[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by JoMar

Demshar's did not go out of business, they closed temporarily. TooJays filed for bankruptcy months ago and I suspect this is part of expense reduction since the other two are still open. Katie Belle's is the only one that actually closed with no plans to reopen .

All 3 are out of business permanenetly. The TooJays in Ft Lauderdale has also closed. And none of them has plans to reopen

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by trinow

I read here that Demshares recently received a small business covid19 disbursement of over $150,000 to cover employees salaries and other expenses. Then they close and no employees have jobs. How exactly does that work. Is this reimbursement for monies spent or is the just another way to play the system. Just doesn't sound right. Shouldn't they maybe give the money back? It seems a lot of different small businesses received funds that I believed were for continuing operations and were then used instead for other things

Those government subsidies were issued months ago. They probably went through the $150,000 and now they can't afford to stay open. I would guess that they are negotiating with the landlord to find a way to stay in place until it's feasible to reopen.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I would like to see all people who will be proven to have made exaggerated posts and posted unfounded rumors about the apartments to run naked around Spanish Springs Square.

But then...maybe I wouldn't like to see that.

Definitely would not like to see that.

[NJSonja]

yes, I'm concerned about the traffic if everything becomes apartments...I live in Spanish Springs...I'm aggravated about broken promises too....it is what it is...

[FromNY]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

If they continue to have it part of the 55+ community, and not open it to under 55+, and manage it as the landlord as such with no sublets allowed - then it could be a very good thing.

Imagine some of the homeowners who want to downsize, who are still 100% independent, but want less responsibility that goes into homeownership. Living in the apartments. They no longer need to drive to the squares since they already live there. Since it's only 2 blocks away from the supermarket, they could probably get rid of their cars entirely, rely only on golf carts to get to doctors' offices or whatever else.

If they just need a quart of milk - it's no big deal for them to just walk the two blocks. Or they could even just go downstairs and order a cup of coffee from Dunkin Donuts, no need to buy a quart til shopping day.

But - I lived for 7 years in Boston, so I understand the joys of "city life" as an actual resident, not just a visitor.

If I was single I'd probably jump at the chance to live "downtown" in the Villages square in a little 1-bedroom apartment.

Would be nice if they build condos. Not everyone wants to rent.

[airstreamingypsy]

I have always said I think The Villages should offer condos. Then widows and widowers, and married people, could downsize and not worry about lawn and exterior maintenance of their home. Apartments, will appeal to non Villagers, more than people who understand the benefits of having equity in their home. I think it's a great idea for Spanish Springs, it needs something to draw people to it.

[ficoguy]

The Developer is behind an Iron Curtain and cannot be penetrated by our harping and whining.

[Alaska Butch]

I suspect as tge square loads up with apartments complaints for noise will force the square music to be ahut down permanently.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

That's not what it says on their website. Scroll down to see.

Whats Happening | Demshars

Ah actually I went to the website that for whatever dumb reason can't be linked here - that EVERYONE refers to as a source of information anyway...
And read the sign. You're right. It's "temporarily" closed. But I'm not counting on it ever re-opening. And the sentiment I expressed is the same, because of the wording of the sign. Saying that they can't encourage people to come to the square.

Well of course they can't encourage people to come to the square. They're closed. Closed businesses DIScourage business, they don't ENcourage business. Plus I wasn't impressed with their food and it was overpriced. They had really good italian bread. That's my "best" memory of their food. It just came off as very snippy, that sign. Like they're cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Good luck to them in their new Stonecrest location, and I'm sure the Developer will find a good replacement once commerce gets a little smoother in the coming months.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I would like to see all people who will be proven to have made exaggerated posts and posted unfounded rumors about the apartments to run naked around Spanish Springs Square.

But then...maybe I wouldn't like to see that.

Ok vomiting on someone’s shoes, now You want to see people run around SS naked, you have jumped the shark. Why let post get the better of you, and come to their level

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Rollie

I talked the owner on Friday. A decision to permanently close has not been made. No where on the sign does is state this.

Rollie

yes. i had a conversation with someone saying it was forever closed, but i didn't see that mentioned anywhere in a news article. however, if they do have a sign on the door that someone personally saw, it's hard to disagree.

[FredJacobs]

When I was in basic training in the Army, there was a fellow we nicknamed, "Arnie The Sweat." Every time he heard something, the first words out of his mouth were, "Is that a true rumor or a false one?" The developer owns the property - why can't he do to it as he sees fit? It doesn't surprise me that they are considering apartments. Right now, there is a boom in building Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities. Many homeowners are down-sizing as they get older. He sells Villas for people who don't want large homes or large areas of land to maintain. Many people over 65, who come from rented apartments and never had to worry about maintanence would like to live in The Villages. I view this as a smart business move. He's competing with all of the Independent Living Senior facilities that have sprung up and he has the advantage of Village's amenities.

[davem4616]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

I believe that once this pandemic is behind us everything will come back stronger than ever. Might take another year and some places will disappear but others will take their place. In the end, a "shakeout" may be a good thing.

IMHO much of what we know will survive in some form however a large number of small businesses will not survive...small businesses have shallow pockets and depend upon maintaining a constant flow of revenue to meet 'the nut'...closing down for months on end will result in many of them going under....something else will move into the location if it was a desirable location...

some aspects of the economy will certainly immediately experience a 'boom' once it is believed that this pandemic is behind us....we're all tired of being shut in...others will have a longer ramp up

many of those businesses that do survive will have modified their business model...a return to exactly 'what it was' just isn't going to happen IMO

the huge unknown is: with so many out of work and so many businesses going' belly up', what's the approach that various governments will use to continue to meet their ongoing fiscal obligations and begin to pay down the huge debt that cities, states and the Feds are all incurring during this pandemic...

years ago someone estimated that 50% were supporting the other 50%....then I heard a rumor that it was closer to 40% supporting the other 60%....

I'm wondering if I should start stocking up on TP now, cuz if it ever gets to 30% supporting 70% the increased sales and property taxes are going to be crippling

[Lottoguy]

I'll put this into my "crazy rumor" file. It is very large and fun to read.

[davem4616]

Originally Posted by FredJacobs

When I was in basic training in the Army, there was a fellow we nicknamed, "Arnie The Sweat." Every time he heard something, the first words out of his mouth were, "Is that a true rumor or a false one?" The developer owns the property - why can't he do to it as he sees fit? It doesn't surprise me that they are considering apartments. Right now, there is a boom in building Assisted Living and Independent Living facilities. Many homeowners are down-sizing as they get older. He sells Villas for people who don't want large homes or large areas of land to maintain. Many people over 65, who come from rented apartments and never had to worry about maintanence would like to live in The Villages. I view this as a smart business move. He's competing with all of the Independent Living Senior facilities that have sprung up and he has the advantage of Village's amenities.

well said Fred

"Arnie the Sweat"...now that's funny!

Somehow we all remember 'that guy' in the unit. In my basic training unit we had "Rodney Rout-step"...if anybody was going to screw up it was him. When we all moved on to AIT assignments he was left behind, still cleaning out the grease pit waiting for the next BT cycle to begin in a few weeks

In hindsight...maybe he wasn't as dumb as he made out...he was a 2 year draftee, never gave them a hassle about the punishment they handed out and being held over and recycled reduced his chances of heading to Nam....hmmm I wonder if the guy managed to stay in, receive an honorable DD-214 and ended up getting a PhD fully paid for on the GI Bill's dime ????