Why no McDonalds?

[ben says]

Also.

One thing about Jax which I love is the food scene. Doesn't get enough credit. I'll really miss these restaurants when I leave.

[chipwich]

If McDonald's ever were to open downtown, I imagine they would have to go on Union or State Street (like Burger King) so they can also get drive-thru traffic and Springfield residents.  I think MetroJacksonville did an article a year or two ago suggesting Union and State Streets as a transitional retail area.  I think they were right on the mark.  In my opinion, that will be the area that sees the most retail growth as it straddles two areas in bad need of retail. 

I don't think we will see a pedestrian in-line McDonald's any time soon.  Not to say that it wouldn't be nice to see.  I like me some fries and Big Macs.  There just aren't enough daytime workers or residents to support a downtown style McDonald's.   

I clearly remember the Wendy's.  It had a drive-thru and was awesome!!!

[thekillingwax]

I remember Burger King downtown (by Greyhound I think). Where were the Krystal and Wendy's located and what time frame was this? I don't recall those two.

Krystal was on Forsythe and Ocean, near Casa Dora. I think the building most recently was occupied by a sandwich shop. If I recall correctly, Wendy's was over behind the new Library?

[Jason]

While I agree with you to a certain extent, I'd be perfectly content having every last restaurant downtown being a 'mom and pop' or locally owned business. That's what makes downtown Charleston, New Orleans (minus the occasional Popeyes), Savannah, etc so interesting.

Yeah, they should get an exception since they were the birthplace for popeyes.

And maybe it's fitting that the only fast food option is BK since Jacksonville was home to the first Burger King restaurant. 

Exactly.

How cool with it be if there were NO fast food options downtown. Just dozens upon dozens of locally owned, unique restaurants. Then maybe we could name is some cool "______ District"--instead of Downtown Jax--and people would flock.

I'm with you.  Maybe a "Mo-Po" district?  Or perhaps "Foodie" district?  Just one rule: No CHAINS! (unless they are homegrown).

[urbaknight]

If nowhere else, these fastfood chains should at least occupy the Landing foodcourt. I'm sure they can best afford Sprawlman's high rent. The foodcourt is getting awfully empty!

[I-10east]

^^^Good point. If the Landing don't have hardly  have any Natl' chains now, why in the hell would a chain wanna move to a separate location in DT Jax.

[Overstreet]

I remember Burger King downtown (by Greyhound I think). Where were the Krystal and Wendy's located and what time frame was this? I don't recall those two.

The 80s and 90s.  Burger King was full of the gimmie a dollar guys so I never went there after the first time.

[acme54321]

I remember Burger King downtown (by Greyhound I think). Where were the Krystal and Wendy's located and what time frame was this? I don't recall those two.

The 80s and 90s.  Burger King was full of the gimmie a dollar guys so I never went there after the first time.

Yep and that's why they are a problem downtown. 

[I-10east]

^^^Yeah, that's a problem, but IMO it's more to it than just that. What about the Landing's foodcourt? There aren't any 'gimme a dollar' guys there,  but yet during non-event days, the foodcourt resembles a ghost town.

[simms3]

While I agree with you to a certain extent, I'd be perfectly content having every last restaurant downtown being a 'mom and pop' or locally owned business. That's what makes downtown Charleston, New Orleans (minus the occasional Popeyes), Savannah, etc so interesting.

Yeah, they should get an exception since they were the birthplace for popeyes.

And maybe it's fitting that the only fast food option is BK since Jacksonville was home to the first Burger King restaurant. 

Exactly.

How cool with it be if there were NO fast food options downtown. Just dozens upon dozens of locally owned, unique restaurants. Then maybe we could name is some cool "______ District"--instead of Downtown Jax--and people would flock.

Well fast food restaurants serve an important role in an office environment - FAST FOOD!  The fact that there aren't many fast food options like McDonalds may be indicative of the fact that there aren't many office workers.  I work in a more suburban office environment (albeit in a 3 tower development, mine being about 500 ft high), and yet in our complex we have Chik-Fil-A, Subway, and a NY deli amongst a Bricktops, a $100 sushi place called MF Buckhead, Flying Biscuit, Cantina, and other places.  This excludes the large mix of fast food and table service restaurants surrounding my building.

Every urban environment has fast food restaurants, but they are only urban format if there is no drive through.  If downtown were bustling, you can bet that every fast food restaurant would be paying top dollar to get a good ground level space with visibility, and you can bet there would be multiple Starbucks and other coffee places to compete.

[avonjax]

There is a Burger King between State and Union.

[acme54321]

^^^Yeah, that's a problem, but IMO it's more to it than just that. What about the Landing's foodcourt? There aren't any 'gimme a dollar' guys there,  but yet during non-event days, the foodcourt resembles a ghost town.

You're right, there are plenty of other issues as well. 

That said I have had dinner numerous times at Chew and Burrito Gallery and watched the homeless stand outside and essentially harass customers coming in and out of the restuarant.  BG generally runs them off relatively quick though.  The guy at Chew was during eat up downtown, that certainly wasn't helping the cause.  We all know what Chew is getting ready to do next year.

[thelakelander]

There is a Burger King between State and Union.

And there's a Chick-Fil-A at Baptist Medical.  There are also two Quizno's (one at Hemming and the other at FSCJ).

[comncense]

There's a Quizno's at the FSCJ on State St?? I never knew that.

[tufsu1]

^^^Good point. If the Landing don't have hardly  have any Natl' chains now, why in the hell would a chain wanna move to a separate location in DT Jax.

exactly...which is why Subway and Quizno's don't have locations downtown....oh wait, oops, nevermind