New shops, cheaper rents making Murray Hill a destination

[thelakelander]

Newer shops, cheaper rents and proximity to Riverside and Avondale making Murray Hill a destination

By Roger Bull
Florida Times-Union

Sarah Bogdanovitch wasn't sure exactly when the neighborhood started to feel different. She and Meredith Corey-Disch opened their bakery last year in a small space on Edgewood Avenue in Murray Hill.

It was just a cheap place to rent, to bake their sourdough bread that they deliver to customers.

"It was a kind of compromise," Bogdanovitch said. "We could still bike to Riverside and places we wanted to go. We weren't considering a store."

But then they started opening on Fridays for bartering. And once a month for pizza night in the garden out back.

"After being here a number of months, the atmosphere felt a little different, if not a energy, maybe a confidence that we could bring people in," she said.

So they opened Community Loaves to customers five days a week. Pizza night is now weekly, drawing 40-60 people every Wednesday for music and sourdough pizza in the backyard.

Now they are part of a renaissance of sorts. While the businesses at the corner of Edgewood and Post have been more stable, the strip closer to Roosevelt has seen its share of ups and downs, comings and goings.

Moon River Pizza has anchored that strip for nine years and Perfect Rack Billiards for seven years as others came and went. But a new wave of homegrown entrepreneurs such as Community Loaves, Knead Bakeshop, Bold Bean Coffee Roasters and Maple Street Biscuit are not only filling empty storefronts, but giving a new energy to the area.

Full article: http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-11-01/story/newer-shops-cheaper-rents-and-proximity-riverside-and-avondale-making

[ronchamblin]

The small spaces with cheaper rents provides an engine for many smaller entrepreneurs to operate successfully, especially as they engage this economy.  Although the big dudes -- big firms -- make the news, they come and go, and seldom impact the neighborhoods with a sustaining energy.  A high population of small operations is where the economic strength of a neighborhood lies.  I am encouraged to see the various neighborhoods like Murray Hill emerge toward a solid vibrancy much needed in these times.   

This scenario is similar to a business relying on several large accounts to prosper, as apposed to a business relying on tens of thousands of customers.  I have bought and sold rare books to the high dollar customer, but I've always realized that solid business strength lies in having tens of thousands of customers buying $4.00 to $50.00 each visit.  Most of my competitors who used to cater only to the high-dollar books?  They've gone under.  Business strength is in many thousands of happy customers satisfied with buying low-to-moderate items, not a few wealthy one-percenters who, given opportunity would leave you standing naked in the street.

Its similar dynamics with the neighborhood, and even the downtown core.  As I've stated earlier in another conversation, until there is provision of many dozens of small to medium spaces (side walk access ... sidewalk friendly) for rent in the downtown core, there will be little activity from the creative and energetic business minded individuals -- the real creators of vibrancy in any environment. 

The small spaces to rent in the outlying areas have served as the prepared soil into which the skilled and energetic gardener can plant his crop.  Until, by some effort, from some entities, the city core offers similar soil for the waiting gardeners, very few good crops will exist in it. It will remain barren just as it has for decades.

An excessive number of barren blocks, offering huge unfriendly granite buildings without welcoming sidewalk entries, is not the proper soil for the kind of crops needed in the downtown core.  Nothing will grow in bad soil.

[benfranklinbof]

What an inspiring article! I'm happy to have purchase a home in Murray hill.
Can't wait to see what other shops come into the neighborhood. I wish I could open a shop. I think its the perfect time to open a shop.
Come join me my fellow hipsters!Murray hill is amazing!

[BoldBoyOfTheSouth]

I love the creative energy that's happening now in Murray Hill.

Edgewood Avenue South will soon be flowering with local businesses.

Murray Hill is indeed Jacksonville's best kept secret.

We have many great bungalows and cottages filled with artists and young families.

Our pop up dinners are a hip was to brings neighbors together.

Our meet and mingles in Four Corners Park are truly amazing.

#ilovemurrayhilljax
#murrayhillian
#murrayhilljax

[river4340]

It's a great those little neighborhood centers get new life. I hope it holds. Having names like Bold Bean and Maple Street has to help.

[Know Growth]

Compared to adjacent Riverside/Avondale,Murray is the same thing only different!

Some years ago I had a house in MH on Talbot. Sister had a place on Holmesdale. Murray Hill was fine.
Back then, for a relatively small amount more,it was possible to get a place in Riverside/Avondale.

Now it's Murray Hill's time to really flourish. You must,you will!

Great FTU piece. Loved Bernie's 'edgy' comments.

[benfranklinbof]

It will with time. I can't wait to see what Edgewood turns into in the next couple of years. It's exciting watching the growth of M/H and Jax