Walkable Commercial Districts: San Marco Square

[thelakelander]

Here is a link you'll enjoy:

http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=etd&sei;-redir=1&referer=http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=najeeb%20farris%20and%20his%20%A0%20wife%20%A0%20eva%20%A0%20owned%20%A0a%20%A0dry%20%A0goods%20%A0%20store%20%A0%20in%20%A01910.%20%A0%20in%20%A01921%20%A0he%20%A0%20was%20%A0%20president%20%A0%20of%20%A0%20farris%20&%20%A0co.,%20%A0%20a%20%A0wholesale%20%A0%20meat%20%A0%20firm.%20%A0&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CE8QFjAA&url=http://digitalcommons.unf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=etd&ei=8NStT8qoAsm5tgex9IDwCA&usg=AFQjCNH-vLXI2ftwxg3T-t9jHp_6CeRj8A#search=

[peestandingup]

Everyone likes what they like, but it's honestly my least favorite of all the urban neighborhoods. I appreciate that it's there & think it has tons going for it, but as far as "look & feel", it's not my cup of tea. It's looking more & more suburban lately, esp with the cramming in of vehicles into every nook & cranny (a lot like Avondale in that respect). I mean, could someone who didn't know really be able to tell the difference between SM square & a newer "urban style" smaller shopping district in the suburbs? Not because of just the cars lined up, but it just has that feel to me.

Personally, I think Five Points, King Street, Springfield & even parts of Downtown have a lot more character & are a lot more interesting overall. And still look very much urban. Again, I'm not saying one area is "better" than another (everyone likes different things).

Sounds like you're a fan of urban grit?  I don't mean this as a negative.  There's a whole bunch of urban grit lovers at skyscraperpage.com who share images of their city's grit regularly.  It was one of my main draws to online forums initially.

I guess you could say that. Or perhaps just older looking areas in general appeal more to me, no matter if they're "cleaned up" or not. Don't get me wrong, I'd prefer if they were kept up & modernized so they can reach their full potential & live on, just as long as they keep the original feel. But they can still be gritty too. For instance, whenever I'm downtown on my bike, I sometimes like to ride up Philip Randolph then through the lower end of Springfield. Sure, I get a lot of looks (and I sometimes have to talk my bike friends into coming), but I don't care. I appreciate those areas & enjoy them simply because of what they are.

But yeah, I guess I'm just not a fan of newer more "modern" urban areas. That's probably why I've never been a fan of places like Atlanta & Charlotte.

Oh, and thanks for the link! I'm def gonna check that out.

[Mike D]

Back to the question about grocery stores and the Setzers in San Marco, an A&P was located in the square for decades in the triangle just beyond what is now Balis Park.  Historic pictures show other groceries in the square as well...a "Model" store and, I think, a Piggly Wiggly, though I'm not as sure of that one.  Years after Setzers was gone, a Pic 'N Save occupied the same space.  And the A&P was operating in San Marco well into the '80's I believe.

[rveckruise]

This photo album is an outstanding display of one of the most charming, warm and inviting areas of Jacksonville. I have fond childhood memories of the SM Theater (Saturday Features and real popcorn) The Little Theater with memorable performances
and many others. Modernization has not eroded the uniqueness of this special place.

[Captain Zissou]

In a work meeting I heard that the SM Publix has received approval and will be moving forward. I don't know many details, but the people who told me are well informed on the store and it's progress

[Tacachale]

^Man, don't even play. I thought the holdup was the residential portion of the development?

[Captain Zissou]

Maybe so, but I don't have much knowledge on that side. All I know is the Publix recently cleared a development hurdle and is gaining some traction.

[CityLife]

The residential had been the hold up, but last I heard Regency was looking to make it work without or before the residential, so Zissou is probably onto something. Also think there was the possibility of a new developer coming on for the residential, so perhaps that changed it too.

[Ton Up Jax]

I lived in San Marco from 1970 to 1990, and I remember an A&P that later became a Banner Food Store in a building that was where the Bank of America is now. It was a long L-shaped building with the grocery store on one end facing Southside Baptist Church and an office supply store facing what is now The Loop restaurant on the other end. I remember walking to the square from our home on River Road to get candy from Peterson's 5&10 and watch movies at the San Marco Theatre. Utsey's Buster Brown Shoe Store had a pedal-powered carousel for the kids to ride, Mims had homemade doughnuts to die for, and we loved to spin around on the stools at Stand N Snack. Harvey Kirby's Shell station only had full service gas pumps, and we often were sent into Pic N Save to grab a last-minute gallon of milk or loaf of bread. It was truly a blessed childhood in a wonderful neighborhood that has provided me a lifetime of warm memories.