[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by rustyp

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.

No, but HELL NO! I will be at the AAC meeting on Wednesday, May 11th to voice my opposition if this idea gains traction.

[Babubhat]

This place was for the crowd that wants 50 cent beers and nickel hot dogs. The 5 dollar minimum crowd could not support it

[rustyp]

The latest update from the unmentionable news source:

A capacity crowd of Villagers showed up Monday night for the Lady Lake Commission meeting to fight for the future of Spanish Springs Town Square.

Every seat at Lady Lake Town Hall had been claimed 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting. Seats that were set up outside were also filled. An audio visual system was set up outdoors to carry the feed to those not lucky enough to score a seat inside.

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.

On the eve of Monday’s meeting, Community Development District 2 Supervisor Jim Cipollone raised the idea of the Amenity Authority Committee resurrecting Katie Belle’s as an exclusive amenity for Villagers. Many Villagers have embraced that idea.

[rustyp]

Update #2

Despite the threat of another lawsuit, a split Lady Lake Commission on Monday rejected a request from The Villages for apartments at Spanish Springs Town Square.

An overflow crowd of residents showed up at Lady Lake Town Hall in an impassioned attempt to block The Villages from winning approval for seven age-restricted apartments at the former home of Katie Belle’s in the Van Patten House at the square.


Villages Vice President Martin Dzuro was a no show at Monday night’s Lady Lake Commission meeting.
Town officials had been under the impression that Villages Vice President Marty Dzuro would attend Monday night’s meeting to answer any questions about the proposal for the apartments.

However, Dzuro was a no show.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by rustyp

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.

You do know this is all part of a plan? They presented the one thing that all residents would oppose, then they will come back with something, that seems reasonable compared to apartments.
Don’t know what it is, but we all will soon

[HoosierPa]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

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.

Great idea. Those who want Katie Belles back should pony up their own money and open it. My guess is they will come to the same conclusion TV did. Let the Owner of the building do what they feel is in their best interest or lease the space yourself from them.

[collegeref]

Great idea from a man about town

[La lamy]

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.

[crash]

Originally Posted by rustyp

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

Why would you think that? If Katie Bells made money it would still be open. It would just become a cost on us and everyone would scream when their amenity fee went up.

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

For the record, I stepped BOTH foots into OKB.

Hope there isn’t a picture of you hanging out with some of those notorious “Shady Ladies”

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by La lamy

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.

Makes me think Lawrence Welk will be performing on Thursday.

[thevillages2013]

Let’s be civilized here! It’s way too hot for the hookers outside in the summer time! Build it back and they will come

[sentry]

It will never be back the way it was. It would cost too much money to remove the second floor. Also it was a loosing business that is why it closed.

[mkjelenbaas]

Originally Posted by charlie1

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!

Thanks for telling me how to behave!!

[oldtimes]

Why don’t they create 7 little craft shops like they have in Mt Dora