Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2091317)

A new story from the unmentionable news source today (author Meta Minton):

Villagers are embracing a proposal to have the Amenity Authority Committee revive Katie Belle’s and return dining and dancing to residents.

Community Development District 2 Supervisor Jim Cipollone has raised the idea of the AAC using its money and authority to revive Katie Belle’s as an amenity. His suggestion came on the eve of a Lady Lake Commission meeting in which The Villages was expected to attempt to ram through its plan for seven age-restricted apartments at the Van Patten House at Spanish Springs Town Square.

“I wholeheartedly support the idea of reviving Katie Belle’s. It was a great place to take guests or to have a date night with my wife. When we went there we totally enjoyed the experience. I think the idea of apartments is absurd,” said Don Atkinson, a resident of the Village of Santo Domingo.


Cipollone’s proposal has prompted many to remember the golden years of Katie Belle’s, which The Villages officially closed in 2020, blaming COVID-19.


“I support the idea of the AAC reviving Katie Belle’s. I feel that they should give Katie Belle’s back to The Villagers for what it was intended for not for renting out apartments for who knows who will living in them. The restaurant and the dance hall were an excellent place for entertainment and fine food,” said Villager Tom Hickman.

Villager Pat Kress said the secret to making Katie Belle’s successful again would be treating it like a true amenity and only admitting Villagers with Villages IDs.

“The Spanish Springs square is really going downhill as there is a lot of alcohol being abused by outsiders. Katie Belle’s was only intended for the Village people by showing their ID cards to get in. Completely different crowd attended,” Kress said.



Twenty-year resident of The Villages Lorraine Martin is all for the AAC reclaiming Katie Belle’s on behalf of residents.

“The AAC should devise a plan to keep Katie Belle’s as an amenity for the residents. The Villages is destroying the north end of The Villages. They are all about greed now that the older owners have passed away. It is a shame at what they are doing,” Martin said.

Cheryl Seyfert of the Santo Domingo Villas applauded Cipollone for coming up with a creative idea for bringing back Katie Belle’s.

“Finally, a reasonable solution to reviving Spanish Springs Town Square. The revival of Katie Belle’s, rather than apartments. It would give us the desired place to go, help guarantee music in the area, and return us to the golden days of why we bought homes in the area,” Seyfert said.

“We need to support this idea and bring it to fruition! Bravo to the wisdom of the people!” she said.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2091423)

Every seat was taken at Lady Lake Town Hall 30 minutes to the start of Monday’s meeting.
Residents are opposed to a plan submitted by The Villages to convert the former home of Katie Belle’s into seven age-restricted apartments.

Residents said they fear that the apartments are a means for The Villages to slowly suck the vibrancy out of the original town square in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2091191)

Here is a better idea. Those that believe that Katie Belle's return would result in a profit-making business could invest their own money into the business. They would then reap the profits for themselves they believe is there for the taking.

Originally Posted by rustyp (Post 2091146)

I'm willing to bet the AAC could make a profit and add to northern coffers. Possibly more amenities or less amenity fees.

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 2091232)

For the record, I stepped BOTH foots into OKB.

:ho:

Originally Posted by La lamy (Post 2091479)

I never went into Katie Belle, but I bet people who yearn for that format are 70 years old and up. IMO younger seniors, like me, have no experience of dine and dance halls. I like the idea of social dancing and love to watch couples do it in the squares, but personally I have zero desire to do it. Free style dancing outdoors is my jam.

Originally Posted by charlie1 (Post 2091204)

I agree. Here was the problem. We went to Katie Belles a couple of times. We found the food OK but not exception. Same could be said about the entertainment. However, the biggest problem that I saw was that they were not busy. People complain about losing restaurants, retail, etc. but they never think that they need to make sure the proprietor makes money. People, stop your complaining and support the businesses if you want them to continue to stay open. THAT IS THE SECRET you obviously are missing!