REI store coming to Jax

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Why not Five Points?

For God's sake man!  Where would they park?

[CMYKyle]

Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?

I've dealt with traffic much worse.

I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.

[fsujax]

i don't think its so much the traffic per se, but the layout of the entire area. The one way in and out that makes it aggrevating. At least in the older neighborhoods there are other ways to go if one area is too congested.

[TPC]

I hope they have a rock climbing wall.

[ben says]

i don't think its so much the traffic per se, but the layout of the entire area. The one way in and out that makes it aggrevating. At least in the older neighborhoods there are other ways to go if one area is too congested.

+1.

[blizz01]

It's so predictable that so many will get bent out of joint everytime something new opens at SJTC - like it or not, it makes perfect business sense as that is Jacksonville's big box/chain shopping Mecca.  Traffic & all, lemmings or not, they will keep building there & shopping there until it hurts or becomes "stale".  I know that there's a lifecycle; unfortunately, for my money, that's where I'd put my flag in the ground if I were to break into the market now.  I'd imagine that the demographics associated with the proximity to UNF & the beaches come into play as well.

[cline]

Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?

I've dealt with traffic much worse.

I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.

Clearly you've never tried to enter the town center from eastbound on JTB in the afternoon if you actually think this.

[stephenc]

That just stinkin makes my month. I never thought we'd get an REI here.

[fsujax]

^^the first in Florida. Take that Orlando, Tampa and Miami! :-)

[CMYKyle]

Sweet, now I can not go to REI, just like I don't go to Dick's sporting goods. Who in their right mind wants to deal with Town center traffic?

I've dealt with traffic much worse.

I've never understood the traffic argument either. Granted, I don't like non-walkable development as much as the next core dweller, but the rush hour traffic at the Five Points intersection and the Publix area is worse than the Town Center.

Clearly you've never tried to enter the town center from eastbound on JTB in the afternoon if you actually think this.

Maybe I'm just used to the terrible Cincinnati and Atlanta traffic I used to deal with for years. Jacksonville has it pretty easy, traffic-wise. I also usually get into SJTC from eastbound Gate Parkway. It's pretty smooth that way.

[copperfiend]

i don't think its so much the traffic per se, but the layout of the entire area. The one way in and out that makes it aggrevating. At least in the older neighborhoods there are other ways to go if one area is too congested.

You can go in via 9A/295 or St Johns Bluff. I do and save myself time.

[fsquid]

All the REIs in North Carolina are in suburban areas.  In fact, the only one I've been in that was urban might be the one in Denver proper but located right off an interstate exit with plenty of parking at the edge of a business district.

[ben says]

All the REIs in North Carolina are in suburban areas.  In fact, the only one I've been in that was urban might be the one in Denver proper but located right off an interstate exit with plenty of parking at the edge of a business district.

Exactly my point

[John P]

REI. What's next? What other stores does Jacksonville have to get to have officially arrived? Macys? Trader joes?

[Fallen Buckeye]

There's a pretty cool outdoors store in that downtown Savannah that's right in the same vein. Last time I was there business seemed to be booming despite the fact that it's still a good drive to get to the mountains from Savannah. I think like Jax they benefit from a great river and the ocean because kayaking seemed to be a big feature in the store. I wish they would put a good quality hiking outfitter in a different area of town, though. I like Black Creek, but I hate driving all the way out there to get some decent hiking gear.