Who’s HE?!? The developers are SHE’S now!

Developer owns and as far as I recall also operates McGrady’s. Owns Sawgrass building and rents to tenants there. Most importantly he definitely owns all the land.

Sawgrass
 

Install sound baffles, there are too many hard surfaces and nothing to absorb the sound it’s terrible. Adjust some of the prices on your food, except cash and give change as my money says it’s good for all legal tender. Improve the food and what it served on.

Lower prices and sound level.

Definitely better offering from food vendors. By that I mean better portions and pricing. No matter how the economy is today, there’s no reason to only have $15+ selections for a single serving of burgers, pizza or really small amount of calamari. If the claim is superior quality, my opinion is then lower a bit, including the prices.

Although probably late now, bring different owners to the concepts. When the same group operates the pizza, burger and seafood places (pretty much every main food area there), the same philosophy, operational concepts and strategies are just going to be the same, with a different menu.

A successful food hall, like Plant Street Market in Winter Garden (similar concept), is a collection of different ideas and visions from multiple backgrounds and goals.

Demo kitchen? Who is going to do the demo? For how many people? Are these private classes? You’ll have to run a demo every other hour to impact as many residents possible, if that’s the goal. Seems like the addition of more food offerings, will be a better use of space.

Local butcher? Where’s the beef? How long is needed to get that going?

We felt the same way. Walked in once, looked at options and prices and walked out. Seen no reason to return. I would definitely get rid of the uncomfortable seating. The noise is there felt
Like I was in a mall food court filled with noisy teenagers. We waited a long time for that place to open and are very disappointed. Didn’t realize that half the area was going to be a pro shop.

I managed a rather large staff and told them all the time that I was always open for ideas and changes but not complaints without solutions. "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

Yes McGrady’s and yes, market building, are developer owned. Yes, on any land within TV.
Early on The developer ran many restaurants in TV, including KB’s. As times have changed they started leasing out most.

The market is leased to the businesses, one person has the pizza, and burger place. Village grown is the developer, as is the pro shop. I am guessing the “Kitchen demo” is the developer also, which may or may not rent out its space for classes. Bakery, coffee and the (butcher, which has yet to open) are individual’s.

Let those that like it the way it is enjoy it the way it is PERIOD!!

It’s fun to go to on occasion
I would change the menu at the pub
Few selections

I like 3 of the food places in there and also like McGrady's. What they need is to have that entertainment venue to open. Unreal they haven't opened that up yet.

Ok stop the Costco campaign - they are one of my accounts - I asked and there are NO plans to come to TV for the next 3-4 years. and that was accompanied by a laugh. as in are you serious. so stop asking LOL

on to the main topic, changes to the market -

Cash is king - so standard methods of payment are madatory
change the options - less is more, i would reduce the number of food 'huts' and keep some items -

market - gone - it's a waste and sham
coffee shop - keep change location and place it in the market area - offering comfortable seating
speaking of seating all the high stools can find a dumptster - who's idea was it to sit people on totally uncomfortable chairs - the idea is to keep people there not get rid of them (a sign that the "current owner" is clueless)

Burgers - keep I'm hearing they aren't all too bad, maybe focusing the employees in one direction will make it better.
Fish - gone - too far overpriced to make any sense
Bar - price changes and better drink options. They don't even have a cocktail menu.... shame however glad to see PBR LOL
dessert - bye bye.

bet you're wondering what to do with all the extra space? make things larger - let the pub take on dinner and other business. The Market should be looked at as a different venue yet familiar.

Before I forget - sound baffles. who the heck thought none was a good idea - one person talks and no one can hear anything.

that's just the initial part. There's more but it's a start here, and then you make more changes.

Sawgrass
 

Lower the rent so a business does not have to overprice everything. This is not Disney. Disposable plates and flatware of better quality. Sound deadening. Definitely the food quality has to improve. Stop stealing the customers money, return the change owed or round down and except the loss because that practice is losing customers which is the result of stealing their money. Increase parking.

Market at Sawgrass Grove
 

My wife and I went in to the food court this weekend, and walked out inn10 minutes. TOO LOUD! Worst acoustics for any food court I've ever been in. Also, it lacked any feeling of comfort. Would never eat there.
What the owners will never know is how many people avoid the place because of its poor design.

Keep out all the complainers? The developer always has a bigger plan.. so when Eastport opens I'm sure all of these complaints about Sawgrass will be forgotten. Life is too short ❣️

More up close golf car parking. A covered walkway to the parking area. Delivery options for all food options.

Complaints
 

I worked for a boss like you. My job was to inform you what displeased your patrons not to solve your problems. If that was my job I would either be making a lot more money or it would be my business.

Need to add fabric that absorbs sound: carpet, cloth seating, cloth on ceilings, drapes, sound panels on walls, etc. Lower prices. No inside entertainment. Cheap liquor.

You nailed it.

lol

I still fly a lot for work and unfortunately had a few hours to kill in Newark (shudder). Sawgrass reminds me of that airport. In the middle of all the gates there are restaurants and bars with people walking all around you. Its loud and noisy, sometimes you are bumped by those passing behind you, and it just has that "food court" vibe to it.

Others have mentioned the need for sound deadening, which is critical. I think the main issue is the same as Newark....at normal capacity it would be just too busy of a place. Even a crowded restaurant is tolerable because once the adjoining tables are seated the only people walking by you are the employees. At Sawgrass its a constant. I think they need to somehow create a separation from places where you eat from where people walk. Maybe a half wall or a wood screener (11 Stunning Room Dividers that Prove Open Concept is Overrated | Wood room divider, Wood slat wall, Room partition designs ).

I also think they need to settle on the purpose of Sawgrass. Right now its a proshop, a mini vegetable shop, and a place to eat and drink. If they all have to remain, wall off the Proshop and Grow with a separate entrance. Make the bar larger with more seating. As others have mentioned better seats.

Put in more low top seating and comfortable chairs! Charge less to rent spaces so prices are not so high! The whole area seems cramped!

Owners are Genius
 

I think you figured it out. These people are very smart. They purposely made it uncomfortable exactly so people won't turn it into another Katie Belles's and hang there all day.

Can’t wait to see the prices at the Butcher when they open. Wonder if you will pay more there if you use a charge card or if they will be rounding up your bill if you pay with cash or if they will accept cash at all?
The wife and I were just there the other day around 1230 and the place looked like a ghost town, I think I saw maybe 6 people there milling around.
I personally was hoping for more out of Sawgrass, since it is only 1/2 a mile away from us I thought it would be our go to place for food & entertainment. As it stands right now it’s a **** poor attempt of a food court. Great idea but poor execution.
Maybe it did open too soon? Maybe in time it will get better, I’m hoping the latter.

Wonder if anyone working for the Developer will actually read this thread

Things will probably change once the entertainment starts.

We were in and out of there in less than 15 minutes...Boring !

I would enjoy seeing a more carnival type atmosphere.
Outdoor shooting gallery and a bowling game where you could win prizes. There could be a sunhat sales stand where you could get your name embroidered on your hat as well....remember that from the county fairs years ago ?
Then there should be a fresh fruit and vegetable market stand like the Saturday Brownwood market where prices are far more reasonable with fresher goods.
I would also incorporate a large beverage bar where you pick and pour your own drink(s) and next to that would be a Danish and donut extravaganza to choose from !
Very similar to an upscale foodmart where you serve yourself more or less.
A build your own pizza palace in there would be great also.
And on the weekend evenings I would contract stand up comic's and other likewise entertainers for some laughs.
If you desire music you can go to the squares for that.
People want to have big fun and entertain thier family and visitors when they come down to The Villages, not sip on a $5 cup of coffee and buy a $45 tee shirt,
No Thank's to that.

My votes the Carnival Concept for that place, it could be wildly
popular !

i agree. it should be fashioned as a town square, albeit a smaller one, but on the other hand, it needs time to grow. nothing is perfect overnite. let's see what happens before we tear it down

Let Market of Marion come in and take it over...;)

Great ideas! How about some ethnic restaurants. Soundproofing & windows would help.
 

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

I have not experienced Sawgrass yet but have seen the video and talked to friends who have been there. The first thing I heard about was the concessions who are change free. You don't get change back???? Is that even legal? It certainly isn't ethical. That was followed up by how high the prices are. Did I hear a $5 cup of coffee? And the noise!!!! My friends said you couldn't hear yourself think. Well, now I have absolutely no interest in going there which is a shame because I was really looking forward to it. Is there something wrong with business management in The Villages??? They couldn't keep Katie Belle's open, not profitable. They couldn't keep the Hacienda restaurant open, not profitable. Now Sawgrass. Also, businesses seem to come and go here faster than they should. Is the developer that incompetent in business management or just that greedy?

Frenchy’s Pizza, Willy’s Burgers, Little Fin Fish and the Butcher Shop are all leased and operated by the same group from Orlando. They have similar setups in and around Orlando.

Great question. The responses you get may be another matter. We don’t return to our home in TV until October, so we look forward to visiting Sawgrass and seeing for ourselves. Long distance, we see the problems that are mentioned as eventually being resolved. Neither the Developer nor the business owners are stupid. They will eventually recognize the problems and adjust. If they don’t, the businesses will be replaced by those that do. The location is simply too attractive to be ignored by savvy businesses. Also, keep in mind that the gathering area is still not complete, the outdoor bars are not open and the entertainment has not started. Sawgrass is clearly a work in progress. We are eager to visit Sawgrass and check it out.

Friendliest home town
 

how about all villagers with id get 15% discount for themselves and their entourage

Never been there and don't even know where the heck it is, so I don't care.

The Developer and family built this place and have become Billionaires so do not think you can call them incompetent at all. They are in business and looking to maximize their profitability. If the prices are too high or rent too high at some point they will be adjustments made

For my part the price is the main thing. I know the stores in there are all independent and probably set their own price but it is just too expensive. As one poster said, you are getting what is basically fast food at the price point of a nice sit down restaurant.

No, why would they read or participate in a bash session. They have tenets, as long as they pay rent, there are no problems. Developer successfully has run this place along time.
It takes years for venues from start to finish. Supply chain has changed their process, and May for years to come,

I truly believe Jennifer was very happy and excited how Sawgrass came together. The area fits very well for clean up of spilled food and drink.

The team picked out the interior decor, furniture, during their vmail was very happy as it was coming together. As far as the high top, they are in every bar, and nobody seems to mind using those. I agree the chairs would work better in a ice cream shop, but once the venue opens up outside how Many will mill around inside.

Cost is not in my top 5 issues if the food is good. But we do frequent Disney springs, Tampa and Orlando for restaurants and none of them are ever cheap

Entertainment opening will help
 

My husband and I have eaten there several times. We split what we eat so the prices haven’t been an issue. The burger and pizza were fine.

We enjoy popping in for Boston lettuce at the Villages Grown as well.

We have tried several items at Darlin’s, I like the $4 cookies and ice cream. Husband enjoys the Key Lime Pie.

I expect to the entertainment starts to be more of an excuse for people to be here and we look forward to the building have a more buzz.

We are also very grateful to have an option with those sorts of different items being very close to home and would be very disappointed to have it close or become a golf shop so we intend to continue to support it.

I agree. Demolish it and build a real town square.