Quote(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/History/UF-Historic-Preservation-Studies-Collection-East-Bay/i-8BVNpjW/0/57a913e5/L/East%20Bay-7-L.png)
The rich aroma of roasting coffee has long been woven into the fabric of Jacksonville's identity. While many associate that familiar scent with Maxwell House, it was neither the first nor the only company to fill the city's air with the fragrance of fresh-roasted beans in the early 20th century. In fact, Jacksonville was once home to a vibrant coffee roasting industry, with several pioneering businesses contributing to its legacy. What follows is a look into the fascinating history of the city's early coffee roasting plants, and the people who helped shape this enduring tradition.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/the-historic-coffee-roasters-of-jacksonville/
Lake, great stories. Thanks for sharing.
Jacksonville has a great business history apart from its cultural, political, architectural and other histories yet this aspect is often overlooked.
As the business capital of Florida in many respects for many decades, there is a long history that serves as the foundation for Jacksonville's economy to this day.
Whether it be banking, insurance, mortgages, title companies, food and beverage distribution/manufacturing/retailing, distribution/logistics, aviation, chemicals, timber/paper/packaging, railroads, construction/architects/engineering or more, Jax has a rich business history that is seldom recalled or documented in detail. This is in addition to many colorful characters and leaders related to such businesses.
Your story on coffee should be emulated for so many other categories. Looking forward to seeing more.
I heard the story (maybe on here?) that judges and courthouse staff used to jaywalk across to Martins Coffee in between their short recesses from the old courthouse site. One day a judge nearly got hit by a car and not too long after that a crosswalk was striped in the middle of the city block which still is there today as the only mid-block crosswalk in DT Jax.
Quote from: Jagsdrew on June 24, 2025, 08:38:01 AM
I heard the story (maybe on here?) that judges and courthouse staff used to jaywalk across to Martins Coffee in between their short recesses from the old courthouse site. One day a judge nearly got hit by a car and not too long after that a crosswalk was striped in the middle of the city block which still is there today as the only mid-block crosswalk in DT Jax.
And the crosswalk in front of the Performing Arts Center. That one I think about a lot when the city says they can't add crosswalks within X amount of feet from a driveway; that crosswalk is immediately adjacent to a driveway.