Pretty neat slideshow of the Landing over the years. Tonight is the open house. I remember opening day!
http://jacksonville.com/slideshows/slides-entertainment/jacksonville-landing-look-back-25-years#slide=0
Quote from: fsujax on June 28, 2012, 02:18:57 PM
Pretty neat slideshow of the Landing over the years. Tonight is the open house. I remember opening day!
http://jacksonville.com/slideshows/slides-entertainment/jacksonville-landing-look-back-25-years#slide=0
Great pictures. The early ones brought back some good memories. The Landing opened when I was in High School and I thought it was so cool. I loved going there and buying tapes in the music store. It's really sad to see how many shops and restaurants closed down over the years.
I was at the Landing for NYE's '99-2000. That was back when Y2K was the big worry, we were hoping the power would go out when the clock struck midnight, but alas, just fireworks and many many drunken woooooooos.
I didn't realize Sleiman has owned it for almost 9 years. I bet if he had it to do all over again, he would never have bought it.
It needs a makeover so badly.
Such big plans and now nearly a decade later, still dead in the water. Just think if the $2mm spent on that LaVilla Seafood restaurant and $3.5 million pegged for the garage across Independent had instead been directed to the Landing with a corresponding private infusion from Sleiman.
There are now over 40 shops and vendors in the Landing....I encourage all MJers to come down and check out all the local businesses
I remember opening night. It was great! So was the Landing for a few years after that. Then, sadly, for whatever reasons, the Landing went down the drain fast.
In the early years we were treated to The Sharper Image, Stadium Stuff, Fun N Games, Shine Em Up, Banana Republic, Annie Tiques, Flamers, Rocky Rococo, and Fat Tuesday, to name a few. Oh yeah. Dont forget Aqua East and the live bikini models.
Today the Landing looks almost as bad as the rest of the downtown bums.
Though I fully realize the environmental and cost benefits of an artificial tree with LED lights, man do I ever miss the real Christmas trees at the Landing.
Landing is actually going through a renaissance of sorts...new cool stuff there...Mav's has been killing it. Fionn's is rocking....more to come. Look out. If you haven't been in awhile, check it out.
Maybe McDonalds should go in there...thatd bring in some business
The biggest problem with the Landing right now, is Village Bread takes up over half the front area, but is only open for breakfast and lunch monday - Friday, so the entrance gives off a ghost town feeling at night and on weekends.
I spent a lot of time (and quarters) at the Ostrich Landing. Anybody remember the Twainesque-riverboat shooting game? In middle school, it was one of the highlights for most kids on our field trips to the Florida Theater or MOSH.
I like the Landing and support it. I was there two weekends ago. It still brings in the crowds for special events and serves a good central location. But it is in dire need of a makeover.
I was at the food court Thursday for lunch. It could use a few more options. A national fast food vendor wouldn't hurt. Come to think about it a Chic-Fil-A would kill it there. Even with the limited selection there was still a good number of people up there eating.
Quote from: CG7 on June 29, 2012, 08:26:11 AM
The biggest problem with the Landing right now, is Village Bread takes up over half the front area, but is only open for breakfast and lunch monday - Friday, so the entrance gives off a ghost town feeling at night and on weekends.
actually I heard last night (while at the celebration) that they have reinstated Saturday hours...will verify tomorrow
Quote from: fsujax on June 29, 2012, 08:39:12 AM
Come to think about it a Chic-Fil-A would kill it there. Even with the limited selection there was still a good number of people up there eating.
On small, somewhat related side note, the Regency Mall Chic-Fil-A looks to have closed recently.
wow. you know that's a bad sign, when a Chic-Fil-A closes in your mall.
Quote from: fsujax on June 29, 2012, 08:39:12 AM
I was at the food court Thursday for lunch. It could use a few more options. A national fast food vendor wouldn't hurt. Come to think about it a Chic-Fil-A would kill it there. Even with the limited selection there was still a good number of people up there eating.
Didn't there used to be a CFA in the Landing food court, round about the time of the Super Bowl? I imagine it would do better now, given the Landing's recent surge of quality local store and restaurant additions.
Did the Chick-Fil_A ever open @ Baptist? Is it inside only (i.e. - is there any signage on the street?)?
There used to be a little Chic-Fil-A vending cart. There is one at Baptist, no signage and it is impossible to get to at lunch! It really is meant to serve Baptist staff and visitors.
I had to take my son to Wolfson's last summer. I consider myself a fairly intelligent person and I could not figure out where the Chick-Fil-A was at Baptist.
^^exactly! it fronts the street, but there is no signage.
I used to bartend at Jock's and Jill's. Nothing fancy, but in all, a solid sportsbar.
I do remember that there were some wild times after work, when the Huey's and American Cafe people would come in for our SI Happy Hour. There should be a lot more memories, but I think I killed them via Irish Car Bombs.
Anyhow, there was more than one night with myself, the closing manager (roommate) and the closing server (also a roommate) still playing Golden Tee when the sun came up. I would probably be a millionaire had that game not been there.
Good times!
Quote from: fsujax on June 29, 2012, 11:07:48 AM
There used to be a little Chic-Fil-A vending cart. There is one at Baptist, no signage and it is impossible to get to at lunch! It really is meant to serve Baptist staff and visitors.
I am blessed to work at Prudential.. so I just walk to Baptist at lunch sometimes LOL but thats still a problem because I have caught by a train and almost been late coming back before. Just curois, why in the heck would someone build a hospital by railroad tracks??
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 28, 2012, 09:35:50 PM
There are now over 40 shops and vendors in the Landing....I encourage all MJers to come down and check out all the local businesses
Excellent point - the landing is very much alive. You folks that keep saying it's dead, have you really been there in the past few years? There's still live/free events on the weekend, lots of shops, and the nightlife is as good as ever.
Time to travel outside of king street and check out other local shops ::) :P
Quote from: coredumped on June 29, 2012, 12:11:21 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 28, 2012, 09:35:50 PM
There are now over 40 shops and vendors in the Landing....I encourage all MJers to come down and check out all the local businesses
Excellent point - the landing is very much alive. You folks that keep saying it's dead, have you really been there in the past few years? There's still live/free events on the weekend, lots of shops, and the nightlife is as good as ever.
Time to travel outside of king street and check out other local shops ::) :P
Weekends or special events, sure. During the normal week (esp during the daytime), its almost always dead as a doornail. And yes, this is from personal experience. I ride my bike through there a few times a week, and usually make a point to stop there & support the place. In no way would I call the majority of the time the place is open "alive".
^ this is true for any shopping/dining area...I mean how busy is the King Street area between 2pm and 5pm on weekdays?
QuoteDuring the normal week (esp during the daytime), its almost always dead as a doornail. And yes, this is from personal experience.
That's pretty much true for most malls. Lunch time is busy during the weekdays, otherwise it's pretty dead. Weekends and Thursday nights are your money making days.
Just got back from the Landing, it was busy. Or maybe those were ghosts I was seeing eating, shopping, walking around.
Quote from: fsujax on June 29, 2012, 02:11:11 PM
Just got back from the Landing, it was busy. Or maybe those were ghosts I was seeing eating, shopping, walking around.
I was there on a Friday two weeks ago and it was busy. Doesn't change the fact it is terribly outdated and in need of a facelift.
Quote from: fsujax on June 29, 2012, 02:11:11 PM
Just got back from the Landing, it was busy. Or maybe those were ghosts I was seeing eating, shopping, walking around.
I ate lunch there today too at Finn. A table next to the river cannot be matched.
Well, looking at my calendar, it says its a Friday. So yes, its probably going to be more active. Technically not the weekend, but you get why that would be the case.
I'm mostly talking about a regular weekday (Mon-Thur), from morning to around 7pm is not very active at all. Lunch time does see a pick up at some of the restaurants that are on the water, but that's basically it. The inside mall part, upstairs, the courtyard & the shopping along the corridors are pretty void of humans. I don't chalk that up to the time either, as pretty much any decent mall in the city has people in them all day long. Go check the Avenues or SJTC & tell me if there aren't people there from morning to night.
Anyways, I really wouldn't consider the Landing a mall. Its more of an entertainment venue/place to eat. Sure there are a few stores, but thats not usually why people go there. Hence why its dead the majority of the week. I think it started out as a mall of sorts, but turned into something else.
FYI, I don't think its the Landing's fault. Yes, some of it needs a makeover. But really the problem is downtown itself not getting the attention & smart planning for the last 25 years that it deserves.
I miss the shooting gallery..... :(
MacCool's coming to the Landing was huge. Before my city days, I lived at the beach and its got (or used to have) a good rep out there. I know we spent a lot less time at Lynch's when it opened. Having that brand recognition definitely helps The Landing.
If Sleiman could somehow pull another MacCool's type place or two, I think the Landing would really turn into an entertainment destination for people that don't normally hang out downtown. I know its a lame brand, but a Salt Life Food Shack would be great there. Like it or not, its a locally cultivated brand and a name many people around the state/south associate with Jax. I love the decor in there and think the food is solid. They are opening locations in Stuart and Coral Springs, so you know they are doing well and looking to expand.
I'm a Dos Gatos/BG type guy and don't hang out at the Landing all that much (not that there is anything wrong with it), but I think there's definitely some potential there. Especially if Sleiman could ever get popular local places like Cruisers, Mojo, Salt Life, etc. Heck put Angie's Subs in somewhere and I'm there 3 days a week. Screw Fuddruckers...give us Cruisers. If they can open at San Jose and University, surely they can make it work at The Landing.
Definitely time to re-think the food court though. I shared my thoughts at The Landing design charrette a few years ago, but would be interested to see what others think.
The whole place reeks of stale pee and truck stop matinenance...
...Where the hell are the bulldozers?
...Who's hoarding the infamous Jacksonville dynamite?
We finally have a building complex that needs that good old Jacksonville treatment and now EVERYONE wants to turn preservationist.
This place needs the mother of all reconstruction.
LOL @ Ock ;D
After 25 years, Flamer's calls it quits....
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-08-27/after-25-years-jacksonville-landing-eatery-closes
Down from an original lineup of 18, there are only three restaurants left in the food court: Calvin’s Cajun Express, Sakkio Japan, and Great Wraps.
I have no idea if this is the economy of if Sleighman's rents are too high. Is the food court idea stale and outdated? There needs to be places people can drop in for a quick bite, but that place wreaks of 80's mall, and not in a good way.
It's outdated and there are better options for a quick meal in downtown. However, to be honest, that space shouldn't be a food court. More revenue would be generated if it became a sit down restaurant or two, overlooking the river. I always like Sleiman's idea of doing just that and shifting the food court eateries to the ground level, overlooking the green space that used to be were the Jackson statue was located.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 27, 2012, 05:44:07 PM
It's outdated and there are better options for a quick meal in downtown. However, to be honest, that space shouldn't be a food court. More revenue would be generated if it became a sit down restaurant or two, overlooking the river. I always like Sleiman's idea of doing just that and shifting the food court eateries to the ground level, overlooking the green space that used to be were the Jackson statue was located.
Yeah, that design is pretty solid.
FYI...Flamers had closed many of their other branches before the Landing store...the one in the Avenues Mall food court closed over a year ago
My wife & I visited the landing last night (Friday). It was the first time we've been there on a night in a long time that was not related to some holiday or football game. I parked on the street nearby and was immediately accosted by a panhandler. As we walked over to the landing we saw homeless people in every direction. They actually outnumbered the pedestrians who did not appear to be homeless. Upon arrival at the landing, they had live bands and entertainment, which were all pretty good! (BTW I did not realize there still were people doing Elvis impersonations). The landing was fairly busy, but the crowd was very rough looking. Looked like a trashy redneck get-together is the nicest way I can say it. Many more homeless types scattered throughout. Restaurant experience was disappointing for many reasons (ex. I had to ask for napkins for my wife & I four times). Not a great date night experience nor very appealing to bring the whole family. As I stood in the courtyard I wondered what an out of town visitor might think. It made me sad to realize it would just reinforce the negative perceptions many have of Jacksonville. As we left we were treated to two individuals fighting on the street and again asked for change. The landing has a beautiful, central location in downtown. It is truly a shame that it has decayed into it's current state. Needless to say we won't be returning soon.
Quote from: Bosco on September 15, 2012, 05:27:53 PM
My wife & I visited the landing last night (Friday). It was the first time we've been there on a night in a long time that was not related to some holiday or football game. I parked on the street nearby and was immediately accosted by a panhandler. As we walked over to the landing we saw homeless people in every direction. They actually outnumbered the pedestrians who did not appear to be homeless. Upon arrival at the landing, they had live bands and entertainment, which were all pretty good! (BTW I did not realize there still were people doing Elvis impersonations). The landing was fairly busy, but the crowd was very rough looking. Looked like a trashy redneck get-together is the nicest way I can say it. Many more homeless types scattered throughout. Restaurant experience was disappointing for many reasons (ex. I had to ask for napkins for my wife & I four times). Not a great date night experience nor very appealing to bring the whole family. As I stood in the courtyard I wondered what an out of town visitor might think. It made me sad to realize it would just reinforce the negative perceptions many have of Jacksonville. As we left we were treated to two individuals fighting on the street and again asked for change. The landing has a beautiful, central location in downtown. It is truly a shame that it has decayed into it's current state. Needless to say we won't be returning soon.
I agree with you Bosco- The Landing is run down and shabby, the decor is dated and depressing, and the whole place seems poorly managed. It's sad that so many visitors likely form negative opinions of our city based on that dump.
I live downtown and think that dealing with the homeless people, especially the aggressive panhandlers, should be one of the biggest priorities if we want people to return to the city. I'm a fairly menacing looking person (shaved head, covered in tattoos, muscular), my demeanor is definitely not "warm and inviting", and yet I'm routinely accosted by bums downtown; I can only imagine that it's much worse for women, or the elderly, or anyone who presents an "easier target". Indeed, my 83 year old dad had a really bad experience leaving my loft a few weeks ago; if I hadn't needed to run out to my car for something, enabling me to run the guy off, I'm fairly sure that he would have been robbed.
When I tell people I live downtown, the homeless issue is cited more than anything else as a reason why others stay away. More than parking, more than the lack of shopping or places to eat, more than the hassle of living in an urban environment; it's the homeless that keep "suburbanites" away, and will continue to do so.
We need another Pub Crawl!!!
Quote from: Pinky on September 15, 2012, 07:31:49 PM
Quote from: Bosco on September 15, 2012, 05:27:53 PM
My wife & I visited the landing last night (Friday). It was the first time we've been there on a night in a long time that was not related to some holiday or football game. I parked on the street nearby and was immediately accosted by a panhandler. As we walked over to the landing we saw homeless people in every direction. They actually outnumbered the pedestrians who did not appear to be homeless. Upon arrival at the landing, they had live bands and entertainment, which were all pretty good! (BTW I did not realize there still were people doing Elvis impersonations). The landing was fairly busy, but the crowd was very rough looking. Looked like a trashy redneck get-together is the nicest way I can say it. Many more homeless types scattered throughout. Restaurant experience was disappointing for many reasons (ex. I had to ask for napkins for my wife & I four times). Not a great date night experience nor very appealing to bring the whole family. As I stood in the courtyard I wondered what an out of town visitor might think. It made me sad to realize it would just reinforce the negative perceptions many have of Jacksonville. As we left we were treated to two individuals fighting on the street and again asked for change. The landing has a beautiful, central location in downtown. It is truly a shame that it has decayed into it's current state. Needless to say we won't be returning soon.
I agree with you Bosco- The Landing is run down and shabby, the decor is dated and depressing, and the whole place seems poorly managed. It's sad that so many visitors likely form negative opinions of our city based on that dump.
I live downtown and think that dealing with the homeless people, especially the aggressive panhandlers, should be one of the biggest priorities if we want people to return to the city. I'm a fairly menacing looking person (shaved head, covered in tattoos, muscular), my demeanor is definitely not "warm and inviting", and yet I'm routinely accosted by bums downtown; I can only imagine that it's much worse for women, or the elderly, or anyone who presents an "easier target". Indeed, my 83 year old dad had a really bad experience leaving my loft a few weeks ago; if I hadn't needed to run out to my car for something, enabling me to run the guy off, I'm fairly sure that he would have been robbed.
When I tell people I live downtown, the homeless issue is cited more than anything else as a reason why others stay away. More than parking, more than the lack of shopping or places to eat, more than the hassle of living in an urban environment; it's the homeless that keep "suburbanites" away, and will continue to do so.
I'd say yes, it's a problem, but less so than some of our other problems. There are other cities with much worse homeless problems who have more vibrant downtowns than we do. Quod vide Orlando. They have a substantially worse downtown homeless issue than we do, on top of a much more suburbanized, Disneyfied metro area, but they have a more vibrant downtown. If they can pull it off, there's absolutely no reason we can't.
Quote from: Noone on September 15, 2012, 11:25:19 PM
We need another Pub Crawl!!!
A'int that the truth!
Quote from: Pinky on September 15, 2012, 07:31:49 PM
I'm a fairly menacing looking person (shaved head, covered in tattoos, muscular), my demeanor is definitely not "warm and inviting", and yet I'm routinely accosted by bums downtown;
I am the opposite of what you describe (clean cut, usually well-dressed, smiling and very approachable).
I walk through Hemming Plaza just about every day, starting my trip from the Skyway station and then walking either to the Ed Ball building, City Hall or JEA.
Every Saturday morning I run through downtown and the riverwalk.
I can't remember the last time I was panhandled. Seriously.
One friend who works at the Ed Ball building (Public Works) tells me he is constantly panhandled in Hemming Park. And I believe all of the stories I read here. It is a mystery to me why some people are approached and others are not.
I am very comfortable around the people in the park and often try to make eye contact with them first and smile, say hello, or anything to be polite. They usually just smile back, rarely do they ask for anything.
Quote from: dougskiles on September 16, 2012, 09:14:45 AM
Quote from: Pinky on September 15, 2012, 07:31:49 PM
I'm a fairly menacing looking person (shaved head, covered in tattoos, muscular), my demeanor is definitely not "warm and inviting", and yet I'm routinely accosted by bums downtown;
I am the opposite of what you describe (clean cut, usually well-dressed, smiling and very approachable).
I walk through Hemming Plaza just about every day, starting my trip from the Skyway station and then walking either to the Ed Ball building, City Hall or JEA.
Every Saturday morning I run through downtown and the riverwalk.
I can't remember the last time I was panhandled. Seriously.
One friend who works at the Ed Ball building (Public Works) tells me he is constantly panhandled in Hemming Park. And I believe all of the stories I read here. It is a mystery to me why some people are approached and others are not.
I am very comfortable around the people in the park and often try to make eye contact with them first and smile, say hello, or anything to be polite. They usually just smile back, rarely do they ask for anything.
I suspect it's more of a function of where and when you're downtown; Hemming Plaza during the work day usually has cops around, and the bums know to behave themselves. And of course, if you're running, it's unlikely that some panhandler is going to trot along to accost you.
I, on the other hand, live here downtown and as a result I'm on less crowded streets during off-hours.
....which doesn't change the fact that in conversations I have "the homeless problem" is cited more than all other factors combined as a reason why people are reluctant to come downtown. Perception is everything, and it seems to me that the high concentration of bums downtown make people think that it's not safe to be here.
Quote from: Pinky on September 16, 2012, 03:57:01 PM
Perception is everything
You can say that again--especially about downtown. I hear the same complaints you speak of, ALL THE TIME.
Quote from: blizz01 on June 29, 2012, 10:32:36 AM
Did the Chick-Fil_A ever open @ Baptist? Is it inside only (i.e. - is there any signage on the street?)?
Yes.....it is in the Pavallian first floor. It is not made for drive up traffic. Walk up or park in the Palm ave garage and take the elevator to the first floor. Walk to the lobby and take a left turn. Don't go towards the hospital it is in the MOB.
Quote from: Ocklawaha on August 27, 2012, 12:57:45 PM
The whole place reeks of stale pee and truck stop matinenance...
...Where the hell are the bulldozers?
...Who's hoarding the infamous Jacksonville dynamite?
We finally have a building complex that needs that good old Jacksonville treatment and now EVERYONE wants to turn preservationist.
This place needs the mother of all reconstruction.
Amen to that!
Here's an idea: (I know its crazy, but I dont care)
Knock down the Landing, or at least completely gut it.
Build some railroad tracks down the middle of Water Street.
Make the former Landing site the new transportation center.
Quote from: Pinky on September 16, 2012, 03:39:29 PM
Quote from: dougskiles on September 16, 2012, 09:14:45 AM
Quote from: Pinky on September 15, 2012, 07:31:49 PM
I'm a fairly menacing looking person (shaved head, covered in tattoos, muscular), my demeanor is definitely not "warm and inviting", and yet I'm routinely accosted by bums downtown;
I am the opposite of what you describe (clean cut, usually well-dressed, smiling and very approachable).
I walk through Hemming Plaza just about every day, starting my trip from the Skyway station and then walking either to the Ed Ball building, City Hall or JEA.
Every Saturday morning I run through downtown and the riverwalk.
I can't remember the last time I was panhandled. Seriously.
One friend who works at the Ed Ball building (Public Works) tells me he is constantly panhandled in Hemming Park. And I believe all of the stories I read here. It is a mystery to me why some people are approached and others are not.
I am very comfortable around the people in the park and often try to make eye contact with them first and smile, say hello, or anything to be polite. They usually just smile back, rarely do they ask for anything.
I suspect it's more of a function of where and when you're downtown; Hemming Plaza during the work day usually has cops around, and the bums know to behave themselves. And of course, if you're running, it's unlikely that some panhandler is going to trot along to accost you.
I, on the other hand, live here downtown and as a result I'm on less crowded streets during off-hours.
I lived in Downtown until a few months ago and before that in Riverside for 4 years. I got hit up for money (or whatever) much more in Riverside than I ever did Downtown.
I don't just give out money, I get them to pickup trash for the money. Every intersection has cigarette butts or general trash, so no dinero without doing some cleanup. Everyone can pickup trash.