[rustyp]

Hot off the unmentionable press:

An official has raised the idea of the Amenity Authority Committee reviving Katie Belle’s as an amenity for Villagers.

Community Development District 2 Supervisor Jim Cipollone raised the idea on the eve of a meeting in which The Villages will go before the Lady Lake Commission with its latest pitch for seven age-restricted apartments at the former dining and dance hall which was once the toast of The Villages.

The Villages could have a single tenant – the AAC.

[Nucky]

That's thinking outta the box. I like it.

Do you mean that all the Hub Bub could possibly be for NOTHING?

[rustyp]

I'm willing to bet the AAC could make a profit and add to northern coffers. Possibly more amenities or less amenity fees.

[Badger 2006]

Originally Posted by rustyp

I'm willing to bet the AAC could make a profit and add to northern coffers. Possibly more amenities or less amenity fees.

Would like to see Katie Bells back, but I am not a fan of the ACC getting in the restaurant/entertainment business, especially with the potential unknown answers to the entirety of Spanish Springs, and the extreme difficulty in this economic climate of a successful operation. Good intentions, but wrong suggested operator (ACC), not withstanding bad timing.

[villagetinker]

If the ACC were to go through with this, IMHO they would need to partner up with a restauranter with a known successful track record. cover charge, coupled to a discount on drink/food purchases sounds like a good idea. I liked the original design, but that is probably not possible now. Some redecorating needs to be done as well as an updated menu, and a new state of the art sound system, where the sound level in close to the same over the entire area.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

If the ACC were to go through with this, IMHO they would need to partner up with a restauranter with a known successful track record. cover charge, coupled to a discount on drink/food purchases sounds like a good idea. I liked the original design, but that is probably not possible now. Some redecorating needs to be done as well as an updated menu, and a new state of the art sound system, where the sound level in close to the same over the entire area.

By the time we got here they were long gone but would be nice for them to come back into business as we have heard good things about them.

[dewilson58]

Jimbo sounds like a couple Sumter County Commissioners who promised to reverse the 25% increase in property taxes.

Ideas with no logic.

[Marathon Man]

Here is a better idea. Those that believe that Katie Belle's return would result in a profit-making business could invest their own money into the business. They would then reap the profits for themselves they believe is there for the taking.

[charlie1]

I agree. Here was the problem. We went to Katie Belles a couple of times. We found the food OK but not exception. Same could be said about the entertainment. However, the biggest problem that I saw was that they were not busy. People complain about losing restaurants, retail, etc. but they never think that they need to make sure the proprietor makes money. People, stop your complaining and support the businesses if you want them to continue to stay open. THAT IS THE SECRET you obviously are missing!

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by charlie1

I agree. Here was the problem. We went to Katie Belles a couple of times. We found the food OK but not exception. Same could be said about the entertainment. However, the biggest problem that I saw was that they were not busy. People complain about losing restaurants, retail, etc. but they never think that they need to make sure the proprietor makes money. People, stop your complaining and support the businesses if you want them to continue to stay open. THAT IS THE SECRET you obviously are missing!

Now there you go........................using logic on ToTV.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by charlie1

I agree. Here was the problem. We went to Katie Belles a couple of times. We found the food OK but not exception. Same could be said about the entertainment. However, the biggest problem that I saw was that they were not busy. People complain about losing restaurants, retail, etc. but they never think that they need to make sure the proprietor makes money. People, stop your complaining and support the businesses if you want them to continue to stay open. THAT IS THE SECRET you obviously are missing!

Wonder why they were not busy as we have heard food was good and location excellent.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Wonder why they were not busy as we have heard food was good and location excellent.

When they first opened upstairs the food was very good. The problem was it was a higher price point then the majority of Villagers wanted to pay. They lowered the price point and the quality went down. Additionally, it could seat well over 200 and they could not fill it.

[rustyp]

Amazes me all the expert advice from people who never stepped foot into the original Katie Belle's. Not that debacle of a design doomed to failure plan of a micro Katie Belle's in the upstairs. To you armchair experts let's walk around town and point out the buildings one by one and tell me what they represent in the original design of the town. Perhaps you don't know the town has a fictional historic story behind it's design. Katie Belle and her hotel held a leading role in that story. Example from that story what does the names on the fence on the side of the old box office represent ? Did you ever stop to read the bronze plaques attached to many of the buildings. They do have significance to the town's design.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Amazes me all the expert advice from people who never stepped foot into the original Katie Belle's.

For the record, I stepped BOTH foots into OKB.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

For the record, I stepped BOTH foots into OKB.

At the same time?