Originally Posted by Laker14 (Post 2138558)

I did know that the Priority Membership used to include the country club pools (as well the trail fees), but I did not know that you can now purchase a pool membership separately from the priority membership.
I get the Priority Membership for golf when I am in TV, and have never used a CC pool. I wonder why anyone would pay extra to use a CC pool when there are pools all over TV already included in the amenity fee.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2138580)

It is a misnomer that The Villages calls them "country clubs". There is no membership requirement and no special rules. They don't look or function anything like a typical, private country club. They have no quiet areas where "members" can sit and talk or play cards. Basically, they are a bar, restaurant, and entertainment area that is open to the public. I think The Villages should rename them.

Originally Posted by JSR22 (Post 2138597)

You can order food, less crowded and you can bring your guests.

Originally Posted by vintageogauge (Post 2138766)

Sorta like the Fenney Family Pool behind the bar and grille except it does get crowded at times but it's free.

Originally Posted by Graspher (Post 2135700)

Our first visit was Sunday 9/11 - arrived 12:05 p.m. About 50 people milling around - 20 surrounding the bar area - 4 tables were occupied.

Chose Frenchy's for a wood-fired pizza - 4 employees working the pizza production.

"I'd like a medium pepperoni and sausage pizza".

"We only make one size and it's 12 inches. You can't order a pepperoni and sausage pizza. You can only order a pizza as described on our menu - but we can add and subtract toppings."

Their menu details 5 or 6 pizza combinations (each selectable pizza has several toppings on it). One of their selections includes sausage plus other toppings and another of their selections features pepperoni plus other toppings.

We chose their "sausage" pizza - deleted the onions - deleted the roasted green peppers...and added pepperoni.

The sausage combo pizza is priced at $15.00. No monetary deduction for eliminating the onions or peppers. There was an upcharge of $3.00 for the pepperoni. Total including a tax of $1.36 was $19.36.

I handed over $20 in cash. The receipt showed Total Due 19.36 / pymt cash 20.00 / Change Due .64. The cash register knows change is due - but Frenchy's policy is - they don't give coin change. They have a sign that says no coin provided but it is not located near the register.

Our pizza order was placed at 12:13pm (per the receipt). Our boxed pizza was presented to us at 12:48pm. Paper plates were not offered - but were provided upon request. The paper plates were....more paper then anything else. Very flimsy and couldn't support the weight of a small slice of pizza with just two toppings on it.

Frenchy's uses a wood-fired oven. The bottom of the crust was not crispy and was absent any degree of visible leoparding.

Darlin's Sweet Shoppe will not accept cash - only cards.

At least one other establishment (possibly 2) have signs posted indicating they will not provide any coin type change.

The majority of seating in the market area consists of flat steel or solid wood seat bottoms.

Them the facts and nothing but the facts...

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2135757)

"Darlin's Sweet Shoppe will not accept cash - only cards."

"This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private" ($1 bill, U.S. currency)

Originally Posted by daniel200 (Post 2142806)

Well, this kind of refusal to use currency has been around for a long, long time. Ever try to use cash to pay for a rental car? Very few will accept cash. I asked why this was once. They replied that boxes of cash were too often prone to theft and robbery. Cards eliminate this risk.

Originally Posted by daniel200 (Post 2142806)

Well, this kind of refusal to use currency has been around for a long, long time. Ever try to use cash to pay for a rental car? Very few will accept cash. I asked why this was once. They replied that boxes of cash were too often prone to theft and robbery. Cards eliminate this risk.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2138580)

It is a misnomer that The Villages calls them "country clubs". There is no membership requirement and no special rules. They don't look or function anything like a typical, private country club. They have no quiet areas where "members" can sit and talk or play cards. Basically, they are a bar, restaurant, and entertainment area that is open to the public. I think The Villages should rename them.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2142823)

I wondered why The Villages didn't make one or two of the Championship Courses a real country club business model - you pay a non equity initiation fee, annual dues, minimum food spend, add locker rooms?
Many would not join, but there seems to be enough who would

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki (Post 2142823)

I wondered why The Villages didn't make one or two of the Championship Courses a real country club business model - you pay a non equity initiation fee, annual dues, minimum food spend, add locker rooms?
Many would not join, but there seems to be enough who would

Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 2142857)

Think about how many complain about a $4 cookie, or $5 cup of coffee. Can you imagine them dropping $20,000 plus to join a exclusive country club?
Can’t imagine a retirement community being able to support a true country club. The private club we belonged to was $20,000 buy in at build. When only 23% wanted to buy in they opened to the public. The private clubs that prosper have clientele that still is working, and small percentage that has retired.

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2142809)

The coffee place there in Sawgrass is a disappointment. Average coffee at best with high prices - service is extremely slow, waited 20 minutes for my coffee, with only 3 people ahead of me, and 2 baristas working behind the counter.