[Cantwaittoarrive]

Everything is not up to the developer to provide. If the business need is there and a profit can be made businesses will follow

[simpkinp]

Last year the checkers at Colony Publix told me the plan for new store was moved from 2013 to 2014, but of course they did not know why. Since it will be down by Brownwood, it is not likely to relieve the over crowding of the stores in Colony anyway. It will serve the folks who live off Buena Vista, but probably not those who live near Morse. Stores have to wait for their customer base to develop to turn a profit. Our Walgreens folks told me theirs is the busiest in TV, and I believe it. I just get my "rain check" for any sale items and get them the following week. No big deal. I let workmen who are coming in to buy their lunch at Publix go ahead of me. They are on a time clock, and I remember when I had to hurry through a hasty lunch to get to the next meeting, etc. I love retirement!

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by jbdlfan

There are 4 Publix, 2 Walmarts, 2 Winn Dixies and one Sweetbay all within 13 miles of each other! How many more do we need?????

Too bad we can't pick them up and put them where they're needed!

[jbdlfan]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Too bad we can't pick them up and put them where they're needed!

They are no more than a 25 minute golf cart ride or 15 minutes in the car away. Brownwood to 466= 20-25 minutes. Not sure what all the rhubard is about. Relax, take a nice quiet ride to get your groceries.

[Skip2MySue]

I'm in the Publix around 7:30 AM and I'm rattling around the store by myself. Please keep this little known secret to yourself so my shopping enjoyment doesn't get upset.
Skip 2

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

The developer cannot force a business to come. He can build a building for them if they commit. No change...same old modus operandi.

There were plans by Sweetbay to build by the municipal building and the library on 466A and then they began closing stores, so I would guess that their plans to build more is on hold.

You wait and see, Publix will build a store soon. I feel it in my bones.

But don't blame the Morses. It is always to their business advantage to build buildings to lease but you have to have businesses to say they will occupy those buildings.

The new Publix will be built where the Sweetbay was supposed to be on 466A. Sweetbay will be closer to Brownswood. They are not anticipating that opening until spring 2015. ARGGH. As a person who used to use Publix in Colony I was deeply disappointed to hear this. After being hit by a cart twice ion one day, both of which resulted in a cut or a bruise, I have switched to Sam's or Winn Dixie. There is room to shop there. It really does not help too much to change your shopping hours because it is always crowded. Most of us are pretty busy and we came here to fit shopping in around our activities schedules. Since going to the other stores has alerted me to the fact that Publix is so over priced, I will not be going back.
This is a corporate decision by the company not the developer.
I called the Villages retail devision one time to see when we were going to get more retail down here and they said everyone is waiting until it becomes more populated. What is up with that? It has become more populated. Since I moved here 2 3/4 years ago, they have buikt thoudands of new homes.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by jbdlfan

There are 4 Publix, 2 Walmarts, 2 Winn Dixies and one Sweetbay all within 13 miles of each other! How many more do we need?????

It may be a matter of location. I think what people are saying is that the samllest Publix is situated in the most populated area and is the only grocer in the south part of the Villages. So the top half has 7 groceries if you leave out Aldis and the bottom has one. I can see why the Northern Villagers do see this as a problem. Truthfully, I do not want to have to drive 20-25 mins to pick up milk. Even the Publix is about 10 mins from me.
This ia ll about perspective. If you are well served your perspective is different than if you are struggling to get served. One day I went there and picked a ticket for the deli. My number was 37 and they were on 89 from the last 100 tickets. There were 11 people behind the counter but it still took over 20 mins to get service.

[ROCKETMAN]

Originally Posted by Heartnsoul

JUST RETURNED from Publix. When are they EVER going to build shopping for new area?? The store is getting so crowded. I felt like I was shopping during Xmas week !! What is going on that it is taking so long with so many new residents out there???

For some reason residents in the villages refuse to shop early in the morning (7am-10am) or later in the evening (7pm-9pm). I have worked at publix on 466a since it opened and the store is relatively empty these times compared with the rest of the day. it will slow down dramatically april 1st. New publix is planned for early 2014 according to district mamager but of course all plans can change.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by janmcn

And don't forget more churches. Why doesn't the developer make some lots available for more churches to be built?

I'm sure lots are available for churches and any other businesses and they go to who can produce the most income to the developer. My understanding is the developer gets a percentage of the gross intake and they are of course going to approve a business that will give them the most revenue.

[travelguy]

Publix is only open until 9 pm; SweetBay until 11. The deli at swbay is so much less expensive than publx. the bogo's are good at publix and if you put 2 coupons on it is is even better.
we purchase staples at aldi: milk 2.19 for 1/2 gal vs 2.65 at publx; eggs 1.55 vs 2.49; grape tomatoes 75 cents vs 1.49..and on an on. meats are less expensive at swbay. ceral and cat litter at sam's and they have rotisserie chickens 4.88 vs 7.99 everywhere else.
oh yeah; i was sidetracked.
the publix at colony plaza is the most profitable in the entire chain. the management consistently under estimates the product he needs to order, and since he consistently receives his quarterly bonus he does not have to try harder. (i heard this from someone who works in the customer service area). they hear the complaints more than anyone else. when the snowbirds are here they need more product.....but since there is no more room to put it out there is no more product available.
we need shopping at the south end of TV!
thank you.

[Mudder]

No matter how far or how crowded a grocery store is, isn't it better than driving in snow and ice to get there? It's all about your location folks.

[Mack184]

Many businesses have specific profit & traffic levels that have to be met before they will build an additional store within the same general area. The Darden Restaurant Group (Red Lobster, Olive Garden & Longhorn) have very strict quotas that must be met before they expand within an area.

Yes, all the stores & restaurants are very busy right now, but once the snowbirds fly off, store traffic levels will decrease. Most businesses will not build 2 nearby stores that will operate half full. Before they expand they want their one store to be operating at full capacity plus a half before they are going to open another nearby store.

[Phanatic Luvr]

We don't understand how that small parking lot was approved for so many stores in Colony Plaza. Think about it, and of course there will be more built on the open ground in front of Publix some day soon.
Like other posters have stated, I go grocery shopping at 7:30pm and it is relatively empty. I had to run in the other day for a prescription and had to park down by Bealls. I'm not complaining as the extra steps are good for me but I was thinking of those who can't walk that far.
On a brighter note, has anyone noticed the huge parking lot that has gone in next to the Library along 466A? Could that be the new Publix in the making?

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

I'm sure lots are available for churches and any other businesses and they go to who can produce the most income to the developer. My understanding is the developer gets a percentage of the gross intake and they are of course going to approve a business that will give them the most revenue.

I know the developer gets a percentage of commercial businesses, but it never occured to me that they get a percentage of the collections of a religious organization.

It's no wonder the big corporations don't want to build in TV. If Publix builds on one side of SR44, it probably costs them 10% of their income plus rent. If they buy their own land and build on the other side of SR44, they get to keep all of the income. That would be a no brainer.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by janmcn

I know the developer gets a percentage of commercial businesses, but it never occured to me that they get a percentage of the collections of a religious organization.

It's no wonder the big corporations don't want to build in TV. If Publix builds on one side of SR44, it probably costs them 10% of their income plus rent. If they buy their own land and build on the other side of SR44, they get to keep all of the income. That would be a no brainer.

Ummmm I can't imagine that that terrible ole Gary Morse gets a cut from the collection basket.

Our rumor machine on here knows no equal.

St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church is just slightly north of 466a.