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.

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.

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.

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?:shrug:

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

Where did you get this info?
Many? Often?

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.

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

I believe he's talking about commercial property.