So the Cowford Trader's spot on SJA is empty. Any idea what is coming next? Will it contribute to the Zoning Attorney Full Employment Act of 2008? Will it cause a run at Lowe's on pitchforks and torches? Mobilizing the We Love Avondale shocktroops and sending Jim Love's sphincter a puckering?
No doubt will be entertaining and a travesty.
What do you think SHOULD go in there?
I'd like to see a real Chinese place or a real Italian place or a real deli in that spot.
Also the Avondale Gallery is empty, would love to see a real bar in that spot... The HOrror!
(https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/02/61/02/0c/wursttheke.jpg)
QuoteA good men's clothing store would be great.
Because Men's Clothing stores thrive in Avondale and have done so, which precipitated the move of beau outfitters to San Marco. There is nothing in an Avondale store that you cannot buy on Amazon.
Service business would be best located in the spaces. The old Cowford space used to be a bowling alley many years ago. Berkshire leaves the space this week, so it will be more empty soon.
A bar and/or restaurant would be a safe bet for all the empty spaces. If it were going to be a shop, it would have to satisfy a really compelling niche, otherwise it will do about as well as the other shops nearby.
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 18, 2016, 10:13:20 AM
QuoteA good men's clothing store would be great.
Because Men's Clothing stores thrive in Avondale and have done so, which precipitated the move of beau outfitters to San Marco. There is nothing in an Avondale store that you cannot buy on Amazon.
Service business would be best located in the spaces. The old Cowford space used to be a bowling alley many years ago. Berkshire leaves the space this week, so it will be more empty soon.
Actually they moved because they needed to expand and could not do so in Avondale. But, please, don;t let that stop you from making stuff up.
I would love to see a small scale grocery store.
http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/real-estate/2015/01/really-small-grocery-stores-on-hebs-horizon-a-fit.html
Another restaurant? Does anyone in Riverside-Avondale actually use their kitchens?
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 20, 2016, 10:07:06 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 18, 2016, 10:13:20 AM
QuoteA good men's clothing store would be great.
Because Men's Clothing stores thrive in Avondale and have done so, which precipitated the move of beau outfitters to San Marco. There is nothing in an Avondale store that you cannot buy on Amazon.
Service business would be best located in the spaces. The old Cowford space used to be a bowling alley many years ago. Berkshire leaves the space this week, so it will be more empty soon.
Because everyone likes to order on Amazon...? Especially clothes that can't be tried on when ordering online...? Especially when not everyone has time to comb through pages of internet sites to find clothes they like...? And Beau Outfitters is not a men's clothing store. It sells clothes, but...i mean...not everyone likes to be a 30-year-old who dresses like he's a 65 year old.
I'm 64 and I don't want to dress like a 65 year old man. Karl's did very well in Avondale for a long time so I don't think a good men's store would be so bad.
Quote from: avonjax on May 20, 2016, 10:20:15 PM
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 20, 2016, 10:07:06 AM
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 18, 2016, 10:13:20 AM
QuoteA good men's clothing store would be great.
Because Men's Clothing stores thrive in Avondale and have done so, which precipitated the move of beau outfitters to San Marco. There is nothing in an Avondale store that you cannot buy on Amazon.
Service business would be best located in the spaces. The old Cowford space used to be a bowling alley many years ago. Berkshire leaves the space this week, so it will be more empty soon.
Because everyone likes to order on Amazon...? Especially clothes that can't be tried on when ordering online...? Especially when not everyone has time to comb through pages of internet sites to find clothes they like...? And Beau Outfitters is not a men's clothing store. It sells clothes, but...i mean...not everyone likes to be a 30-year-old who dresses like he's a 65 year old.
I'm 64 and I don't want to dress like a 65 year old man. Karl's did very well in Avondale for a long time so I don't think a good men's store would be so bad.
Let me add that all the shops that I loved in 5 Points and Avondale have closed. Now I shop, to the horror of many here, at SJTC most notably Nordstrom. I have a very hard time buying clothing online. I gave most of my business to locals but they mostly went away so I had to go with national chains. I am not a traditional dresser although I really am 64 and the last men's shop in Avondale was way to conservative for me....
But like I said before I loved Karls.
Quote from: MusicMan on May 20, 2016, 11:37:06 AM
Another restaurant? Does anyone in Riverside-Avondale actually use their kitchens?
What another community war? Another restaurant? I will watch from the sidelines with great delight. I just think it's time some of the local spots cater to something other than a restaurant. San Marco was a much better place to shop when they had the Bath & Linen Shop, Mimi's, Whites, Karl's and the other cool little shops that were there. I rarely ever go there now. The same with Avondale. With the exception of local eateries most of the local spots give me little reason to buy anything. If you guys know of some great places I'm missing let me know. Until then it's SJTC for me for clothes buying. Although I did buy a really cool shirt at Wolfgang in 5 Points a few weeks ago.
QuoteActually they moved because they needed to expand and could not do so in Avondale. But, please, don;t let that stop you from making stuff up.
Make stuff up? Actions speak louder than words, one of the owners was/is engaged to the owner of the building in San Marco's daughter. Call it a favor, love, welcome to the family old boy, he got a sweet deal on space in San Marco.
IF he really loved Avondale so much, Cowford is open, yet all we see and hear are crickets, so again, the actions speak louder than words. And before you yap off again about stuff out of your backside, look at what used to the the Avondale Artworks space, it was right next to Beau and it closed down and was 2x the size of beau, and yet the owners of beau remained in San Marco.....again, actions.....
Karl's is old man attire, the white shoes are near the front door. They sell specials of the clapper inside with every pair of white shoes.
"another restaurant in Avondale"
Why not? Riverside and 5-points seems to support them, it would piss off the merchants association something fierce as they already piss and moan over parking, because the owners can't get that front row spot when they visit their store. As with everything on this board, I say bring in 10 new restaurants, just to piss the establishment off!
Are we getting a Zabar's? If not, then why the picture of it? Wow, that would be great. Maybe some entrepreneur on this site could try to convince the NY folks to do a franchise. Think of it - real bagels right here in Bold New City of the South/River City by the Sea. Change the name of the football team from The Jaguars to The Lox?
Quote from: mtraininjax on May 21, 2016, 09:38:06 AM
QuoteActually they moved because they needed to expand and could not do so in Avondale. But, please, don;t let that stop you from making stuff up.
Make stuff up? Actions speak louder than words, one of the owners was/is engaged to the owner of the building in San Marco's daughter. Call it a favor, love, welcome to the family old boy, he got a sweet deal on space in San Marco.
IF he really loved Avondale so much, Cowford is open, yet all we see and hear are crickets, so again, the actions speak louder than words. And before you yap off again about stuff out of your backside, look at what used to the the Avondale Artworks space, it was right next to Beau and it closed down and was 2x the size of beau, and yet the owners of beau remained in San Marco.....again, actions.....
avondale artworks became available two days after the signed the lease in San Marco. Cow ford just opened up. You understand leases, right?
Quoteavondale artworks became available two days after the signed the lease in San Marco. Cow ford just opened up. You understand leases, right?
You obviously do not understand how Jacksonville works......the artworks was coming to an end LONG before the lease was up. The boys made a choice to move to San Marco. Should I draw you a diagram of how the GOB network works?
When you sober up, please inform us how the good-ole-boy network applies to commercial leases. Thanks in advance.
Word on the street is that there is a 100 seat restaurant moving into the old Cowford Traders space. The Lease signs are gone.
Looking forward to more, more, more in Avondale!
Quote from: mtraininjax on June 29, 2016, 02:43:20 AM
Word on the street is that there is a 100 seat restaurant moving into the old Cowford Traders space. The Lease signs are gone.
Looking forward to more, more, more in Avondale!
Right 100 seats to fit the idiotic JBill requirements. and there will be an argument about a ONE HUNDRED SEAT RESTAURANT OF TERROR!!!!!
And Jim Love and NIMBY's will mobilize to present their secret resident only parking sticker regime... which is planned... and no doubt will be supported by the merchants [unless they are investors in the new restaurant that is].
In other words... bizness as usual...
But more importantly - what kind of restaurant????
I honestly wish Jim Love was as passionate about the roads in Riverside Avondale and their need for complete repair as he is about blocking business opportunities.
There is a public hearing scheduled for this property. There is one of the Orange Signs out in front of it.
Of course public hearings are necessary to listen to locals, and then see politicians vote in favor of the landlord and business (Gate/Roost), but please attend, speak your mind and have a safe drive home.
I cleared my schedule yesterday. I'll be in attendance next Thursday.
Quote from: MusicMan on May 20, 2016, 11:37:06 AM
Another restaurant? Does anyone in Riverside-Avondale actually use their kitchens?
Oh yes,apprently,even in the face of the lack of a City Planning Department Avondale Cheesy Nutrition Study Directive . :D
An independent study suggests the bulk of Avondale residents command "Good food in a funky environment" in a private environment,along with Outstanding music...... 8).
Avondale resident Privilege. Maybe even a jump in the pool,kayak river run,mow grass (good for the appetite),backyard tomato with basil wrap and a glass of excellent wine about a fifth of the price garnered at The Shoppes.
Maybe Biscotti Carrot Cake down the street,but rarely if ever a walk/bike there...and hope that the place does not Stink/Sewage Smell...maybe just a quick duck in for take out,holding nose
Mellow Mushroom/ Mr.Valentino might at some point join the club and "Opine With Swine" and wonder/worry about ever escalating parking/customer base pressures.
No worries in the private kitchens-after all,the private residences are a key feature and influence in RAP land area and Overlay feature,on average the best meals have always been at home.
http://jacksonville.com/current/town/2016-08-17/story/proposed-avondale-restaurant-highlights-neighborhood-parking-issue (http://jacksonville.com/current/town/2016-08-17/story/proposed-avondale-restaurant-highlights-neighborhood-parking-issue)
Well, now, the cat is out of the bag......Avondale has a "parking problem". Parking Study of 2014 said so, Chair of RAP Zoning Board said so, and so did the Planning Commission in their August 4 meeting. And, of course, when the Times Union highlights a Parking Problem, well, there you have it.
I guess we have a Parking Problem in Avondale. ::)
QuoteProposed Avondale restaurant highlights neighborhood parking issue
A new restaurant has been proposed at the site of the former Cowford Traders in Avondale.
A proposed restaurant at the site of the former Cowford Traders will face the Planning Commission Thursday for a second round of possible approvals.
Building owner Thomas Lee seeks a deviation to reduce the number of parking spaces for the restaurant from 10 to zero and a zoning exception to approve the sale and service of alcohol.
The proposed restaurant will be 120 seats and 5,000 square feet, taking the entirety of former Cowford Traders at 3563 St. Johns Ave. in the Shoppes of Avondale.
The Planning Commission deferred both requests in its Aug. 4 meeting. In the city of Jacksonville Planning Department staff's report, it approved the sale of alcohol under the condition that the restaurant reduce its space to 2,500 square feet.
The parking deviation was denied by staff because of oversaturation of parking in the Shoppes of Avondale, as reported in a 2014 Parking Study of the area.
"The demand for parking in the Shoppes of Avondale is substantial, especially during peak lunch hours. Although the request is not based on a reduction in cost, the request does not serve the public interest, as the request is based on a self imposed hardship, creating a restaurant that is oversized for the area, and a simple reduction in the size and intensity of the restaurant would reduce the parking demand, thus eliminating the requirement for the Deviation," said staff in its report on the parking deviation request.
Riverside Avondale Preservation agrees. Chair of RAP Zoning Board Nancy Powell said the square footage is too large to allow for no additional parking space, and that Avondale already has a parking problem. If no additional parking was added, Powell fears that the proposed restaurant would cause a strain on parking in residential streets behind the Shoppes of Avondale.
She and other members of the board are concerned that the amount of square feet would make room for a standing bar area, putting a larger strain on parking.
"Even when they say that they want to have a banquet or a private room, there's a legitimate concern that there could be a standing room area that would potentially filled with bar patrons. That could be a much larger intensity," said Powell.
Riverside Avondale Preservation received the restaurant's application to the city in July, and has been in talks with the owner to reduce the size of the restaurant for parking purposes.
Quote3563 St. Johns Avenue - New Avondale Restaurant (Administrative Deviation and Exception Applications) (FROM RAP NEWSLETTER)
Background information:
The location is the former Cowford Traders. The applicant is requesting an Administrative Deviation to reduce the parking requirement from 11 spaces to zero for the proposed 120 seat restaurant. (Parking is required for any restaurant over 100 seats and/or 2500 square feet.) A Zoning Exception is requested to serve liquor consistent with the J-Bill allowing liquor sales at an establishment with a minimum of 100 seats. RAP supports the existing parking and zoning regulations with respect to the 100 seat/2500 square foot limitation, and therefore we did not support the Administrative Deviation given the parking deficit within the Shoppes of Avondale.
We supported the exception as it is within the current regulations.
Update:
Both applications approved by the Planning Commission at the August 18th meeting.
Has anyone in this town considered the impact of the sharing economy on our zoning regulations? Take this place for example. You don't need additional parking if it were two 2,500sf restaurants but you do if you want to have one 5,000sf space. What happens when someone deals with the market realities of such a space by proposing a 5,000sf food hall with five 50-seat restaurant/vendor spaces in a spot like this?
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Atlanta-2016/i-hm7rb8N/0/L/20160715_154054-L.jpg)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/Cities/Atlanta-2016/i-FJ77V2K/0/L/20160715_155729-L.jpg)
Quote from: mtraininjax on August 19, 2016, 02:56:16 PM
Quote3
Update:
Both applications approved by the Planning Commission at the August 18th meeting.
So the parking space deviation and the alcohol sales were approved? Did they permit use of the entire proposed 5k sq. ft. or did they premise on reducing to 2.5k sq. ft?
Update:
Both applications approved by the Planning Commission at the August 18th meeting.
[/quote]
Perhaps more a reflection of recently altered Commission member profile/recent elections.
Mellow Mushroom was largely addressed via negotiation and recognized "Nuclear Option" effective Appeal probability.
Which left a door open.Efforts to somehow 'strengthen' Overlay way too late.
At this point,comical to watch the Growth Bucket overflow. So Jacksonville!....
(To the tune of Music Man) Oh! We Got Trouble!! I mean Trouble!! That starts with "T" that rhymes with "G" that stands for Growth!!!
Trouble.....trouble..trouble....Oh!, we got Trouble Here's looking at us.
Trouble is an interesting word,now so relevant to The Idyllic RAP Island.
Yes,actually hilarious .
Let's produce a Classic Jacksonville Spin:
Let er' fly. Steve Diebenow receives all sorts of "Planning" and "Advocacy" Awards. The Shoppes takes on the Experiment.Later,even in the midst of Shoppes final experiment phase, adjacent residential land area, a central feature,and key "Overlay" element,finally exhibits shift; Flight,property values drop,ushering in "Affordable Housing" era.
http://residentnews.net/2016/09/03/proposed-restaurant-avondale-receives-green-light/ (http://residentnews.net/2016/09/03/proposed-restaurant-avondale-receives-green-light/)
Proposed restaurant in Avondale receives green lightQuoteMost of the commissioners, while sympathetic to the arguments that parking is saturated and therefore creates hardships for the Avondale businesses and nearby residents, overall expressed the sentiment that a compromise had been presented by the applicant.
What MJ reader once said there is not a parking issue in Avondale?????? Hmmmmmm
Watch out Murray Hill, this will become your future too.
Murray Hill resident here, don't care if parking becomes as "bad" as Avondale if my property value looks like they do in Avondale. ;D
Also, we already have far more parking lots. One behind magnolias, one behind maple street, one adjacent to the Murray Hill theater, and a ton of parking behind Mock Shop and Mara.