Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

How about a Mexican restaurant up on 42? Not a fancy chain or anything, just a good Mexican Restaurant and also a restaurant for good coffee up on the "Northern" end of the Villages.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I'm from Houston and I really miss good Mexican food. The palces here are terrible, wrong ingredients, bad meat, little portions of meat, etc. I would probably sell my soul for a good Mexican resturant like Pappasitos or Ninfas.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

El Ranchero, Monterrey, Rio Bravo or La Paz would be nice. ON HWY 42!!!!! Not that I'm irritated or anything. Sheesh.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

For all you DD fans in Spanish Springs. Try Panera. We have found it to be as good as DD. Especially their travel cup. No waiting in line for just a cup of coffee. Check it out!

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

If you want up-scale atmosphere, food and service as you describe it, prepare to pay upscale prices. There is no free lunch. The primary reason you don't see more of this kind of restaurant in these parts.....is that the demographic will not support their business if meal costs are beyond a certain point. There are those, like you, who would patronize an upscale place from time-to-time. However, the simple fact of the matter is that a larger percentage of the population here will not patronize high-end purveyors because of higher prices. It's business and smart entrepreneurs will work the numbers vis-a-vis the prospective clientele's income and spending habits. But that said, things may change as the first big wave of baby-boomers begin to retire in '08. Their spending patterns, tastes and lifestyle preferences are different than the current retiree population. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Any predictions?

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Being a baby boomer myself..and living on a budget to retire early.. I will not predict on the influx of boomers to follow. You have to remember that all baby boomers are not rich..or have..or had high paying jobs.

I know that the Villages is wooing the more affluent, while resales will catch the eye of the less bountiful.

There is room for us all, not matter our finances which is why it is such a great place to live. My amenities pay for the same things as those with larger bank accounts. I am just as rich in happiness, health, family, and love.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Kitria:

Thanks and well said. I fully understand the various economic strata that comprise the Boomer generation. We come from all walks of life, lifestyles and jobs and we all have different expectations concerning retirement. I was responding to EJW's wish to have an upscale restraurant locate here. It distill down to a simple business decision. Consider a couple of simple business models. First, low price, low overhead, high volume....this works here...its proven. Second, high price, high overhead, low volume....this is risky here. Eg. 200 transactions per night x $20 per transaction versus 50 transactions per night x $80 per transaction. High-end restaurants establish where there are lots high-end spenders. It's a business decision.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

i miss Borders Books - they seemed to have better selection than the Barnes and Noble at Sumter Landing. :read:

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Costco, Trader Joes and Olive Garden! There is a new coffee shop at Baylee Plaza which has great coffee and fabulous breakfast sandwiches etc.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I would love to see The Original Pancake House. Now don't confuse this with IHOP. Definitely not close to being the same. Original Pancake House is famous for their Apple Pancake. It takes three people to eat one Apple Pancake. And it is so good. We have this restaurant on the East Coast of Fla. Md., N. C. just to name a few states. Once you trythis restaurant you are hooked.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

AMEN! THANKS!

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

We do need a fabric/craft store. WalMart has nothing to speak of. I hate to go shopping outside of The Villages.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I'd like to see Sweet Tomatoes!

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Love Trader Joes and I miss Costco. BJ's would be nice. We need a Macy's too.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

How would anybody think a good needlepoint store would do in the villages? I owned a store in Boca Raton for 14 years. I really thought I would be able to open here however, after talking to a lot of people , it seems no one needlepoints????? I would appreciate any in put anyone can give me. It would appear like a good idea but I heard that 2 craft stores closed in the villages ? We have only been here 6 weeks. So we are still in the thinking stage before we jump into something. Anxious to hear your comments.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I ALSO HAD HEARD THAT THAT THE STRIP ALONGSIDE OF BRUSTER'S WOULD HOUSE: OLIVE GARDEN AND RED LOBSTER BUT WAS TOLD THAT MARION IS BLOCKING ALL NEW BUSINESSES IN THAT AREA. THOSE RESTAURANTS WOULD DEFINITELY BE A GREAT ADDITION TO THE MULBERRY LANE BUSINESSES AND ADDING DUNKIN DONUTS WOULD REALLY TOP IT OFF. DON'T KNOW HOW OTHERS FEEL ABOUT IT BUT I THINK A GOOD "BREAKFAST" RESTAURANT WOULD ALSO BE A WELCOME SIGHT, GOING OUT FOR BREAKFAST AFTER AN EARLY TEE TIME WOULD BE GREAT.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

We need a hardware store in Spanish Springs with less grouchy check out clerks.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

[quote=jeansharon ]
I ALSO HAD HEARD THAT THAT THE STRIP ALONGSIDE OF BRUSTER'S WOULD HOUSE: OLIVE GARDEN AND RED LOBSTER BUT WAS TOLD THAT MARION IS BLOCKING ALL NEW BUSINESSES IN THAT AREA.

I agree a great breakfast/lunch/light dinner fare (i.e. maybe a diner) would do great up at the northern end of the villages. As a business owner along that strip, I am aware that Marion County has NOT been blocking any development, however rising construction costs and impact fees do play a significant role in deciding where to place a business.

In the area just past the Publix monument sign, there is planned another pharmacy, bank and possibly a movie theater or bowling alley. This is not on Villages proper, but adjacent to the east end of the Publix area.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Wegmans definitely. I would also like to see UNO - good food and very reasonable. I would also love to see a Macys. I miss having a mall nearby but it saves me a lot of money!

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Kudos on the Wegman's store. The only reason I hate leaving Central New York is because of Wegmans. I stock up on as many products as I can before I leave and have things either brought down or sent down when I run out. Come on Don, bring a store down to 'The Villages' or Lady Lake area. It would be another success for sure. There is not another grocery store like it in the nation and I guess that's why it's ranked number one.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Olive Garden! Olive Garden! Olive Garden! anywhere in The Villages. Please

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Please Please Please - Will someone open a restaurant serving good quality fresh produce that ISN'T FRIED - every restaurant you go into has the same darn thing e.g. burgers, wings, fried everything ..trying to get some decent and imaginately cooked vegtables ...you might as well fly to Mars !!! Oh and p.s. can it please stay open until at least 11:30 and have some very soft background music, table cloths, candlelight and staff that will offer you a coffee and a liquer after your meal ...doesn't anyone in this country finish a good dinner with a coffee and a brandy or port ??? It always gets offered in the UK in the USA it almost never does !! Why ???

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Costco...Trader Joe's...Whole Foods

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

TRADER JOE'S would be awesome to have here and golf cart accessible!!!!!!!!!

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Great. We would have seventy year olds modeling designer Depends.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

ROTFLMAO

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I agree with the person who wrote in regarding a White Castle or Krystals. You either love 'em or hate 'em. Also, the closest Sam Ashe is down in Orlando. They would blow the one music store in Mulberry out of the water would they put a small facility up here.

Jerry Jackson
(Calumet Grove)

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Grouchy check out clerks at the Spanish Springs Hardware store do not make the Villages an unfriendly place. The Villages is a wonderful place. The store is privately owned. It is like anywhere else in the world. There are places where the managment seems not to notice that the customers are being chased away. There are grouchy clerks in Boise, Idaho, San Diego, Califoriania, and Syracuse, New York. ;D

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I'm not ... yet ... a Villages resident, but I'd like to see some of the following within golf cart range: Costco, BJ's, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, JC Penney, Michael's, Red Lobster, Pizza Hut.

I understand there's a new place in Spanish Springs that will feature New Orleans style, Dixieland jazz. However, I'd love to see a nice bar/nightclub (and radio station) with the jazz focus being such stylists as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, etc. 8)

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

OK, here's my three cents, (all duplicates!):

a GOOD Mexican restaurant;
Costco
Trader Joes ("2-buck chuck" and so many other great things!)

But I think we'll be happy with what is already here... ahhh flexibility!

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Costco is our choice. A major mall would be nice.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Getting a Trader Joe's would be WONDERFUL!!! We move to our home in TV next fall and we have contacted both Trader Joe's (TJ) and TV to ask that they please talk to each other to work out a store in TV. TV says that TJs has to call them first. TJs says TV has to call them first. I hope TV will take the initiative and contact TJs. TJs could not offer a store in the Southeast until they opened their distribution center in Atlanta, which they have done this past year. However, Trader Joe's is in such demand, I suspect they have all the major metropolitan areas beating down their doors, begging them to locate a store nearby. I am still hopeful that TV will recognize how many Villagers miss TJs, and take the first step and contact TJs. Just look at the consistent thread of notes about Trader Joe's in the messages below.

Who is the best person at TV to get this word to? Trader Joe's is something so many people would benefit from. For the person who asked, Trader Joe's calls itself a 'specialty grocery' store. Everything is unique, delicious and many items are at wonderful prices. We love their "Two Buck Chuck" wine - a CA wine made by Charles Shaw. By the time it makes it to the east coast, shipping has raised the price to $3.29, but an incredible value for a quite good wine. Love their desserts, sesame honey coated cashews, $2 boxes of cereal, huge bouquets of flowers (more than twice what we can get at the grocery store for $4) for $5.99, gourmet cheeses, cinnamon coated almonds, and so many other things that just aren't available at a regular grocery store. Lettuce, beer, wine, specialty cheeses, half and half, veggie and birds nest tempura (frozen), orange chicken (frozen), Taquitos & soft tacos (frozen), broccoli & cheese quiche (frozen0, boneless pork chops (fresh), bananas and clementies are regular items I will find it very hard to live without or to have to pay higher grocery store prices.

I see so many notes below about people's love of Trader Joe's. How can we organize ourselves and make our desires know to the appropriate people at TV? Any suggestions?

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I heard Sweet Tomatoes will be building on Buffalo Ridge. That will be great. Whatever comes, please make it golf cart accessable! We don't use our car unless absolutely necessary.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I would like to see a Ted's Montana Grill.

The only bad thing for villager's is their specialty is bison. Some people here would say they wouldn't like it for that but take a look at their menu. I feed the buffalo myself. I like them also. They are friendly.

But the bison is great to eat. And good for you!

We have 2 Ted's Montana restaurants in Indy.

http://www.tedsmontanagrill.com/

Anyone else eaten there?

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

We bought some ground bison at the grocery store and did not like it. The taste was just not good. I had eaten at Ted's in Atlanta prior to the grocery store bison but didn't have the bison burger. The next time I was at Ted's, I decided to try the bison burger and it was great. I wouldn't hesitate to have another. And the fat content is lower than beef.

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

I agree with Sweet Tomatoes! It is just the right price point for the people of the Villages. I very often try to get there when I am in Orlando. I would also like to see a Trader Joe's. I have not personally been to one, but my sister and mother have told me how wonderful they are. Sounds good to me!
:clap2:

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Add Trader Joe's to my list.

Above is the e-mail address for Ted's E-mail them and let them know we are here and waiting.

Here is the e-mail address for Trader Joes let them know what they are missing. Flood them with e-mails!!!!!!!! Mine is already there.

http://www.traderjoes.com/product_information_form.aspx

Re: Is there a particular store or restaurant that you would like to see here?
 

Sorry to report bad news from Trader Joe's. They sent me a very nice reply to my email requesting that they build a TJ's in the Villages. They explained why they can't do that anytime in the near future. I'm so disappointed!
Here's their reply:

Hello,

We appreciate your suggestions and enthusiasm regarding opening a store in Florida. We regret to inform you that at this time we have no confirmed plans for a store location in this area.

We are always looking for new locations and are open to suggestions and we appreciate the information you have provided. It truly shows us what a great fan you are of our stores when you scout locations for us! We will keep your recommendations in our files for future consideration.

We do have plans on coming to the state. However, due to lack of warehousing and vendors to supply product, we do not have the capabilities to yet supply the area. At this time this state in not in the Trader Joe's 2-year plan.

Thank you for your inquiry and thank you for shopping at Trader Joe's .

Kellye
Trader Joe's
Customer Relations