El Santiago a "storage bin", did we lose an amenity?
 

When I moved here, we had El Santiago, when it closed I assumed it would re-open under new management. I feel we have lost an amenity. If this happens to our other community eateries how will our local neighborhoods be much different from a normal development? I feel we have lost something we were promised upon moving here. Should we petition?

It looks to me that they are giving the eateries to the Country Clubs and taken away from the Executive coarses....I loved the El Santiago club...I intended to buy there until they closed it so we bought somewhere else...

Don't believe you lost an amenity because it was built by the developer, operated by him initially and then sold to private individuals. Your amenity not affected by the closing of the restaurant includes the family pool,meeting rooms, shuffleboard, bocci and the tennis courts which are still in operation.

Many of us don't like to see a neighborhood type of restarant close but if the owners can't make a go of it because of increasing costs and declining profits it is somewhat inevitable. Since moving here, I've seen the closing of Silverlake, Chula Vista and El Santiago restaurants. Have also seen several changes in ownership over the years. They can't all survive on just the increased business during the peak snowbird season.

Paradise Rec Center used to have a bar and grill.


They close the OBCC Pool Tiki Bar and I'm gone.


.

Lost amenity
 

Why not see it as a lost amenity, especially if it was first operated by the Villages and then sold? From what the salespeople told me at the Villages sales office, the community should at least stay the way it was built, they said this was a CDD(?) like Disney is and I would never have to worry about it changing, except for the better. Now that you tell me their were two other places that closed, that upsets me...

the El Santiago Club was NOT an amenity. No amenity funds went towards the running of it.

As for the closing of others including El Santiago . . . poor management.

My golf group used to frequest El Santiago till the price of a pitcher of beer went to $10.
Same pitcher is less than $7 at Hacienda pool bar, OBG pool bar & other bars around TV.

Running a business is hard work but running it into the ground is very easy.

Don't get me wrong I miss the El Santigo club as much as anyone. I thought the patio was a great place to sit and was never disappointed in the food or service. But owners must take a very active role or _ _ _ _ happens.

So true ain! Management is so important and I know if another place or two that should take heed!