Surprising.
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/popular-jacksonville-restaurant-closes-two-years-after-cook-killed/520490060
I find it more odd how the media works in an old homicide into the headline that has zero relevancy, other than generating clicks.
I doubt when Mojo No. 4 closes, the headline would refer to the employee murdered there.
Gotta love our local media.
Yeah, that was pretty strange. Out of all the things that could have been said about the restaurant, that's what they decided to go with....geez
If it bleeds it leads.
Yeah. Stupid headline, but we should really expect nothing less from the media. A shame to see them close though.
Too bad. Hopefully something fills their spot quickly.
Too much competition from mshack, burgerfi and derby maybe? I did enjoy their burgers the few times i've been there, but i tend to default to the others first. Well, Mshack & Derby mainly. If I could pick any of those 4 to close, it would be burgerfi.
Quote from: spuwho on May 08, 2017, 11:48:28 AM
If it bleeds it leads.
So true. The media loves negative stories.
I will miss their happy hour...
Quote from: Murder_me_Rachel on May 08, 2017, 12:21:41 PM
Not only is the headline odd, I just find it crazy that place is closing already. They put a lot of work into it, and it seemed (at least to me) to be a prime location and doing well. I wonder if the publicity of the murder affected business? Either way, they have that killer Shaun Thurston mural and I hope it doesnt get painted over.
I've never had the chance to go there, but I found it ironic and humorous that you guys were wondering about the media's focus on the seemingly unrelated headline, but then referred to the mural as "killer"! It took me a second to realize that those were also not related. ;D ;D ;D
If anything, the murder helped their business. As far as media focusing on the negative, it's how my friends and I knew of the Blind Rabbit. Nothing, unlike Mojo 5, stood out about it. Unless you added "where the....", blank stares are all you got when someone suggested meeting up there. They did have a good burger, but in the end, it's not what they were known for.
No surprise here. The neighborhood (Riverside-Avondale) has too many restaurants right now for the hipster population to support. And folks are not driving to Park and King to get a burger.
I never thought of the Blind Rabbit as a burger place. It is debatable if there are too many restaurants in the neighborhood. A lot of it has to do with placement of the restaurant. In my opinion, your normal King Street clientele wasn't going to eat there regularly. If this restaurant was placed where Orsay/South or the Shoppes are located then the restaurant may still be in business.
Went several times when it first opened under Blind Fig name. Very busy and menu was not geared toward burgers. I think as novelty wore off, as said before, the type of clients weren't attracted by that part of Riverside. Just went a month ago-different crowd and more burgers.
"Burger and Whiskey Bar" Painted on front of store
Not when it was the Blind Fig.
Always felt this place tried way too hard, from the decor to the food.
Quote from: ben says on May 10, 2017, 04:17:58 AM
Always felt this place tried way too hard, from the decor to the food.
I always felt that way about Orsay. Never been to Blind Rabbit.
Quote from: Adam White on May 10, 2017, 08:43:56 AM
Quote from: ben says on May 10, 2017, 04:17:58 AM
Always felt this place tried way too hard, from the decor to the food.
I always felt that way about Orsay. Never been to Blind Rabbit.
Yeah... but Orsay succeeds.
This place started off great, I used to go all the time. Then they took all the good stuff off the menu, like they had a phenomenal meatloaf sandwich, and a bunch of other stuff, and made it basically all burgers. That price point was a bit much for a burger.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on May 10, 2017, 01:15:06 PM
Quote from: Adam White on May 10, 2017, 08:43:56 AM
Quote from: ben says on May 10, 2017, 04:17:58 AM
Always felt this place tried way too hard, from the decor to the food.
I always felt that way about Orsay. Never been to Blind Rabbit.
Yeah... but Orsay succeeds.
Sure it does.
http://www.jaxgay.com/community-voices/hamburger-marys-opening-second-location-in-jacksonville.html (http://www.jaxgay.com/community-voices/hamburger-marys-opening-second-location-in-jacksonville.html)
Quote
Hamburger Mary's Opening Second Location In Jacksonville 'Marys Pub House'
6/16/2017
By David Vandygriff
As Hamburger Mary's has become a Gay Staple for the Jacksonville LGBT Community we see our community growing once again.
Hamburger Mary's has announced a second location for Jacksonville in the King Street District of Riverside. Home to the largest LGBT population in Jacksonville.
Located in the old Blind Rabbit's location will be a new concept for Hamburger Mary's. A concept built around a non-smoking, food and bar, dubbed Mary's Bar.
Details for a full entertainment line up have not been announced as the deal was only signed today with the Motes family. Opening date to be announced soon.
The Motes family opened Hamburger Mary's Jacksonville 6 years ago and owns the Hamburger Mary's Daytona Beach as well. Congrats to the Motes family, Hamburger Mary's staff, and all guest on the expansion. Welcome to Riverside.
www.hamburgermarys.com
That's awesome!
I figured that space would not stay vacant for long. It's also why I wouldn't be so concerned with protecting brick and mortars from a few food trucks in downtown. Venues like restaurants and clubs come and go. When you let the free market take hold, some places will succeed and some will fail. Those that fail, end up providing the opportunity for someone else to come in and succeed in that very same space.
I saw that they placed a big sign in front of the store when I drove by yesterday. They will do very well at that location.