By Summer Jarro Ι The Villages Daily Sun Ι August 13, 2024
Middleton is leading a new wave of commercial growth in the area.
The Villages Charter School campus in the heart of the family community opened its doors for its second school year last week. It soon will be joined by a variety of new business and entertainment options.
Boosters Bar & Grill is prepping to be the first restaurant to open in the area.
The restaurant at Shallow Creek Golf Club in The Villages, directly across from Middleton, will host a hiring event this week to fill all necessary positions.
“The grand opening is already in the plans,” said Spencer Novak, executive director of hospitality for The Villages.
The hiring fair is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the restaurant at 8003 Landstone Blvd.
The restaurant’s name represents the residents who support the athletic programs at The Villages High School.
“The inspiration of the name Boosters is that our Villagers are tremendous supporters of our charter school,” said Tracy Morse, vice president of design for The Villages. “The boosters are going to enjoy going to the games, then they can go right across the street and have some fun.”
Boosters is just one of many businesses being added to The Villages’ fast-growing commercial landscape in the area to support Middleton.
Middleton is designed to draw and retain the workforce that supports retirees in The Villages. It will include up to 4,000 homes, with a mix of housing types and price points.
The neighborhood, which welcomed its first residents in 2023, already is proving to be a popular destination for working-age families.
According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Villages Metropolitan Statistical Area is the fastest growing metro area in the
nation for children 14 and under, with the number rising by more than 18% from 2020 to 2023. Meanwhile the working-age population —
those between the ages of 15 and 65 — grew by 19% percent.
Census data shows the city of Wildwood is a major draw for people of all ages. Wildwood Mayor Ed Wolf said the city’s growth is the result
of intentional decisions and planning.
“We’ve been working toward this goal for 40 years,” Wolf said. “As a teacher, I saw these kids graduate with no real opportunity to stick around. Now we have employment and housing opportunities for people, and I’m proud of where we are.”
Middleton is within the Wildwood city limits, and other non-age-restricted apartment complexes and rent-to-own communities continue to spring up in the city.
“There are some rather significant developments coming, and we are looking forward to Wildwood welcoming more residents as well as continuing to support those who’ve been here,” Wolf said.
Downtown Middleton will start coming to life throughout the school year.
The downtown district will cater not only to the families who live in Middleton but to the entire Villages community, said Geno Jarquin, director of commercial development for The Villages.
"We’re actively working on deals to implement our strategic plan for Middleton, but we want Villagers to know this is a place for them too,” he said.
Citizens First Bank in June became the first business to open in downtown Middleton.
“We build branches where The Villages needs us and where there’s support of the community,” said Jay Bartholomew, CEO and president
of Citizens First Bank. “So we’re excited about that opportunity not only to be early but just to be there as they build out the downtown and that populates with new businesses.”
of Citizens First Bank. “So we’re excited about that opportunity not only to be early but just to be there as they build out the downtown and that populates with new businesses.”
Plenty of new businesses are on the way.
Among those announced are 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Victory Sports Grill, Abbott’s Frozen Custard and Mustard Seed Decor and Gifts.
Other businesses coming to downtown Middleton include a grocery store, a pharmacy, a gas station/convenience store, a coffee shop, an Italian restaurant, a pizzeria, a sub shop, a sushi restaurant, and a breakfast and lunch restaurant.
Barbecue restaurant chain 4 Rivers Smokehouse was the first restaurant to sign a lease at Middleton. The family-owned company operates 15 restaurants across the state.
“We’ve been looking at The Villages area for several years,” said John Rivers, founder and CEO of 4R Restaurant Group. “It was a matter of
the right timing, the right opportunity, the right location. Everything just came together with the opening of the Middleton neighborhood, and we’re excited to be part of that development.”
Middleton also is about to become a hot spot for live entertainment.
The Tracy Performing Arts Center will begin hosting national touring acts this fall, bringing platinum-selling, Grammy-winning acts to add a new entertainment element to the downtown scene.
Spin Doctors, best known for its hit “Two Princes,” will be the debut performance Oct. 6.
Other announced shows include Plain White T’s, the Devon Allman Project, Billy Ocean, Smash Mouth, magician Lance Burton and comedians Caroline Rhea, Terry Fator and Michael Winslow. Tickets are available at thetracy.com.
“This is another way the community is unique and special,” said Brian Russo, executive director of The Villages Entertainment. “Who else can claim this kind of stuff happening in their back yard? If you live in Middleton, you’ll be able to hop in your golf cart to take a short ride downtown and see a show by Smash Mouth. That just doesn’t happen in most communities.”