[buzzy]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What changes would make the atmosphere "home town".

How about some panhandlers?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

Depends what home town you are from. Actually, it is a lot like food I imagine. If you are used to a particular version of pizza, that is what you find authentic. I think Brownwood will develop its own great personality, different from SS and LS but it will be just as home town to some.

There you are! I agree.

Who among us lived in an old Florida cattle town in the 1880s? Certainly not the young-old among us OR the old old.

This is in the spirit of fantasy and well done too. It has the feel of a sepia photograph. Do I look for realism? Not on your tintype! But atmosphere, by the wooden bucket full. I was looking to avoid the horse manure.

[BarryRX]

My wife and I took the ride from Pennecamp yesterday. The ride took about 20 minutes. I like the way the square is set up so the grandstand seats are facing east. That means the sun will be setting behind us and we will have plenty of shade, something that is missing from LSL. My wife and I thought the square was much smaller than LSL. This is because it is not "theater-in-the-round" like SS and LSL so there is no square behind the stage. We loved the sculptures of the cattle and cowboy and saw grandparents putting the grandkids on the statues for pictures. The lobby of the movie theater was great. Line dance girl was there yesterday, so I guess it is now official. Plenty of Wildwood police were visible and they were friendly and helpful.

[ajbrown]

We took the cart around for a quickie last night, just drove around, did not stop. Not enough time to soak it all in; there will plenty of time for that. We look forward to checking it out much much more... I am confident we will be impressed....

My first reaction was that there are not as many parking spots for carts on the square compared to other squares. There are many nights, we just pull in and watch/listen from the cart. Not a huge negative, just a first reaction for me....

[mmac321]

We didn't think much of LSL when it first opened and we now consider it our downtown. It will take just a little time for everything to get finished and it will grow on you.

[Arubagirl2000]

How do you get there by cart from LSL?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Arubagirl2000

How do you get there by cart from LSL?

Here is a great cart path map.
CTV-Home

[swrinfla]

Uncharacteristically (because I'm not a frequenter of any of the squares), I ventured to Brownwood on Saturday.

28 minutes by electric golf cart from my home in Sunset Pointe. LSL is closer to 6 minutes, max!

But, I was somewhat surprised, because various trips down Buena Vista by car seemed to take forever! I think the absence of homes for most of the way makes it seem longer!

It was definitely crowded, what with the Farmer's Market and the new status of the square, but not overly so. I was, as expected, overwhelmed by the attention to detail everywhere - something Tracey Matthews has become well-known for.

I will undoubtedly be back, especially once other shops/restaurants open!

SWR

[travelguy]

Originally Posted by OldManTime

I visited Brownwood today, walked around the square and surrounding streets and with all the hype by the developer I was very disappointed as to what it looked like. The Sales office, and developer businesses were booming, but saw nothing that would attract me to go there again for a while. I did go into the Theater, it was big, but not impressed with the decor, even used the restroom, and thought I was at summer camp when I was a Boy Scout. Comparing it to Spanish Springs Town Square, or even Sumter Landing, it can't compare....... As a realtor might describe it...... "It has NO curb appeal"

mostly a big disappointment. the sales office cannot compare to LSL which has class. this new one has cow-hide panels on the walls which everyone was touching...umm...sweaty and sticky hands...how do you clean the panels? i do know why it is called brownwood as everything is various dark shades of brown. i was expecting the sales agents to be lined up in various dance-hall get-up.........was Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke a 'madam'? and the 'leaded' glass panels in the ceiling looked like cheap plastic.
the villages logostore had no atmosphere...could have been in a strip mall anywhere. and with the lack of lighting along the golf cart paths I am thinking that it is not too safe for single women at night. am glad that LSL is only 10 minutes away on the golf cart!

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by Arubagirl2000

How do you get there by cart from LSL?

I would take canal to stillwater to buena vista all the way to Brownwood.

[rubicon]

I hope people really take to Brownwood. Town Squares are the life blood of The Villages. A gathering place for place for family, friends and neighbors. Critical to the financial health of The villages. A place to dance, drink eat and be merry. A place to have political rallies, marching bands, ethnic parades and watching the sunset. Shopping for clothes, knck knacks and other sundries and just plain crusing so you can display your suped up golf cart

[Shimpy]

We went today in golfcart. 20 minutes and 6 miles from Fish Hawk rec center. I was suprised how small it was but I guess it will be growing. Right now it is really only one street and not much open. I think the opening was a little premature. We did go into the Villages Logo store. Wife saw a pair of walk shorts she liked until she read the price tag....$119.00.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

We went today in golfcart. 20 minutes and 6 miles from Fish Hawk rec center. I was suprised how small it was but I guess it will be growing. Right now it is really only one street and not much open. I think the opening was a little premature. We did go into the Villages Logo store. Wife saw a pair of walk shorts she liked until she read the price tag....$119.00.

Can you imagine the uproar if the opening was delayed until every store, restaurant,etc was completely finished. LSL opening was done the same way, a soft opening of the major locations and we all got to see it grow.

[ROCKETMAN]

The only problem i see is with the bleachers. They are quite steep and after a few drinks, i can see someone falling. Also when are they going to publish the entertainment schedule for brownwood. Uncle bobs rock shop holloween is for sure.

[rubicon]

Brownwood was slated to be 3 times the size of Lake Sumter Landing so I am confused. Either it isn't finished or origintors changed plans.

Lake Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs are too small. The dance areas are both over-run with line dancers who dominate an already small dance space, all night long. So I hope Brownwood is much larger with a larger dancing area