[retiredguy123]

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.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by Laker14

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.

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

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

Totally agree. Just call them restaurants.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by JSR22

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

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

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

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

The priority pool membership is inexpensive.

[lynne]

Originally Posted by Graspher

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...

We visited the Market of Sawgrass on 10/2. Daily Sun is advertising their entertainment schedule. Expected to sit outside and listen to some music. Not so - that area is fenced off. Entertainment is inside - one singer and accoustics not great for his singing.

Looked at a couple menus - the Lobster Roll for $28 turned us away.

Walked through the Villages Grown - an ear of corn for $1.39 .....

Won't be going back soon.

[Freehiker]

I don't know what the holdup is on Sawgrass Grove, but I think they are doing more harm than good at this point by having it partially open. If the bands were playing and people were out having a great time, then the lively atmosphere might help make up for the struggles they are having inside of the building.

All you're getting now is average food, very high prices and poor service. I don't see a lot of people having fun or seem to be enjoying themselves.

Hopefully it will improve once they get everything running but it's just not worth it for us right now.

[daniel200]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

"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)

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.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by daniel200

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.

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.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by daniel200

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.

I don't know of any retail store in The Villages that won't accept cash, except Darlins.

I think that rental car companies require a credit card so they can charge it if you damage the car or don't return it. The same applies to Redbox when you rent movies. I would read these contract agreements very carefully.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

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

[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

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

I’ve heard that was the original plan for Glenview but didn’t work out for some reason.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

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

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.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by asianthree

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.

Another factor is a relatively small window where you can physically play the game.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

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.

What in the world???? Did they go to Colombia to obtain the beans for crying out loud?