[spk7951]

Interesting article in Sunday's Orlando Sentinel about Brownwood Paddock Square. I imagine a few folks may be pleased to read that a Wildwood official is quoted as saying that construction will start soon on a "big box grocery store" at Brownwood. Below is the article:



The Villages' Brownwood Paddock Square taking shape


By Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel
February 17, 2013

Brownwood Paddock Square, The Villages' new retail and commercial hub, is starting to take shape on the south end of the enormous retiree retreat.

The Barnstorm Theater started showing movies four months ago, the first business to open in the complex off State Road 44. The first restaurant has now opened — City Fire American Oven & Bar, which has been serving its eclectic menu ranging from flatbreads to French dip, for about a month. City Fire also has a restaurant at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square.

"Our numbers are much higher than we expected," at Brownwood, said Scott Vasatka, a City Fire operating partner. "We're close to capacity on many days."

Other than a small barbecue trailer that houses Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ, he said the indoor-outdoor restaurant currently is the only place to grab a bite to eat at Brownwood, the burgeoning community's third market square that sits within the city limits of rural Wildwood.

"We're getting a lot of Villagers," said Vasatka, 59. "We're also getting a lot of new guest from communities across the road…"

Three more eateries — Gator's Dockside, Five Guys Burgers and Fries and World of Beer — likely will open in the summer, according to Wildwood Mayor Ed Wolf.

The project calls for about 1.3 million square feet of retail space and more than 14,000 square feet of office space. The site also will include a 200-room hotel and a 300-bed hospital, but it's unclear when those will be built, said Melanie Peavy, Wildwood development services director. She said construction should start soon on a fitness center and "big-box" grocery store.

Wolf said downtown businesses struggling from the economic downturn feared the large development, which features an Old Florida theme, would further drain them. But it's proved to be a benefit for the city, which one day could have rows of antique stores and boutiques, he argued.

"Wildwood is getting a spillover," said Wolf, the mayor for 26 years. "I've seen a lot of outsiders coming into the city."

They're hitting the local restaurants and delis, City Manager Bill Ed Cannon said. To help draw more people to the downtown, he said the city will be hosting a food-truck bazaar starting next month.

There's a lot of opportunity for growth in the area, which desperately needs good-paying jobs, Cannon said. Brownwood looks promising, the former civil engineer added.

"The crowds I've seen, even on the colder nights, have been real good," Cannon said. "At dinner, you can't find parking."

The live music draws hundreds of people each night to the square, including Royall Harner, a snowbird from Gettysburg, Pa., who lives part-time in Wildwood. He's attended more than four dozen concerts in the past two months.

"The entertainment is good…," Harner, 68, wrote in an email. "People will come from the other end of the Villages to hear a favorite group."

[NotGolfer]

Thank you for posting this article. I think it's quite encouraging how T.V. is postivily impacting the surrounding area with jobs and increasing the economy in what once was pretty "depressed". I also believe that once Brownwood is built out we ALL will be pretty much amazed!!

[StarbuckSammy]

Who would be a "big box" grocery store? Aldi?

[justjim]

Aldi? Most likely would be Public.

[cahweh1975]

I'm curious about the fitness center. Any ideas? I'd love to see a Planet Fitness. It's inexpensive and a very comfortable atmosphere. Besides family and a few friends, it will be the only thing I'll miss from around here when we finally make the move to TV.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by cahweh1975

I'm curious about the fitness center. Any ideas? I'd love to see a Planet Fitness. It's inexpensive and a very comfortable atmosphere. Besides family and a few friends, it will be the only thing I'll miss from around here when we finally make the move to TV.

Planet Fitness could probably answer your question.................if it will happen it will only be announced when the lease is signed.

[villages07]

MVP Fitness has announced they will put a facility at Brownwood. For newbies, this is the same 'gym' located in Spanish Springs town square.

[billethkid]

a safe bet looking at the pattern of the past is nearby the town center will be a shopping center like Colony Plaza on 466A where the anchor is usually a Publix and for sure TV liquor store and others.

btk

[ricthemic]

Come on Costco, across the street from brownwood... your own deal on your own land.... close to the highway for lots of extra business...

[cbg150]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

Come on Costco, across the street from brownwood... your own deal on your own land.... close to the highway for lots of extra business...

We are rooting for a Costco too! Rich LOVES that store!


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[applesoffh]

Costco? GREAT! Publix? Well, we do need another supermarket. The one on 466A is always packed. Please, PLEASE, not another Sam's Club...PLEASE!

[skyc6]

Big Box? That sounds like a Sam's, or someplace that sells volume packages. I wouldn't call Publix a big box store. Am I right about that?

[lpkshop]

I heard MVP was the fitness center

[lpkshop]

Oh no if its Costco I better start saving my pennies. Frank loves that store

[skip0358]

There is something going on the West side of 301 between Rt 44 and the turnpike.. They just finished clearing a large parcel and there are survey stakes on the lot. Haven't seen any signs but these days that doesn't matter.