JWB buys Arlington's Town & Country Shopping Center

thelakelander · August 19, 2019, 10:02:38 PM

Fresh off of the DIA not being comfortable with their previous development experience, the developer behind the Johnson Commons LaVilla proposal acquires Arlington's Town & Country Shopping Center for potential redevelopment purposes.

QuoteInfill housing developer JWB Real Estate Companies LLC buys the property for $5.08 million.
by: Karen Brune Mathis Editor

Arlington's first retail plaza sold Thursday to JWB Real Estate Companies LLC, which paid almost $5.08 million for the Town & Country Shopping Center at northeast University Boulevard and Arlington Expressway.

Jacksonville-based JWB, led by Alex Sifakis, focuses on urban redevelopment and infill housing.

JWB Real Estate Companies LLC is led by Alex Sifakis.

"We are currently evaluating our options for the site," Sifakis said Monday.

Full article: https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/town-and-country-shopping-center-in-arlington-sold

MusicMan · August 20, 2019, 08:54:12 AM

That's a good price, and it has upside for sure. Let's see what they can do with it...

Snaketoz · August 20, 2019, 02:07:22 PM

Good to hear. Some of my finest memories were dates in high school going to the Town and Country theater. Going to the old Pic N Save, bakery, etc.

Adam White · August 20, 2019, 02:59:50 PM

What was the name of the club over there? The Edge?

Snaketoz · August 20, 2019, 03:09:49 PM

Quote from: Adam White on August 20, 2019, 02:59:50 PM
What was the name of the club over there? The Edge?

It was after my time, but I think you are talking about Plush.

Adam White · August 20, 2019, 03:13:36 PM

Quote from: Snaketoz on August 20, 2019, 03:09:49 PM
Quote from: Adam White on August 20, 2019, 02:59:50 PM
What was the name of the club over there? The Edge?
It was after my time, but I think you are talking about Plush.

I think that was later. I just Googled it after posting my comment (probably should've done that first and not bothered commenting!)

The Edge opened in 1993 with a Beastie Boys, Cypress Hill and Rollins Band show. I didn't bother going, as I hated all three. But my friend's dad's firm designed the space or something, so he went (and hated it).

Bativac · August 20, 2019, 08:07:19 PM

My friend had a used bookstore over there for a couple decades and finally shut it down a few years ago. Mix of crime getting worse and worse (there was visible bullet damage to his storefront and the bullet resistant glass in the door) and the property owner, LRS, paying zero for upgrades or even basic maintenance. Plus...zero foot traffic. If I'm not mistaken a whole wing of the center was torn down not long ago. Hope the new owners can turn it into...something.

Adam White · August 21, 2019, 06:54:02 AM

Quote from: Bativac on August 20, 2019, 08:07:19 PM
My friend had a used bookstore over there for a couple decades and finally shut it down a few years ago. Mix of crime getting worse and worse (there was visible bullet damage to his storefront and the bullet resistant glass in the door) and the property owner, LRS, paying zero for upgrades or even basic maintenance. Plus...zero foot traffic. If I'm not mistaken a whole wing of the center was torn down not long ago. Hope the new owners can turn it into...something.

The funny (or sad) thing is that if downtown were thriving, the shopping center (and the corresponding area) would be highly sought-after.

acme54321 · August 21, 2019, 07:42:44 AM

This can't be anything but good news. That center is a wasteland set way off the road by a sea of solid asphalt. Hopefully this gives that area a shot in the arm.

sandyshoes · August 21, 2019, 08:46:38 AM

The Arlington River Publix is the closest grocery store, to T/C, and it isn't big enough to handle the onslaught of people from the new condos now being built on Atlantic, let alone from possibly more new condos at T/C. I hope they at least put in another grocery store at T/C. The parking is more than ample; they could almost have a mini SJTC. But another grocery store is much, much needed at that end to take the load off the one little Publix.

Charles Hunter · August 21, 2019, 10:02:12 AM

There is also a Sav-a-Lot up on Merrill Road, about the same distance as that Publix. But, you are right, especially if JWB adds residential to the T&C Property. Is the adjacent property of the old Thunderbird (or Be-The-Lite Center) available? That would make quite a large redevelopment parcel.

Captain Zissou · August 21, 2019, 10:22:30 AM

Quote from: sandyshoes on August 21, 2019, 08:46:38 AM
The Arlington River Publix is the closest grocery store, to T/C, and it isn't big enough to handle the onslaught of people from the new condos now being built on Atlantic, let alone from possibly more new condos at T/C. I hope they at least put in another grocery store at T/C. The parking is more than ample; they could almost have a mini SJTC. But another grocery store is much, much needed at that end to take the load off the one little Publix.

Have you ever been to the Roosevelt Publix?? The Arlington River location is my home store and it's never that bad. I don't think 1 or 2 developments will overwhelm this store.

acme54321 · August 21, 2019, 10:39:30 AM

That Roosevelt store is busier on its off hours than the Arlington River store is at peak.

Captain Zissou · August 21, 2019, 11:40:05 AM

Quote from: acme54321 on August 21, 2019, 10:39:30 AM
That Roosevelt store is busier on its off hours than the Arlington River store is at peak.

I'm Captain Zissou and I wholeheartedly support this message.

thelakelander · September 08, 2020, 10:07:24 PM

Shipping container food court could be coming to Arlington

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/shipping-container-food-court-could-be-coming-to-arlington