Need Help!! Seeking Location for brewery downtown/Brooklyn or Riverside

[DavidWilliams]

The Central Firestation downtown is pretty cool. I think it is currently on the market.

[Captain Zissou]

As far as I know it is.  That would be a great location.  Across the street from London Bridge, two doors down from Burrito Gallery, across from the old library.  I wanted to buy that space myself, but I'm 22 and broke..... Can't win 'em all.

[thirdeye]

Unfortunately Springfield is a little to far from where I live. 

Not that there's a location that meets your needs, but how is Springfield too far but downtown is not. Where do you think Springfield is located?

I know where Springfield is and it is further from where I live than Downtown.

[hanjin1]

Springfield is only a mile or 2 from the river.

[stephElf]

Unfortunately Springfield is a little to far from where I live. 

Not that there's a location that meets your needs, but how is Springfield too far but downtown is not. Where do you think Springfield is located?

I know where Springfield is and it is further from where I live than Downtown.

it's about a 3 minute drive from burrito gallery....

[904Scars]

Hmmm there are so many cool options to toy with. I like the idea of the old firestation next to London Bridge, or Bay St. Me personally, I say keep it Downtown. I think however the old firestation is zoned for housing, I could be wrong. But somewhere in that general facinity would be great, walking distance from Bay St and/or the Landing.

Man I'm excited now, we need more of this stuff. Hurry! HAHA

[xXBoldCityXx]

Ben,
   One thing we ran into when try to get into a building downtown was fighting with the zoning laws. Also, anything to do with alcohol, is a pain as First Baptist pretty much owns downtown.  There is a pretty cool building in San Marco which has nice loading docks and such. It's near Jack Rabbits. I believe it is an old JEA building.
Cheers,
Brian
Bold City Brewery

[904Scars]

Brian is right, Downtown will be (of all locations in that area) the hardest to get good zoning, however I was at one time trying to open up a motorcycle shop in the outskirts of downtown (just off union and market, across from win-dixie) and downtown offers a lot of tax and financial benefits for small business owners. Check out www.coj.net for more information. I think the young lady's name was Lindsey, I spoke with her at their downtown office, she was very knowledgable about the benifits of business downtown and excited to help.

[BridgeTroll]

Perhaps a partnership with the group that wants to renovate the Hayden Burns Library downtown.  Imagine a combination Supermarket, coffee shop, and micro brew.   

[904Scars]

Perhaps a partnership with the group that wants to renovate the Hayden Burns Library downtown.  Imagine a combination Supermarket, coffee shop, and micro brew.   

I like, I like... grab a beer and go shopping!!! Really though, that corner and Bay St. are going to be your best bets for a strong downtown location. It may be a good ways in the future but as long as Art Walk keeps a churning you will have one SOLID day a month that will consist of showing the city what your made of. BG and London Bridge is consistently packed on Art Walk nights.

[JaxNative68]

that is a brilliant idea bridgetroll!

[BridgeTroll]

Aw shucks... I love downtown and want more people there...

[thirdeye]

Thanks again for all of the replies.

I actually think zoning downtown is less of an issue than in other areas of Jacksonville.
I have spoke with JEDC and they handle zoning in the core and felt like putting a brewery and taproom downtown would be no problem. But I also know that when dealing with the gov't answers can vary with whom u speak.

Depending on the zoning I should only need an exception to sell alcohol on site.

Ben

[JaxNative68]

just get it done before the First Baptist Church gets wind of what you are planning.

[thirdeye]

If I am not within 1500 feet of any church they can't stop me from serving, brewing or selling beer.