Brownwood Cinema Suggestions
 

Since it doesn’t appear movies are coming back to the Brownwood Cinemas, what do you think should be done with the property? I’d like to see either 1) Performing Arts venue 2) Bowling Alley 3) Ice skating Rink - anything but apartments 😀

They could probably do all of these given the space.

Did anyone ask for our suggestions? Do you think it matters?

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If there was a poll or I was asked, my vote would definitely be a performing arts center like Savannah or such. If refurbed properly could be extremely nice. With perhaps even more seating than Savannah.

Primarily the location is perfect. Serving areas south of 466a to the far Southern area. Loads of potential customers. And IMO plenty of entertainers to fill the bills.

So rather than leave it a dinosaur with little hope of turning the page back to a movie theater, renovate it to serve the Public better and be another great revenue stream for TV.

I think TV is large enough for two movie theaters. However, it’s not what I think that matters, it’s what the owners of the property think. Barnstorm is unique as a movie theater IMHO. Additional movies are in the “pipeline”.

I hope so. We need another open movie theater.

How about an indoor, nude, swimming pool?

I suspect a performing arts theater or another movie theater will show up below 44. Don't know that the Barnstorm Theater decision has been made, but talking to some at Sumter, with the exception of Monday or blockbusters, attendance is still down.

It would have to be a Titanic or Gone With The Wind to get us into a regular movie theater.

We have a 86” with a great sound system. Comfy sitting area. Comfy snacks. Comfy nearby potty. Nice pause button.

And we simply wait a bit to see first-run films if we want. No rush.

In our comfy house. That’s us and perhaps a lot more since movie theaters are still hurting.

Check out the Old Mill Playhouse in LSL. Movies and a lot more . The Barnstorn Theater is a perfect location to do the same.

They’ve been discussing putting apartments in that spot for awhile now. They would rent out instantly and there would be a hefty premium for them due to the location.

I think it is ridiculous that we only have one movie theatre in a community of 130,000 residents. Brownwood theatre is great, comfortable and convenient for ALL residents. Why can’t they reopen as a movie theatre. Perhaps even incorporate a Lazy Mac type business in lobby with musics, comedy, entertainment?

That is a great idea, use it as a classic movie theater showing all the classics we grew up with. Yes we have seen them at home several times but in a theater it's
different. Grease, Gone with the wind, On the Waterfront, etc.

If y’all want more movie theaters to open, then you better be regular customers of the one that already is open.

Sounds like an open invitation. I will bring the popcorn

Yessir
 

100% agreed
it would be classy move by the owners.

Brownwood.....
 

Bring the movies back to Brownwood and Sumter. Enough of the apartments!!

I'm guessing somebody's been asleep for awhile. There are movies at LSL.

A live Comedy Club with some good comedians would be a wonderful addition to the Villages!

A live Comedy Club with some good comedians would be a wonderful addition to the Villages!

Not going to drive 30 min to go to LSL for a movie.

I think all of the suggestions are fine, and something should be done with that building. Personally, I don't think they should make it into a performing arts center. The Sharon and The Savannah Center supply enough entertainment.

In addition, each regional recreation center has a more than adequate stage, lighting and sound options for "Community Theatre!" Besides, if you have ever tried to rent the Savannah Center for a production, the costs are way too expensive. If they built a Brownwood Performing Arts Center, they costs would probably be even higher.

Dancer
 

How about a nice dance hall. There are lots of restaurants for dancing but people miss the old Katie Belle’s.
The squares are ok bit dancing on cement is tough.

A jailhouse.

Theater
 

Living south of 44, we won't drive at night for shows in Spanish Springs, so we would hope for similar venues down this way and Brownwood would be great. Missed some good shows:Tommy James and Blue Oyster Cult. Hoping for a miracle.

With seasonal residents here and the additional residents in new villages, parking in Brownwood is much more crowded than it used to be. Much as I'd like to see a performing center, I'm not sure that parking would be sufficient.

And except for the "discount days", they are used sparingly...

Give them a reason to open the theater and maybe they will...

There closed because of all the trouble that goes on around the theaters, it's their way of controlling violence and hooligans from hanging around.

How about a Indoor Market like
Saw Grass???

Very little traffic late at night?

I think it's absurd they closed 2/3 of the theaters and reduce the number of viewing times at the remaining theater when the population of the community has soared. I'm 100% in favor of reopening the Brownwood location.

I’m not going to drive 2 minutes anywhere for a movie. See post #9. Apartments are a good idea.

I would like to see the Villages Blues Society feature blues bands there and open it to the public as well as members of the Villages Blues Society. As an expansion of this idea, it would also be nice to feature other talented, skillful residents within the Villages to showcase their specialty.

We NEED a movie theater here, and THAT LOCATION WAS PERFECT! Attendance is down, because they haven’t opened it back up with current movie listings!

THEY ALWAYS HAD LONG LINES standing at the ticket window when new movies listed! Please open back up for those of us who enjoy the movie theater experience! There are MANY OF US; our generation craved a night at the movies, and STILL DO!

We don't need another one.

I would think fear of covid plays a large part in the low attendance. I was expecting Drive-Ins to make a comeback. They did have them during covid in Sarasota and Naples, but they were temporary and are no longer active.

I would hazard that low attendance is because the majority of films being released at the moment, are not worth the trouble and expense of watching!

Population south of 44
 

Old Mill theater at Sumter Landing is a “theater too far” for movie goers south of State Route 44. The Barnstorm Theater at Brownwood, which is golf cart accessible, makes a lot of common sense to me. It’s true that movie attendance is down substantially sense Covid but senior adults are traditionally a segment of the population that are large screen movie goers. Open the Barnstorm Theater Mr. Morse!

Why? Movie attendance is down considerably lower than in pre-pandemic days. Consumers discovered streaming quality shows on their 70-inch high-def with their personal bathroom and snack bar 15 steps away from their recliner. Movie theaters didn't make a lot of money before, it has to be brutal now.

https://www.the-numbers.com/market/

How about a brick and mortar site for Talk of The Villages? Stay with me: A bunch of really nice, friendly people gather inside and exchange friendly banter and help each other by answering questions. Outside there is a sign reading, "No bullying allowed- bullies will be kicked out"... so newcomers assume it's safe. But the sign is a joke and not only are bullies allowed inside- they are encouraged to be sarcastic and demeaning because they know the sign is just for show. Bullies come every day because just like alligators in a duck pond- it's easy pickings for predators who salivate when biting their prey.