I thought that as a counterpoint to the depressing Mellow Mushroom graffiti thread elsewhere on the forums, I would post some positive shots of the construction progress going on inside the building :D
Here's the middle room of the MM complex, featuring the bar and an open dining area:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0110_zps525b5f67.jpg)
This is a shot looking through the bar toward the old Emly Benham space:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0112_zpsaa1ffc86.jpg)
This is the room closest to The Brick (notice the ever-popular Big Ass Fan, by now a Riverside/Avondale restaurant staple):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0111_zps1d24296c.jpg)
This is the lot where the old service station stood, behind the new construction:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0113_zpsf3ac3ee7.jpg)
Cage lighting in the old Emly Benham/Town foyer:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0116_zpscc084da4.jpg)
A "pin wall" to the left of the Emly Benham/Town entranceway... very unique:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0119_zpsc7f2f76c.jpg)
Looking through the old Town space toward the bar area and The Brick:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0121_zpsf04c63ef.jpg)
The old Emly Benham/Town space, completely retooled:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0118_zps42d40142.jpg)
And the crown jewel thus far, Avondale's answer to the psychedelic school bus at Mellow Mushroom Jax Beach... the vintage Fire Truck(!!):
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0117_zps526cc04d.jpg)
Another shot of the truck dwarfing the old Town space:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v403/rav4guy/IMG_0120_zpscce9815d.jpg)
Despite the negativity and mudslinging, Mellow has succeeded in building another visually unique space to add to their portfolio... can't wait to see it finished in February!
Looks good. Have they scheduled an opening date?
Truly Grand!
Looking forward to walking in and not seeing a shoe display.
Sometime in February.
I can't wait to see the "End of the World" tent sponsored by Stephen out front. Selling reddish t-shirts with that horned toad on the front saying "Avondale is doomed" ;D
QuoteI can't wait to see the "End of the World" tent sponsored by Stephen out front. Selling reddish t-shirts with that horned toad on the front saying "Avondale is doomed"
We'll see if he has any influence with the Mayor, see if they can get some TV cameras out front and make it a night in Avondale that we will never soon forget!
Feb 9 is the proposed opening data for MM in Avondale, from what I have heard. Graffiti not withstanding....
I don't have anything against Mellow Mushroom per sey, I just feel that there are so many locally owned restaurants that are worth supporting.
I can go to the St Johns Town Center or Tinseltown when I want a generic chain restaurant fix.
Quote from: BoldBoyOfTheSouth on January 24, 2014, 11:52:27 AM
I don't have anything against Mellow Mushroom per sey, I just feel that there are so many locally owned restaurants that are worth supporting.
I can go to the St Johns Town Center or Tinseltown when I want a generic chain restaurant fix.
I see what you're trying to say, but John Valentino's team has showed more commitment to Jax, and meeting the specific needs of the area, than dozens of "local" restaurant owners. Sure, there is a national brand name over the door, but if you have actually followed this story, you'd know that MM is committed to Jax and more specifically Avondale.
Besides locals can be chains too: The Loop, Firehouse, Larry's giant subs, Bono's and to a lesser extent Cruisers, Al's, & La . Some of these care about Jax, and the smaller communities they serve, more than others. I would venture to say that valentino's restaurant group is as equally committed as any of these local chains.
The Valentino family is about as local as it gets.
The use a local Design/Architects-Design Coop and a local General Contractor-Tenant Contractors.
The dishwashers, prep cooks, pizza throwers, waitstaff, bartenders, hostesses and managers all live here.
Sure a small percentage goes to corporate but most of the money you spend at the Mellow Mushroom stays local.
You will not find a MM that looks like the Avondale store in ATL or most other cities. They do a nice design and I look forward to what they plan to do with a stand alone store at Rivercity Market Place.
McDonalds, Burger Kings, Zaxbys, firehouse subs, yeah, they are all managed and operated by locals who own these chain stores. To boycott them is to hurt the locals who need the income to support the rents, services and JEA locally. So you end up hurting the city by thinking you are helping local businesses.
Chick-fil-a, their franchise program is a great one, the franchise owner puts in 5k, the corporate puts in 5k and they both split all the profits. So they are equally in the biz for good or bad. All those people working in there are locals depending on your business.
Just thought you should be informed that locals help support large chains.
Thanks for the photos, joshuataylor. The place looks fantastic, and I can't wait to go there! I hope Mellow Mushroom does well in that location, and methinks the idiot taggers will soon be forgotten.
Quote from: mtraininjax on January 25, 2014, 08:45:06 AM
McDonalds, Burger Kings, Zaxbys, firehouse subs, yeah, they are all managed and operated by locals who own these chain stores.
Firehouse corporate is located in and owned by locals so there is no argument there.
I've visited quite a few Mellow locations in and out of state, and this one looks like it will be nicer than any I remember. Really impressive interior design job so far.