Mellow Mushroom: Working with the Avondale community

[thelakelander]

I'm sorry, Know Growth.  I somewhat confused by your riddle and have lost track of the bread crumbs.  Are you saying Mellow Mushroom's owner wants to destroy the neighborhood and that his decision to want to open in the Riverside/Avondale Historic District is not market based?

[thelakelander]

For those who don't want MM, 7-11, etc. at that location, why not just pony up the cash and purchase the property?  That option will give you total control of what happens with its future.

[Know Growth]

For those who don't want MM, 7-11, etc. at that location, why not just pony up the cash and purchase the property?  That option will give you total control of what happens with its future.

Would only pay what it was actually worth,and not assume Attorney,Planner & Consultant bump.

[Know Growth]

What is it about then?  Do you think Mellow wants to open a location that will lose      *****money? ******      They believe there is a market          in Riverside     for their product and have decided to spend           *****their money ******      to construct a facility to cater to that market.

( ****** ******* knowgrowth highlight,or lowlight)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  ??!!??

Of course the site is not "Riverside",perhaps this observation could spur useless anti RAP comments.

There is money to be made in the negative impact of community. "Well Connected" legal counsel a help.
(First time I met Steve D. was  Regional Planning Council lobby,litle 'ol Freedom Commerce thang,we were,after all,Avondale neighbors and would certainly become buddy's....a few minutes later Attorney Tom Reese walked in and Steve's jaw actually dropped....I ended up winning the COJ Mayor's Mimi & Lee Adams Individual Conservation award....)

None of this $$$$$market talk relates to the Land Use & Zone legal hurdles and all things related.

[JeffreyS]

I don't mind people voicing their opinion about what sort of developments would be good for the area. I just don't understand how they conclude MM would be bad for the area.

[Know Growth]

( ****** ******* knowgrowth highlight,or lowlight)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  ??!!??

Of course the site is not "Riverside",perhaps this observation could spur useless anti RAP comments.

There is money to be made in the negative impact of community.

None of this $$$$$market talk relates to the Land Use & Zone legal hurdles and all things related.

Bullshit, All of this  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ talk is about owning a very profitable piece of property that the local 'community' doesn't want to see used as anything other than a public parking lot.  The 'business community' (I'm talking to you Frank, Barb and Karen) is not only losing a parking lot, but gaining serious competition to their business.  Mike.  Jack.  If you would like to come clean, I'd also be happy to discuss in person.  nvite Frank, Barb, Karen or anyone else who has an extreme bad taste in thier mouth about another restaurant opening. 

Personally, I can't wait for Hooters to open up in the current Monte's space.

You are a good Westside Redneck-perfect!

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

You are a good Westside Redneck-perfect!

As you are a perfect NIMBY but-I-live-in-a-different-zipcode sycophant.

Super perfect.

[thelakelander]

For those who don't want MM, 7-11, etc. at that location, why not just pony up the cash and purchase the property?  That option will give you total control of what happens with its future.

Would only pay what it was actually worth,and not assume Attorney,Planner & Consultant bump.

What does a planner, consultant, etc. have to do with a real estate purchase?  Nevertheless, since you didn't pay and someone else did, you lose a good chunk of your ability to dictate what should be developed on the site.

[BridgeTroll]

Something I learned from Frank as well is that his group does not look to serve the 20-somethings who want to come in and do a row of shots. The bartenders at Bluefish send this crowd down to Mojo's. There is a fear, and I can understand why, that serving late night happy hour cocktails and beers will lead to more problems on St. Johns, so Frank is right to not add to it.

BS
So hip hop night at Elevated Avondale(open until 2AM on weekends) caters to the 'wine and cheese crowd'?
What a load of crap.
Did he also tell you how 'disheartened' he is to have chased off 29 South from opening in Avondale as well?

The strongest drinks on the strip are poured at Elevated Avondale.  If you order a whiskey ginger at Mojos, Brick, and EA, you will end up with twice to three times as much whiskey at Elevated.  I think Brick is a little light on their pour, but the amount that Elevated pours is irresponsible.  As a young man on a budget, I appreciate the surplus, but Frank has no place in taking a holier that thou stance.  When Frank opens his parking lot to the public and tries to help provide bike parking for the neighborhood, I'll give him another chance.  I like his restaurant, but the food won't taste the same knowing what I do about the lies he is spreading.

Thanks for the info Capt'n... I always liked the food and Happy Hour at Blue Fish ($.50 oysters!)... but have never tried Elevated Avondale.  Based on your "pour" info I will have to give Elevated a try...

[If_I_Loved_you]

What kills me and makes me laugh is before MM bought this land. I have been told that for "Avondale Merchant Association, Inc." to have bought the land and have green space and parking made out of it. Would have cost too much in "TAXES" a dirty word for most rich business owner's? But your problem would have been solved.

[mtraininjax]

He doesn't live in avondale, but thinks that people who don't live there should have no opinion.

Because those of us who live in Avondale really give a damn what the planners and managers on MJ really think about our neighborhood. 

[Allan D]

Nevertheless, since you didn't pay and someone else did, you lose a good chunk of your ability to dictate what should be developed on the site.

Novel concept. 

[If_I_Loved_you]

Most of the franchises have local ownership in Jacksonville. Every Chick-Fil-A is a partnership between corporate (Atlanta) and someone here locally who has invested $5k and the profits are split down the middle. All the McDonald's I have seen, and Wendy's are locally owned by a franchisee who then has the territory and right to open new stores based on corporate guidelines. The Valentino family owns the rights for MM in Jacksonville, and MM has a very detailed franchise website for those who want to review their guidelines and store size information. Plus John purchased the gas station and dirt under it, so no matter what happens, he is now paying taxes on a parking lot and an empty gas station. That will change at some point.

Having been at Bluefish on Saturday and spent a lot of time with Frank, who is running a great operation with the help of Richard there at Bluefish. The rub on the street is that John wanted, originally, to put in a 300+ seat facility. Many of the other restaurants were, essentially, jealous of such an increase, when they (biscottis and brick) were limited in the amount of space they could expand.

Something I learned from Frank as well is that his group does not look to serve the 20-somethings who want to come in and do a row of shots. The bartenders at Bluefish send this crowd down to Mojo's. There is a fear, and I can understand why, that serving late night happy hour cocktails and beers will lead to more problems on St. Johns, so Frank is right to not add to it. You can have that along the King Street district, which leads to fun issues with neighbors and residents when cars are plowed into by overserved individuals.

I have a lot of new admiration for Frank, he stands up for what he believes, and I like the leadership he shows in Avondale. Love him or hate him, he has character and in this whole mess, there are a number of people on both sides who could show us all more character.

(The bartenders at Bluefish send this crowd down to Mojo's.) How about telling these people they have had all they are going to get? Instead of telling them Mojo's is a better place to get drunk?

[mtraininjax]

How about telling these people they have had all they are going to get? Instead of telling them Mojo's is a better place to get drunk?

You missed the point, went right over you. Bluefish does not serve them, period. If they want it, they send them to Mojo's, but you could easily get the same at Monty's or the Brick.

The younger crowd is typically at Mojo's or Monty's or Brick anyway. Should have seen the age difference at Bluefish and Brick on Friday night! WOW!

apparently you do.  Although what sucks is that the minority of you who live in Avondale that approve of these shenanigans really just dont give a damn about what the majority of the people who live in the neighborhood think either.

Don't let the door hit your $%# on the way out of Avondale. Doesn't Springfield need a new pioneer?   

If the PEOPLE want change, show up and demand it, otherwise, stay in the corner and eat what you are served.

[If_I_Loved_you]

How about telling these people they have had all they are going to get? Instead of telling them Mojo's is a better place to get drunk?

You missed the point, went right over you. Bluefish does not serve them, period. If they want it, they send them to Mojo's, but you could easily get the same at Monty's or the Brick.

The younger crowd is typically at Mojo's or Monty's or Brick anyway. Should have seen the age difference at Bluefish and Brick on Friday night! WOW!

apparently you do.  Although what sucks is that the minority of you who live in Avondale that approve of these shenanigans really just don't give a damn about what the majority of the people who live in the neighborhood think either.

Don't let the door hit your $%# on the way out of Avondale. Doesn't Springfield need a new pioneer?   

If the PEOPLE want change, show up and demand it, otherwise, stay in the corner and eat what you are served.

To be honest I don't drink at all and for the most part if I want good seafood I buy it and cook it at home. I'm not much for going out to any Avondale restaurants. I perfer Steak Houses, some chain restaurants and others.