Below is John Valentino's Letter to the Editor response to the FTU's article (for those who pay them http://members.jacksonville.com/opinion/premium/2012-11-05/story/lead-letter-mellow-mushroom-owner-defends-avondale-plans)
I was surprised that Riverside Avondale Preservation’s director felt she could characterize my plans to open a Mellow Mushroom in Avondale as “cookie cutter†(Planned Avondale restaurant heads for City Hall showdown because of parking).
She attended many of the meetings with members of the community at which we made dozens of changes to our plans to address local concerns.
Indeed, we invited and acted upon community input throughout our design phase, incorporating many new features as a result.
It is fair to say that Mellow Mushroom Avondale has been designed to be uniquely appropriate for the Shoppes of Avondale.
Despite this, despite the approval of the city’s Planning and Historic Commissions and despite the fact that we have the legal right to open the restaurant as soon as we choose (as long as we do not serve liquor), RAP and its allies continue to oppose this.
This is even more astonishing when you consider that we have done everything that they have asked of us.
They asked us to make sure we met local parking requirements, and we have done so, even though it has meant abandoning our plans to preserve an existing building.
They asked us to reduce the number of indoor seats, limit the number of sidewalk seats and shrink the planned building itself.
We agreed to all of this and went further, agreeing not to apply for sidewalk seating for a year after opening.
Frankly, it is difficult to see what more we could have done.
From the beginning, we have done our level-best to listen carefully to what the community is saying and act on what we hear.
Those who oppose us should consider that their voices are not the only ones we hear in Avondale.
Overwhelmingly, local families give us their support and encouragement and tell us that they are excited we are coming to the neighborhood.
John Valentino
owner, Mellow Mushroom, Jacksonville
John was awful nice to not tear down the "cookie cutter" comment even further. He did want to keep the gas station and create a cool place that would have blended in quite nicely. His current "cookie cutter" design is chock full of all the requests RAP and WLA made of him only to ask for more and more... John is in his legal right to open a restaurant in the space. He has bent over backwards working with groups who have falsely stated they are not against Mellow Mushroom or business in general, when their actions continually show otherwise. Their actions have done nothing but drive a wedge in our community instead of working to create something special.
Great letter...could have been 100000x harsher...but I understand his hesitancy to rip into any/all opposition
At this point John knows who his opposition is and he knows how low they will stoop. There is no need for him to be civil anymore, but every time that he is will be a testament to his character!
^ +1
Laughed when she called it cookie cutter. Carmen should go back to directing a museum and leave the planning to those trained in planning.
So sad for RAP they can't be very proud of their role anymore.
Alicia Grant, of WLA fame, is out front of Grace Church of Avondale with a petition.
It would be safe to assume it is anti-mellow.
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on November 06, 2012, 04:43:51 PM
Alicia Grant, of WLA fame, it out front of Grace Church of Avondale with a petition. It would be safe to assume it is anti-mellow.
While the cats away, the mice will pee on her orange tree.
Still f'ing pissed the gas station is being torn down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ironic that WLA and Brick/Biscottis/Blue Fish are making Avondale MORE bland/strip mall......
Really don't have any problem with a 1964 service station being torn down. Would have been cool to incorporate it but I don't understand getting upset over losing it.
^ I've seen one too many gas stations turned über cool retrofitted establishments.....
The second the station goes down (when it WAS going to be renovated) we've moved one step closer towards Avondale turning into generic strip. Just an opinion....
Quote from: MEGATRON on November 06, 2012, 05:14:59 PM
Really don't have any problem with a 1964 service station being torn down. Would have been cool to incorporate it but I don't understand getting upset over losing it.
A lot of us are attached to the building since it's been a staple of the area for such a large time. Since it would have been an awesome example of adaptive reuse, it's doubly stinging that we're now going to be given a generic structure instead.
A 1964 gas station, while just an old gas station, happens to be a iconic example of the design period (OK, IMHO). Losing it is just as bad at this point as losing a 1920's building. Let's face it, the 1920's building was "only a 1920's building" at one time. At some point, the styles of the various decades need to be recognized and some examples saved or in the end, what's the point of saving any of it? The new building that will replace it is simply nothing special. But that is what WLA and RAP apparently want - nothing special. Except their way, of course. And they want that at all costs.
Quote from: strider on November 06, 2012, 06:24:57 PM
A 1964 gas station, while just an old gas station, happens to be a iconic example of the design period (OK, IMHO). Losing it is just as bad at this point as losing a 1920's building. Let's face it, the 1920's building was "only a 1920's building" at one time. At some point, the styles of the various decades need to be recognized and some examples saved or in the end, what's the point of saving any of it? The new building that will replace it is simply nothing special. But that is what WLA and RAP apparently want - nothing special. Except their way, of course. And they want that at all costs.
My gut tells me RAP and WLA really want to keep the Shoppes of Avondale away from Chain restaurant's for they feel the atmosphere of the shoppes will forever change. Look I would love to see a chili's restaurant in Avondale or five points. Look people not everybody likes the same food Thank God!
Quote from: If_I_Loved_you on November 06, 2012, 06:39:32 PM
Quote from: strider on November 06, 2012, 06:24:57 PM
A 1964 gas station, while just an old gas station, happens to be a iconic example of the design period (OK, IMHO). Losing it is just as bad at this point as losing a 1920's building. Let's face it, the 1920's building was "only a 1920's building" at one time. At some point, the styles of the various decades need to be recognized and some examples saved or in the end, what's the point of saving any of it? The new building that will replace it is simply nothing special. But that is what WLA and RAP apparently want - nothing special. Except their way, of course. And they want that at all costs.
My gut tells me RAP and WLA really want to keep the Shoppes of Avondale away from Chain restaurant's for they feel the atmosphere of the shoppes will forever change. Look I would love to see a chili's restaurant in Avondale or five points. Look people not everybody likes the same food Thank God!
......a Chili's? Really? :o
On another note, your comment "not everybody likes the same food"...that's not the issue. It's never been an issue about food...
Quote from: ben says on November 06, 2012, 05:07:58 PM
Still f'ing pissed the gas station is being torn down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ironic that WLA and Brick/Biscottis/Blue Fish are making Avondale MORE bland/strip mall......
I'm with you , Ben, totally! +1
Quote from: strider on November 06, 2012, 06:24:57 PM
A 1964 gas station, while just an old gas station, happens to be a iconic example of the design period (OK, IMHO). Losing it is just as bad at this point as losing a 1920's building. Let's face it, the 1920's building was "only a 1920's building" at one time. At some point, the styles of the various decades need to be recognized and some examples saved or in the end, what's the point of saving any of it? The new building that will replace it is simply nothing special. But that is what WLA and RAP apparently want - nothing special. Except their way, of course. And they want that at all costs.
I couldn't agree more that the loss of the gas station is a tragedy. Sure, it doesn't fall into the narrow age range specified for "contributing structures", but c'mon, it's STILL a 50 year old building, and architecturally pretty cool. (Did you see the ceiling?) And I "get" that a lot of people are attached to the old building, and like me, wish it could have been reused. But the neighborhood has spoken (at least a few, very loudly) and it is what it is.
But I wouldn't be too dismayed over the new building; Mellow has a track record of building really cool spaces, and this will be no exception. And outside, it will just look like more of the same of what already makes up the rest of Avondale. It's not as if they're plunking down some totally incongruous box; it'll fit in and look fine.
I too am shocked that riverside avondale and welove avondale did not prefer to have a unique building as the mellow mushroom rather than the bland facade they will get. They thought they could control it more than they actually can
Honestly,
Mellow Mushroom needs to go "F*** IT! You screwed us over so many and still yell at us for what we are trying to do for the best of the community." And then, throws all the requirements out of the windows and let Mellow Mushroom build the business as they see to fit!
-Josh
Quote from: John P on November 07, 2012, 11:11:00 AM
I too am shocked that riverside avondale and welove avondale did not prefer to have a unique building as the mellow mushroom rather than the bland facade they will get. They thought they could control it more than they actually can
I've said this before but- it is evident that the the survey of contributing needs to be overhauled. It is causing issues. One of them is for groups to push an agenda. We've got a gas station that is technically not contributing that RAP recommends it be torn down instead of being reused. In the meantime the Benhem building is not contributing and could just as easily be torn down. I doubt many would stand for that. All kinds of hell is raised about Bronson Lamb wanting to tear down his house on Greenwood yet I hear nothing about the house on Orleans Court (built circa 1922) that was torn down so the neighbor could increase the space in his backyard.
Quote from: cline on November 07, 2012, 12:26:37 PM
Quote from: John P on November 07, 2012, 11:11:00 AM
I too am shocked that riverside avondale and welove avondale did not prefer to have a unique building as the mellow mushroom rather than the bland facade they will get. They thought they could control it more than they actually can
I've said this before but- it is evident that the the survey of contributing needs to be overhauled. It is causing issues. One of them is for groups to push an agenda. We've got a gas station that is technically not contributing that RAP recommends it be torn down instead of being reused. In the meantime the Benhem building is not contributing and could just as easily be torn down. I doubt many would stand for that. All kinds of hell is raised about Bronson Lamb wanting to tear down his house on Greenwood yet I hear nothing about the house on Orleans Court (built circa 1922) that was torn down so the neighbor could increase the space in his backyard.
Did this happen in the last 2 years? I just checked that street out on Google Maps Streetview and see that it's just part of that one houses backyard now. Wasn't there a gigantic light blue house there? That's messed up.
^Yes. That's the one.
Wow, how did RAP allow a house like that be torn down so that a 2001-built POS could be allowed to have a larger backyard? Are they completely asleep at the wheel? Have they done anything worth a damn in the past 30 years aside from harping on how great RAM is?
Should I be surprised that in the Streetview image of that house there's a Jim Love sign in the yard?
Residents, RAP appeal restaurant plan approvals
Added by SethWilliam on November 5, 2012.
Saved under Neighborhood News for Riverside, Avondale, Ortega and Murray Hill
Two local groups have appealed the city planning commission’s Sep. 27 approval of Mellow Mushroom’s exception application.
Those groups include We Love Avondale LLC â€" known as “the opposition†to Mellow Mushroom’s Avondale restaurant plans â€" as well as Riverside Avondale Preservation, according to WLA organizer and Avondale attorney, Thomas M. Donahoo, Jr. RAP Executive Director Carmen Godwin said RAP filed an appeal of the commission’s approval on Oct. 22. WLA filed its appeal on Oct. 18.
The groups are appealing the exception E-12-35, Mellow Mushroom’s application for outdoor sales and service and full sale of alcohol.
WLA and its appeal interests are being represented by local attorneys George Gable and Jennifer Mansfield of Holland & Knight. WLA’s appeal was filed by Donahoo, Mark Anderson and Alicia Grant on behalf of an attached list of more than 100 people who felt the commission did not apply the criteria and standards of review when it approved Mellow Mushroom’s plans in September. In its appeal, the group listed 13 errors the commission committed in its approval.
“The staff report did not provide adequate detailed support of the application or the conditions of approval,†wrote Donahoo in an email last month. “Ultimately, the residents do not believe their concerns were heard.â€
An appeals hearing is expected to be heard by the city’s land use and zoning committee on Dec. 4. Depending on the outcome, the committee could make a recommendation to the City Council which could possibly hear the concerns by year’s end or early 2013, Donahoo said.
Mellow Mushroom spokesman Simon Keymer said the group was “disappointed and a little surprised at the appeals filed regarding the planning commission’s decision.â€
“In this newspaper in July, a spokesman for WLA, LLC clearly stated that all he wanted was for Mellow Mushroom ‘….to follow the law.’ As WLA, LLC knows, Mellow has met or exceeded the letter of every applicable law and, as a result of community input, radically changed its re-development plans to the point where it now actually exceeds parking requirements,†Keymer shared. “What’s more, both the planning commission and the historic commission have pronounced themselves satisfied. Unfortunately, it seems that just ‘following the law’ is not enough for WLA, LLC after all.â€
“We hope that WLA,LLC will soon refocus on meaningful efforts to address existing challenges in the neighborhood, rather than continuing its mean-spirited crusade against a family-friendly restaurant that the overwhelming majority of people in Avondale cannot wait to see open,†Keymer stated.
By Susanna P. Barton
Resident Community News
I have worked with Mr. Valentino and his three other Mellows for four years now as a vendor. I also work with 100 other restaurants every week (I own TriviaNation.com.) Mr. Valentino's stores are among the most well managed and staffed restaurants in which we work. Mr. Valentino has nearly 0% management turnover and among the lowest turnover in his stores because he is extremely loyal to his staff (and his vendors, BTW.)
I would not recommend just any owner to go into Riverside/Avondale but Mr. Valentino is such a conscientious and successful owner whose restaurants are so good for the communities in which they are located, that having his (and his management team's) Mellow in Riverside/Avondale would be great for that area. I understand that parking stinks but they have done everything asked of them by the powers that be to address those issues and other issues it seems. I don't quite understand the fight, here.
Lastly, why would Mr. Valentino want to open a Mellow in Riverside/Avondale if he doesn't think that it was a good fit for the community? He and his family live there, for goodness sakes! Maybe he wants to serve his neighbors and community? Maybe this allows him to work closer to home to spend more time with his family and neighbors. Regardless, Mr. V is not going to go through this process to open a Mellow to then anger his neighbors. He will run a tight ship. It will be a great place for friends and family to go. I've been to all three of his other restaurants and the communities love those stores! (And, a lot of charity work goes on in those Mellows, which I don't think John is even bringing up...)
John, good luck in this process. I don't have to wish you luck on the success of your new Mellow because luck has nothing to do with your success. I look forward to having a pint with you in your new place when you get opened and settled.
RAP, in 12 months, after the new Mellow is open and running and you and your friends and families are happy Mellow patrons, I think you will all ask yourselves why you made this family go through all of these hoops to add a wonderful asset to your community. I understand your motives. I really do. But in this case, you should let them serve...thanks for listening and have a happy holiday season!
Steve Howard
904 707 1664
It's really sad to see so many organizations that profess to be all about the neighborhood be so conniving and ruthless when it comes to bringing a family restaurant to their area. It appears that the owner has done everything he has been asked to do in regard to brining his restaurant to this area. Those neighborhood organizations will not be happy until they have done everything in their power to keep this business from operating in their area. To that, I say SHAME ON YOU AVONDALE! I think that the owner of Mellow Mushroom should take his fine restaurant to another area of town that would gladly welcome them with open arms. Let Avondale continue to live in the past while others embrace the future.
Quote from: Josh on November 07, 2012, 01:29:31 PM
Quote from: cline on November 07, 2012, 12:26:37 PM
Quote from: John P on November 07, 2012, 11:11:00 AM
I too am shocked that riverside avondale and welove avondale did not prefer to have a unique building as the mellow mushroom rather than the bland facade they will get. They thought they could control it more than they actually can
I've said this before but- it is evident that the the survey of contributing needs to be overhauled. It is causing issues. One of them is for groups to push an agenda. We've got a gas station that is technically not contributing that RAP recommends it be torn down instead of being reused. In the meantime the Benhem building is not contributing and could just as easily be torn down. I doubt many would stand for that. All kinds of hell is raised about Bronson Lamb wanting to tear down his house on Greenwood yet I hear nothing about the house on Orleans Court (built circa 1922) that was torn down so the neighbor could increase the space in his backyard.
Did this happen in the last 2 years? I just checked that street out on Google Maps Streetview and see that it's just part of that one houses backyard now. Wasn't there a gigantic light blue house there? That's messed up.
Saw that too.
QuoteLastly, why would Mr. Valentino want to open a Mellow in Riverside/Avondale if he doesn't think that it was a good fit for the community? He and his family live there, for goodness sakes!
Why?? You gotta be joking. Because the bigger it is, the more money he will make, and whether it's a good fit or not is secondary. And it ain't a good fit!
He does not "live there." He is building a home in Fairfax Manor, a mile and a half away.
Quote from: WmNussbaum on November 12, 2012, 05:54:53 PM
QuoteLastly, why would Mr. Valentino want to open a Mellow in Riverside/Avondale if he doesn't think that it was a good fit for the community? He and his family live there, for goodness sakes!
Why?? You gotta be joking. Because the bigger it is, the more money he will make, and whether it's a good fit or not is secondary. And it ain't a good fit!
He does not "live there." He is building a home in Fairfax Manor, a mile and a half away.
This is what I don't understand Mr. Nussbaum you act since you live on Richmond Street that the Shoppes and Restaurants of Avondale are only for you and your neighbors to enjoy? I find you and the Weloveavondale crowd to be so sad. :'(
Quote from: WmNussbaum on November 12, 2012, 05:54:53 PM
QuoteLastly, why would Mr. Valentino want to open a Mellow in Riverside/Avondale if he doesn't think that it was a good fit for the community? He and his family live there, for goodness sakes!
Why?? You gotta be joking. Because the bigger it is, the more money he will make, and whether it's a good fit or not is secondary. And it ain't a good fit!
He does not "live there." He is building a home in Fairfax Manor, a mile and a half away.
There ya go. That "You don't really live here so you really don't care about nor should you have any say in this community." type schpeel. As someone who has a longer and larger investment in Springfield than 95% of the residents, but no longer lives there, I have heard this a lot, every time I didn't agree with what SPAR wanted. As the owner of several small businesses though, it is actually more important that a community be successful and a great place to be than if you just own one single home. Heck I almost spend more time in Springfield today than when I lived there.
Get real, WmNussbaum, and start finding real facts to support your case and perhaps people will listen and care.
(https://irishlaundry.com/userfiles/image/Baumer.jpg)
John, I sent the following to all city coucilmembers. I encourage all to do the same:
Mr. Love,
I would like to express my opinion on the Mellow Mushroom Avondale zoning situation:
1. First and foremost, this group has met all requirement for zoning, except parking although they have worked with all to provide more than originally proposed. This site is zoned for commercial and cannot be denied building a restaurant.
2. They have modified the design several times to â€meet the demands “ of RAP and WLA. Something they really did not need to do.
3. All of the restaurants in Avondale have been given exemptions for parking and other requirements such as liquor sales and outdoor dining. MM SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED OUT.
One problem may be that some of the members of these organizations own competing restaurants. How ironic that they have received exemptions, but do not believe MM should get them.
MM is not a bar. They have met zoning requirements. They are not asking for anything that has not been granted to others in the past. This should be approved.
Thanks,
Quote from: WmNussbaum on November 12, 2012, 05:54:53 PM
QuoteLastly, why would Mr. Valentino want to open a Mellow in Riverside/Avondale if he doesn't think that it was a good fit for the community? He and his family live there, for goodness sakes!
Why?? You gotta be joking. Because the bigger it is, the more money he will make, and whether it's a good fit or not is secondary. And it ain't a good fit!
He does not "live there." He is building a home in Fairfax Manor, a mile and a half away.
He doesn't "live there". Mr. Nussbaum #1 He purchased a dilapidated gas station in the neighborhood and leased the building next door so he has invested in the community. #2 Fairfax Manor/Avondale, I guess because I live in Country Club Estates I shouldn't say I live in Ortega. You sir are splitting hairs. #3 Mr. Valentino has been a resident in the Ortega/Avondale/Riverside area for I believe well over 10 years. I don't think he is some "carpetbagger" trying to show us how to do things. #4 He not only met the letter of the law (which WLA was asking him to do), he listened to you and the WLA/RAP demands and incorporated them into his plan. He is actually be more community minded than you.
The problem I've had with the whole process is listening to the lies (Mellow Mushroom is a nightclub, if he just does _____ and _____ we will be satisfied, we are not anti-business, it will drive property values down, you can't drive down the street, he doesn't live here....). However, the fact is the Shoppes have been here longer than most of the homeowners. You chose to live in a mixed use community. As long as Mr. Valentino applies/builds/meet what the law requires, he should be allowed to do business. Last time I checked this was still the USA.
^^+1000 WLA how do you like those apples.
WLA = We Limit Avondale
You're missing Nussbaum's point: The Rowdy Pizza Crowd (tm) is exponentially rowdier and more pizza-frenzied when they're coming from a mile away. This is literally the most important thing Avondale has ever had to worry about.
Quote from: Tacachale on November 13, 2012, 11:45:45 PM
You're missing Nussbaum's point: The Rowdy Pizza Crowd (tm) is exponentially rowdier and more pizza-frenzied when they're coming from a mile away. This is literally the most important thing Avondale has ever had to worry about.
^ wonder what they think of the crowd who comes from the beaches :P