[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

If you don’t live in the SS area why would your opinion really mean anything if you’re not a frequent visitor.
The post, I live south SS and never go there, SO WHAT? Who cares if you don’t? You have really added nothing.

WOW!! The point is that the expansion south and its new venues creates a situation where fewer people are traveling north to SS. That is verified by the many comments.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Blueblaze

Not sure why anyone would care how often someone south of 44 comes to Spanish. For the thousands of us who live on the North side, the apparent exodus is very concerning -- and stupid, if there is no plan to revitalize it. If Spanish dies, it will hurt all of our home values -- even you folks down South. Why would someone buy the "lifestyle", even below 44, if it becomes obvious that the current developer generation is just going to jerk the rug out, the moment all the new houses are sold?

As for the notion that nobody goes to Spanish for music any more, try to find a parking spot next January. We don't even bother trying to get in during the high season. You can't even find a place to park a golfcart. There is PLENTY of traffic. If it's dying from lack of interest, it certainly isn't the Villagers who are the problem.

Good post, agree. I would add that part of the problem with SS is that new homes aren’t being sold in the area so attractions have been diverted south to put a shine on that area, at the expense of SS. Spanish Springs used to have a weekly farmers market, got equal bookings for the most popular bands, was the focus of many “special events”, and had a happy “two” hours. By moving most of that south, patrons that support the business have followed the attractions. I don’t fault the developers for closing Katie Bells or the movie theater, but diverting attractions away from the area has definitely not helped. And as much I hated to see the recent closings of three establishments in the square, all three places were basically bars that served mediocre and unhealthy pub food with very inconsistent service and attracted late night clientele that frequently showed up in the police log. Hopefully the closed establishments will be replaced with respectable businesses that aren’t late night hangouts for younger trouble making non Villagers.

[MrChip72]

SS is the most inferior setup of all of the squares as far as watching the live entertainment. Limited seating and sightlines, and the acoustics are all over the place. Not a very good restaurant selection, we went to Bella Vita and it was BAD, worst restaurant in TV hands down for service and food. We went to Costa Verde and it was average but double the price of the non-Villages places with similar quality offerings. We go to Brownwood all the time and Sawgrass on occasion, same with LSL if it's a band we want to see. It's possible/likely that we will not visit SS ever again other than going to The Sharon for shows.

[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by kansasr

Perhaps you need to take a drive around that area as the residents in that area would argue that there are "few" of them. To the east you have Silver Lake, Country Club and Orange Blossom with over 2,800 homes in those 3 villages.

I don't think the problem is the number of residents.

You're right that the problem is not the number of residents. Many of those homes have an excess of people, often three generations living in a smaller home even.

It's unfortunate, but Silver Lake and Orange Blossom are the high drug use areas of TV. The people involved in that are unlikely to be dining at the fancy restaurants in Spanish Springs. Every week I read in the paper about people from those areas being arrested for drugs or violent crimes. Fortunately, it seems to be isolated to those Villages and you almost never see anything like that south of LSL. It seems obvious that the people into that sort of thing actively choose those specific Villages to move into.

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

You're right that the problem is not the number of residents. Many of those homes have an excess of people, often three generations living in a smaller home even.

It's unfortunate, but Silver Lake and Orange Blossom are the high drug use areas of TV. The people involved in that are unlikely to be dining at the fancy restaurants in Spanish Springs. Every week I read in the paper about people from those areas being arrested for drugs or violent crimes. Fortunately, it seems to be isolated to those Villages and you almost never see anything like that south of LSL. It seems obvious that the people into that sort of thing actively choose those specific Villages to move into.

Really?

[Ignatz]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Better, well rounded, holistic ………
I went to Sawgrass once, was not impressed. How does this statement help anything.
Or for that matter for me to repeat the statement on multiple threads as some posters continually do, accomplishes nothing.
Let’s face it, those citing all these issues (restaurants closing) even if new places were opened…..would not drive from south of 44 to SS twice or even once a week to give them support.
Sorry I don’t see the connection.

Nonsense! We go up to SS periodically because we really like Kilwins and Amerikanos. However it’s a long distance to get there. Maybe we’d go more often if there were some other draws for us there. As of now those draws are Sam’s Club, Target, and Chic Fil A. So yes those of us in the south can impact SS businesses.

[Rwirish]

The new restaurant, Bella Vista is outstanding.

Planet Fitness is not located in SS. Genesis Health which is located in SS is relocating to the Rialto.

[jimdecastro]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

It seems Spanish Springs will need a major investment of capital in the next 3 to 5 years.
Bottom line, Developer needs/wants to keep rents strong and flowing in. We all see an office building getting a facelift every 20 or 30 years. Same concept.

Are the loss of the 3 restaurants recently a sign (not to mention some of the other places that closed - that wine/beer place)?

SS is in a tough location - I think of amount of housing in all 4 directions. SS doesn’t have many villagers to the north or east.
That was okay when it was only SS and LSL - it was a reasonable drive from LSL area to SS.
Now, those around LSL, can go south, not only to Brownwood, but Sawgrass and soon 2 more areas.
Residents around Brownwood and south, will do the same thing, traveling north to SS less frequently,

UNLESS - SS gets a renovation. New concept, new retail new restaurants.

So the point is they are renovating for money? What if they DIDN'T renovate? I am impressed they are putting money where they aren't selling homes anymore. By the way, I am south of Sawgrass.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

WOW!! The point is that the expansion south and its new venues creates a situation where fewer people are traveling north to SS. That is verified by the many comments.

Watching retirement developments demographics and economics life cycle in real time. A great MBA business case for both the developer from a growth location to a mature, commodity location. .

damn it, i did it again.. .
stupid former employed brain. .

former employed guy

[kansasr]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

Really?

You are much kinder in your response than I would have been......such ignorance.

[skippy05]

SS pattern of decline is the same as the days of the old mall area falling into decline because of the new mall area pulling the commerce in its direction. Just drive down to Leesburg's Lake Square mall area to see how the former glory is long gone. In most cases even revitalizing efforts are short lived and the retail area is doomed. Get ready to embrace a struggling GNC and an abundance of shoe stores and short lived mom and pop retail.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

You're right that the problem is not the number of residents. Many of those homes have an excess of people, often three generations living in a smaller home even.

It's unfortunate, but Silver Lake and Orange Blossom are the high drug use areas of TV. The people involved in that are unlikely to be dining at the fancy restaurants in Spanish Springs. Every week I read in the paper about people from those areas being arrested for drugs or violent crimes. Fortunately, it seems to be isolated to those Villages and you almost never see anything like that south of LSL. It seems obvious that the people into that sort of thing actively choose those specific Villages to move into.

Where did you get this info?
Many? Often?

[ThirdOfFive]

I don't think that restaurants closing are necessarily a barometer of the business potential in an area. Statistically 80% of restaurants close within five years of opening. The restaurants that closed definitely had issues: I doubt that they'd have made it no matter which square they occupied. The restaurants that have started up there recently are excellent in my opinion and seem to have no problem attracting customers.

The squares are distinct from one another and all have different "vibes". Personally, I very much like the more laid-back atmosphere of Spanish Springs; seems not as rushed as LSL and Brownwood and parking is generally (though for sure not always) easier to find.

AND they have Kilwin's.

[Robojo]

Originally Posted by Ham_and_Cheese

I've been thinking the same while I've been looking at houses for sale and where we might want to buy

Is the "north" getting outdated? Is the "middle" the best place to buy? Or is the "south" going to be the place to be in the coming years?

These are some of the questions I ask myself while browsing the homes for sale
.

I would reccomend renting for a year before you buy. I'm glad I did.

[RosiePosie]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Does the Developer have "that many" rentals in the area??

Brownwood, yes............but in SS??

I believe he's talking about commercial property.