[JSR22]

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.

In SE Florida there a number of private equity country clubs that cater to seniors. I the 90s my parents bought a home in Wycliffe Golf and Country Club. The equity was 40,000.
I think if they made Glenview private equity the memberships would sell out very quickly.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by JSR22

In SE Florida there a number of private equity country clubs that cater to seniors. I the 90s my parents bought a home in Wycliffe Golf and Country Club. The equity was 40,000.
I think if they made Glenview private equity the memberships would sell out very quickly.

All they need is 1% of villagers to join. The equity cash is equal to hundred of thousands of rounds of golf. Add on $10k in dues???

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by JSR22

In SE Florida there a number of private equity country clubs that cater to seniors. I the 90s my parents bought a home in Wycliffe Golf and Country Club. The equity was 40,000.
I think if they made Glenview private equity the memberships would sell out very quickly.

If any CC thought it would be a lucrative to go private, it would have been a done deal years ago. Think of the equity that could have built up for over 20 plus years, and yet not one course has put forth a proposal to the residents. There must be reasons for staying public. Glenview does have tiny locker room, but it would have to be 10 times the size to go private.

[Kingsport]

On September 25, we stopped at Sawgrass for a cookie. It was about 2:00. Better atmosphere than our first visit just after the OP. We got our cookie from Darlin’s. They also have a nice selection of cakes in the side display (I did not know this until I saw a GoldWingNut video). We bought a piece of “Florida Orange Cake” that was absolutely delicious. Music from McGrady’s wafted across the “square.” People were eating and drinking. I agree the place has its flaws. I think it has potential.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Kingsport

Music from McGrady’s wafted across the “square.”

The last time I was there, the seating at Sawgrass was behind closed doors. Could you still hear the music from McGrady's?

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by VApeople

The last time I was there, the seating at Sawgrass was behind closed doors. Could you still hear the music from McGrady's?

There is outside seating on the east side of the building with access from inside, it's been there since they first opened, not a lot but enough to go out with a drink and relax with a few friends.

[Jerseygirl08]

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...

.
I was there about a month ago. I found the whole Market setup WEIRD, unfriendly, not worth ever returning to this place. I feel badly for the people who bought homes down there, expecting a cool "square". What they got - and are getting - is not a friendly-enjoyable place to visit. Sad.

[Jerseygirl08]

Originally Posted by JRP2TV

I haven't used cash or coins in years. Using a card and paying it in full each month is much easier, cleaner and profitable with perks.

Until you get charged to use your card. Or, even better, your card gets lifted by a thief or scammer. Good old cash comes in handy, IMHO.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by asianthree

If any CC thought it would be a lucrative to go private, it would have been a done deal years ago. Think of the equity that could have built up for over 20 plus years, and yet not one course has put forth a proposal to the residents. There must be reasons for staying public. Glenview does have tiny locker room, but it would have to be 10 times the size to go private.

You are right, i think the head aches would outweigh the benefits.

[Smalley]

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...

Sounds like a pizza rip-off and a tedious experience. Sorry!

[TrapX]

Does anyone know where the funding came from to build Sawgrass? And who owns it now? Where does the rent go? Who maintains it?
If "we" paid for it, could the rent be drastically lowered so that we get the benefits of it?
Lower costs will drive selling prices down. That attracts more business and happier residents.
Wouldn't it be so much better if there were dozens of posts all over the internet raving about how great it is.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl08

Until you get charged to use your card. Or, even better, your card gets lifted by a thief or scammer. Good old cash comes in handy, IMHO.

A few places are charging to use the card but not many and not much of a charge. My number has been compromised once (over 10 years ago) and after I canceled the card I had to use my backup card for a week - annoying, but not too much trouble.

Good old cash is handy until you don't have enough in your pocket, it falls out of your pocket, someone takes it out of your pocket, or you have to pay exorbitant ATM fees to put more into your pocket. A simple piece of plastic (two with a backup) eliminates all of that.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by TrapX

Does anyone know where the funding came from to build Sawgrass? And who owns it now? Where does the rent go? Who maintains it?
If "we" paid for it, could the rent be drastically lowered so that we get the benefits of it?
Lower costs will drive selling prices down. That attracts more business and happier residents.
Wouldn't it be so much better if there were dozens of posts all over the internet raving about how great it is.

I would think the developer financed (either directly or vis bank loans) and owns it... Just like they do with the other shopping areas and town squares on TV property...

[laboutj]

I was also down there this past Sunday and unfortunately it's a case of one and done for us. We thought everything inside was overpriced. Lunch at McGrady's was good and they had a decent selection of beers on tap, but lunch was also pricey: $20 for bangers and mash and $19 for fish and chips. There is no comparison between the fish and chips from Havana and the fish and chips from McGrady's for the same price.

However the happy hour half price drafts are a good deal.

[Stu from NYC]

Wow so many negative comments and have to believe them. Luckily lots of other places we like