A Closer Look at Philips Highway

[nicktooch]

and Miami Subs....and Waffle House....and Village Inn....and the overgrown abandoned golf course....and Roadhouse grill....and Pizza Hut....and Steak n Ale

wow i couldn't have compiled a better list of baymeadows crap-olla.

[blizz01]

But why did all of those places (and many others) fail?  Why does everything struggle in that pocket?  Is it because it's a cutthroat lunch-only market in Baymeadows?  There's really been no downturn of significance of employers/employees that I can think of.  It would have been a tough sell for me to open in that corridor - especially in direct competition (a la Chicago Pizza & Al's Pizza).

My all time favorite was Bombay Bicycle Club - so gross - so dingy - but I always went back.....

BONUS - can anyone name ALL of the tenants of the former Chevy's location?  I probably couldn't confirm with 100% certainty, but it had to be the Bermuda Triangle of all JAX locations.

[scaleybark]

But why did all of those places (and many others) fail?  Why does everything struggle in that pocket?  Is it because it's a cutthroat lunch-only market in Baymeadows?  There's really been no downturn of significance of employers/employees that I can think of.  It would have been a tough sell for me to open in that corridor - especially in direct competition (a la Chicago Pizza & Al's Pizza).

My all time favorite was Bombay Bicycle Club - so gross - so dingy - but I always went back.....

BONUS - can anyone name ALL of the tenants of the former Chevy's location?  I probably couldn't confirm with 100% certainty, but it had to be the Bermuda Triangle of all JAX locations.

I think the decline happened after the state came in and changed the center turn lane.  It used to be a yellow line turn lane with no curbs, but the state added curbs and limited where you could make a left.  I remember local businesses making a fuss about it, but the state wanted to improve the traffic flow, which was gridlocked every day.

Some of those places used to be jam-packed during lunch and happy hour.  I think the rise of the tinsletown scene helped with the decline.

[David]

But why did all of those places (and many others) fail?  Why does everything struggle in that pocket?  Is it because it's a cutthroat lunch-only market in Baymeadows?  There's really been no downturn of significance of employers/employees that I can think of.  It would have been a tough sell for me to open in that corridor - especially in direct competition (a la Chicago Pizza & Al's Pizza).

My all time favorite was Bombay Bicycle Club - so gross - so dingy - but I always went back.....

BONUS - can anyone name ALL of the tenants of the former Chevy's location?  I probably couldn't confirm with 100% certainty, but it had to be the Bermuda Triangle of all JAX locations.

I believe citibank had a huge campus right off baymeadows way , but they closed up shop there about 3 years ago and moved it out towards St. Augustine Rd/Bartram park area. That alone took several thousand of daily employees away i'm sure.

Ah yes, Bombay bicycle club was always a favorite after work/class spot. That place would get seriously packed on the most random of nights.

[JeffreyS]

My all time favorite was Bombay Bicycle Club - so gross - so dingy - but I always went back.....

One of the worst crash and burns I ever had hitting on a girl in front of all my boys. It was bad.

[copperfiend]

It's been almost 4 years since Citi left and took 4k employees with them. Their campus was also staffed 24x7, 365. The buildings they were in are now home to the Jacksonville Art Institute and Coastal School of Law.

[Knowbusiness]

There use to be a great old mom and pop corner store between Baymeadows and I-95, not far from Sunbeam Rd. It was the last of it's breed in Jax. I think it closed in the mid/late 80s.

[BeetFarmer]

This picture is not from Philips Highway.  It is a picture of Baymeadows Road, where it lies between I-95 and Philips Highway.  I'm just a stickler for details. 

[thelakelander]

Thanks.  I believe in the article its mentioned that this image was taken along Baymeadows.

[jaxphotocat]

Some more buildings have been torn down near the Jacksonville Square Development.  It was the small hotel that is pictured above.  This could be a good thing, depending on what is planned for the space.  Does anyone know anything about this?