[justjim]

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? There are eight different denominations on Villages property north of 466 and not one church south of 466.

United Methodist Church has a sign up on 44A just east of Brownwood----15 acres to build a new church that will be golf cart accessible. You must remember that two years ago there were no houses south of 466A. Soon enough there will be more stores for shopping and eating in TV south. Meanwhile, shop Public as has been suggested---7:30- 10:00 and after 6:30 in the evening. That shouldn't be difficult.

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by SALYBOW

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.

Publix is HUGELY overpriced! I feel very taken advantage of when I go there, so I'm now spending my money at Sweetbay. I was picking up a pineapple that was already pealed...the ones in the plastic containers and WhenI looked at the price it was 6.99!!!! Really? I'm not that stupid. So, I went to Sweetbay and got it for 4.99. That's a 2.00 difference on just one item. Just think how much extra you spend at Publix when getting all of your groceries there??

[Mack184]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Publix is HUGELY overpriced! I feel very taken advantage of when I go there...

I guess overpriced is a matter of experience. Having just recently moved here from Baltimore, I haven't found anything to be overpriced compared to what we were paying up there. It's all a bargain to us.

When I was young I remember my mother carefully studying all of the various newspaper grocery store ads each week and then laying out a strategy for buying the week's groceries. Hamburger at one store, bread at another, chicken at another an so on. As I got older I always thought she spent more in gas than she saved, but I know she would disagree. She's 90 now and still does it that way.

[Mack184]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.

I'm with you GG-Person. I've never heard of anything so preposterous. Where do people get ideas like this???

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by mulligan

obviously, the churches and businesses have not expressed a desire to expand any further at this time. How about shopping at winn-dixie in wildwood ?

shhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

[mommieswamie]

Village Grocery Delivery is the best way I know to fight the crowds in the Publix. Just phone, fax or email your order to Dave and he will fight the crowds for you. I call him all the time and he is always so helpful with groceries, restaurant deliveries and errands. Village Grocery Delivery really offers a fantastic service. You all should give Dave a call.

[jblum315]

If everybody did what I do - I go to Publix between 8 and 9 in the morning. It's empty.The seafood and meat depts aren't open until 9, but you don't need them every time.
But if everybody did it, YO it would not be empty any longer. So don't, OK!!

[gjbl8114]

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???

Let's be realistic here..... Builders - build!!!!! "If you build it, they will come." It's not only seasonal renters or owners causing this bottleneck, it's new residents moving into those lovely new villages across 466A, as well as the build out of St Charles, St James and Pennecamp. It's called, over-building.

These builders and/or developers don't sync their plan to build with such things as residents access to shops or in this instance, grocery stores. They could care less. And, if Publix, Sweetbay or any other grocer decides to build or not to build will be totally dependent upon whether these corporations see the profit potential or the need to do so. After all, crowded though Publix's may be, people still manage to get their needs met albeit with frustrations.

Gracie Girl is correct, the Morses have nothing to do with this aspect of the issue (but in an indirect way, they do.)

If potential residents start paying more attention to some of these issues, and delay their purchases on the basis of this, builders would likely pay more attention to making sure that some of these services are in place before continuing to over build. After all, they make a point of getting recreation centers, golf courses and the likes in place don't they?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gjbl8114

Let's be realistic here..... Builders - build!!!!! "If you build it, they will come." It's not only seasonal renters or owners causing this bottleneck, it's new residents moving into those lovely new villages across 466A, as well as the build out of St Charles, St James and Pennecamp. It's called, over-building.

These builders and/or developers don't sync their plan to build with such things as residents access to shops or in this instance, grocery stores. They could care less. And, if Publix, Sweetbay or any other grocer decides to build or not to build will be totally dependent upon whether these corporations see the profit potential or the need to do so. After all, crowded though Publix's may be, people still manage to get their needs met albeit with frustrations.

Gracie Girl is correct, the Morses have nothing to do with this aspect of the issue (but in an indirect way, they do.)

If potential residents start paying more attention to some of these issues, and delay their purchases on the basis of this, builders would likely pay more attention to making sure that some of these services are in place before continuing to over build. After all, they make a point of getting recreation centers, golf courses and the likes in place don't they?

Your last statement is true. BUT they can't control whether corporations will open businesses here, OR WHEN. Think for a moment. They can build spec homes but not likely to build a spec grocery store. I imagine that each huge chain has an architechtural committee deciding where the beans are stacked and how big the bakery part is. I would guess that the Morse builders are waiting with their hammers and trowels for someone to commit.

I know I defend them a lot, but I am truly in awe of how carefully planned and well maintained this place is.

And...this is just a little bit mean on my part, because our house is a little more than a year old just off 466. The choice existed very recently, at the same time many people chose to build in Sanibel and Fernandina to build in Mission Hills and Bridgeport at Laurel Valley which is very close to MANY of the groceries, doctors and restaurants and churches. AND anyone can still buy resale in those areas right now. So there are choices for all.

Gary Morse isn't our mother.

Disclaimer. I don't work for the Morses, don't know anybody in that family and please whoever you are don't send me any more mean PMs accusing me of getting paid by the developer.

[BettyCrocked]

Nobody goes to Publix anymore. It's too crowded.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by BettyCrocked

Nobody goes to Publix anymore. It's too crowded.

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by BettyCrocked

Nobody goes to Publix anymore. It's too crowded.

Good one! Sounds like something Yogi Berra would say!

[BettyCrocked]

Originally Posted by JoeC1947

Good one! Sounds like something Yogi Berra would say!

He did! It's one of my favorite quotes of his. He used it in reference to a restaurant.

[Heartnsoul]

Originally Posted by 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.

I wonder if that is affecting Brownwood and why it is sooo slow to build up. People are scared to start a business and you can't blame them. all I know is they need stores over that area NOW because the population is already enough to support businesses and yet they are still not in. Would make me little worried if I were to purchase a home over there.

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by ROCKETMAN

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.

I have heard that 67% of Villagers have at least a part time job. My husband still works full tine and I just retired. Many work during the hours you spoke of. I would love to be able to shop at 8:30 PMsh so I can get him fed and settled before I go, but Publix closes early. When I quit working I was planning on being able to golf and do more of the other amenities in the early AM.
I respect the fact that the store is less busy at those times but it is really just about the right amount of traffic for a smaller store , with smaller aisles than most, and which needs to be stocked constantly. In most stores the restocking is done overnight; that would not work here. Additionally, they do not have enough space to order enouch food to have everything you need when you need it.

I know they have had boucoup complaints so complaining verbally will not help. The only solutions for me is to allow them to make me plan my retirement around them rather than them planning their business around me as most businesses are doing, or to move on to greener pastures. I have moved on and found that things are much cheaper elsewhere as one poster noted. Even though the new Publix will be built closer to my home, I will still drive past it to get the reduction in prices and good service I get at Winn Dixie.