Thought MetroJax readers would be interested in the below statement about Intuition that we'll be releasing on FB later today.
It is with heavy heart that we announce that we are no longer able to host events of any size in our open-air brewery space.
After recently receiving a substantial fine for a noise violation and dealing with the stress of frequent visits by JSO, code enforcement and the Environmental Quality Division, all due to complaints made by our residential neighbor, we have made the extremely painful decision to permanently close the brewery area.
Since opening in November of 2010 the space has been used for community events to celebrate Oktoberfest, our anniversary, St. Patrick’s Day, the release of Underdark and many, many other festivities. We will miss welcoming the neighborhood to our little corner of King Street.
But perhaps the most heartbreaking outcome will be that we will no longer be able to host charitable events at Intuition. Over the past two and a half years, we have donated over $60,000 in beer and merchandise to nearly 100 local charities. Through our $1 per pint program, we have donated $20,000 in cash from beer sold during events. On top of all that, we always allow the host charity to use our space free of charge, a substantial in-kind donation.
EQUALITYFEST!, Slow Food First Coast Slow Down, Bold City Brigade, Movember, Community Connections Mardi Gras - we are sad that these events and many more will have to be celebrated elsewhere.
We want to assure our loyal supporters that we have made every attempt to rectify our zoning, parking and noise situations. Sadly, the obstacles to operating a unique, mixed-use business in our historic district have proved insurmountable at our King Street home. But on the bright side, our district councilman Warren Jones understands the challenges we have faced and supports us in moving to a new location where we will be able to operate our business to its fullest potential. For the time being we will refer any event requests to our neighbors and fellow small businesses, Bold City Brewery and CoRK. We thank them, along with Councilman Jones, for their hard work and dedication to improving the neighborhood, for businesses and residents alike.
We are a craft brewery with a focus on the local community, and we consider it a central part of our mission to be able to open our space as a venue for community and charitable events. We look forward to the day when we can welcome those events to our new home.
Sad news but happy to know you are looking for an alternate location. I hope all goes well for Intuition Ale. I am sure it will all work out for the better.
Bad news all around. Hopefully the new digs will give Intuition the appreciation it deserves.
My take on this is to view it as a positive. Hopefully Intuition will now be able to find a location that will meet their needs and at the same time not put them in the cross hairs of neighbors or city inspectors. I think good will come of this. ;)
^In the long term, yes it could be a good thing. But right now it is hard to view it as a positive.
Quote from: cline on June 20, 2013, 02:02:10 PM
^In the long term, yes it could be a good thing. But right now it is hard to view it as a positive.
I understand that sentiment and agree. Right now it is a hardship to be sure, but the business is so well liked I know that good things are ahead for them.
Heard this as a rumor not too long ago; sorry to find out it's reality.
Clearly the King St area needs to bring back the crackwhores and drug dealers.
Quote from: stephendare on June 20, 2013, 02:06:18 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on June 20, 2013, 01:57:03 PM
My take on this is to view it as a positive. Hopefully Intuition will now be able to find a location that will meet their needs and at the same time not put them in the cross hairs of neighbors or city inspectors. I think good will come of this. ;)
I think its ridiculous, no one should have to be bullied and harrassed by a group of ideologues whose mistaken interpretation of the past is leading them to these kinds of shenanigans.
I think its time that Jim Love stepped down to be frank, because he is the district councilperson and he is enabling these kinds of shenanigans.
I certainly do not agree with any business being bullied. My response to the situation is only geared to be supportive to Ben and Intuition Ale in the face of what they just announced. I don't know the particulars of what Intuition may or may not have done to deal with the neighbors and inspectors. I just want Ben to know he still has great community support. :)
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on June 20, 2013, 02:10:30 PM
Quote from: stephendare on June 20, 2013, 02:06:18 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on June 20, 2013, 01:57:03 PM
My take on this is to view it as a positive. Hopefully Intuition will now be able to find a location that will meet their needs and at the same time not put them in the cross hairs of neighbors or city inspectors. I think good will come of this. ;)
I think its ridiculous, no one should have to be bullied and harrassed by a group of ideologues whose mistaken interpretation of the past is leading them to these kinds of shenanigans.
I think its time that Jim Love stepped down to be frank, because he is the district councilperson and he is enabling these kinds of shenanigans.
I certainly do not agree with any business being bullied. My response to the situation is only geared to be supportive to Ben and Intuition Ale in the face of what they just announced. I don't know the particulars of what Intuition may or may not have done to deal with the neighbors and inspectors. I just want Ben to know he still has great community support. :)
You'll get no argument from me on that. I think it is a given that IAW has great community support and Ben and the whole IAW crew have reciprocated with great generosity. Hopefully when they move to a new location they can once again host these events. Problem is that could take a while and in the meantime many of these great charities and events are the ones that are affected negatively. And that is a loss for our community. It is frustrating when a great home-grown community business is forced to do something like this because of one or two residents who are unwilling to compromise.
There has been a wonderful atmosphere at intuition's king street facility ever since they opened. They embraced the community with open arms and, for the most part, the community embraced them back. I know they were reluctant to leave when they were starting to realize they needed more space. At one point they proposed maintaining two locations. This would have been difficult to manage and very costly, but they supported and loved the neighborhood so much that they were willing to try it. Now that the neighborhood has turned away from them, I hope that they are able to launch headlong into a new location with no regrets about what might have been on king street. They will grow to be much more than their old space can contain, so I am hopeful that their transition is quick and they will be laughing at this soon. I can't wait to drink the followup beer to Injuction.
oh this pisses me off, because Riverside has become the progressive hot spot and the best part of Jacksonville the greedy ass powers in this city want to take it over, the city should be taking a page from what the locals have done in Riverside and finish what started in Springfield fix downtown and leave Riverside alone before they destory it like they have the rest of the city >:(
Lots of vacant warehouses in Springfield. Just saying!
Bummer. It sucks that someone who lives across the street from a warehouse and next to a rail line has to complain about noise and stifle the positivity that Intuition has created for the neighborhood.
I can somewhat understand the plight of homeowners in that area. If I lived in that close by, I would probably be annoyed by the prolonged noise at night, too. However, there's no reason that a compromise can't be worked out. Having business in that area helps the neighborhood. It's a shame they have to move. I hope they stay in Riverside!
Sounds like that area needs one of the old sawmills to open back up. Then you'd have industrial machinery humming for hours.
I've never patronized Intuition, however, I'm sure it's a fine establishment. That said, I have always been perplexed how a bar ("craft-brewery" or not, it's open to the public, it's a bar) could operate out of such a location. Anything north of College, or south of the tracks, is clearly a residential locale. Best of luck to Intuition moving forward, but that location was not thought through to begin with, unless it is only a brewing and distribution operation.
^What? It's in an industrial building in an industrial zone. The industrial and residential areas have coexisted for decades. The bar areas are only part of it, and they create a lot less noise than, say, an industrial warehouse that with semis loading and unloading at all hours, or, you know, the train.
unfortunately, our neighborhood is looking pretty fickle with our local businesses. sad to see intuition go.
We had been mulling trying to stage a work event there. Would've brought a lot of people who rarely venture out of TC/the Beaches to the area but guess we'll be have to look elsewhere.
^The taproom is still going to be open, just not the bar in the brewery area.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 20, 2013, 03:07:48 PM
^What? It's in an industrial building in an industrial zone. The industrial and residential areas have coexisted for decades. The bar areas are only part of it, and they create a lot less noise than, say, an industrial warehouse that with semis loading and unloading at all hours, or, you know, the train.
That location has never had "trucks loading and unloading at all hours", and the trains are brief and intermittent. In my observation, that location has always operated within normal business hours, in the 35 years I've been passing by. It is light industrial/warehouse, not hospitality. Want respect from the neighbors? Respect them. End the bar, end the problem.
Quote from: suburbanite on June 20, 2013, 04:06:33 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on June 20, 2013, 03:07:48 PM
^What? It's in an industrial building in an industrial zone. The industrial and residential areas have coexisted for decades. The bar areas are only part of it, and they create a lot less noise than, say, an industrial warehouse that with semis loading and unloading at all hours, or, you know, the train.
That location has never had "trucks loading and unloading at all hours", and the trains are brief and intermittent. In my observation, that location has always operated within normal business hours. It is light industrial/warehouse, not hospitality. Want respect from the neighbors? Respect them. End the bar, end the problem.
That's just weak. It's an industrial zone, all buildings there are zoned for uses that would make a
lot more noise than a bar that closes at 11 on weekends and intermittent charity events. Intuition has done more for that neighborhood than nearly any other tenant, and they're being chased out by one complainer.
You nailed it, Tacachale, when you said that one squeaky wheel in the neighborhood has ruined it for everyone. Too bad there is no city hotline for people to call to commend local businesses to help offset the negative reaction from the cranks...
Thanks for all the kind words and I have gotten pretty emotional today.
I take a great deal of pride in making great beer, creating jobs, improving our neighborhood and raising money for some awesome charities. I am such a capitalist! ;D
Here are a couple things I want to clear up.
1. Jim Love is not our councilmen but he will be after the next election cycle.
Warren Jones is our current councilmen and we are big supporters. He gets what we have added to his district.
2. We are zoned light industrial and here is a list of all the uses allowed by right http://www.coj.net/departments/planning-and-development/docs/district-summaries/industrial-light-_il__february-2012.aspx
After reading that list tell me what is a better fit for our location that will continue to improve the neighborhood. Because that is who will be the next tenant in a couple of years. If it get's rented at all.
So living next to San Juan Animal Hospital and barking dogs all night is better than a brewpub that has reduced crime in the area?
Makes sense...
Quote from: Jaxson on June 20, 2013, 04:26:18 PM
You nailed it, Tacachale, when you said that one squeaky wheel in the neighborhood has ruined it for everyone. Too bad there is no city hotline for people to call to commend local businesses to help offset the negative reaction from the cranks...
^Amen!
The 99% need to start speaking up. The 1% is driving this bus into the ground.
Quote from: KEGreene1 on June 20, 2013, 05:14:25 PM
The 99% need to start speaking up. The 1% is driving this bus into the ground.
I dont think intuition's complaining neighbors are anywher near "the 1%"
Light industrial allows for a restaurant by right:
(6) Restaurants, (regulated by DBPR - Division of Hotels and Restaurants) including retail sale and
service of beer and wine for consumption on premises
Light Industrial zoning also allows for a bar to be opened with an exception, meaning simply that as it is a less intensive use them most of the uses allowed by right, it can certainly be a bar.
(5) Retail sales and service of all alcoholic beverages for either off-premises consumption or on-premises
consumption or both.
(6) Retail sales including outside display.
Did they get you on some percentage of area thing?
I'm a bit surprised that and exception wasn't what was done. If only one complained, then one would think it would pass. Unless the unspoken is that RAP or more was against it? I am also very surprised at the noise level issue and fine. How? Like a bar area like that actually generated more noise than most of the allowed by right uses. Are there time limits I am missing for light industrial to be used?
There does seem like there is more to this story. So, Intuition, if you want a cool place to move to, the warehouse district close to Springfield should meet your needs. Far enough from the residential and still enough loud industrial for you to blend in and avoid any issues. I do have an idea for you that I think would be pretty cool. And no, no profit in it for me except I could stop on the way home....
Quote from: KEGreene1 on June 20, 2013, 05:14:25 PM
The 99% need to start speaking up. The 1% is driving this bus into the ground.
I think this is more like part of the 99% complaining about another part of the 99%. This isn't the rich coming down on the working class. It's yet another case of someone in Jacksonville with a small town mindset making enough noise that something cool and creative risks coming to an end.
Those guys at Intuition must seriously want to do business in Jacksonville to be willing to tolerate this kind of foolishness and stay in town.
Woah, I was looking at a spot over there to open a bar before Rain Dogs. plan came to fruition...glad we choose 5 Points. Shantytown has 1 neighbor, literally 1 person, who dislikes us and calls the cops and code enforcement on us 200 times plus a year. Luckily the cops here know she is crazy and are generally on our side (she often cusses them out when they respond), but they still have to come out and slap us on the wrist every time. But that sucks, I can relate and I feel for you. Your not the problem, your over zealous neighbor is. I hope no one ever rents the building your in again and you find a great new home...come to Springfield, we would welcome you with open arms!
^+!
Quote from: Tacachale on June 20, 2013, 04:14:29 PM
Quote from: suburbanite on June 20, 2013, 04:06:33 PM
Quote from: Tacachale on June 20, 2013, 03:07:48 PM
^What? It's in an industrial building in an industrial zone. The industrial and residential areas have coexisted for decades. The bar areas are only part of it, and they create a lot less noise than, say, an industrial warehouse that with semis loading and unloading at all hours, or, you know, the train.
That location has never had "trucks loading and unloading at all hours", and the trains are brief and intermittent. In my observation, that location has always operated within normal business hours. It is light industrial/warehouse, not hospitality. Want respect from the neighbors? Respect them. End the bar, end the problem.
That's just weak. It's an industrial zone, all buildings there are zoned for uses that would make a lot more noise than a bar that closes at 11 on weekends and intermittent charity events. Intuition has done more for that neighborhood than nearly any other tenant, and they're being chased out by one complainer.
After reading IAW's link to zoning uses, it seems apparent IAW was within their rights, and used the property in a manner consistent with it's zoning. However, it is directly across a two lane street from homes, and even if operating hours generally cease at 11pm, noise ordinances take effect at 10pm. No other tenant ever worked that late. It's going to be hard to get a suitable tenant in that property after this, everyone loses. It does look like a good fit for expansion of CoRK, call it KaT (King at Tracks).
This is a shame. IAW just let us film a movie in that space this past weekend. They could not have been more wonderful to our cast and crew.
Can we have an IAW solidarity day?? Can we have it outside the RAP building?? Maybe Olsen and associates can let us use their parking lot right across the street.
Those involved with IAW have made both Riverside and Jacksonville better places. Whether it's community involvement or simply local job creation, we're happy for all that IAW does and believe Riverside's loss will eventually end up being another neighborhood's gain. Hopefully, IAW can find a space that allows them the capacity to grow and become a greater anchor in the community than they are today.
Ben has one crazy neighbor right across the street. Neither RAP or Jim Love has had anything to do with the problems that neighbor has been causing him from the beginning.
Ben has done everything possible to solve the complaints, but you can't satisfy crazy. There were even calls to the police about people parking on the street in front of his house and walking by on the sidewalk.
Everybody else has welcomed them to the neighborhood.
We are all looking forward to the new location and resuming the great events we are going to have there.
Quote from: Dog Walker on June 21, 2013, 10:37:10 AM
you can't satisfy crazy. There were even calls to the police about people parking on the street in front of his house and walking by on the sidewalk.
Sounds like the same kind of crazies we have in Avondale- heaven forbid people park on the street or walk on the sidewalks.
Quote from: Dog Walker on June 21, 2013, 10:37:10 AM
Ben has one crazy neighbor right across the street. Neither RAP or Jim Love has had anything to do with the problems that neighbor has been causing him from the beginning.
Ben has done everything possible to solve the complaints, but you can't satisfy crazy. There were even calls to the police about people parking on the street in front of his house and walking by on the sidewalk.
Everybody else has welcomed them to the neighborhood.
We are all looking forward to the new location and resuming the great events we are going to have there.
Doing my best to bite my tongue here...
Ben, you should put this out front.
(http://i.imgur.com/1TpEOji.jpg)
Quote from: Intuition Ale Works on June 21, 2013, 11:06:01 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on June 21, 2013, 10:37:10 AM
Ben has one crazy neighbor right across the street. Neither RAP or Jim Love has had anything to do with the problems that neighbor has been causing him from the beginning.
Ben has done everything possible to solve the complaints, but you can't satisfy crazy. There were even calls to the police about people parking on the street in front of his house and walking by on the sidewalk.
Everybody else has welcomed them to the neighborhood.
We are all looking forward to the new location and resuming the great events we are going to have there.
Doing my best to bite my tongue here...
Love's failure to go to bat for business is well documented. He's a fine example of what is wrong at Hemming Plaza, but that's what you get when you elect insurance salesmen, redneck barbers, exorcists and former hookers. Elections are coming - encourage better people to run and then get out and support them.
I could send General Klytus to handle this properly, but I'm sure someone would complain about me parking War Rocket Ajax in Riverside.
Quote from: stephendare on June 21, 2013, 10:40:43 AM
Quote from: Dog Walker on June 21, 2013, 10:37:10 AM
Ben has one crazy neighbor right across the street. Neither RAP or Jim Love has had anything to do with the problems that neighbor has been causing him from the beginning.
Ben has done everything possible to solve the complaints, but you can't satisfy crazy. There were even calls to the police about people parking on the street in front of his house and walking by on the sidewalk.
Everybody else has welcomed them to the neighborhood.
We are all looking forward to the new location and resuming the great events we are going to have there.
But these preservation cum HOA organizations have created an environment where all complaints are pursued by the city and no one ever gets reverse prosecuted for abusing city resources or harrassment.
Exactly. The city, councilperson, (even the mayor) need to be involved in stuff like this, go to bat & tell these people to either move, or to STFU. Instead, we get the JSO ticket -writing do-nothing goons showing up every 5 minutes to write citations, even though Intuition did absolutely nothing wrong. One single wacko should not have this much power to completely displace an established business.
Fuck everything about this. And shame on the city for letting it happen.
I have a rental house over there and have welcomed the new businesses. In my opinion the trains cause way more noise than every bar and restaurant in Riverside combined. If this guy that's complaining wants to do something really good for the neighborhood, go to tell CSX to be quiet !!!
How about a Kickstarter campaign to buy this curmudgeon's house, sell it to someone cool, and then give everyone their money back?
Or someone could just throw a brick through his window...just kidding...but seriously, I wouldn't be mad if some young, beer loving, parking space taking Riversider had a little fun at his expense.
Maybe Intuition should come out to those hated Burbs on the Southside. No one complains of noise at Whisky River. ;)
Quote from: CityLife on June 21, 2013, 04:17:32 PM
Or someone could just throw a brick through his window...just kidding...but seriously, I wouldn't be mad if some young, beer loving, parking space taking Riversider had a little fun at his expense.
Yeah, or we could even just burn a big wooden cross in this resident's yard. It's been a while since we had a good ol' fashioned cross burnin' in town...amirite?
::)
So sad to hear this. Intuition events are the best, and I can’t think of many businesses who support our community as much as they do. Too bad Annie Lytle or Fire Station 5 are not feasible locations…
Quote from: L.P. Hovercraft on June 21, 2013, 06:56:54 PM
Quote from: CityLife on June 21, 2013, 04:17:32 PM
Or someone could just throw a brick through his window...just kidding...but seriously, I wouldn't be mad if some young, beer loving, parking space taking Riversider had a little fun at his expense.
Yeah, or we could even just burn a big wooden cross in this resident's yard. It's been a while since we had a good ol' fashioned cross burnin' in town...amirite?
::)
Lighten up bud. It was a joke.
Did anyone else see the intuition news piece just now where the old man complained about.....beer bottles all over his yard on sunday morning on his way to church. Um, yeah. Too bad intuition doesn't sell bottled anything. Smh.
And the other guy complaing about it being 50 from a residential neighborhood. Last time I checked, it was a mixed-use urban neighborhood.
Oh lawd jesus thars a fire. Ain't nobody got time for dat.
^^^ www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/article/321431/3/Intuition-Ale-issued-cease-and-desist-order-over-noise
This is also the same guy that has blocked King Street with his truck, not allowing cars to pass to protest people being at the brewery. He also yells at people walking by. He made a REALLY threatening remark to my lady friend once.
The only beer bottles I see (and I pick up trash along here once a month) are natty ice cans, malt liquor bottles, cigarette packs and the occasional used condom. I also see the occasional hooker up the street. Guess that's all Intuition's fault as well.
Btw, he lives 50 feet from a railroad track in an area that is mostly light industrial. The industrial buildings and train track pre-date his house. Watch out CSX!
They ought to challenge the noise ticket, those are almost never written with the proper sound measurements taken at the proper distances with the proper equipment.
Yeah, cuz all those bottles of beer that Intuition sells......
Gotta love the city bending over backwards to accommodate a resident that literally pays nothing in property taxes.
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on July 26, 2013, 07:22:38 AM
They ought to challenge the noise ticket, those are almost never written with the proper sound measurements taken at the proper distances with the proper equipment.
I agree & would fight this all the way. For one, because its just plain wrong. And two, because it sets a bad example & precedent.
Plus, the guy's clearly an idiot & outta be fined himself for making so many bogus calls, blocking traffic, making threats to random patrons, etc. "They're just too big for the neighborhood being across from homeowners". Is this guy aware of where he lives (a mixed use industrialized neighborhood)?? Seriously, fuck this stupid asshole.
Also, I have to ask, but could this guy's problem be with gentrification of the neighborhood? It happens more than you think & I personally saw a LOT of it while in DC (mostly from the older black community).
Anyways, that certainly seems plausible seeing that he appears to have zero problems with all the other shenanigans going on over there, or you know, living next to a freakin train track.
Recent article about the "fun" we've been having!
http://www.pageturnpro.com/Resident-News-Group,-Inc/44771-Resident-News-ROAM-Aug-2013/index.html#10
A very sad comment from Ben is about the trouble they are having working with the City on potential new sites. "Next level"? "Business friendly"? not really
Quote from: Charles Hunter on August 04, 2013, 09:17:28 AM
A very sad comment from Ben is about the trouble they are having working with the City on potential new sites. "Next level"? "Business friendly"? not really
Just to be clear, our recent discussions with the city have been positive.
Oh, good! Glad to hear it!
The article was very kind to use the term "mentally unbalanced". "Crazy as a sprayed roach", would be a better description. There is no way to compromise with such a person. I don't know how Ben has taken it as long as he has.