[missypie]

Originally Posted by Sable99

I recently talked to a couple who were interested in opening a shop in The Villages. I thought in Brownwood from the way they talked. They live near TV in the winter and have a booth in Shipshewana, Indiana in the summers. They sell nice silver jewelry.

They were looking for something around 1200 square feet. They said not only was the rent high but they would also have to do the flooring, electric and plumbing. They said they simply couldn't afford it. I told them to check into vendor nights at the squares.

He said they might look into a small shop around Webster and put ads in The Daily Sun. I warned them that people in TV like golf cart accessible. I'm interested in what they decide to do.

It's a little dangerous for me to have them to close. I love their jewelry!

When one leases in a new building usually you do your own build out. This way electrical, flooring etc. Is done to your needed specifications significant to your business needs.

[Wavy Chips]

Have to agree with those thinking it's just a matter of time before more businesses open. The homes that will be the closest to BW have yet to be built and once everything south of 466A is done, that adds x,000 potential customers. I think a key is to keep the quality and the value of the restaurants as high as possible. That will attract and keep your traffic volume up and make all businesses viable. If the food/service stinks, people will go elsewhere to eat AND shop. As a homeowner who is not a full time resident, we have been VERY satisfied with the food in TV, so much so that during our last trip, every meal we ate out was at a Villages restaurant. Something else I noticed is that SP is directly connected to large retail strip center, and LSL has a Winn Dixie right there. BW is not directly connected to any other non Villages retail. That makes it a bit less of a destination.

Heck, put a Starbucks and a Chipotle in at BW and you could close SP and LSL.

[Villager Joyce]

Originally Posted by Wavy Chips

Have to agree with those thinking it's just a matter of time before more businesses open. The homes that will be the closest to BW have yet to be built and once everything south of 466A is done, that adds x,000 potential customers. I think a key is to keep the quality and the value of the restaurants as high as possible. That will attract and keep your traffic volume up and make all businesses viable. If the food/service stinks, people will go elsewhere to eat AND shop. As a homeowner who is not a full time resident, we have been VERY satisfied with the food in TV, so much so that during our last trip, every meal we ate out was at a Villages restaurant. Something else I noticed is that SP is directly connected to large retail strip center, and LSL has a Winn Dixie right there. BW is not directly connected to any other non Villages retail. That makes it a bit less of a destination.

Heck, put a Starbucks and a Chipotle in at BW and you could close SP and LSL.

Publix is close.

[Sable99]

They are at the Shipshewana Flea Market but they do have nice silver jewelry. They were looking at different options near TV but quickly realized it wouldn't work of them. That's why I recommended vendor night.

They were quoted $3,500 a month rent for 1200 square feet plus the build out. That's all I know as other customers needed to be helped.

[WhoDat]

Brownwood is not nearly as crowded as LSL or SS. I think businesses do market research and based on population and cost make their decision to open a location. Like someone else said, as the population in the area grows, the stores will move into the area.

[JoMar]

As the "build out" of the existing concept fills, I believe a lot will change down this way. The land for sale along 466A and the widening to 4 lanes will then attract. Could we see 466A becoming a 466 and eventually 44 becoming a 441? Add in a "new concept" development over towards the new turnpike entrance and the widening of 468 there will, eventually, be a plan that will work and the commercial areas will grow. Marketing guys look at demographics and when it becomes viable they will build.

[Spikearoni]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

I wear nice clothes so people think I have money.

Thank you for all of your hilarious replies. Were you a comedian in your other life?

[joldnol]

As the population below 466A grows so will BW....heck toojays is coming

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by NYGUY

I must be loosing my mind. Have you not ever seen the following:

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Villages Cycles
Memories Engraved
Brownwood Jewelers
SAS Comfort Shoe Store
Nail Salon
Cal's Barber & Beauty
Hear USA
Tommy Bahama
Evelyn & Arthur
Christine's

And non retailers such as:

Raymond James
Prady Financial
United Healthcare
MVP Athletic Club

When we first visited The Villages in 2006, Lake Sumter Landing was no where near as big as it is today. It took about ten years for LSL to be that big (with more room to build still). And, I am sure, Brownwood will take as long (that will be 2022).

Take a look around and smell the roses.

Great reply!

[len84pa]

Lease rates, % of profits to TV, too many rules on how & when I must run my business.

What we don't need are swim suit & sea shell stores.

[CWGUY]

Originally Posted by alphajean

I would very much like to see Costco come some where near TV

Why didn't anyone else think of that?

[rick@sundstrom.com]

True, there are empty spaces in Brownwood. As to the reasons why, only the villages management knows, the rest is all speculation. If you read the recent article in the Sun with respect to the Forbes ratings, the cost of doing business in the villages is not bad. So far as the " % " charged to the businesses by the " villages " that is likely a statement offered by folks who never operated a retail business in a shopping center of one sort or another. Many centers charge this " % ". Brownwood is another great place of all to visit and my guess is that as more homes are sold in this area additional businesses will open.

[michtofla]

Brownwood is just in a bad spot. It's at the outer extremity of The Villages and way too close to Wildwood. Years ago the new town was supposed to be in Lake Deaton. There were mock ups of it in the sales center for quite awhile. Then the location got changed to Brownwood. Big mistake!

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by michtofla

Brownwood is just in a bad spot. It's at the outer extremity of The Villages and way too close to Wildwood. Years ago the new town was supposed to be in Lake Deaton. There were mock ups of it in the sales center for quite awhile. Then the location got changed to Brownwood. Big mistake!

What's the problem being close to Wildwood ? That's just more people to spend money & help support the businesses.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by michtofla

Brownwood is just in a bad spot. It's at the outer extremity of The Villages and way too close to Wildwood. Years ago the new town was supposed to be in Lake Deaton. There were mock ups of it in the sales center for quite awhile. Then the location got changed to Brownwood. Big mistake!

I guess they figured that being on 44 would bring in people. It's the only town square as such. What I don't like is there is no water feature of any kind as there is in Spanish Springs. I also don't like the small town square with the stadium seating. Not very park like. A town square should have more greenery, comfortable seating and overall feel inviting, which it's not. Also, the cattle town theme reminds me of all those kiddie theme parks where they deputize the kids, and give them cap guns to go chase down the bank robber. We live closer to Brownwood, but rarely go there. Lake Sumter is my favorite and always will be.