Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => Downtown => Topic started by: jaxlongtimer on January 21, 2023, 12:50:07 AM

Title: Any Non-food Related Retail Businesses Left Downtown?
Post by: jaxlongtimer on January 21, 2023, 12:50:07 AM
With the closing of Jacobs Jewelers after over 150 years and as Downtown's oldest retail business, is there any other non-food (i.e. not a restaurant, grocer, etc.) retail business left in Downtown?

As an aside, I think the Greenleaf building is the prettiest building Downtown today.

(https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/sites/default/files/425517_standard.jpeg)

(https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/sites/default/files/425516_standard.jpeg)

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/jacobs-jewelers-the-end-of-a-landmark-in-downtown-jacksonville
Title: Re: Any Non-food Related Retail Businesses Left Downtown?
Post by: Ken_FSU on January 21, 2023, 12:00:39 PM
Hemming Jewelers, Chamblins, and Wolf & Cub right across the street. FedEx, eye doctor, dentist, etc. 
Title: Re: Any Non-food Related Retail Businesses Left Downtown?
Post by: thelakelander on January 21, 2023, 06:29:50 PM
Pretty sad to see them go. They were one of the oldest businesses in town.
Title: Re: Any Non-food Related Retail Businesses Left Downtown?
Post by: jaxlongtimer on January 23, 2023, 02:05:25 PM
Quote from: Ken_FSU on January 21, 2023, 12:00:39 PM
Hemming Jewelers, Chamblins, and Wolf & Cub right across the street. FedEx, eye doctor, dentist, etc.

Thanks for the update.  In terms of selling goods, not services, as was my thinking, are three such retailers all we have for Downtown proper?  Doesn't seem like much given the size of our city.

I recall dozens or more in my youth so its hard to believe that is all that is left.  Then again, the way we have (mis)managed Downtown, I can't say I am surprised.  I guess the Daily's to-come will up the number by 33%  ;D. A big wow.
Title: Re: Any Non-food Related Retail Businesses Left Downtown?
Post by: thelakelander on January 23, 2023, 05:11:06 PM
We don't have much but we also don't really have streets with a combination of strong regional traffic and foot traffic (along with available storefronts). There's no Orange Avenue (Orlando), Central Avenue (St. Petersburg) or Peachtree (Atlanta) in DT Jax. The most similar would be State and Union, Main and Ocean, Broad, etc. Unfortunately, most of their buildings have been torn down or we've removed their parallel parking to accommodate speeding cars. So we've got some reverse engineering to do.