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: