morse's are smart business people.

I agree they are smart. Doesn't mean KB's wasn't profitable. Some things aren't worth the headaches. Sometimes one has to read between the lines. BTW the developers owned the second floor. And do you know why it was called Cattle Barron's ?

Named after a Grandson Baron.

Where’s the proof on the drugs and prostitution??

The prostitutes, if they existed, would have needed blindfolds!

That was not what I saw or experienced in the several times I was there.

Maybe they were waiting in line for the Hookers & Blow...

They don't care - it's a one way street.

We went once and saw a show. It was good but only half full. Maybe different shows were needed. It was just at the beginning of COVID that it closed I believe and the talks of apartments started almost immediately. There have been a number of conversations as to whether or not apartments would be good.

I hear they all joined the ballroom dancing club.




PLEASE! Ballroom dancing club members, it was a joke. ;)

Was it really losing money? The various times we went to Katie Belle’s it was full of residents and their guests. Maybe it was poor management or some other reason it was closed. Maybe those that managed The Sharon saw it as competition and made a “pitch” to get rid of it. Fact is we probably will never know “the why”as the Morse family doesn’t answer to any of us. Katie Belle’s did have so called “advertisement value” and it was a unique and different place here in The Villages. I doubt you will see the like of a Katie Belle’s again here in The Villages.

For all those wanting "The Villages" to bring back Katie Belles: Why not put together a Business Venture with investors and bring it back to The Villages yourself, without "The Villages" help? Certainly, you can lease one of the many vacant commercial spaces in the Villages. And, it is sure to turn a profit, as everyone desiring to bring it back says the old one made good money. This is not a sarcastic reply. For sure you can do it if you put your mind to it.

Right on brother. I'd dance with you.

Oh my god you are telling me that smooth talking lady was a pupuprostitue ? I thought she was really digging me:bigbow:

How does that poster know it wasn't making money? I guess he was the accountant. You think?

Let’s open back up with a new name . Instead of Studio 54 let’s go with a more fitting name (pregnant pause) STUDIO 55+

It was absolutely the best. Really miss it. I agree, the biggest mistake the villages has made.

So… Where did all the Prostitutes and drugs go?? Don’t believe it

Fenney

I'm too new to have gone to KB, but no one can miss the "romanization" of the place.

I think this falls in the same bucket as the "old" days of flying where everyone dressed up and was fed the most amazing meal on the plane. We tend to gloss over all the problems and just focus on (and over time enhance) the positives.

More than likely this place was hemorrhaging money. Positive cash flow helps overlook a multitude of sins. If KB was the cash cow some make it out to be, there is logically no reason to just close it.

Katie Bells
 

:bigbow:I have missed the original Katie Belle's since it's demise. Resident's miss a country and western dance bar with a great wooden floor that welcomed one and all all hours of the day to enjoy camaraderie that was as special as the TV show, Cheers.If there is an entrepreneur out there willing to open the concept off property, I think they would have a winner.

If, I understand it, the builder builds, they work with businesses IF, it makes sense for both. There has to be a business plan with money. I do not know what the agreement was with Katie Belle's. It was a huge custom built property. I seem to recall the first time we did a Villages Visit, you got a diner at Cattleman's Ranch, it was free or discounted and you got a free movie these were all negotiated deals. You can entice a business you cannot force a business.

Someone who counts? Col Saunders was 80 something when he started. You can hire someone who can count.

Its history
 

Keep your good memories. I went there once about a year before they closed and it was horrible. The food and entertainment were quite bad. The time for that type of venue is long gone. Sorry.

IT DOES NOT MATTER. You cannot force someone to be in business. Hours to run a place like Kattie Belles does not leave time to play golf etc. Oh wow you have your own business. You wake up one day and discover you are getting older and your business owns you.