[Road-Runner]

We lived in Peachtree City, GA a somewhat similar area to the villages. We had all the shopping anyone could want within 30 minutes in two different directions. But there was money to be made by someone for big box stores to be built so they were. Crime went up immediately and dramatically. The Walmart that was originally open 24 hours/day was forced to being open roughly the same as the other grocery stores in the area. Many there also kept bemoaning the fact that there was no bus service in town, and wanted MARTA to expand bus routes in the county. I'm sure it will happen at some point, I'm just glad we're not living there when it happens. People need to think long and hard about a business' impact on the local quality of life, not just the convenience of more & bigger stores close to the house. My .02.

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by nick demis

Build a designer home, make alterations and stretches and have extra space for storage. That is what we did. The large pantry my wife wanted is great.

I'm trying to envision how much food we'll need once we are official empty nesters and it's just me and my husband. We still have 2 young adults living at home who are in school/working. Right now we have a large walk in pantry filled with shelf stable food plus a large closet off of our kitchen filled with bulk goods - Costco sized packages of toilet paper, paper towels, bottled water, etc. We also have a beverage fridge and a full size freezer in our large garage. I think back to what we had on hand before kids all those umpteen years ago and it was nowhere near this amount of stuff. We had one spice cabinet, a regular fridge w/freezer compartment and a small (non walk in) pantry.

I think maybe I'll post a question asking people about how their food budget has changed since getting to TV. Do they eat out more often? How often do they shop for food, etc. How much do they buy in bulk. I'll do some searches first to see if this has already been asked and answered.

[gatherer47]

an employee said people were lining up at 1:00AM-to get a free insulated shopping bag?--only in the Villagers!

[vintageogauge]

I doubt that was true.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by gatherer47

an employee said people were lining up at 1:00AM-to get a free insulated shopping bag?--only in the Villagers!

I might buy an hour before the store opened but 1 am find it very hard to believe

[Sabrina&Bill]

Originally Posted by FG111

Hello -
Has anyone been to the newest Publix @ Magnolia Plaza yet?
Any opinions, any suggestions and which other stores would you
"villages-southerners" wish that would open up in the area ?
Thxs

I swung there for a quick purchase yesterday around 7:15am. The parking lot was full and the Publix was very busy. I was able to receive a “Publix Magnolia Plaza” bag upon checkout. My wife and I went back later in the afternoon, still very busy, no bags left but we are SO happy to be able to go grocery shopping via GC. We live in Linden and it takes less than 5 minutes to get there.
Looking forward to restaurant opening up there. We strongly agree with another poster that a Japanese/Sushi and/or Bone Fish restaurant open up a Magnolia Plaza. A Barber shop would be nice as well.

[scaccace01]

Originally Posted by FG111

Hello -
Has anyone been to the newest Publix @ Magnolia Plaza yet?
Any opinions, any suggestions and which other stores would you
"villages-southerners" wish that would open up in the area ?
Thxs

[mjpuleo]

Originally Posted by FG111

Costco - Don't laugh so hard my friend.
Have you closely seen the field clearing @ the intersection
of SR 301 & Warm Springs Avenue ???

I heard we are getting a BJ's--perhaps it will be in this open field; either that or another Medical Center might be going there????

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by mjpuleo

I heard we are getting a BJ's--perhaps it will be in this open field; either that or another Medical Center might be going there????

BJ's is coming but it is not going to be there.

Building it on 27/441 behind Lowes.

And now back to our regularly scheduled talk about when Costco will be coming.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Jerseyborn

I would love more interesting food options like Thai or Sushi. Or maybe an Outback or Bonefish grill?Also maybe a gas station (not sure if that's already planned) Maybe a Home Goods?

Our oldest 2 eats Sushi 4 to 5 times a week, at a small Japanese market down the street in, ST Paul. When they come to visit, first stop is Fresh Market for the first of many daily returns, for Sushi. They kibbutz, with the maker who makes fresh what you want. They say it’s best they have found while traveling

[Nick B]

Originally Posted by gatherer47

an employee said people were lining up at 1:00AM-to get a free insulated shopping bag?--only in the Villagers!

Yet live in a designer home.

[FG111]

Also shopped on opening day although I didn't need anything but did
anyone noticed there seemed to be just as many golf carts as regular cars?
And what was the deal with the off-duty FHP Trooper ?
Is the area really that terrible or was Publix management fearing
that the elderly would be shop lifting all the adult urinary diapers ?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Road-Runner

We lived in Peachtree City, GA a somewhat similar area to the villages. We had all the shopping anyone could want within 30 minutes in two different directions. But there was money to be made by someone for big box stores to be built so they were. Crime went up immediately and dramatically. The Walmart that was originally open 24 hours/day was forced to being open roughly the same as the other grocery stores in the area. Many there also kept bemoaning the fact that there was no bus service in town, and wanted MARTA to expand bus routes in the county. I'm sure it will happen at some point, I'm just glad we're not living there when it happens. People need to think long and hard about a business' impact on the local quality of life, not just the convenience of more & bigger stores close to the house. My .02.

Yes, everyone loves the active lifestyle in the villages, but change is hard, very hard, and foresight to understand secondary and tertiary effects of ones desires for convenience, is difficult to comprehend the somewhat unknown tradeoffs. One trade off is less cheap opportunities of urban life.

The biggest trade off of the rapid growth of TV is the middle of cow country is lack of services because of the lack of service personnel willing to relocate to the middle of cow country to serve in the middle of nowhere, when there are so many other more vibrant locales to live for the service personnel in the state.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Miss B GA

I went to the grand opening yesterday morning. There was a very long line of people waiting to get in. It is a very nice Publix and has the same layout as the one at Trailwinds. They gave away very nice insulated bags to the early shoppers. I'm hoping it will relieve some of the traffic at the Publix at Lake Deaton where I shop. I'm very happy for the folks south of the turnpike so they can enjoy having a Publix closer to them now.

i agree, we used the lake deaton store since we've been here, & will now use magnolia simply because its very close. your lake deaton traffic will reduce, but i will miss the fine folks working over there

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by FG111

Also shopped on opening day although I didn't need anything but did
anyone noticed there seemed to be just as many golf carts as regular cars?
And what was the deal with the off-duty FHP Trooper ?
Is the area really that terrible or was Publix management fearing
that the elderly would be shop lifting all the adult urinary diapers ?

Highway Patrol usually mean traffic control.