Taco Lu coming to Murray Hill

[ben says]

But seriously, if the French Pantry, Three Layers, & Sweet Petes can succeed in out-of-the-way and non-traditional spots, I seriously doubt a quality venue would have difficulty attracting to the former 1171 location.

Truer words have not been spoken. Three places where the food speaks for itself...location be damned, I don't care if I live 50 miles away, I'm crawling to French Pantry as often as possible.

[MusicMan]

The price for 1171 plus the Sushi joint seems reasonable, if you are getting a functioning commercial kitchen (maybe 2) plus working HVAC included. I think Taco Lu could definately work there. They could pick up traffic from US 17 and would be very close to the strong demographics of Riverside-Avondale, and would rival Moon River as the default "go to" place for residents of Murray Hill. 

Also like them going into Yesterday's location at Dancy and Park Street (currently ofered for sale at $1.4 million). 
That would feed off the continual flow of traffic on Park plus you are just 3 blocks away from TSOA. That site has great parking, and pretty good population density there for walk up customers. It also offers enough square footage (9000) to allow a sublet to subsidize the mortgage.

[Ernest Street]

My estimation for inactivity at Fat-Cats is five years+...someone can correct me here.

[Brian Siebenschuh]

Within the past couple years the Fat Kat location has been like five different things - Fat Kat, Edge 17 (?), an "Internet Cafe" / gambling scam place, Fat Kat again...  I know I'm missing a couple.

[banjo]

Well, I live directly across the street from where the Tacolu's is planning on taking over and I can't wait!
As far as Fat Kats, yes it is till open, current version since around June of 2011. The club itself isn't too bad but the clientele is not what I would like to see in my neighborhood, driving around with the bass cranked up in their cars till our windows shake, drunk people urinating in various places and people yelling about whether they should go to Waffel House or Ihop and which was better(I've actually heard this argument twice in the past several months). I've heard rumor that the Farah brothers own the building Fat Kats is in but have not verified it in anyway. I know at least the Baptist Seminary/Barber Shop next to me are sick of them too as there is quite a bit of trash left behind, club flyers, empty cups and alcohol bottles etc, and they occassionally set off the alarm at the jewlery store.
At least the club is only open Friday and Saturday night, Friday it's pretty packed, not as much on Saturday, judging from the flyers that are left it seems the party goes to Plush or another club on that night.

Here's hoping Tacolu's hurries up and opens and Fat Kat closes soon!

Bill

[banjo]

As a follow up to my last post if someone were to turn Fat Kats into a small movie theater (probably not a good idea with Sunray so close) or a bowling alley I would definitely support them!

[mtraininjax]

Also like them going into Yesterday's location at Dancy and Park Street (currently ofered for sale at $1.4 million).

Not likely to happen, there is only outside seating on the back of the property, and with Orsay next to it, and little active retail across the street, except in the Avondale Superette, I don't see this as a great option. Sale at 1.4 plus a sizeable investment, I don't see it.

Drove down Edgewood past the Fat Kat and noticed the Sushi place had a FOR RENT SIGN in front of it as did the small retail shop, so the entire EAST SIDE of Edgewood between Plymouth and Mayflower is now empty during the day. If Moon River and the Pool Hall were such a draw, why is that side of the street still empty?

[The Compound]

I've heard rumor that the Farah brothers own the building Fat Kats is in but have not verified it in anyway.

according to Coj.net, the building that Fat Kats is in is owned by John Kowkabany since 1984.

[mtraininjax]

John C. Kowkabany, from The Jacksonville Bank website

Director of the Company and the Bank since 1999. Jacksonville-based real estate investor and consultant. Mr. Kowkabany has significant private and public sector experience. A resident of the city of Neptune Beach, he has been active in local government, serving as the city’s Mayor from 1989 to 1997, and Councilman from 1985 to 1989. The Honorable John C. Kowkabany’s public sector experience has provided him with experience and knowledge regarding the local business and civic communities. For many years, Mr. Kowkabany has served with various civic and charitable organizations as an officer or director. Mr. Kowkabany graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville University.

His brother Rob is also active with the bank.

[Tacachale]

John C. Kowkabany, from The Jacksonville Bank website

Director of the Company and the Bank since 1999. Jacksonville-based real estate investor and consultant. Mr. Kowkabany has significant private and public sector experience. A resident of the city of Neptune Beach, he has been active in local government, serving as the city’s Mayor from 1989 to 1997, and Councilman from 1985 to 1989. The Honorable John C. Kowkabany’s public sector experience has provided him with experience and knowledge regarding the local business and civic communities. For many years, Mr. Kowkabany has served with various civic and charitable organizations as an officer or director. Mr. Kowkabany graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville University.

His brother Rob is also active with the bank.

I think it's the other John Kowkabany, the one who owns (owned?) Mango's in Jax Beach.

[5ptscurmudgeon]

Sorry no good news here. After enjoying Sunday taco's (open at 10 am!) I inquired as to the status of Murray Hill and got a no way Jose. The building is just in too bad of shape. The word is they are moving down the street to the Old South location.

[ben says]

Sorry no good news here. After enjoying Sunday taco's (open at 10 am!) I inquired as to the status of Murray Hill and got a no way Jose. The building is just in too bad of shape. The word is they are moving down the street to the Old South location.

Where's the old south location?

[5ptscurmudgeon]

Beach Blvd/ Inter-coastal, East of Pleasure Is. I thought it was called the Old South. Plantation? It's the big house that was just extensively renovated. Was filmed for being Haunted.

[Tacachale]

^It was called the Homestead, then the Copper Top and it was next to Adventure Landing.

[ben says]

^It was called the Homestead, then the Copper Top and it was next to Adventure Landing.

Gotcha.