[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Some people misunderstand, it is not the music, or the style of dressing or dancing or even the type of food. It was the gentility of the times, where the customer’s enjoyment came first. And their needs were respected. It would be very easy to “modernize” the concept but not for so many people as we have here today. Money making is now the first priority. And from a business point of view, that makes sense.

It lives on...at Fort Wilderness WDW. It’s the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by shipping up to boston

it lives on...at fort wilderness wdw. It’s the hoop-dee-doo musical revue

lol

[karostay]

Yes I agree
We were told this facility is yours.
The people of the Villages.
Like so many other restaurants
The have been taken away.
Remember the cool restaurant at Santiago .
Hacienda is another

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by rickdankert

Wish the Developer would spend some of the money they’re making on new homes to bring back Katie Belles. The ideal location would be the vacant Barnstorm Theatres in Brownwood or the vacant theatres in Spanish Springs. Katie Belles was one of the coolest things ever in The Villages and those of us that new it dearly miss it.

Katie Belle's was a money loser subsidized by the developer for years.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

There was a place called Barleens that gave a show and dinner for one low price. It was all members of the same family that put on music that typifies a certain theme. They did it in Arizona for the winter and in Colorado for the summer. You had to call in months early for their shows because they would sell out quickly.

that sounds pretty cool!

[Michael 61]

I moved here a few years after KB’s shut down. Even if it was still in business, does not sound like the kind of place I would patronize. With that said, I do feel bad for the older generation that misses this spot.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe

Yet it was entirely accurate. So you're just upset because you don't like their response?

no, but there are a few of us who would like to keep 'tabloid' type comments to a minimum. many of us know each other, and are not comfortable 'dissing' a remark just because you feel like it. there are other outlets for rude, nasty behavior. thank you, & best wishes, Friend

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Velvet

What is lovely about the past is that we know it, and can chose it’s best parts and use it. The present we only see, and the future for each human being is death. (I love Jethro Tull.)

dittos TULL!!

[Rainger99]

For those of us who were never there, can someone describe Katie Belles?

Was it a restaurant, a bar, a nightclub? Was it open all day or just in the evening?
Was there entertainment every night like the squares? Did people go for the entertainment or the food or for the socialization? What were prices for drinks and food? Was it usually packed? And if they couldn't make it with a two drink minimum, would they have able to make it with a cover charge or a three drink minimum?

[Blueblaze]

Don't be silly! Katy Belle's made lots of money, just not from selling drinks. A guy named Morse was bright enough to figure out that if he created a place like that in a place like Spanish Springs, he could convince 100,000 old folks to move to Podunk, Florida, and buy a house from him. Unfortunately, the kids didn't inherit the gene, so now they build houses 45 minutes from the amenities, and expect the amenities to pay for themselves.

Maybe someone should explain to the kids that people don't go to Disneyworld to buy tee-shirts. They go to ride Space Mountain for "free". Somebody should tell them that the moment people figure out "Disney for Old Folks" is really just a big housing development in the middle of nowhere, the Morse family money tree croaks and the party's over.

If you ask me, pulling the rug out from under the previous buyers on amenities like Katy Belles and the Old Mill Theater, that they thought came with the deal, is not only dumb -- it's pretty close to fraud. If you want to sell houses in the middle of nowhere, you're going to have to give people a reason to move 1000 miles from their family at the end of their life. Because if word gets out that the moment you sell them that house, you're done with them, you just made suckers out of your customers, and it's going to be hard to find new suckers in the future.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Blueblaze

Don't be silly! Katy Belle's made lots of money, just not from selling drinks. A guy named Morse was bright enough to figure out that if he created a place like that in a place like Spanish Springs, he could convince 100,000 old folks to move to Podunk, Florida, and buy a house from him. Unfortunately, the kids didn't inherit the gene, so now they build houses 45 minutes from the amenities, and expect the amenities to pay for themselves.

Maybe someone should explain to the kids that people don't go to Disneyworld to buy tee-shirts. They go to ride Space Mountain for "free". Somebody should tell them that the moment people figure out "Disney for Old Folks" is really just a big housing development in the middle of nowhere, the Morse family money tree croaks and the party's over.

If you ask me, pulling the rug out from under the previous buyers on amenities like Katy Belles and the Old Mill Theater, that they thought came with the deal, is not only dumb -- it's pretty close to fraud. If you want to sell houses in the middle of nowhere, you're going to have to give people a reason to move 1000 miles from their family at the end of their life. Because if word gets out that the moment you sell them that house, you're done with them, you just made suckers out of your customers, and it's going to be hard to find new suckers in the future.

I moved here with no pre-conceived idea that any business is an “amenity” or “entitlement” that is guaranteed to always be here. Businesses come and go.

[HoosierPa]

Sawgrass IS the new Katie Belle’s owned by the developer and those of us who built / bought near it are loving it. Also looking forward to the newest town square coming soon near us at Eastport !

[dadspet]

I'm voting a strong yes on this- Bring back Katie Belles. It was great and a real attraction for residents and their visitors. It had a significant impact on us buying here and for many others that we talk with. I think the advertising effect on house buying more than pays for any business loss (if thats true) and having a unique place where residents can dine and dance vs the squares that are overcrowded with a large percent of non-villagers and subject to the weather. Biggest mistake The Villages made- and I don't think they make many.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by dadspet

I'm voting a strong yes on this- Bring back Katie Belles. It was great and a real attraction for residents and their visitors. It had a significant impact on us buying here and for many others that we talk with. I think the advertising effect on house buying more than pays for any business loss (if thats true) and having a unique place where residents can dine and dance vs the squares that are overcrowded with a large percent of non-villagers and subject to the weather. Biggest mistake The Villages made- and I don't think they make many.

Overcrowded? The gym floor in the movie Hoosiers had more space than KB. Yes it was indoors bit the squares...and the outdoors are where buyers since...want to be

[Cliff Fr]

Originally Posted by Dond1959

I just love how quickly people will tell others how to spend their money. If KB was such a great place and money maker then you should have no problem putting up your own money and getting all the other KB lovers to chip in and open the place somewhere. Of course when this is suggested all those KB supporters slip away and all you hear is crickets. Thank God we still live in the USA and people aren’t forced to spend their hard earned money on something some people on the internet demand.

Well, we're being forced to spend money subsidizing electric cars. Lol