Any info on the Orange Blossom restaurant opening again?
 

Any new skuttlebutt on Orange Blossom opening?

No. But I can tell you with extreme confidence who we will hear from.

I say it will be rented out when they find a good business who wants to sign the lease and if that doesn't happen it will be converted to something else.

Loved the food there when the previous operator had it. Always a great dinner and breakfast. Miss it a lot! May be a rumor but I heard the developers had friends that wanted it so they just booted the last operator out so their friends could get in. Things like that have happened before so I don't ind it hard t believe. But I know the previous operator and he was a good guy.

Could you please check with the source of your rumor and let us know why it is still closed, and when the Developers friends will be reopening? :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

a friend who lives nearby and goes past every day said they have begun 'gutting'. A step in the right direction.

I also agree with deltaguy; don't think they'll change the venue much.

Just wonder something related to the restaurant closing. Has this had any impact on the number of rounds of golf played on the championship course?? Many golfers do like to "gather" for a cool drink and/or sandwich following a round of golf.

I was told that City Fire would be opening there - probably just a rumor.

Going to be a "Hooters"---- I dont think employment is open to tv residents.

Why not...it would be a "Hoot"...:MOJE_whot:

and there is no doubt about whether it would do a sufficient business.....

btk

Rumors
 

:1rotfl: Very funny! However, the closing isn't "funny" to some who live on the Historical side of TV. We have friends in Silver Lake and they believe the closing could effect home values. I don't know about that but certainly can't help.

I would think the closing would not be good for the golf course business. First the restaurant closing and then the wall erected---makes you wonder, no? What's next for this area of TV? Hopefully, some good news on the reopening of The country club restaurant.

The Golf course is soon to be closed for 6 months for rehab work, and it is assumed that no leasee in his right mind would open before that's done.

Agree

Explains things
 

Mulligan----I didn't know that and explains things. If they are spending $$$$$ to rehab the Golf Course you can bet the restaurant will reopen. Thanks for the information. :ho:

Chip Rice, former executive chef at Orange Blossom Hills, is now at 'The Links' bar and grill at Spruce Creek. They run an ad in the Daily Sun.

Story I heard today(unsubstantiated=rumor) the restaurant and pool area as well as the golf course will all be closed while rehab is done.

It needs it along with Silver Lake executive course.

I am hoping the course/courses come out great.

Let's hope they reopen Orange Blossum.

Mulligan, I've looked and can't find the schedule for the closure of Orange Blossom Hills for rehab work. Would you, please, once again point me in the right direction? Thank you.

I saw a painter going in there the other day. Painting is done when all the construction is done.
Did anyone else see anything going on there?

I hope so too, although I don't think having a restaurant in a village or not having one would increase or decrease property values.


"THEY" usually means the developers. I am sure THEY want to rent it out. THEY don't like to have business ventures not working for them, I am guessing since everything else seems to be running very nicely by THEM.

A restaurant owner will have to step forward to rent it. Many mom and pop restaurant owners are having a hard time making a go of it against chains who operate more cheaply and more efficiently usually and have the clout of big business to pay their help benefits etc.

It also is not in a strip mall with other business and in kind of a not on the beaten path location.

So what was in an excellent location at the beginning when it was built may not be quite as good as it once was.

I don't think there is a conspiracy or an evil presence trying to keep it from being a restaurant, rather life and times and business is changing.

It wouldn't be where a chain would choose to open.

Well said, Gracie.

Do you really think that they would close a Championship Golf Course this time of year ??????

Orange Blossom will be overseeded Nov 3-7. No other mention anywhere about the golf course closing.

Any news in the last month? I am keeping my fingers crossed that someone will reopen the restaurant soon...

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Hard to believe they close a golf course during the high income season. Talked to an ambassador and he knew nothing about it. Said they have suffered with less rounds because no place for a beer and burger.

Played there a week ago. Was talking to the lady collecting green fees and she said the course will be closed early next year for greens and tees rebuilding. Also asked the starter and he confirmed what she said.

Having built and remodeled several homes, we had to console ourselves quite often in the middle of the disruption in our lives with the adage, "it has to get worse before it gets better". This mindset may help ease you through the improvements at the golf course and I don't think there is ever a good time to make improvements to a golf course in FL.

Time will tell about the restaurant reopening, I hope it does reopen and it is much cleaner than with the last leasee, (IMHO)

Rented on the original side for years and feel something is missing with the closing and nobody has the facts. It was so much fun. Just like El Santiago.

The one problem with living on this side is that in order to do almost anything, you have to go over the golf cart bridge.

I don't really mind, but it would be nice to have a restaurant and a few stores over here. The original town square at one time had several stores. Now all that's left is Circle K and a Mexican restaurant. It's going to be turned into professional offices. That's what we need, more doctors. Most people go to a doctors once or twice a month at most. People often go out to eat and to shop in stores several times a week.

To be honest, I never ate in that restaurant, but I sure hope that it re-opens.

I heard they were building a Costco there.

I read somewhere (maybe the rec news) about a month ago that they would be closing the course in April for greens repairs and that it would be closed for 6 months. I thought it said the restaurant would reopen then, but I could be wrong about that. Might have been wishful thinking.

And a Trader Joe's right next door.

And WaWa and Wegmans. Are we happy campers yet?

Wegmans would be GREAT,

Why are not the developers coming out in an honest and open discussion via the internet, newspaper or POA? Do they really care what happens?

They did announce the closing of the course (not the developer, GMS the golf admin company). My guess is that they have not found a new tennant for the restaurant yet.

Open and honest about what? To speculate like some other posters?
When there is something to announce it will be announced............at least that is the way it has happened in the past.

"The *Villages* *News*" website has a little new information on the status of Orange Blossom Country Club:

"The Lady Lake Commission on Monday will consider some changes to the parking lot at the Orange Blossom Gardens Country Club.

Changes are being sought to accommodate more parking spots.

On Wednesday at the Amenity Authority Committee meeting, a Villager asked District Manager Janet Tutt about the status of the country club on the Historic Side of The Villages. Although it is not a district matter, Tutt said the developer had indicated to her that work is moving forward at the site.

The building is owned by the Villages Operating Company.

Orange Blossoms Gardens Country Club, built in the mid-1980s, is a Villages original. Many Villagers have fond memories of seeing Mr. Schwartz golfing at Orange Blossom Hill Golf Course, the oldest 18-hole championship golf course in The Villages."

See? You just needed a little patience. POA didn't have to sue.
 

Plans for modifications for Orange Blossom Hills Country Club will include an expanded outside seating area.
On Monday, Lady Lake Town Manager Kris Kollgaard sent a letter to Villages of Lake Sumter Inc. Vice President John R. Grant letting him know that modifications to the plans for the country club have been approved by the town.
The modifications include:
• Removal of 1,114-square foot pool deck and reconstruction into a 878-square-foot outside bar/dining area with porch entrance and an additional 63 seats.
• Construct a new 8.25′x17.25′ electrical room and 5.33′x8′ equipment room additions
• Construct new sidewalk 4″ thick 3000 PSI concrete broom finish
• Re-align the Golf Cart Path along West Boone Court
• Reconfiguration of parking area to accommodate six ADA parking spaces.
The building is owned by the Villages Operating Company.
Orange Blossom Hills Country Club, built in the mid-1980s, is a Villages original. Many Villagers have fond memories of seeing Mr. Schwartz golfing at Orange Blossom Hills Golf Course, the oldest 18-hole championship golf course in The Villages.
You can view blueprints for the Orange Blossom Hills Country Club by clicking on the following link:

Wait. This was a thread about the restaurant. Sorry.:wave: