Mellow Mushroom to Open Up in 'town Space??

[ben says]

Does anyone know Purcell enough to implore her to stay in the area? Benham as well?

[grimss]

The article also says the combined restaurant/store space is 5,800 s.f., which would suggest it has close to the space needed for MM.  A little confused by the article's distinction between what Emly Benham investments wanted to do and what 'town wanted. Isn't Benham Howard, who owns Emly Benham, Meghan Pucell's sister? I thought Benham and Meghan were co-owners of 'town.

[ben says]

The article also says the combined restaurant/store space is 5,800 s.f., which would suggest it has close to the space needed for MM.  A little confused by the article's distinction between what Emly Benham investments wanted to do and what 'town wanted. Isn't Benham Howard, who owns Emly Benham, Meghan Pucell's sister? I thought Benham and Meghan were co-owners of 'town.

+1

[cline]

The article also says the combined restaurant/store space is 5,800 s.f., which would suggest it has close to the space needed for MM.  A little confused by the article's distinction between what Emly Benham investments wanted to do and what 'town wanted. Isn't Benham Howard, who owns Emly Benham, Meghan Pucell's sister? I thought Benham and Meghan were co-owners of 'town.

Yeah I thought I had heard that there was some kind of relationship there also.  The whole deal is a little confusing.

At any rate, I'm curious to know about the parking lot at the gas station and how it will be configured for outdoor seating and if it will continue to contain parking.  And if it does have parking, I wonder if it will be MM-only.  It would seem to have an effect on the other restaurants in the area since it is shared right now.

[mtraininjax]

From the Property Appraiser's website:

Type                          Gross Area   Heated Area
Addition (Kit/bath)           1335   1335
Addition (Kit/bath)            1335   1335
Restaurant                   1597   1597
Canopy                           126            0
Base Area (Shoe side)     1597   1597
Total                             5990   5864

It sure seems smaller than this space, but we'll see how it is all laid out in the end. There may be wasted space in the kitchen. Men's room has one stall, and one toilet. May not be enough for the MM beer drinkers....

Meghan owned the restaurant side, she may have been paying her sister for using that space though.

[friedturkey]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-04-03/avondale-restaurant-plans-close-months-end

[urbaknight]

I'm one of the dishwashers there and this came as a shock. I'll try to find a new job, but with a new round of demos downtown and the half assed idiotic plans for Hemming park, I may consider just giving up hope and move back to Jersey.

'Town is way more then just a job for me. All the people are great, I'll miss them all. Having this job has literally saved my life, I had a reason to get out of bed, I had a sense of responsibility and belonging.

I wish everyone involved the best of luck. I'm sure everyone will be just fine in the end. Like I said they're all great people.

(going to cry my eyes out now)

[Lucasjj]

Sorry to hear that. A server at Carmines told me that their new Tex/Mex place in Jackson's old location is going to open up in the next month or so. Maybe you can contact Carmines regarding any positions they may need to fill at the new place.

[Adam W]

I'm one of the dishwashers there and this came as a shock. I'll try to find a new job, but with a new round of demos downtown and the half assed idiotic plans for Hemming park, I may consider just giving up hope and move back to Jersey.

'Town is way more then just a job for me. All the people are great, I'll miss them all. Having this job has literally saved my life, I had a reason to get out of bed, I had a sense of responsibility and belonging.

I wish everyone involved the best of luck. I'm sure everyone will be just fine in the end. Like I said they're all great people.

(going to cry my eyes out now)

Sorry to hear that. And sorry about your job, of course.

I wanted to try 'Town (I think my father-in-law is friends with the owners father or something... he told me about the restaurant last time I was in Jax and I planned on eating there when I visit this summer).

[Kaiser Soze]

Feel bad for urbanight but glad to get something other than town in there.  Way overpriced and I got sick last time I ate there.

[ben says]

Feel bad for urbanight but glad to get something other than town in there.  Way overpriced and I got sick last time I ate there.

+1. Feel terrible about the loss of a fulfilling and well-paying job. But, on another note, that restaurant made me sick last time, was way too expensive, and the manager was a complete ass.

Also, urbanight, isn't 'town moving? I'm sure they'll rehire you...

[jtwestside]

I see pizza is the new sushi in Riverside/Avondale 

[mtraininjax]

I think there is an ESPN Announcer, Lee Corso, who says, "Not so fast my friend". That would appear to be the case here with MM in the space. Regardless, I hear 'town and Benham's is done.

MM is going to face an attack greater than that which attacked a 7/11 in the gas station. I spoke with a lot of merchants last night and many are all in agreement, they don't want more late night crowds, the suburbs in Avondale.   Mojo's has been a great tenant, and has done a good job to win them over. I think the Valentino family can do the same, but it is going to take a lot to win them over. Many are still P'd with the City and the Overlay. Many are concerned that restaurants will take over the spaces and it will be nothing more than an outdoor food mall. There is nothing to stop a building owner from leasing new restaurants, no parking restrictions.

Kickback's has many of the the business owners on the edge. They see that if Kickback's can add a building for 250 more people without any accommodation for "Street" parking, there is nothing to stop the likes of a MM to do the same in Avondale. There are other options for parking in Avondale, one would be to carve out a parking area in Boone Park for the use of the patrons with a shuttle or pedicab for those who cannot walk as far, but parking in the neighborhoods is not the desired outcome. If it does come to that, Jim Love will need to get the JSO out to ticket illegal parking and really run the urban area with the resources it deserves. Speed limit on St. Johns will probably change and there will probably be flashing yellow lights at both ends to make people aware of a new speed limit, probably 20 MPH, to get them to slow down in the area.

So all eyes are watching Kickback's closely, and Paul Hardin (no socks) waits for his day in front of the council to help merchants in Avondale.

[downtownjag]

I'm one of the dishwashers there and this came as a shock. I'll try to find a new job, but with a new round of demos downtown and the half assed idiotic plans for Hemming park, I may consider just giving up hope and move back to Jersey.

'Town is way more then just a job for me. All the people are great, I'll miss them all. Having this job has literally saved my life, I had a reason to get out of bed, I had a sense of responsibility and belonging.

I wish everyone involved the best of luck. I'm sure everyone will be just fine in the end. Like I said they're all great people.

(going to cry my eyes out now)

The sushi restaurant is opening, or Tiquana Flats.  Try to hold out till Chew opens back up in Riverside, I'm sure it will be a great place to be, excellent vibe, employees, etc.

[ben says]

I think there is an ESPN Announcer, Lee Corso, who says, "Not so fast my friend". That would appear to be the case here with MM in the space. Regardless, I hear 'town and Benham's is done.

MM is going to face an attack greater than that which attacked a 7/11 in the gas station. I spoke with a lot of merchants last night and many are all in agreement, they don't want more late night crowds, the suburbs in Avondale.   Mojo's has been a great tenant, and has done a good job to win them over. I think the Valentino family can do the same, but it is going to take a lot to win them over. Many are still P'd with the City and the Overlay. Many are concerned that restaurants will take over the spaces and it will be nothing more than an outdoor food mall. There is nothing to stop a building owner from leasing new restaurants, no parking restrictions.

Kickback's has many of the the business owners on the edge. They see that if Kickback's can add a building for 250 more people without any accommodation for "Street" parking, there is nothing to stop the likes of a MM to do the same in Avondale. There are other options for parking in Avondale, one would be to carve out a parking area in Boone Park for the use of the patrons with a shuttle or pedicab for those who cannot walk as far, but parking in the neighborhoods is not the desired outcome. If it does come to that, Jim Love will need to get the JSO out to ticket illegal parking and really run the urban area with the resources it deserves. Speed limit on St. Johns will probably change and there will probably be flashing yellow lights at both ends to make people aware of a new speed limit, probably 20 MPH, to get them to slow down in the area.

So all eyes are watching Kickback's closely, and Paul Hardin (no socks) waits for his day in front of the council to help merchants in Avondale.

Very interesting indeed. Thanks for the update Mtrain. You're my go-to guy for Avondale/Riverside/(landlord and development) news.