Villages debunks myth of mall
 

Villages commercial sales director debunks myth of mall on SR-44
March 20, 2014 By Jeremiah Delgado 1 Comment

Scott Renick
Villages Commercial Sales and Leasing Directory Scott Renick debunked a handful of myths circulating in The Villages during Thursday morning’s Rotary Club meeting at La Hacienda Recreation Center. Renick opened the morning’s discussion by asking Rotarians and guests if they had heard about the rumored mall on State Road 44 and then indicating that it was a myth.
“It’s not going to happen,” said Renick in regards to the rumored mall. Renick also dispelled rumors of construction of a replica city modeled after The Villages in Texas, and a common misconception that the sales and leasing office receives a percentage of business’s sales. He also discussed areas in which the community is currently developing, including the planned assisted living facility Buffalo Crossing. Renick also provided insight into misconceptions and general misinformation that many businesses incorrectly use in their decision-making process to stay out of the Villages.
Renick indicated that at just over 100,000 residents as of March 1, 2014, The Villages now has a larger population than a collection of other Florida cities, including West Palm Beach, Miami Beach, and Daytona Beach. Renick discussed ongoing construction (west of U.S. 301 in Oxford) of a new community to address the “demand for workforce housing” that the growth in The Villages has created. Although it is difficult to determine the exact number, Renick estimates that a few hundred thousand people comprise the community and economy of The Villages each year. He cites visitors, students, professionals and a collection of others who live, commute, and frequent the Villages.
Despite everything listed above, the perception of the size and accompanying services in The Villages is largely speculative among outsiders. The physical size of the community and accompanying workforce are obvious to those living in and around The Villages, but Renick indicated that a common misconception among businesses interested in moving into The Villages is that the area might not support their business. He indicated this misconception was driven by bad data. He provided multiple examples of businesses that, until they visited the area or learned more about The Villages, had little or no interest or understanding of the active adult community.
During the question and answer portion of the morning’s discussion, Rotarians asked Renick about a few well-known, larger corporations including Costco and Whole Foods, and major department stores like Macy’s and Dillards. “We’ve talked with Costco off and on for a number of years,” indicated Renick of the possibility of the popular wholesale franchise moving into The Villages. He suggested that the perceived “size” of The Villages and existence of similar company’s have both played parts in the company’s reluctance to consider a location.
“If we could get the demand for it…we have the area to do it…it’s just balancing out [whether we can] get the interest,” Renick stated of the interest from larger department stores. One Rotarian asked about interest from large sports stores similar to Dick’s Sporting Goods or Sports Authority. Renick indicated that larger sporting goods stores were unaware of the sports market in The Villages.

This quells a LOT of rumors.

[QUOTE=Nlnicholson;848713]Villages commercial sales director debunks myth of mall on SR-44

I just don't think we are going to get a Mall here. Ocala is only 18 miles north, Orlando is fairly close and has a huge mall right off the highway, plus I think people are internet shopping. So many of the big stores are doing free shipping and free shipping returns, it's cheaper for them to offer this service than to build new stores and staff them.

I think the stores that got onto 441/27 early are the smart ones, right now the land values must be exhorbitant.

I have always heard that TV gets 10% of income from all business. True or false?? It's time to put it to rest. Does anyone receive a percentage of sales?

slipcovers, I think I just read above that TV doesn't get a kickback from business, so i would say it's false. It's also pretty plain that there will be no mall.

we walk the mall every week but can't remember the last time we shopped there

I am so glad to see this rumor quelled.
 

The man in charge says NO. Above. The person quoted is in charge of commercial real estate for Lake Sumter Inc.

I tried to read the entire article but with the single spacing and all it was difficult. If a mall or shopping center with big box stores isn't going into that area, then what are they currently building there. Did I miss something?

False....but that does not stop the jabber jawing about it.

The rumor gets fueled from time to time when a business does not make it here and either an owner states or speculation runs amuck .....using high rent or the percentage they had to pay to TV.....vs the real reason why it did not succede.

mall
 

And remember, everything you read about on the internet is true.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

"the trouble with internet quotes is that you cannot always be sure of their accuracy" - Abraham Lincoln

Did you read post #1??

Renick specifically referred to the "Sales and Leasing Office" that doesn't receive a percentage of Villages sales. jbdlfan suggests it may be another area of The Villages that receives the percentage. Perhaps I'm naive in believing Renick, perhaps there is "smoke and mirrors" going on. A further investigation may be interesting.

Secrecy is what causes mistrust and rumors. It is the same reason people don’t believe what the government has to say. Be honest. Be upfront. Then people will have faith.

And what are you refering to?