Brownwood Reviews?
 

Okay, the big Day is here! Brownwood opened (sort of)... What's your opinion? What features will be sure to please? What are we going to need time to warm up to?

I liked that they handed out chairs. The bleachers are ok I guess. I love the western look/ decor

We went over and walked around yesterday. I liked what they are doing just fine.

we missed it yesterday, but we are going to try it out tonight.

Went to a movie there yesterday and the theater and seating are great.
The town is very nice and will be even better when complete.
Going back this AM for the farmers market; this time in our cart.

Went last night and loved it. The stage is great because noone has to sit behind the band and everyone can see then great. Also I think the sound system is a great improvement, maybe because all the sound goes forward and there is a back to the stage. Can't wait for more stores to open.

It has only just begun.
 

Listened to friends who were here when LSL opened. They said that it started out with one street at the beginning. I bet much more will be added to Brownwood. No real restaurants are open yet.

Now we have our Southern Square, our Middle Square and our Northeast Square.

We're stylin'!!!!

Decor: Excellent. Well-themed, friendly, down home, cowboy.

Seating: The combination of stadium and floor seating works well and looks nice. It's easier to maneuver in the stadium seats than one might imagine. A big improvement/ lessons learned was using folding chairs and handing them out as people enter. No getting there early and locking up all the good seating for the evening. Though plastic and light weight, the folding seats are also surprisingly comfortable!

Bars: Although it looks like "only two" bars, there is room behind the two counters for at least six bartenders. Barriers form one orderly winding line for customers that is efficient and moves quickly.

Stage: Everyone sits in front of or to the side of the stage, rather than the 360 degree seating at the other squares. The sound system is excellent.

Movie Theater: A real highlight. Excellent seating, fun decor in lobby area, well laid out, well staffed.

Restaurants: The only ones open yet (in temporary trailers near the stage and theater) are City Fire and Bobalous BBQ, both quite good. City Fire's permanent location is well along and fabulously located adjacent to the theater and across the street from the stage. If their great food and service continues, it should be a huge success. Looking forward to more restaurants.

Shops: Not much open yet. A new player, the Logo Shop has Villages logo attire and collectibles.

Sales Office: No surprise that it's beautiful. An interesting addition is a bar/lounge.

Parking: Plentiful but not as close to the entertainment. There will be more street parking when there are more streets open.

Crowd: There was much speculation that Paddock Square would cater more to the young crowd outside TV. Remains to be seen, but crowd at the "soft opening" Friday appeared to be all Villagers in great spirits.

I love the fact Wildwood Police Officers are there at Brownwood, very professional and CUTE :)

I agree with everything she said! The waiting area at the bars is a wonderful idea with winding "stalls" to control the line. The bartenders loved it so they could talk to everyone and tell us what drinks are not on special if anyone wanted to go ahead of the 5 o'clock "happy hourers".

The entertainment was fantastic. Country to start off the theme of the square. Much patriotic music with twirlers and cheerleaders. It was so inspiring. It appeared everyone was having a great time. I know we did.

It was a little confusing which cart paths to follow or which tunnels to enter to get there.

We went to Brownwood yesterday afternoon and it was packed. I agree with others that it is very well done, as expected. Also agree with Pturner that the stadium seating is easier to navigate than expected. Seat cushions would help if you plan to spend some time.

I wonder if we passed any TOTV'ers in the crowd??

On our way out of town tomorrow morning (heading back to Il) we're going back to take a few pictures of the entrance (forgot the camera yesterday).

Just returned from the square, very nice. The Farmers' Market will be there each week.... :)
Have a few pictures, though not the greatest, took while walking with the masses...and there were lots of happy people walking around....I'll post them.

First is taken inside the movie theater....as is the second one....very happy Villagers resting and enjoying the view.
The third is looking towards the Farmers' Market. If you notice the concrete is made to look like a dried dirt path. There are doggie prints and hoof prints in the concrete, too. The fourth is the stadium seating. Actually, looks quite nice and should allow good views for people seated in the area. The bench is almost even with the floor level of the row behind. No slipping under the bench, just be careful walking up the steps.
Last picture was taken inside the sales office. It's quite grand. All working in the theater and sales office were enjoying showing the newest addition to our beautiful community. There were lots of people but not so many that you weren't able to get to where you wanted to be.
ENJOY!

Place looks like it is going to be lots of fun. Agree with all the things said so far. I was parked sitting in my golf cart right next to the stage drinking a beer. I stopped 2 Wildwood police officers and asked them what their policy on that was going to be. They said there was no problem with sitting in the golf cart drinking they aren't going to be writing any open container tickets.
They did say if your driving your golf cart drunk going all over the place they would find issue with that. But as far as they were concerned you can walk all around with an open container you can enjoy it in your cart also.

Just returned from trip to Brownwood and very impressed, first class all the way. Town was packed, farmer's market booming and lots of smiles. `17 minutes from Tamarind Grove so feel we have the best of both "squares" between Brownwood and LSL. We're happy!

Took a spin down and noticed as you drive in first is the Citizen's Bank. Then the Closing Office. Then the Sales Office. Then the Logo Store. Where are the non village enterprises and when will they open? Are they going to be building more on the side pieces of property? It is nice but felt cramped. Not because of people but because there seemed to be alot of little buildings in a small area. Just my impression. Looking forward to seeing it in its entirety. I have to think it will be at least as much of a destination than LS.

Brownwood
 

Went to the Market today. Very nice and more than the usual vendors. Let's support these vendors on Sat. Growers Market. Nice to see the all of the people out and about. Will be even nicer as the non village owned stores open. All in All; Nice place.

A quick trip to check things out and do farmers market just completed and I echo what has been said. Very nice and as I mosied around I tried to envision things a year down the road. This will be qute the destination I believe but just as anything else, it will take a little time. Smart tio open it at this stage I think and I sm looking forward to watching it grow since it is the closest center to us. I like all things western, and even though this is Florida legacy driven a wonderful job was done. If you came by cart and missed the entreance off of SR 44 you missed the best part. The rider and cattle are a site to behold. I anticipate that the Saturday market will getr the afoementioned support.

My husband & I checked out the new town square and farmer's market via golf ****. Another great town square and so happy that we have a farmer's market, I'm thinking it will be a huge success. The sales office and theatre were exceptionally well done.

Patience grasshopper.

37 minutes by golf cart from the Dunkin Donuts in Spanish Springs Square. Not bad. Agree with all the good things that have been said !

:bigbow:

Grasshopper ? Patience I get... In fact I get that a lot of the time. :). But grasshopper? Translation?

Hi Shciasamax,
You are right, though let's put it in perspective. It took seven years to build SS Town Square. LSL Market Square was opened just two years after construction began. It took but a single year to open BW.

The progress was and is amazing. It'll take time before the third square is completed; but having it already open for entertainment is quite a feat! It'll be fun to watch it grow and to continually look forward to what's next.

From the 1970's tv show Kung Fu.

Ohhhh. No wonder I didn't get it. That is so way before my time :)

Brownwood
 

As usual in TV first class all the way and I'm sure as its evolves it will continue in that regard.The farmers market is a great addition,lets all support it.

Stadium Seating
 

No back support? Won't your back give out in 10 minutes? Is this what you sit in to listen to the music?

Stadium seating and chairs with backs are both available.

Even if you come by cart the statues are within walking distance, and I agree...they are awesome.

The phrase is from Kung Fu Tv show in the 80s
Many think it was from The Karate Kid in 84. Not so.

Thank you so much for posting the cattle drive.....it is beautiful!

Those photos are amazing, wonder how many people will jam on their brakes afraid to hit the cows.

Went to Brownwood this morning for the farmer's market -- quite a nice one. The sales office is gorgeous; obviously The Villages spared no expense to make it look very rustic and authentic. According to one of the ladies in the sales office City Fire will be opening in mid-November.

I loved how they put the hoof prints in the concrete.

One more photo that I forgot to include.

Is there anywhere to get a decent cup of coffee?

How far is it by cart from Sumter Landing?

Is it golf cart accessable all the way?

From LSL, it's appoximately 25-30 mintues. And yes, it's golf cart accessable all the way.

:a20:

Try the Sales Office...??

We live in Village of Belvedere---went by golf cart today--Club Car Electric
(19 MPH Top Speed) and it took us around 45 minutes.