[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Normal

You are being too pragmatic in a situation where academics were used instead of real world common sense. The idea likely looked good on paper?

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

[Bikehike]

Originally Posted by Normal

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?

Great ideas they should hire you as a consultant

[thelegges]

Since Sawgrass is developer owned, nothing is going to change. Most of sawgrass is open, except for butcher, and one other spot. Haven’t had coffee yet, we go way to late.
The outside venue looks like it will be months. Which doesn’t involve inside, except for the crowds filtering in to buy from their menu.
With all the rain everyday, entertainment has been spotty at best due to lighting.

Since the next venue, square, oval, round, will be in Middleton area, with a plethora of shopping, sawgrass is replacing the CC that is at every championship, except for HH.

That may change when next championship are built, or we may see a repeat of sawgrass
Either way the developer has the last say

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Since Sawgrass is developer owned, nothing is going to change.

When you say developer owned, what do you mean? Does he own McGrady's and the Market? Or does he own the land and the buildings and rent them out to private people? Does the developer own the McDonalds and the Publix at Magnolia?

[Chi-Town]

I would wait to see the finished product.

[Papa_lecki]

They were trying something new. When it’s finished, it could be nice

The inside, is loud and bad acoustically, that can be fixed.
I also dont get the Scottish restaurant tied into a florida orange grove themed place. I guess the Scottish theme works with the rec center that’s golf themed, but they only share parking lot. I would have gone with a more florida themed restaurant.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Since Sawgrass is developer owned, nothing is going to change. Most of sawgrass is open, except for butcher, and one other spot. Haven’t had coffee yet, we go way to late.
The outside venue looks like it will be months. Which doesn’t involve inside, except for the crowds filtering in to buy from their menu.
With all the rain everyday, entertainment has been spotty at best due to lighting.

Since the next venue, square, oval, round, will be in Middleton area, with a plethora of shopping, sawgrass is replacing the CC that is at every championship, except for HH.

That may change when next championship are built, or we may see a repeat of sawgrass
Either way the developer has the last say

Here is the thing, like him or not he and his people are brilliant businessmen. If this concept does not work he will not continue to lose money but will make changes in order to bring it into profitability.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Here is the thing, like him or not he and his people are brilliant businessmen. If this concept does not work he will not continue to lose money but will make changes in order to bring it into profitability.

Does the crystal ball show a tear down and replacement with high rise apartments?

[Mrs.Guy]

Originally Posted by Bikehike

Great ideas they should hire you as a consultant

Yeah! How did they manage to make BILLION$ without him?

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

When you say developer owned, what do you mean? Does he own McGrady's and the Market? Or does he own the land and the buildings and rent them out to private people? Does the developer own the McDonalds and the Publix at Magnolia?

The Villages runs several restaurants here. McGrady’s is one. Others are Fenney Grill, the bars at Sawgrass and entertainment ( but not the restaurants inside sawgrass, those are leased out) they also run Lazy Mac’s and Tierra Del Sol.

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Here is the thing, like him or not he and his people are brilliant businessmen. If this concept does not work he will not continue to lose money but will make changes in order to bring it into profitability.

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

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

When you say developer owned, what do you mean? Does he own McGrady's and the Market? Or does he own the land and the buildings and rent them out to private people? Does the developer own the McDonalds and the Publix at Magnolia?

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.

[Cmacnair@hotmail.com]

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.

[HeleneGB]

Lower prices and sound level.

[hosegooseman]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

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?

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?