From their Facebook Page in a post by Kris Kaos:
"Alright everyone it breaks my heart to have to say this but this weekend is the last weekend northstar will be open. I though about quietly not saying anything and riding off Into sunset but for anyone that knows me that's not my style. Tonight and tomorrow were throwing down like it's the first week we opened. Unfortunately downtown Jacksonville has a lot to learn about small business and how to help keep flourishing. I've loved every minute of what I've done and for my first (not last) bar I've owned I've learned a lot and have made a lot of great friends over the last 7 years. Thank you Alva Michael Philip Rae and everyone else that's been here and brought my dream to my eyes plus all my service industry family that has supported through the years."
QuoteUnfortunately downtown Jacksonville has a lot to learn about small business and how to help keep flourishing.
I'd love to find out more about what Kris believes can be done to help downtown Jacksonville in this particular area.
Another post on Facebook said that most of the taps had been pulled and they had not had a major restock of supplies since February. Seems like that was a sign of things to come.
Sad day on Bay Street for sure. Thank you Chris and your staff for fighting the good fight for so long.
Lake, in a nutshell, it is tough down here due to lack of foot traffic on a daily basis (few residents, few tourists, etc).
In my opinion, Downtown needs a 'Draw' of some sort to give peeps a reason to go down there. Were that the case, the restaurants and bars that are there would be a 'support system' for the 'Draw' and could feed the visitors and thereby survive until the infill of new residents gains critical mass.
That magical number of 10,000 residents in DT was supposed to be there by now according to 'projections' from JEDC/DVI of ten years ago.
The small businesses can only hang on for so long. The city isn't paying our rent, lol. The city has no 'skin in the game'. They want you to open up in DT (on your nickel of course) and then we are left to fend for ourselves.
Another example: Three years since closing and there are still no plans for the old courthouse? Are you kidding? It's prime riverfront property!!!!!
This is the DT small business issue: Lots of talk, little action. Nothing changes.
Chris, best of luck Dude! :)
7 years is a pretty good run for a restaurant. Of course I'd like to see them remain, they were a cool place.
Hopefully something will move in real quick.
Quote from: marksjax on June 28, 2015, 01:18:45 PM
Sad day on Bay Street for sure. Thank you Chris and your staff for fighting the good fight for so long.
Lake, in a nutshell, it is tough down here due to lack of foot traffic on a daily basis (few residents, few tourists, etc).
In my opinion, Downtown needs a 'Draw' of some sort to give peeps a reason to go down there. Were that the case, the restaurants and bars that are there would be a 'support system' for the 'Draw' and could feed the visitors and thereby survive until the infill of new residents gains critical mass.
The decades old talk of moving the convention center to the old Courthouse site would be the most logical way to provide such a draw in the short term.
QuoteThat magical number of 10,000 residents in DT was supposed to be there by now according to 'projections' from JEDC/DVI of ten years ago.
Unfortunately, this number being sold to people is nothing more than a bill of goods. Realistically, DT is probably another decade or so from getting anywhere near that number, given the pace of current momentum. However, if it did hit that number, it would really depend on the number's concentration. 10k in the heart of the Northbank is a lot different from spreading it out from Everbank Field to Brooklyn and the Southbank.
................ and meanwhile we are waiting for the Shipyards to be cleaned up, Berkman II to be finished or torn down, a plan for the old courthouse, and the County Jail in the middle of it all.......................
DIA is on record saying that the old courthouse will have to wait until after the Landing and the Shipyards gets resolved and are moving forward. Seems fairly clear that DIA supports the convention center idea, and it also seems clear that the courthouse parking long, South Liberty, and Coastline east of the Hyatt will remain closed until the old courthouse initiative is resolved. Which means years and years and years.
Meanwhile, pizza is pizza, and drinking is drinking. Had lunch at Hawker's in 5 Points yesterday (Asian street food restaurant). Very hip, and excellent food. That's what Bay Street needs. If we had that sort of thing, downtown could have a fair fight over where the new Brooklyn residents want to hang out.
As I understand it there are plans for several new restaurants downtown but none are like Hawkers. A couple of higher end steakhouses is what I'm thinking. Like Cowford ChopHouse, Bull Briar...... I agree something similar in price point to Burrito Gallery but not Tex Mex would be helpful.
Will there be a food component to the new Intuition location?
Quote from: downtownbrown on June 29, 2015, 09:34:50 AM
DIA is on record saying that the old courthouse will have to wait until after the Landing and the Shipyards gets resolved and are moving forward. Seems fairly clear that DIA supports the convention center idea, and it also seems clear that the courthouse parking long, South Liberty, and Coastline east of the Hyatt will remain closed until the old courthouse initiative is resolved. Which means years and years and years.
Meanwhile, pizza is pizza, and drinking is drinking. Had lunch at Hawker's in 5 Points yesterday (Asian street food restaurant). Very hip, and excellent food. That's what Bay Street needs. If we had that sort of thing, downtown could have a fair fight over where the new Brooklyn residents want to hang out.
Unfortunately, why would someplace like Hawker's want to come to Bay Street? It lacks everything that makes Five Points a desirable destination for those types of small businesses. Then, to top it off, the catalytic site (former courthouse/annex) that should be an anchor destination for East Bay appears to be in eternal limbo.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 29, 2015, 09:44:43 AM
Quote from: downtownbrown on June 29, 2015, 09:34:50 AM
DIA is on record saying that the old courthouse will have to wait until after the Landing and the Shipyards gets resolved and are moving forward. Seems fairly clear that DIA supports the convention center idea, and it also seems clear that the courthouse parking long, South Liberty, and Coastline east of the Hyatt will remain closed until the old courthouse initiative is resolved. Which means years and years and years.
Meanwhile, pizza is pizza, and drinking is drinking. Had lunch at Hawker's in 5 Points yesterday (Asian street food restaurant). Very hip, and excellent food. That's what Bay Street needs. If we had that sort of thing, downtown could have a fair fight over where the new Brooklyn residents want to hang out.
Unfortunately, why would someplace like Hawker's want to come to Bay Street? It lacks everything that makes Five Points a desirable destination for those types of small businesses. Then, to top it off, the catalytic site (former courthouse/annex) that should be an anchor destination for East Bay appears to be in eternal limbo.
^Right. In fact, we had a debate on here about the quality of Hawkers and it seemed some people (like myself) who don't really like the food or think it's just ok still go there because of the ideal location.
It's a shame that NorthStar is closing, it is my understanding that the Jacksonville Young Democrats met there regularly.
^that explains it...
I noticed that they were out of a pineapple hard cider on draft when I was there, but they were out. The bartender said that it was a popular favorite and heard to keep in stock. I had the impression that they were doing gangbusters business.
Sad that a downtown business is closing, but Northstar was definitely an interesting place.
Cowford Chophouse might bring a little boom to the area.
I spoke with the owner in early June. He pretty much told me he was giving up at the end of the month. At one time, Northstar did a pretty good lunch business, but that changed when the courthouse moved.
As noted by others, they stopped replacing kegs recently, which was a pretty clear sign.
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 29, 2015, 08:33:51 PM
I spoke with the owner in early June. He pretty much told me he was giving up at the end of the month. At one time, Northstar did a pretty good lunch business, but that changed when the courthouse moved.
As noted by others, they stopped replacing kegs recently, which was a pretty clear sign.
speaking of the courthouse, where are all the new food places that were supposed to pop up?
Hmmm, between the courthouse opening and Everbank moving in nearby...there's a few places in the courthouse garage, the On-the-Fly food truck at Adams & Jefferson, a 7-Eleven at Forsyth & Julia, and a Nature's Table in Everbank Center. Not quite the anticipated development boom expected a decade ago. Nevertheless, the hot dog cart guy at Pearl & Clay is a lot happier these days! Hopefully, we can get another restaurant or two nearby after Citizens moves their 1,000 employees in.
seems like maybe the Convention Center idea at the old courthouse isn't "off the stove" yet
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545678&utm_source=6.30.15&utm_campaign=6.23.15&utm_medium=email
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 30, 2015, 03:00:16 PM
seems like maybe the Convention Center idea at the old courthouse isn't "off the stove" yet
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545678&utm_source=6.30.15&utm_campaign=6.23.15&utm_medium=email
The discussions in the link were very forward-thinking, it's good to see the strength of the transition team so far. This is moving in a desirable direction.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 30, 2015, 12:04:12 PM
Hmmm, between the courthouse opening and Everbank moving in nearby...there's a few places in the courthouse garage, the On-the-Fly food truck at Adams & Jefferson, a 7-Eleven at Forsyth & Julia, and a Nature's Table in Everbank Center. Not quite the anticipated development boom expected a decade ago. Nevertheless, the hot dog cart guy at Pearl & Clay is a lot happier these days! Hopefully, we can get another restaurant or two nearby after Citizens moves their 1,000 employees in.
One thing I'm surprised that hasn't taken off is the happy hour/lite dinner/tapas place. I know there are places, but a place that can do something light at lunch and drinks after work I would think would do well down there.
To be honest, there isn't much available building stock. You're pretty much limited to the remaining retail spaces in the courthouse garage, the BB&T garage or the old Cafe 331. Strike out on one of those three locations and you're looking at spots requiring big bucks to bring up to modern code requirements like the Masonic Building on Broad, the old Chili Bordello on Forsyth, Ambassador, etc. The rest of the area is literally moonscape and foundations of demolished buildings.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 30, 2015, 04:35:20 PM
To be honest, there isn't much available building stock. You're pretty much limited to the remaining retail spaces in the courthouse garage, the BB&T garage or the old Cafe 331. Strike out on one of those three locations and you're looking at spots requiring big bucks to bring up to modern code requirements like the Masonic Building on Broad, the old Chili Bordello on Forsyth, Ambassador, etc. The rest of the area is literally moonscape and foundations of demolished buildings.
Exactly - there's just no money to make this happen. Restaurants/bars would be operating at a loss for decades paying off those construction loans.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 30, 2015, 04:35:20 PM
To be honest, there isn't much available building stock. You're pretty much limited to the remaining retail spaces in the courthouse garage, the BB&T garage or the old Cafe 331. Strike out on one of those three locations and you're looking at spots requiring big bucks to bring up to modern code requirements like the Masonic Building on Broad, the old Chili Bordello on Forsyth, Ambassador, etc. The rest of the area is literally moonscape and foundations of demolished buildings.
Are there private or public grants that are available to bring up existing building stock?
Yes, but not enough and the time it takes isn't an efficient process. Given the risks, without a certain amount of subsidies, it's still easier to open a business with private money in other areas of the city.
As regards the convention center dialog it is quite telling reading John Delaney's remarks that he has no understanding of the importance of the convention business as regards tourism whatsoever. That is inexcusable for a former mayor.
And his point about competing against Orlando is the same argument made against his (and others) current pet project, the deepening of the port. (i.e.) 'why spend all that money when the bigger ships are going to go to Miami anyway?'
Wow, I am stunned but not surprised how far off the radar a 'real' convention center is in these leaders minds!
At least Jerry Mallot gets it.
I rest my case as to why DT Jax is where it is now. ::)
Quote from: marksjax on June 30, 2015, 06:44:44 PM
As regards the convention center dialog it is quite telling reading John Delaney's remarks that he has no understanding of the importance of the convention business as regards tourism whatsoever. That is inexcusable for a former mayor.
fully agree...it is VERY disappointing
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 30, 2015, 09:40:57 PM
Quote from: marksjax on June 30, 2015, 06:44:44 PM
As regards the convention center dialog it is quite telling reading John Delaney's remarks that he has no understanding of the importance of the convention business as regards tourism whatsoever. That is inexcusable for a former mayor.
fully agree...it is VERY disappointing
LOL, it's certainly interesting what you find "disappointing," considering what fails to draw that response.
The convention industry makes a lot of claims about the benefits of convention centers, not all of which hold water. Whether or not you believe this particular claim (that CEOs will visit our convention center and then want to spark economic development), it's not going to the thing that makes a center worthwhile, or realistic. The real questions with a convention center are the same as ever: how much will it cost, where will the money come from, and whether it's really the best investment for the price. I'm sure it would be cool for the bars right across the street and all, but that's a lot of bread we don't have.
How much bread do we need and what's the ROI? $50 million, $100 million, $400 million? If we figure these out, then the next question to resolve is where to find the money to implement. We quickly found $60 million for Everbank Field without answering these questions....from the same pot could have been used for a convention center. A year later, council is surprised that the city's electric bill significantly jumped, suggesting no one knew the real price or ROI. These seem like simple questions but they haven't been answered since I moved to town 12 years ago. No wonder DT Jax struggles.
In the big picture it isn't the location of the convention center that concerns me. However, I do feel it should be in or near Downtown.
What bothers me is the lack of leadership and vision and yes I include John Delaney's administration as much as anybody's.
Think of it this way: You have an NFL team in your Florida town but you have a dump for a Convention Center? It does not make any sense.
We spend $700m on a friggin courthouse? Next up another $700m to dredge the river (a project of dubious ROI)? At least a Convention Center has the possibility of bringing new visitors to town (spending money).
It's like they gave up on trying to build tourism here. That defeatist attitude would not have won us an NFL team. So you see by that accomplishment that they can do it if they really wanted to. It's that they don't want to for some reason. Another mystery to me.
Quote from: IrvAdams on June 30, 2015, 03:28:17 PM
Quote from: tufsu1 on June 30, 2015, 03:00:16 PM
seems like maybe the Convention Center idea at the old courthouse isn't "off the stove" yet
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545678&utm_source=6.30.15&utm_campaign=6.23.15&utm_medium=email
The discussions in the link were very forward-thinking, it's good to see the strength of the transition team so far. This is moving in a desirable direction.
I don't know. To me this sounds like a warning that massive bureaucratic hurdles need to be jumped, and then someone has to find the money. Sounds like a recipe for further stagnation.
Quote from: marksjax on June 30, 2015, 06:44:44 PM
As regards the convention center dialog it is quite telling reading John Delaney's remarks that he has no understanding of the importance of the convention business as regards tourism whatsoever. That is inexcusable for a former mayor.
And his point about competing against Orlando is the same argument made against his (and others) current pet project, the deepening of the port. (i.e.) 'why spend all that money when the bigger ships are going to go to Miami anyway?'
Wow, I am stunned but not surprised how far off the radar a 'real' convention center is in these leaders minds!
At least Jerry Mallot gets it.
I rest my case as to why DT Jax is where it is now. ::)
Agree re: Delaney. His comment about the cost of the new Courthouse is particularly annoying. I mean, that's his baby, and what did it do for economic development?
Jacksonville's official sport should be 'kick the can.' There are so many ideas that have been placed on the back burner, I wonder if there is any room left on the stove...
Anyone have any idea what the rent was/is there? Just curious...
Reopening as the Bay Street Bar & Grill:
QuoteFrom washing dishes at Pizza Hut to owning a restaurant in The Elbow.
That describes Alva Richcreek's 33-year career in the culinary arts.
He was the cook at the former Northstar the Pizza Bar at 119 E. Bay St. When he found out the business was for sale, he called on a couple of partners and bought it with a vision for some extensive changes.
"The only thing that will be the same is the furniture," said Richcreek, who has renamed the establishment Bay Street Bar & Grill.
While the previous owner offered patrons of Downtown's entertainment district a bar where they could get a slice of pizza, Richcreek is planning a more extensive menu that will include traditional pub fare plus some choices leaning more toward fine dining.
While getting his new venture ready to open by the end of August, he talked about serving chicken piccata and fresh seafood along with burgers, wings and cheese steak sandwiches. He's also planning to serve some classic diner fare like meatloaf and macaroni and cheese
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=545880
this is the kind of stuff I like to see. Unique restaurants opening up and taking up building space downtown. Enough with the big name projects, having businesses like this continue to open up downtown is the biggest key. Good stuff.
Dare we say The Elbow is starting to take off ? Any other projects besides Cow ford Chop Shop and Levels in the works?
^The 1904 guys' restaurant.
The Elbow is shaping up to be a decent dining destination. Is Gilbert still trying to open a place in Langton's building on Forsyth Street?
QuoteDare we say The Elbow is starting to take off ? Any other projects besides Cow ford Chop Shop and Levels in the works?
Does "takeoff" mean takeoff in the same sense as 5 Points? or Dare we say.....Brooklyn....or are thew few new places just nice to have for the downtown workers of 9-5? Chophouse is more than a year off, IF they don't find Jimmy Hoffa buried inside.