I love Publix and take advantage of their weekly BOGOs. I'm amazed that even when Publix is very crowded I've never had to wait very long for checkout! Some things are worth paying a little more!

Toojays would be a great addition. We're new to the Villages, but we do know that their food and baked goods are very good.

tennis and pickleball courts as far as the eye can see!

The potato chips are a good example of name-brand products being BETTER in the store's own brand, at half the price. I find that in all major supermarket chains north and south, the store's own label is better product.....with more of it, for half the price of the brand-name.

As for WalMart making a profit.....yes, "but at what price?" Local businesses killed off by Walmart's no-wholesaler model would be glad to tell you "at what price".

As a new poster you may not have seen it but Too Jay's coming to Brownwood has been noted previously on TOTV. Here is the info I copied from The Villages Gourmet Club web site:

Too Jay's Original Gourmet Deli (Brownwood), West Torch Lake Dr., The Villages, FL. (American) (Deli) B/L/D. Their third location in The Villages will be located at Paddock Square in Brownwood. Construction is underway and the Deli will be part of Phase 2 and open in late 2013

On the Publix issue, it's a fine store, but the one in Colony always looks like the day before a hurricane; just tons of people. As for hardware, there is a farm store right across 44 from Brownwood that is an excellent store with tons of tools and other hardware items, including a huge pet supplies department. Give it a try if you need hardware or building materials, or just feed for your steers.

If you are in the market for a bullwhip they carry them also. Great place to wonder around if you are the Home Depot type as I am.

In some instances you may be right. The example I sighted was on name brands carried in both stores. A prime example would be the Walmart supercenter that was erected on the old Gator Hole driving range in North Myrtle Beach where we vacation annually. Since it opened at least 40 "new" businesses have opened around it with "new" employees. So when the house is built in TV we may shop for a few things at Publix but, the bulk will be at Walmart. I will enjoy the trip with the golf cart to Colony Shell, filling the tank on our continual savings. I suggest some loyal Publix customers take their most recent receipt to Walmart and compare. It may be an enlightening experience that will not lighten your wallet!

Hubby really misses his fav, Menards. Being a retired plumber/pipefitter and a private contractor he could always save on plumbing materials for jobs, just no Menards here in the South.

How about a decent place to get a coffee. I think Dunkin Donuts would do real well. I have to drive far to get to the one across town. I live in Collier village.

How about a few more banking choices? a TD Bank would be nice!! And I give another vote for a Starbucks.

We Also miss Menards and of course my favorite Meijer's. I talked to a store rep before we moved and he said that Meijer's is looking at the Florida market. I told him to check out the villages area since there are a lot of people from the Midwest. (Michigan, Ohio,Indiana and Illinois.) that was 2 years ago. Someday maybe ��

Have you tried Sparr...across from brownwood...more inventory, great service, and better prices than ACE.

Dont forget, a store to suvive should have enough shoppers and have to make their profit before 9 pm when everyone has gone to bed!

I am going to play Devils' Advocate and wish for a Tim Hortons Coffee Shop. All Canadians are in love with "Timmies" and they are in a lot of NE States, but none south of Ohio.

With FL having so many Snowbirds, I am sure they would do well here.

Also, I would like a Bass Pro that is closer than Orlando.