[justjim]

I miss the “Old Katie Belles”. When we had guests we always went there for a meal and the entertainment. Katie Belles was for residents and their guests only. It was important to have a place like that in The Villages IMHO. Yes, it needed some fresh paint and makeover but the concept was “right on”. Many people I know felt it was a special place for just us, the residents, of The Villages. Unfortunately it’s gone and like a fast moving stream the flow that passes by will never pass again. I usually embrace change but not this one.

[Bucco]

Originally Posted by justjim

I miss the “Old Katie Belles”. When we had guests we always went there for a meal and the entertainment. Katie Belles was for residents and their guests only. It was important to have a place like that in The Villages IMHO. Yes, it needed some fresh paint and makeover but the concept was “right on”. Many people I know felt it was a special place for just us, the residents, of The Villages. Unfortunately it’s gone and like a fast moving stream the flow that passes by will never pass again. I usually embrace change but not this one.

I totally agree. I have fond memories of Katie Belles.

Just did not make it economically for a number of reasons.

But, it was truly special.

Actually, miss Hacienda Hills Country Club as well, was the only place with a “dress code” (coat and tie for gentlemen)

[manaboutown]

I loved it!

[kaydee]

So many of the favorites have been taken away & personally, those favorites could have & should have been kept in operation. I feel fortunate to have lived here long enough to have many great memories. Unfortunately the higher ups call the shots & most of the time the residents have no say!

[JohnN]

I miss Katie Bell's too.

And $2 Tuesdays at Church on the Square too. We saw some really good entertainment there.

Somehow, it's all about $$$$, all the time.
We won't even go into tearing down rec centers to build apartments

[dewilson58]

What you miss were not profitable.
No entitlements.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

What you miss were not profitable.
No entitlements.

In my mind this is a myth that keeps getting perpetuated. Anyone have proof from the Developers themselves that red ink drove closure ? Can you point to the "evening with the developer" or the Villages Sun article that declared this. If this were true how is it that any restaurant in The Square can make money when the Developers who carry the least amount of overhead could not. I have a totally different theory why KB closed. Anyone else ?

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by rustyp

In my mind this is a myth that keeps getting perpetuated. Anyone have proof from the Developers themselves that red ink drove closure ? Can you point to the "evening with the developer" or the Villages Sun article that declared this. If this were true how is it that any restaurant in The Square can make money when the Developers who carry the least amount of overhead could not. I have a totally different theory why KB closed. Anyone else ?

Yep, it was making money and TV decided to close it......"we don't want the cashflow".
Let's close it and get no cashflow.
Let's close it and invest millions to make apartments and HOPE we get our cash back.
Yep, just a myth.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Yep, it was making money and TV decided to close it......"we don't want the cashflow".
Let's close it and get no cashflow.
Let's close it and invest millions to make apartments and HOPE we get our cash back.
Yep, just a myth.

FYI Cash flow and profit are not equivalent.
Profit is the revenue remaining after deducting business costs, while cash flow is the amount of money flowing in and out of a business at any given time.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by rustyp

[/SIZE]

FYI Cash flow and profit are not equivalent.
Profit is the revenue remaining after deducting business costs, while cash flow is the amount of money flowing in and out of a business at any given time.

[dadspet]

Please >> Bring back Katie Belles - It was unique and a real + for The Villages. Can't believe its gone and hasn't come back. Perhaps we need to form a protest march (right after my knee surgery and if I can fit it in between my other Dr apts ).

[Chi-Town]

I miss Cattle Baron. It was a go to restaurant for out of town company. Like
taking them to a private club.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

What you miss were not profitable.
No entitlements.

As I remember, Katie Belles was totally remodeled ($$$$$$), opened to all, and then closed. You spend all that money, and close to build apartments? Wait, that was turned down by the city of Lady Lake, Anyway, Katie Belles was unique and The Villages marches on. So be it.

[John_W]

...

[Bucco]

Katie Belles had a problem.

So many coming, one or two drinks, and sit all night watching the performers.

Economically, a restaurant cannot survive like that