The Villages Development Update: Haru Opens, Legacy Place Plans Emerge & Middleton Continues to Grow

This week’s The Villages development update looks at what’s opening, what’s planned, and what’s next across the community.

Published: July 27, 2026

Welcome to this week’s development update from The Villages. Another busy week is getting underway, with new restaurants preparing to open, more businesses moving closer to welcoming customers, and newly released commercial plans offering a better look at future growth in the southern part of the community.

Here’s what I’m watching this week.

Haru Japanese Restaurant celebrates its grand opening Wednesday

One of the week’s biggest milestones comes Wednesday, July 29, when Haru Japanese Restaurant celebrates its grand opening and ribbon cutting at 10:55 a.m. in downtown Middleton.

Many residents will already recognize the family behind the restaurant. Haru is the newest concept from the owners of Sakura Japanese Restaurant, which has served Villagers for years from its locations in Colony Plaza and Spanish Springs.

Rather than opening another Sakura location, the owners have created a new restaurant concept for Middleton featuring sushi, hibachi, teriyaki, ramen and poke bowls.

I’ll be attending the ribbon cutting and plan to publish my first impressions, followed by a complete restaurant review.

Three new restaurants are opening at Sawgrass Market

Sawgrass Market is also preparing to welcome three new fast-casual concepts from FMK Hospitality Group this week:

• Southern Tender
• Sizzle ‘N Smash
• Papa Joe’s Pizza & More

Southern Tender and Sizzle ‘N Smash are scheduled to open Wednesday. Papa Joe’s Pizza & More is also expected to open as part of this week’s expansion, although the information released so far does not specify the same Wednesday opening date.

The three additions will expand the dining choices at Sawgrass, which has become one of the busiest restaurant and entertainment destinations in the southern portion of The Villages.

Legacy Place plans offer a clearer picture of future development

One of the most interesting development stories this week isn’t a restaurant opening at all. Newly released site plans provide a closer look at the proposed Legacy Place commercial development near State Road 470 and the Florida Turnpike.

The plans show:

• A grocery store of approximately 50,700 square feet
• Two additional retail buildings
• A smaller 4,500-square-foot commercial building with a drive-thru configuration
• A large parking area serving the proposed development

The grocery tenant is not identified in the plans. However, the size and layout of the building have led to speculation that Publix could anchor the development.

For now, that remains speculation. No official announcement identifying Publix or another grocery operator has been made.

If constructed as proposed, Legacy Place would become a significant new shopping destination for residents in the rapidly growing area near State Road 470 and the Turnpike.

Middleton continues adding businesses

Haru is only one of numerous businesses planned for Middleton.

Other projects listed as coming soon include:

• Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill
• Green Grove Hotel — a planned 150-room hotel with a fitness center and pool
• Jersey Mike’s Subs
• The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill
• Smalls Sliders
• Woodrows DuckPin Bowling
• Southern Roots Collection

Additional medical offices, shops and service businesses are also planned for the area. As these projects open, Middleton continues evolving into a larger dining, shopping, service and entertainment district.

What’s happening with the Turnpike bridge?

Several readers have asked why work appears to have slowed on the new bridge crossing the Florida Turnpike.

No official explanation for the apparent pause has been released. One possible explanation discussed by Gold Wingnut Productions is that crews may be allowing recently poured concrete to cure before placing additional construction loads on the structure.

That is a reasonable possibility, but it has not been confirmed by the contractor or project officials. I’ll continue watching the project and share an update when additional work becomes visible or official information is released.

Other development notes

• A new Friday artisan market is being introduced at Spanish Springs Town Square from 3 to 9 p.m.
• Legacy Place continues moving through the planning and permitting process.
• The former Fenney Grill building remains vacant following the restaurant’s recent closing, with no replacement tenant announced yet.

More openings are on the way

This week’s developments show how quickly the southern portion of The Villages continues to change. Haru is opening in Middleton, new dining choices are arriving at Sawgrass, and the Legacy Place plans provide an early look at another potentially significant commercial center.

I’ll continue following these projects and updating the OnlyVillages Development Tracker as opening dates, tenants and construction details are confirmed.

Which upcoming restaurant or business are you most interested in visiting? Let me know in the comments.

The Villages Development Update: What’s Next

This week offers another reminder of how quickly the southern portion of The Villages continues to evolve. New restaurants are preparing to welcome their first customers, Middleton’s business district continues to expand, and additional commercial development is moving through the planning process.

We’ll be covering Haru’s ribbon cutting on Wednesday and following these projects as more information becomes available throughout the week.

What opening or development are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments.

Related guides:

• What’s Coming to The Villages (Development Tracker)
• Everything Happening in Middleton Right Now
• Everything Happening in Eastport Right Now