Once Marked for Demolition, The Bostwick Moves Forward!
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Development/Cowford-chophouse/i-BMCV4Hp/0/O/Cowford-Logo-Shield-Clean-BLACK.jpg)
After a protracted battle with the scions of the Bostwick Building over their continued demolition by neglect of the historic downtown structure, the Brown Administration stepped in and foreclosed on the building to make it available to reasonable offers of redevelopment. Today, the new owners of the building had a press conference to announce a the ownership group of the Cowford Chophouse and to celebrate The City's green light to move forward.
Read More: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2015-apr-once-marked-for-demolition-the-bostwick-moves-forward
Have there been renderings of what the interior will look like? I can only remember seeing an exterior one before.
Hats off to Klempf and Burns for making this happen and taking a risk Downtown. We as a community really need to start treating local developers and investors like them as rock stars, and encouraging others to do the same.
Also looks like the Mayor and DIA may have a nice little feather in their cap if this gets off the ground.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 28, 2015, 12:31:07 PM
Shitty, stupid name with an even worse logo. Notwithstanding, hope they turn the building around and have success.
I'm always skeptical when I hear a project like this, until I actually see construction start. With that said, in 18 months if I can have a drink at the bar, I really don't give a damn what it's called.
^ I'm really starting to wonder if you come on here to just troll. Sure, Jax does a lot of things wrong, but I have literally never seen you say anything positive.
I like the logo!
Also, it's worth pointing out that Anne Banas was a major contributer, if not the major contributor, to the Jaguar mural on the building.
I'll take something mildly dorky like Forking Amazing over something pretentious all day long.
Pretty interesting what Ovinte, Aix, and Forking are building locally. They have a number of nice restaurants they have begun to acquire. They have purchased Pele's. You see the same in Jim Thomas, a Jacksonville restaurateur, with Ragtime Tavern, Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery and A1A Ale Works. Jon Insetta with Chew, Orsay, Black Sheep and the local farm. Ian with the Fox and Chomp Chomp. Allegretti with Burrito Gallery and their plans. Valentino with the Mellow Mushrooms. Medure with Matthews, M-Shacks, etc.
We have some people who are pretty damn good at knowing what people in Jacksonville like to eat, and the owners are here in Jacksonville with us. Jacksonville is no longer the chain restaurant hell it used to be.
Quote from: Downtown Osprey on April 28, 2015, 12:56:35 PM
^ I'm really starting to wonder if you come on here to just troll. Sure, Jax does a lot of things wrong, but I have literally never seen you say anything positive.
Bingo!
As for the name I like it, makes it unique Jacksonville. The logo is nice, clean and classy. I'm looking forward to this, such an awesome location, high traffic/exposure, I've got high hope for it, and hope to enjoy many steaks there in the future!
What happened to the CowFish? I thought that was a great logo. And I agree. There are some great restaurant guys in town, and it's getting better every day.
Quote from: Downtown Osprey on April 28, 2015, 12:56:35 PM
^ I'm really starting to wonder if you come on here to just troll. Sure, Jax does a lot of things wrong, but I have literally never seen you say anything positive.
Agree. This site really needs an ignore button.
I have to agree that logo sucks pretty badly. I honestly thought it was something they threw together to slap on top of the proposal. Then, I read that it has been "revealed" as the new logo. It's really bad guys. The cowfish was very unappetizing, but the new logo is bush league.
Come on. The Cowfish was a delicious looking meat mermaid.
Quote from: Downtown Osprey on April 28, 2015, 12:56:35 PM
^ I'm really starting to wonder if you come on here to just troll. Sure, Jax does a lot of things wrong, but I have literally never seen you say anything positive.
She does the same thing in the Jacksonville subreddit. I've learned to just downvote and ignore her there....
Quote from: jaxjaguar on April 28, 2015, 02:15:05 PM
Quote from: Downtown Osprey on April 28, 2015, 12:56:35 PM
^ I'm really starting to wonder if you come on here to just troll. Sure, Jax does a lot of things wrong, but I have literally never seen you say anything positive.
She does the same thing in the Jacksonville subreddit. I've learned to just downvote and ignore her there....
MMR is just not afraid to say that the Emperor is naked. Major upvotes!
It is generic. That's why I say bring back the Cowfish. But really, who cares. Open the thing up and let's partay.
Anyone know the status of Lavernueas Coles' place. Hardly any work going on down there.
Here's my two cents on MeatFish-Logo-Hater-gate:
Can we chill on the outrage of the logo until we get some renderings of the inside and the upstairs patio area? This is a gorgeous historic building and the owners have grand plans for this place soperhaps a more subdued logo may not be the coolest idea, but perhaps be the most appropriate. It's not like they're opening a new JoAnn's Chili Bordello in this spot.
Hard for me to get my head around this, but the fact that the Downtown Jacksonville I know in less than 3 years is on the cusp of repurposing 3 historical long neglected structures into lively and classy dining and entertainment destinations is amazing and awesome! Best of luck to those involved.
So a new upscale restaurant opening in a historic building downtown and all most can focus on is the logo.
I guess the delivery from MMR is poor. Calling something "shitty" sets a bad tone,even if it is just about the sign and name.
Maybe this is why we can't have nice things. Here we have someone putting up money to bring value to the city and these are the responses they get.
Think positive Jax!
^Preach.
Look, I don't think the logo is that awe-inspiring. However, complaining about that given the news of this place (assuming it does actually open), is like having a winning lottery ticket and bitching because the drive to Tallahassee is boring.
You want a shitty downtown logo? Try CSX
My 5th grader could have done better.
Logo don't mean squat unless the food and service are great.
I have been to plenty of places with s*(&^% logos but served some of the best stuff in world.
100% positive word of mouth after it opens is worth more than any logo.
Put the money literally where the mouth is, not in what people will see when they drive by. This isn't Fridays or Olive Garden.
As I said before, I look forward to MJ hosting a cocktail party to celebrate post opening.
Open bar...Murder me Rachel is buying. See you all there.
Metro Jacksonville meet up? :D
QuoteMurder me rachel often has contrary opinions, but is not a troll. to be honest MMR adds liveliness to discussions that would otherwise become lazy.
YAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWN.....
Boy, this thread really took a tumble... :o
Shouldn't we be celebrating the fact that an historic building has been saved and is scheduled to begin renovations next month? I don't really understand all of the negativity and digression. These guys aren't amateurs. They have successful restaurants already, a clear vision for something downtown is seriously lacking, and the funding is a done deal. The logo is simple which really is the current trend. Apple's logo is is a frickin apple and they seem to be doing just fine.
Let's focus on the subject, not your personal issues.
Making a success of upscale dining on the northbank will probably be very difficult. Hope these folks can make it work but even if they can't, something else can in that space right in the middle of the Elbow.
Brainstormer says:
"Shouldn't we be celebrating the fact that an historic building has been saved and is scheduled to begin renovations next month?"
Sure, if this wasn't Jacksonville FL. Let's celebrate when the doors open. Remember the amazing plans announced for the Laura Street trio
and old Barnett Bank over a year ago?
That's my point.
So, yeah...let's get back to the fact that a new eatery is opening up downtown and that a historic building is being rejuvenated. Who cares about the logo? That's what the owners decided upon so let it be.
I'm excited about it and look forward to visiting it once it opens.
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2015, 12:26:57 AM
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on April 28, 2015, 06:35:50 PM
Here's my two cents on MeatFish-Logo-Hater-gate:
Can we chill on the outrage of the logo until we get some renderings of the inside and the upstairs patio area? This is a gorgeous historic building and the owners have grand plans for this place soperhaps a more subdued logo may not be the coolest idea, but perhaps be the most appropriate. It's not like they're opening a new JoAnn's Chili Bordello in this spot.
Hard for me to get my head around this, but the fact that the Downtown Jacksonville I know in less than 3 years is on the cusp of repurposing 3 historical long neglected structures into lively and classy dining and entertainment destinations is amazing and awesome! Best of luck to those involved.
Hey ... Gotta have something to talk about right. The logo is all we got.
Renderings of the inside...what... This place is supposed to be complete in 8 months.
You haven't seen the renderings yet. How about the renderings for Coles' place. Or Kenny
Gilbert's place. Or the other guy that keep having press releases about plans on buildings
He doesn't own.
If this gets done, at a projected 6mm renovation number, it will be like Pele's. Great for
The second owner. More likely, Klemph will own for a few years then sell to someone else
For their dream.
Like everyone else...I hope it works... Especially for these guys... But....we'll see
Opening in 8 months? Where did you come up with that tidbit of info?? Let's see story says it would open Summer 2016, which could be September 2016. By my calendar and counting that would be 17 months. Significantly different than your 8 months used to support your, eh post.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 29, 2015, 12:24:16 PM
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2015, 09:05:46 AM
Back to the restaurant itself... I notice one of the original partners names is missing from the article. Is he gone? Wasn't he the restaurant guy of the group?
Without people ganging up on me...In my experience, Chad was anarrogant dick overly-confident not nice person. Wouldnt be surprised if they gave him the heave-ho.
Strike-through... It is an improvement.
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2015, 12:56:36 PM
Quote from: edjax on April 29, 2015, 11:48:53 AM
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2015, 12:26:57 AM
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on April 28, 2015, 06:35:50 PM
Here's my two cents on MeatFish-Logo-Hater-gate:
Can we chill on the outrage of the logo until we get some renderings of the inside and the upstairs patio area? This is a gorgeous historic building and the owners have grand plans for this place soperhaps a more subdued logo may not be the coolest idea, but perhaps be the most appropriate. It's not like they're opening a new JoAnn's Chili Bordello in this spot.
Hard for me to get my head around this, but the fact that the Downtown Jacksonville I know in less than 3 years is on the cusp of repurposing 3 historical long neglected structures into lively and classy dining and entertainment destinations is amazing and awesome! Best of luck to those involved.
Hey ... Gotta have something to talk about right. The logo is all we got.
Renderings of the inside...what... This place is supposed to be complete in 8 months.
You haven't seen the renderings yet. How about the renderings for Coles' place. Or Kenny
Gilbert's place. Or the other guy that keep having press releases about plans on buildings
He doesn't own.
If this gets done, at a projected 6mm renovation number, it will be like Pele's. Great for
The second owner. More likely, Klemph will own for a few years then sell to someone else
For their dream.
Like everyone else...I hope it works... Especially for these guys... But....we'll see
Opening in 8 months? Where did you come up with that tidbit of info?? Let's see story says it would open Summer 2016, which could be September 2016. By my calendar and counting that would be 17 months. Significantly different than your 8 months used to support your, eh post.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2014-nov-bostwick-building-to-be-renamed-the-cowford-chophouse
A is for the info. Appears to me that MetroJax info my be incorrect or outdated. As all stories I have seen since their announcement yesterday in Biz Journal, TU and Daily Record state Summer 2016. But regardless it is all good news in my opinion.
Never mind I see you just now included article from November 2014. ;). The article with his specific thread indicates Summer 2016.
^Yes, that article was published in November 2014. At that time, that was the date they gave in their press release. They probably underestimated the time it would take to fix the place up.
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on April 29, 2015, 12:24:16 PM
Quote from: Apache on April 29, 2015, 09:05:46 AM
Back to the restaurant itself... I notice one of the original partners names is missing from the article. Is he gone? Wasn't he the restaurant guy of the group?
Without people ganging up on me...In my experience, Chad was anarrogant dick overly-confident not nice person. Wouldnt be surprised if they gave him the heave-ho.
He is not part of the partnership anymore.
I don't have a big problem with the name or the logo. To me, referencing Jacksonville's history in the name while occupying a historical building right at the mouth of downtown is a good combination of factors. It's not the most creative name in the world, but even the most critical opinion would have to admit that it's nowhere near bad enough to be a hinderance. Naming shit ain't easy, but I think focusing on the city is a safe but palatable option.
As for the logo: I'm a designer by trade, (so take that for what it's worth to you) and this logo is extremely trendy. Unlike a lot of designers, however, I won't tell you that's a bad thing. Trendy logos are good for fresh businesses, especially businesses that are based on "taste" in both senses of the word. I imagine the owners had a lot of say in it, and felt afraid to take many design risks because the previous logo was heavily criticized for being "too out there" by certain types. That's just a guess of course. Structurally the logo is well put together and (like many logos) it's simplicity allows it to form fit to the perception of the business it represents. Unfortunately we don't have an idea of it yet, so we're projecting our own bias onto it. I'm reserving final judgement until I see more of the brand and the restaurant itself.
I like the name. I like the concept and the re-use of a historic building even more. Good for Jax all around.
The opening date has been pushed back.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2016/08/19/cowford-chophouse-pushes-opening-to-2017.html
With the sidewalk blocked like it is I guess we have a 'broken elbow'...
Quote from: marksjax on August 19, 2016, 04:03:21 PM
With the sidewalk blocked like it is I guess we have a 'broken elbow'...
that needs to be fixed, like now. At a minimum, there should be a 4' wide safe passage for pedestrians. Right now they have to walk out onto the street. COJ should be ashamed that they have allowed this to occur.
^I'd agree. I realize it's a complex project, but no reason you can't build a pedestrian walkway.