[thevillages2013]

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

[BigSteph]

I want all local businesses to be successful. We all win when there are choices in where we spend our dollars.

However, for my wife and I, we don't have enough dollars to consider this as a regular grocery run.

We went once and don't plan to go back.

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

[retiredguy123]

I went to Earth Fare once, and didn't see any reason to go back. I don't understand why a lot of businesses are able to survive.

[Bay Kid]

Never been there. Still waiting for a way to drive my golf cart there.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I went to Earth Fare once, and didn't see any reason to go back. I don't understand why a lot of businesses are able to survive.

It was one and done for me too. The store is very nice and clean. The employees outnumbered the customers 2-1 . Very pricey meats and seafood. I bought a bag of onions just because I don’t want to be “that guy”.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

It was one and done for me too. The store is very nice and clean. The employees outnumbered the customers 2-1 . Very pricey meats and seafood. I bought a bag of onions just because I don’t want to be “that guy”.

I really like Earth Fare and I do shop there. Very good meat, fish and cheese. I also like Fresh Market and Publix.

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by thevillages2013

Just a prediction (with the current economy and inflation running rampant) this place “ ain’t gonna make it.

Like the difference between weather and climate, is this the future or a gyration?? as one gets older you have to be more conservative in your financial planning otherwise overarching changes in the economy can force you to make larger, more difficult decisions as to what you want, what you need and what you can afford. large increases in home prices could be corrected with a recession, I remember talking to a guy about home prices just before the 2008 meltdown , he tried to tell me prices would continue to increase and not come down, he went bankrupt and lost his house..

[UpNorth]

The location is too far "North" for many Villagers to want to drive to. No golf cart access either. A location by Fresh Market or where the new Sprouts market is being built would likely have done better. Or somewhere in the newer southern areas where shopping is scarce. I've been to Earth Fare a few times. Large inventory and investment, few customers. Waiting to fold.

[pauld315]

They should have done better market research before opening that store. Villagers are too cheap for a store like that or Fresh Market. I am up in Ocala quite often and the store there is always busy. As far as location being a detriment, Miller's Ale House is always packed and they are in the same plaza.

[RPDaly]

It will all depend on their lease at this point. They freeze a whole lot of their meat and seafood so inventory is not turning over which is an indicator the business is not doing so well

[collie1228]

The parking lot is nearly empty every time I've been by there. We stopped once, bought some ribeye steaks on sale and not much else. The location was not well thought out, I believe. If closer to the middle of The Villages, it might have a chance. Where they are now, not much.

[Babubhat]

Sprouts is coming. Top notch stores. More central location

[M2inOR]

When we scouted homes back in 2019, we visited Earth Fare up in Ocala and Trader Joes and Whole Foods down in Orlando. Seemed only these stores and Fresh Market had items we were use to at our home in Oregon. Also checked out Aldi's as we knew it from our trips to Europe.

Early in 2020, the original owners of Earth Fare filed for bankruptcy. They already had a new store under construction that eventually would have joined Total Wine and Goodwill. Same basic look from the outside.

In 2021, a group of investors bought out the previous Earth Fare owners with the intent to reopen several closed stores as well as several of the stores being constructed. There was another location down near the Costco in Wesley Chapel.

We gave the new Earth Fare a try after it reopened in Lady Lake. It will take time to develop a customer base. Just not sure how deep the pockets are of the new investors. As we live south of 44, we'll only check it out when we visit Sam's. For us, the choices are better down in Clermont, Winter Park, Winter Garden, and Orlando.

[Michael G.]

I wish more businesses would use the 20/80 rule in connection with word of mouth.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

I wish more businesses would use the 20/80 rule in connection with word of mouth.

Please explain