[abecker]

Love Brownwood Square! However, does anyone notice the abundance of unoccupied store fronts? The biggest foot print there is Village related, ie, Bank, Closing Office, Colf Cart sales and Service, Daily Sun and Banner Mercantile. Aside from the restaurants, there is almost no independent retail stores. The only store at Brownwood that has an outstanding appeal is The Rustic Rose. Their merchandise is always fresh and reasonably priced.
What's wrong with this picture? Can't imagine why The Villages is having problems filling up all these vacant retail shops.

[alphajean]

I would very much like to see Costco come some where near TV

[michtofla]

Read the police blotter reports for Wildwood compared to Lake Sumter and Lady Lake. A friend of mine made a reservation at a hotel on Wildwood and got lost. Asked a policeman for directions and they told them that they shouldn't spend the night in Wildwood because it was unsafe.

[Happinow]

I wonder the same thing. No wonder they opened it early. If they waited until a fair amount of retailers went in, it still wouldn't be open. Maybe money is running tight in The Villages and retailers aren't willing to risk failure??

[MikeV]

Could it be the lease rates?

[hulahips]

Small businesses are struggling today with all the regulations and then to come to a community where you must pay the developers a % may not be worthwhile to them or appealing. Just my guess, but who knows for sure?

[ronat1]

Originally Posted by Happinow

I wonder the same thing. No wonder they opened it early. If they waited until a fair amount of retailers went in, it still wouldn't be open. Maybe money is running tight in The Villages and retailers aren't willing to risk failure??

Or maybe the businesses have finally wised up to the obnoxiously high rent TV demands.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by hulahips

Small businesses are struggling today with all the regulations and then to come to a community where you must pay the developers a % may not be worthwhile to them or appealing. Just my guess, but who knows for sure?

I am pretty sure I read that the person who is in charge of commercial development said that isn't true but I would guess the rents are higher in the squares. They are at tourist destinations all over Florida.

They keep building spaces and renting spaces it looks to me. How long has the square been open? A couple of years? Thank heavens we don't have tacky shell shops like in other tourist areas.

[kstew43]

Originally Posted by MikeV

Could it be the lease rates?

that would be my guess as well.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by abecker

Love Brownwood Square! However, does anyone notice the abundance of unoccupied store fronts? The biggest foot print there is Village related, ie, Bank, Closing Office, Colf Cart sales and Service, Daily Sun and Banner Mercantile. Aside from the restaurants, there is almost no independent retail stores. The only store at Brownwood that has an outstanding appeal is The Rustic Rose. Their merchandise is always fresh and reasonably priced.
What's wrong with this picture? Can't imagine why The Villages is having problems filling up all these vacant retail shops.

Retail space is a challenge in Florida with seasonality (those snowbirds) and generating a profit when 50% of your customers leave for six months.

It just takes time to fill spots and have the right business model.

[ugotme]

Personally I can not agree with The Rustic Rose having outstanding appeal. But, beauty is in the eyes . . . etc.

I asked the same question 1.5 years ago when I moved here. What I was told was very simple - several years ago LSL was the same way. People wondered if it would ever be full. Guess what?

Everything takes time. Besides, personally, I hate having all the same stores in all the squares. Would like to see something different. Different restaurants, retail stores etc.

We will just have to wait and see.

Oh sorry - in the mean time I am off to the golf course !!!!

[John_W]

As a comparison to LSL, that square opened in 2007 and yet Panera's didn't open until May 2011. That was 4 to 5 years after opening, where Brownwood didn't really get going until spring 2012, which is only about 3 years ago. That goes to show that successful stores don't just jump into a situation until they feel it's right.

Another reason, is I've talked firsthand with the manager of Jersey's Mikes Subs and they inquired about Brownwood over a year ago. First off, the shopping centers have a do not compete clause with Subway. So with with only a square location, they requested 1200 sf and were told nothing under 2000 sf was available. So they've turned away a very successful food operation. I still eat at the Jersey Mike's in front of Target and that place is always busy.

[Jbirds99]

I personally think that given the location to Wildwood the money just isn't there in Brownwood.
Look at some of the people in the square at night. They just don't have the money and I think a lot of businesses are afraid to take a chance. I think I am correct is saying that Sumter, Marion and Lake are the three poorest counties in Fl.
We also were expecting a lot more out of Brownwood. So Sad!

[hulahips]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I am pretty sure I read that the person who is in charge of commercial development said that isn't true but I would guess the rents are higher in the squares. They are at tourist destinations all over Florida.

They keep building spaces and renting spaces it looks to me. How long has the square been open? A couple of years? Thank heavens we don't have tacky shell shops like in other tourist areas.

But we do have lots of "the villages t-shirts and mugs". Lol

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by John_W

As a comparison to LSL, that square opened in 2007 and yet Panera's didn't open until May 2011. That was 4 to 5 years after opening, where Brownwood didn't really get going until spring 2012, which is only about 3 years ago. That goes to show that successful stores don't just jump into a situation until they feel it's right.

Another reason, is I've talked firsthand with the manager of Jersey's Mikes Subs and they inquired about Brownwood over a year ago. First off, the shopping centers have a do not compete clause with Subway. So with with only a square location, they requested 1200 sf and were told nothing under 2000 sf was available. So they've turned away a very successful food operation. I still eat at the Jersey Mike's in front of Target and that place is always busy.

LSL opened in 2004. That's when Robin & Caroline opened Lighthouse. It took a few years to get businesses in. Urban Flats (City Fire) opened in 2007. We already had RJ Gators, Up The Creek, Dominics and others. The square was fairly dead for a few years. Now look at it !!