I have my fingers crossed as well, let`s hope for the best

Yeah, I'm not a "developer hater" but I've never understood those who fall on their knees and say "look what he is doing for us". UMMM he didn't do ANY of this for ANY of us. It's capitalism, which I am all for. I just don't understand the blind sheep who think that this family is DONATING this lifestyle. If they weren't becoming billionaires doing it, they would be long gone by now.
I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just not a blind sheep.

The CB Club and Katie Belles was a place I always took my guests, mainly for the ambience and music, but always with fingers crossed that the food would be good, or at least edible. Sometimes it was "pretty good", and other times it was just awful. I stopped taking guests there for food. There were too many times that we returned dishes, only to have them re-served, just as bad. And believe me, my family and friends aren't picky eaters. I agree that it is a beautiful building with an iconic past. But beautiful and iconic won't pay the bills if the food isn't predictably worth the price. I keep my fingers crossed that the re-vamp will work.

I agree that talking to neighbor's and golf buddies won't change anything.
I assume you've used the annual Villages survey to make your feelings known.

You don't have to be a blind sheep to like what the developer has done for us. Yes...for us...as well as for him and his family. The two are not mutually exclusive.

You say you're all for capitalism, but then you make it sound selfish. I'm not sure you believe in it too deeply.

I heard a Trader Joe's was going in on the 1st floor.

Not sure how you got "selfish" out of that. Any smart business man would walk away from a losing proposition, just like Morse would if he wasn't making money on this.
One of my favorite capitalists is S. Truett Cathy. Most who eat at his restaurant don't even know his name. They like the product, and they buy. They don't bow down and say "look what this wonderful man did for us out of the kindness of his heart!"

I'm the odd person out
 

I am probable amongst the minority here but I think it's time for Katie Bells to get a make over. I was there not long ago and my first impression was that it felt very dated. Not exactly the members only club I would frequent much. I think if we let the Morses do what they do so well and give us a venue that is modern and fresh in the end we will grow to love it. Just look around.....how many buildings have been done poorly? I can't think of any. Their style and design is second to none as proven with the rec centers. I think change is hard but give it time and we will appreciate it.

Or a Home Goods would work, I've been told.

Likely a joke, but I do believe that something big is behind this change. Some business must want a prominent spot on the square and TV was willing to make changes to make that happen.

Much like they did in moving Banner Mercantile and the WVLG station to make way for the new World of Beer.

We personally, have never had a problem with the food at Katie Belles or Cattle Baron. We eat at Cattle Baron quite often.

When I purchased not only was Katie Belle's presented as an amenity but it was a big factor in our decision to purchase. Several of our guests that we have brought to Katie Belle's have decided to buy in the Villages as well, sighting their fun times at Katie's as a major factor. There is no way they can keep it special if they profiteer the first floor away.
The Morse family should survey their salespeople to verify that in fact Katies has been presented as an AMENITY! This protest should eclipse the Great Wall Protest by 100 fold.
Renovate yes, but keep the basic floor-plan and ambiance, tall ceiling, balconies, TWO floors!
Please Morse Family do the right thing.

PS- restating: short notice and the timing is suspicious, April 1st, after many have left!

A selling feature, yes. An amenity, no.

I hear it might be a HOOTERS!:thumbup:

The Wall was not an amenity, but voices were heard. Katies may not be a technical Amenity but it was presented as such, therefore it possibility is.

I do not like that KB is closing for renovations as I enjoy going there. The food was so so, but it was still fun. I have only been a Villager for a couple of years now and do not recall KB being promoted as an amenity. I really doubt that this is much of an issue for those south of 466 and those south of 466a probably REALLY don't care.

I have not been disappointed in the new and upgraded facilities to date. I think I'll give the developers a chance before I begin to critize. As much as we might not like it, businesses can't operate on a model that is losing money. Which is better, a renovated Kattie Belle's or no Kattie Belle's at all?

Additionally, how can people support the developer 100% of the time? It makes me value their opinion less.

kinda thought it just might of been a Aprils Fools joke......guess not...

It certainly was presented as an Amenity to those buying near it. Giving them a chance when they can not undo the renovation is wrong. They are taking away more than 50% of the square feet and 80% of the cubic feet, and 100% of the atmosphere.

These young billionaires should look at the bigger picture. Dont listen to the Accountants all the time. You three appeared very sincere in "The Sharon" presentation, make your parents proud. :thumbup:

Well, if you read my post you would see that I stated in my time in The Villages the developer has done nothing to cause me to think otherwise. I think less of posters that come here and attack others just because they do not agree. How does doing this promote open discussion?

It's all about the money to be made......

Having to climb a flight of stairs is not a great idea if you're trying to attract those in our age group. I know it has kept me and mine from eating at the Cattle Baron. One of the great attractions of moving here was getting away from all that stair climbing.

You do know there is an elevator in Katie Belle's? Just off to the left when you enter.

When people keep mentioning money and greed, my mind leaps to the possibility that they were the ones who didn't save their money like their mom told them to do.

They didn't cut their own hair, or work overtime or sew their own curtains or clip coupons. And they maxed out their credit cards and bought dumb stuff they didn't need and never ate leftovers and bought houses they couldn't afford.

That is what I think when people bring up money and greed.

They shoulda listened to their mom.

Of course it is about the money to be made. That isn't a BAD thing.

Well said! Besides, all the expert complainers could rent a building and build another Katie Belle's just the way they want it,--- and they could keep ALL the gigantic profits just for themselves.:thumbup: That's the American way.

IF they could get permission from Mark Morse. They would have to find a piece of land that Morse would be willing to sell them, then they would have to have their plans approved by Morse, then they would have to give Morse a percentage of their profits. That's The Villages way.

One of the very positive impressions of The Villages Lost wo Katie Belle's
 

I know its hard to believe but some of us didn't come here to golf. As several have indicated Katie Belles left a very positive check mark on their "would I move here list". While Katie Belle's might not have been the only reason for us buying here (and BTW currently very south of 466) it clearly left a very positive impression of the life style represented here and as dancers it probably was a larger + for us then those that aren't. But I don't think it takes a dancer to appreciate what Katie Belles represented and the positive impression the atmosphere probably left in most peoples mind. A Trader Joes (or what ever) in the first floor or a floating dance floor upstairs is kind of like saying we are improving the golf here by replacing the last 2 holes with miniature golf and everyone shaking there head and saying "The Villages can't be wrong give them a chance, I'm sure it will be just great like everything else they did". Could it have been updated a bit > perhaps; could the food have been improved > YES, could the drink prices be lower > N0. I think the only thing that would soften my opinion is building a nicer facility, with even more character, in Brownwood and I don't see that happening but I guess I can hope. Oh BTW I do golf (some have questioned this ) now and would not be happy with miniature golf on the last 2 holes > move that over to the soft ball fields between 2nd, 3rd AND HOME base ( I don't play softball) -- keep away from the PB courts. Oh (two many Oh) I think the name of the new facility should be changed since calling it Katie Belles wouldn't be right; How about "Upstairs at Spanish Springs" or a real classy name thats sure draw like dinning at "Trader Joes" (or what ever). Got all that off my chest for now, wish I could get it off my mid section as easy.

Excellent dadspet!

You are twenty years off the mark about how old Katie Belles is.... And you have chosen to not live HERE.

And there is nothing wrong with making money. Stealing it is another thing. Money is nice to have when you need it. You can take care of your self and not burden others. And if you have enough you can build retirement communities for old-er people and if you do it well that retirement community becomes the fastest growing place in The United States....without government funding too.

Yup. It is about the best thing I have found since canned beer.

Katie Belle's
 

You're right...capitalism doesn't have to have selfless motives to succeed. But many villagers see TV as a venture by the developer that sincerely considers the wants and needs of the residents...as well as their own. To refer to those villagers with such terms as "blind sheep" and "bow down" belittles both the developer and those villagers who don't share your opinion.
I don't think most people who are happy here say "look what this wonderful man did for us out of the kindness of his heart!". I think they simply believe he is a good developer...who makes a lot of money for that very reason.

Absolutely, and it would be my way also. LOL :D

Mr. Midnight has left the building.
Rumor has it his new base of operations is Scooples in Brownwood.

"We the People", actually vote for our favorite business with our wallets. If enough people like it and spend their dollars at an establishment , it will most likely survive. Survival of the fittest is what clears out the dead wood and brings on renewal and inovation.

If you want to save an "historic" treasure or icon, someone has to pay for it--like contributors or tax payers.

I choose capitalism, even though it is sometimes sad to see an old friend go.

Well said.

I suggest you check out the meaning of ordinary as it applies to the Schwartz family. I don't consider owning a successful restaurant and multiple radio stations as being an ordinary family. Risking ones own money was not how the Villages were built. If one is aware of how the CCD's functioned is easily becomes understandable how you can build something like the Villages on other peoples money. Walt Disney did exactly the same thing. Bonds are sold, the developer gest operating capital, buyers pay off the bonds.

The family forgot what Harold Schwartz's vision was for the Villages.

I am a loss for words when I hear some say KB is dated. For gosh sakes it is designed to be a 1800's dance hall. It will be a long time before we see such beautiful oak wood railings, etc again. Is Sumter Landing dated because it has been designed to be similar to Key West ???

Tonight (Friday) I took my 3 daughters and 2 of our teen granddaughters for a "Girls Nite Out" at Katie Belle's. We couldn't think of a better place for a GNO.

We have lived here almost a year now and hubby and I have been once before, during our LifeStyle visit. Katie Belle's and The Cattle Barron both had mediocre food when we visited then and I must say they did tonight too. We would never take friends there for that reason.

Tonight we had a great night of dancing and people watching and enjoyed "Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs". Katie Belle's is charming, but is dusty, dated and can benefit from a facelift.

I realize some people love this place, but to us it is just ok. So many other great dining options. I guess it's "cool" to have a member's only club. But it would be nice to have one that is clean, fresh, upgraded with a better menu.

I am looking forward to the new Katie Belle's! Maybe it will be a place we would go more than once a year!

I agree that KB's is supposed to look 1800-ish but it should look like it hasn't been updated since 1800. As fr the Oak railings - most of what they do is inhibit the view of any of the shows on stage. If you sit anywhere behind the posts the view is less than clear.

I wonder if people would be so upset if Chico's decided to sell men's clothing? or maybe Kilwins became a salad bar!

I applaud the change at Katie Belle's
:BigApplause: