Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2136145)

There are a lot of complaints about The Market at Sawgrass Grove.

If you owned it and could make any changes, what would you do?

Originally Posted by Rainger99 (Post 2136145)

There are a lot of complaints about The Market at Sawgrass Grove.

If you owned it and could make any changes, what would you do?

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2136282)

Is that a fair question when The Market at Sawgrass Grove isn’t completely open yet? Do you mean after the complete experience has been taken in?

If I was shortsighted and only had what is there now, I think I would concentrate on discounting drinks more to attract larger crowds. Then I would integrate outside activities coordinated by a marketing group to perpetuate reoccurring interest in the area. Advertising specials in food, drinks and events could go a long way. Bring in a Bubba’s type place like in Leesburg for area fish specials and throw in a Gator Joes/Rusty Bucket (Tarpon Area). Maybe even do a Homosassa type Freezer Tiki Bar?

Keep the theme, but expand the tangents by going with a Floridian theme like a beach or citrus area or something. Wine tasting would certainly be in there with local wineries , cheeses etc. Where the heck does Scottland come into play?

Originally Posted by LAFwUs (Post 2136322)

>>If you owned it and could make any changes, what would you do?<<

wouldn't this be like trying to pour the milk back in the glass after its spilled on the floor?

The reality of Sawgrass is a big let down for nearly everyone that has gone.
Myself, family, friends & several neighbors included.
A business cannot get that lost initial momentum (customers / rep) back, let alone several combined businesses (many of which were not/could not even open - at the initial opening) in what is a very poorly executed venue, weird biz formats & super edgy practices in a generally 55yr and older community = bad mix!

Starting over may not be a bad thing,! Ditch who ever thought the current platform had any chance of success and fall back to what has clearly worked in other villages/areas.
That might be a good start, but it would require some people acknowledging that there is a problem in the first place, and secondly, its not going to fix itself with time.

Originally Posted by Bitsee (Post 2136512)

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 !

Originally Posted by Dotneko (Post 2136612)

Love it!!! Skeeball, minigolf. I would be up there every night! The putting course right now needs windmills lol.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 2136566)

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

Originally Posted by thelegges (Post 2136562)

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

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2136163)

That sounds great, however, I was thinking demolish it and start over. Think: better facilities, better food, reasonable pricing, and pay options that serve patrons needs or desires.
I don't expect it will improve with time. If enough people tolerate the prices and practices, even though they don't like it, then the business has no motivation to change.

Originally Posted by LAFwUs (Post 2136322)

>>If you owned it and could make any changes, what would you do?<<

wouldn't this be like trying to pour the milk back in the glass after its spilled on the floor?

The reality of Sawgrass is a big let down for nearly everyone that has gone.
Myself, family, friends & several neighbors included.
A business cannot get that lost initial momentum (customers / rep) back, let alone several combined businesses (many of which were not/could not even open - at the initial opening) in what is a very poorly executed venue, weird biz formats & super edgy practices in a generally 55yr and older community = bad mix!

Starting over may not be a bad thing,! Ditch who ever thought the current platform had any chance of success and fall back to what has clearly worked in other villages/areas.
That might be a good start, but it would require some people acknowledging that there is a problem in the first place, and secondly, its not going to fix itself with time.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2136672)

Wonder why this did not become the fourth town square?

Originally Posted by rogerrice60 (Post 2136684)

Totally agree with your analysis!
We are very disappointed with this "downsized " Square!!
Prices are high & very little to do there!

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna (Post 2136699)

I’ve heard the following complaints which have lead to my decision to never visit there. Fix the following and maybe I’ll reconsider.

— Inside the noise is painfully loud.
—Prices are outrageously high

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 2136700)

Announced September 2021

The Villages has christened its newest town center with a nod to the Morse family’s Michigan roots.

The new town center will be known as Eastport and will include The Villages’ well-known mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. Eastport will be located north of Central Parkway (County Road 470) and east of Marsh Bend Trail.

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr (Post 2136566)

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

Originally Posted by bogie shooter (Post 2136700)

announced september 2021

the villages has christened its newest town center with a nod to the morse family’s michigan roots.

The new town center will be known as eastport and will include the villages’ well-known mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. Eastport will be located north of central parkway (county road 470) and east of marsh bend trail.

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC (Post 2136351)

Perhaps they should have run this entire concept with someone with real restaurant experience. Sounds like the owners are a bunch of amateurs

Originally Posted by bigsteph (Post 2136762)

i just think a lot of villagers are middle-class folks looking for a reasonable meal at a reasonable price.

I would turn the market-side of saw grass into an s&k/morrison cafeteria and watch the villagers on a fixed income stack up at 3pm for early dinner and lines continue until early evening.

I suspect for every person who frequents saw grass, there is another 5 who could be captured with more moderate prices. I suspect a vegetable plate with a piece of garlic bread, and a nice berry cobbler would sell out every night for most retirement locations. Here though, we all have to be younger than we are, and wealthier than we are -- to be otherwise is to be in the uncool kids club.

Originally Posted by loweglor (Post 2136533)

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?

Originally Posted by Tom359 (Post 2136733)

This just makes no sense. If you watch the progress videos, most of the vendors have successful restaurants in Orlando and are trying to make them work here in the villages. You can disagree with the pricing/quality, but not the experience of the vendors.

Originally Posted by bark4me (Post 2136813)

I can't agree more

Originally Posted by dewilson58 (Post 2136814)

108 posts ahead you..................:shrug:

Originally Posted by SeaCros (Post 2136809)

Nothing. It’s a place that is so different from what is used to in TVLG so current residents have nothing but bad feelings about anything NEW. The vision of TVLG seems like it wants to evolve and do different things. Future brings change and many can’t seem to handle it.
“If you don’t like the music, change the station “

Originally Posted by shueburruss (Post 2136823)

I agree, most people as they age don’t take well to change.
The Sawgrass concept is new for The Villages. I think when snow birds return and when the music stage opens business will thrive at Sawgrass.
If not, changes will happen.
It seems every time a new business opens in The Villages the reaction is the same, “prices too high, too noisy, won’t go back, place will never make it”. And the majority of those places are still in business.
Time will tell for Sawgrass. I am looking forward to trying something new when we return next month.

Originally Posted by TrapX (Post 2136825)

Developer sells houses because of the amenities. House sales are where the huge profits come from. Developer needs to look at the big picture. Make sawgrass into somewhere people really want to go to. That draws people here to buy those thousands of new houses.
Fix the acoustics, seating, etc. That's easy. Developer should give something back to all the residents and fix the high prices with providing free rent.
An amenity like Sawgrass should be something that attracts home buyers. It's not doing that. Quite the opposite.

Originally Posted by midiwiz (Post 2136456)

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.

Originally Posted by TrapX (Post 2136825)

Developer sells houses because of the amenities. House sales are where the huge profits come from. Developer needs to look at the big picture. Make sawgrass into somewhere people really want to go to. That draws people here to buy those thousands of new houses.
Fix the acoustics, seating, etc. That's easy. Developer should give something back to all the residents and fix the high prices with providing free rent.
An amenity like Sawgrass should be something that attracts home buyers. It's not doing that. Quite the opposite.