QuoteAn informal outdoor cafe is coming to Hemming Park next month as one of the first major staples to be added to the area by the Friends of Hemming Park. Named after Jacksonville statesman Charles Edward Bennett, the 64-seat cafe will be located next to the life-size cast bronze statue of Bennett on the corner of Monroe and Laura Street. The cafe will feature 16 tables and several umbrellas in the shady corner of Hemming Plaza.
At the moment, the cafe will feature a rotating line-up of caterers and eateries until a permanent vendor is selected in March. As well as a food provider, Vagabond Coffee shop will also operate in the park on a regular basis. The Friends also plans on applying for a beer and wine license once an official vendor is established. Inspired by the Bryant Park Cafe in New York City, one of the key features the Friends of Hemming Park sought to install was a cafe where people would have more reasons to access the park, said Vincent Cavin, executive director for Friends of Hemming Park. "After studying what the core elements that make a successful public square, one necessary ingredient was always a cafe.
This was our first call to action in transforming Hemming Park into a vibrant, urban square," Cavin said in an inteview. "I imagine a space that attracts diverse groups to the square. The cafe is only the first phase of amenities to be added to the park; we're looking forward to becoming part of Downtown's culinary experience."Charlie's Cafe will open 11 a.m. Jan. 5 with the Asian cuisine Fusion food truck as its first restaurant. The permanent vendor will be selected through a Request for Proposals process conducted by the city. Vendors interested in being featured during the demo period can contact Liz Grebe at Liz@hemmingpark.org.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/12/29/new-cafe-coming-to-hemming-park.html
Great news. I've passed by Vagabond a few times but have always been too busy to stop so I haven't tried it.
Hemming is coming along nicely. I envision with all the business additions, sweet petes, more programming/events for the park, and a makeover with things like splash pads, etc for the park itself, that making a whole day centered around Hemming with the kids wouldn't be out of the question. A couple years ago I would've never thought that at all.
Here's the press release that was sent to my Metro Jacksonville email account earlier today:
QuoteHemming Park announced today it will open its café, "Charlie's Café," on Monday, January 5, 2015 at 11 a.m. as one of the first major amenities to be added to the park from the Friends of Hemming Park. The café, named after Jacksonville-based statesman Charles Edward Bennett, will be a staple of the park's amenities drawing lunchtime crowds from Monday to Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Based on research from other successful parks around the nation, one of the key features the Friends of Hemming Park sought to install was a café where people would have more reasons to access the park, sit under the canopy of trees, and be an attractive meeting place. The 64-seat café will feature a rotating line-up of caterers, restaurants, and food trucks until the final Request for Proposal Applications are completed in early March. Upon selecting a regular food vendor, the café will have a rotating menu of seasonal options for downtown workers, residents, and tourists.
"After studying what the core elements that make a successful public square, one necessary ingredient was always a café. This was our first call to action in transforming Hemming Park into a vibrant, urban square," says Vincent Cavin, executive director for Friends of Hemming Park. "I imagine a space that attracts diverse groups to the square. The café is only the first phase of amenities to be added to the park; we're looking forward to becoming part of downtown's culinary experience."
About Friends of Hemming Park: Founded in 2013, Friends of Hemming Park (FOHP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to help revitalize the heart of our city. It has recently been selected by the City of Jacksonville to take over the management of Hemming Park. FOHP is made up of a collaborative team consisting of members with experience in major cultural organizations of Northeast Florida including the Cultural Council, Downtown Vision, Inc. and One Spark, and supported by cultural institutions and downtown business leaders. The organization is dedicated to programming Hemming Park year round to make it clean, safe and attractive as a gathering place and central location for family-friendly activities. Visit www.hemmingpark.org for more information.
GREAT move by FHP.
Who would have thought it, the city steps aside and lets the private sector take over, and suddenly more progress is being made in a couple of months than in the last two decades combined.
And to think, they're just getting started.
Fantastic work by all those involved.
Quote from: KenFSU on December 29, 2014, 04:52:25 PM
Who would have thought it, the city steps aside and lets the private sector take over, and suddenly more progress is being made in a couple of months than in the last two decades combined.
to be fair, it is not the private sector...FHP is a non-profit and their initial funding came from the city.
That said, the board and staff are very talented...and all of us can look forward to great things at the park.
Great news. This kind of action can only be good for the core. If we are on track, the increased amenities in the park will tend to draw people from outside too, whether for a visit, or to permanently live and work in the core. And of course, as similar additions to the park are initiated, there will be a gradual decrease in the spaces available for those who've claimed it as a social hangout for decades.
Quote from: KenFSU on December 29, 2014, 04:52:25 PM
GREAT move by FHP.
Who would have thought it, the city steps aside and lets the private sector take over, and suddenly more progress is being made in a couple of months than in the last two decades combined.
And to think, they're just getting started.
Fantastic work by all those involved.
It's like you are a psychic with the JBJ quote
QuoteInspired by the Bryant Park Cafe in New York City, one of the key features the Friends of Hemming Park sought to install was a cafe where people would have more reasons to access the park, said Vincent Cavin, executive director for Friends of Hemming Park. "After studying what the core elements that make a successful public square, one necessary ingredient was always a cafe.
and this thread below. :)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-oct-hemming-plaza-vs-nycs-bryant-park-a-tale-of-two-parks/page/
So will there still be 3 food trucks parked in hemming plaza on Thursdays and Fridays? Or is the cafe replacing this?
I saw somebody working on this today while grabbing lunch. It's going in the corner close-est to the old church on the spot where Wayne's tipi was at onespark.
just an fyi i was wrong about the cafe opening there apparently that is a small stage that is being built.
Wow, I've got to take a trip down to Hemming to see all this! Sounds like a great start, FHP!