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.