I went there today to meet a friend and watch the FSU basketball game. They were closed so I assume that means they are closed permanently?
Ended up at Hooters which is about the only place at the Landing that has stood the test of time? And I have to say that Hooters is my least favorite Hooters in the city.
yes it is closed...at least that Hooters has a bunch of new HD plasma sets
There are TVs in Hooters? Who knew? 8)
Hooters should just cut to the chase and
genetically engineer the waitstaff to lactate malt beverages.
copyright 2009: me!
Where was Coaches Corner?
It was in that storefront that faces the street. Kinda next door to Coastal Cookies. It's been a ton of failed ventures already. It was Bourbon Bayou last right?
Quote from: Charles Hunter on March 08, 2009, 09:01:01 PM
There are TVs in Hooters? Who knew? 8)
You need TVs to look at in the downtown location.... This group at my work drives 20 minutes to the southside location, even though there's one 1 mile across the river.
to each their own
Quote from: comncense on March 09, 2009, 10:42:26 AM
It was in that storefront that faces the street. Kinda next door to Coastal Cookies. It's been a ton of failed ventures already. It was Bourbon Bayou last right?
That location is pretty much doomed to fail.
QuoteHooters should just cut to the chase and
genetically engineer the waitstaff to lactate malt beverages.
copyright 2009: me!
Will you get your beverages straight from the teet? ;D
I've been by Coaches Corner a couple times but never went in. IMO, the Hooters outsidedeck is the best spot in the Landing.
American Cafe has a pretty nice outdoor patio as well. Too bad their food is meh.
Twisted Martini's outside seating isn't bad either. Good view of the TV for the times they actually play something worth watching on it.
Quote from: Jason on March 09, 2009, 12:38:25 PM
QuoteHooters should just cut to the chase and
genetically engineer the waitstaff to lactate malt beverages.
copyright 2009: me!
Will you get your beverages straight from the teet? ;D
I've been by Coaches Corner a couple times but never went in. IMO, the Hooters outsidedeck is the best spot in the Landing.
Works for me
The Landing Bookstore is alo closing...they lost a lot of business when they moved from the entrance off to the side...guess that's the owner's fault for not wanting to have the mini-post office in his store
I wonder if it had anything to do with Chamblin's opening up on Laura?
Quote• Coach’s Sports Bar at the Landing is no more. There’s a sign that says Karlene’s is “coming soon.â€
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/citynotes.php
This has got to be the highest turnover spot at the Landing as of recently.
What ever happened to Fudruckers?
Quote from: exnewsman on March 17, 2009, 04:03:42 PM
What ever happened to Fudruckers?
It is being built as we speak.
Quote from: fsujax on March 17, 2009, 03:50:12 PM
This has got to be the highest turnover spot at the Landing as of recently.
This spot reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where they told Babu to server American food at his Pakistani restaurant, so he did, but it made him go out of business. The whole show was about how in every neighborhood there is that cursed place that can never seem to stay in business.
Quote from: Dapperdan on March 17, 2009, 04:09:33 PM
This spot reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where they told Babu to server American food at his Pakistani restaurant, so he did, but it made him go out of business. The whole show was about how in every neighborhood there is that cursed place that can never seem to stay in business.
Close...Jerry advised him to turn it into a Pakistani place after it originally sold all kinds of Italian and American dishes...cause Jerry is a very very good man.
http://www.youtube.com/v/OCahZIBtig4
note that Bourbon Bayou and Coach's Corner were under the same ownership...they just tried a different concept....the same thing may be the case with the future Karlene's.
Is this the same Karlene's that is opening in the Cold Stone spot at Marsh Landing?
Anything created at the Landing will fail without Cameron Kuhn's Parking garage. Basically it will all fail because Cameron Kuhn failed.
Basically there's still no real reason to visit the Landing. The live music there leaves alot to be desired. There's really no one place there that is unique to only being at the Landing. Say for instance Crate N Barrel or Ikea was at the Landing. I guess you could say Fuddruckers could fit that description but I don't think there's that many people that are lining up to go to Fuddruckers at this point.
Unless the servers at Fuddruckers wear spandex, short shorts and feature females with fake everything, they are going to have a hard time, not to mention the fact that they have no waterfront access.
Quote from: comncense on March 18, 2009, 05:51:27 PM
Basically there's still no real reason to visit the Landing. The live music there leaves alot to be desired. There's really no one place there that is unique to only being at the Landing. Say for instance Crate N Barrel or Ikea was at the Landing. I guess you could say Fuddruckers could fit that description but I don't think there's that many people that are lining up to go to Fuddruckers at this point.
huh?
most of the stores/restaurants at The Landing are unique to the area!
Is this the same Karlene's that is opening in the Cold Stone spot at Marsh Landing?
Yes and they are also opening one in Bartram Park and have been open in Mandarin on San Jose & Loretta for years. They are very experienced restraunt operators.
QuoteBasically there's still no real reason to visit the Landing.
Clearly you have not been down there on a Friday or Saturday night. Clearly there is a few hundred people that do no see it as you do. While not a big fan of Gator Country music they sponsor free concerts on friday nights and the entire courtyard is packed. twisted Martini, and mavericks are filled to capacity. There is EVERY reason to visit the landing on weekend evenings and I invite anyone to check it out... :)
Mavericks is akin to Paris Hilton, nothing has ever lasted in that space. Can the bar survive being packed 2 nights out of the week? We shall see. If not for the weekend music, the place would be dead as a doornail. Tony really needs to reach out to the people who live within 2-3 miles, offer a shuttle downtown to the Landing. If people did not have to drive, I'd go, but who wants to wait for a taxi for 30 minutes after a night of drinking downtown?
QuoteMavericks is akin to Paris Hilton, nothing has ever lasted in that space. Can the bar survive being packed 2 nights out of the week?
Mavericks is nothing like Club Paris. Club Paris was an
exclusive type club... Mavericks is an extremely
inclusive type club. Can
any bar downtown survive being packed two nights a week? I dunno... ask Marks, TSI, Dive bar, Ivy, London Bridge, Burrito gallery, etc. None of these places are very full Sunday through Thursday. If I am not mistaken there is a free shuttle between the Landing and Marks every Friday night.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 18, 2009, 07:52:46 PM
huh?
most of the stores/restaurants at The Landing are unique to the area!
Not exactly.
We shall see if they can indeed make it. Hooters has had a very successful model, and successful crowds. If you can pull that many people every day, you could stay in business too.
Time will tell if they can all make it. Mark's and Ivy, I hope they can stay afloat, but there is no shuttle to San Marco or Riverside. That would help them, just look at what O'Brothers did in people on Tuesday. The peeps are there, they just need something to bring them together. I'd go down there too, but not about to get a DUI.
I agree. The viability of the Landing and other bars downtown is public transportation. I live in Riverside and can walk to the bars in Five Points. My friends and I like to go the bars downtown but when it comes down to walking to O'Brothers or driving downtown, parking, and someone having to stay sober to drive, we decide to stay in Riverside.
I also don't believe cabs are the option either in this city. Several times when planning events downtown, the cabs we had called several hours in advance did not show up. When we called it was if we had called for the first time and they would try to find someone to get out to us.
As it has been said many times before, the core needs an expanded skyway, street car, or light rail to restore vibrancy.
Quote from: copperfiend on March 19, 2009, 07:34:57 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 18, 2009, 07:52:46 PM
huh?
most of the stores/restaurants at The Landing are unique to the area!
Not exactly.
where else is there a Benny's, a Koja Sushi, an Apple a Day, etc?
Well if the new "trolly" line from the Points to the Landing extended its operating hours, that could be a huge gap bridged for the evening crowds.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 19, 2009, 09:04:28 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on March 19, 2009, 07:34:57 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 18, 2009, 07:52:46 PM
huh?
most of the stores/restaurants at The Landing are unique to the area!
Not exactly.
where else is there a Benny's, a Koja Sushi, an Apple a Day, etc?
They aren't exactly unique. There are a million sushi places in Jax just like Koja. And I have been to Benny's and it isn't anything special.
Well, if Fuddruckers ever opens up that would be unique. Was there for lunch yesterday and saw NO activity at the Fuddruckers site.
QuoteThey aren't exactly unique. There are a million sushi places in Jax just like Koja. And I have been to Benny's and it isn't anything special.
So you're saying unique to your personal tastes.
What would be your suggestions for "unique" or "special" establishments for The Landing?
Quote from: cline on March 19, 2009, 10:19:04 AM
QuoteThey aren't exactly unique. There are a million sushi places in Jax just like Koja. And I have been to Benny's and it isn't anything special.
So you're saying unique to your personal tastes.
What would be your suggestions for "unique" or "special" establishments for The Landing?
In that case every sushi place in Jacksonville is "unique" because of the ownership but what truly makes them unique? It is not about having anything unique. It is about having businesses at the Landing that make people want to go there. Right now there is nothing there that makes people want to go. That is why nearly every parcel is a revolving door.
Quote from: cline on March 19, 2009, 10:19:04 AM
What would be your suggestions for "unique" or "special" establishments for The Landing?
One reason the St Johns Town Center has been so successful is because of restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Maggianos, Capital Grille and Mitchell's.
Copper... you keep using generalities that simply are not true. For example...
Quotethere is nothing there that makes people want to go
Many people disagree and on Friday and Saturday nights there is usually a full courtyard of people having a great time.
QuoteThat is why nearly every parcel is a revolving door.
This may be true of the retail stores on the interior but the restaraunts ringing the courtyard are pretty stable and successful. Hooters has been there since the beginning, Twisted Martini has been very successful, Mavericks is also a success, Bennys and the Sushi place have been there for quite awhile now.
Instaed of making excuses to not go to the landing... Cmon down on a Friday night... have a martini or three and watch the crowd go by... :)
QuoteRight now there is nothing there that makes people want to go.
Like BT said earlier, there are many, many people that go to The Landing on Friday and Saturday nights.
QuoteOne reason the St Johns Town Center has been so successful is because of restaurants like Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Maggianos, Capital Grille and Mitchell's.
Maybe, but those restaurants are not really unique- they are chains. They just happen to be new to Jacksonville. In fact nearly everything at the Town Center is a chain.
Sorry if I am generalizing. Here's what I will tell you. I want the Landing to succeed. I go to the Landing when I attend concerts at the TU Center, Florida Theatre or Jags games. I have been to Cinco de Mayo there. I want to take somebody from out of town to the Landing but right now there are just better options at the beach or the SJTC.
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 19, 2009, 09:04:28 AM
Quote from: copperfiend on March 19, 2009, 07:34:57 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 18, 2009, 07:52:46 PM
huh?
most of the stores/restaurants at The Landing are unique to the area!
Not exactly.
where else is there a Benny's, a Koja Sushi, an Apple a Day, etc?
There's a Koja Sushi on Baymeadows. Either way probably the general consensus is that none of those are worth driving from one side of town to the Landing to visit.
As far as chain stores... I think there's a large number of chains that would be welcome if they opened a store in Jax. Seems to have worked well for SJTC.
Quote from: mtraininjax on March 18, 2009, 05:28:27 PM
Anything created at the Landing will fail without Cameron Kuhn's Parking garage. Basically it will all fail because Cameron Kuhn failed.
You and I don't agree on much normally, but you're really 100% right on this one.
The total lack of parking is why the Landing never goes anywhere. You have to park in a garage and walk 6 blocks, or you can circle forever looking for a spot. And the city knows there's a parking crunch down there, and uses the area as prime parking fine fodder, with a lot of the meters being good for only 30-60 minutes, huge "loading" and "no parking" zones all over the place that serve no apparent purpose, and a parking cop always hovering nearby at all times. You can basically tack the $25 parking ticket on top of whatever you pay for dinner, because it's almost a guaranteed cost...
Anyway, it's not worth it. Too many better places to go.
Wow... we must not go to the same landing. I have never gotten a parking ticket... remember parking at meters is free after 6:00pm weekdays and all weekend... parking at the Landing itself is only 10 bucks for special events. The ONLY time one might walk a whole six blocks to park is during the fireworks or something like that. There is AMPLE cheap and free parking all over downtown at night and on weekends. The very last thing needed anywhere downtown is more parking.
Holy smokes... six whole blocks?? Walking?? :'(
QuoteYou and I don't agree on much normally, but you're really 100% right on this one.
Wow, I should like buy a lottery ticket? If I win, we can split it! :-X
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 19, 2009, 08:50:28 PM
Holy smokes... six whole blocks?? Walking?? :'(
lol. good point. That's the culture in Jax though. As much as it is the people (not liking or being used to walking places) it's also true that the city just isnt very walkable. Weather, scenery, sidewalks, etc. I know if I have the time I'll walk 40 blocks in NYC to avoid paying for the subway ride, but I'll circle for 10 minutes waiting to park to avoid walking 6 blocks in Jax.
New restaurant, deli, bar to serve the Landing.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=52030
The steak burgers look pretty good and they are serving a niche (breakfast) that's not currently available at the Landing. Hopefully, this venture will turn out to be a success.
I worked at Coaches since it opened in October and it was the same owner as Bourbon Boyou. It closed due to lack of rent payments collected by the landing. But all and all, I loved working there, I loved the people, the customers, and the owner but it didn't get enough business to stay alfoat. I just got a job at american cafe so least I don't have to file for umemployment like most of the people that get laid off! Damn economy!! :-\
Welcome to the forum and thanks for the inside perspective. Hopefully, those laid off will get picked up quick at some of the other places opening like Karlene's, Orange Tree or Fuddruckers.
whats new?!?!
Is there any hope for DT Jacksonville ever being a place where enough people want to live and work to make it interesting? ???
Probably not!
Who goes to the Landing at night? People who live downtown? People from the burbs? Who drives downtown just for the Landing on a night when there is nothing special?
JTA could help the Landing and offer more trolleys down there.
QuoteWho goes to the Landing at night? People who live downtown? People from the burbs? Who drives downtown just for the Landing on a night when there is nothing special?
Your statement shows you have a preconception of what is or is not happening there on a Friday and Saturday night. I dare ya... waste a Friday night... stop into twisted martini have some appetizers and a beer or martini. If ya want an outside seat I suggest you get there before 6 pm because all the tables will be taken. Even if you are not a fan of the music the bands are usually up and coming talents and the crowds are very large. Strike up a conversation with someone at the table next to you and find out where they live.
Waste a Friday and check it out... you may be surprised. :)
Quote from: cline on March 19, 2009, 11:07:45 AMMaybe, but those restaurants are not really unique- they are chains. They just happen to be new to Jacksonville. In fact nearly everything at the Town Center is a chain.
What are the unique restaurants then? One of Chef Ramsay's exclusive restaurants in NYC, with like probably two other international locations like London or Tokyo? Maybe it's just my ignorance, but name an "unique" restaurant? Last time I checked, places like Capital Grille, and Cafe Laredos were pretty damn unique. It's kinda like the hip-hop game when it comes to restaurants now? If a song doesn't have precieved "street credibility" it's "commercial" (franchise). Most quality restaurants are franchised restaurants.
No matter what we get here in Jax, the tired and old "not enough unique restaurants" argument will arise.
Everytime I look in magizines like Folio, I see list with TONS of variety of unique cuisine esp. for a city with a lil' over a million peeps in metro size. Do we compare with any megalopolises like NYC ? No, but they aren't many cities like NYC, LA etc.
My 2 cents.
from what I hear, Karlene's will open at the Landing in early April....and shotly thereafter they plan to open another store on Laura St....possibly in the old Bread & Butter space
I thought an office copy style business opened up in the old Bread & Butter spot?
maybe so...I just heard it would be somewhere on Laura St
QuoteMaybe it's just my ignorance, but name an "unique" restaurant? Last time I checked, places like Capital Grille, and Cafe Laredos were pretty damn unique.
It is actually called Cantina Laredo. And yes, if you like overpriced mexican food then I suppose this would be unique. Personally, I prefer La Nopalera.
For once, I'd like a store to call itself "Here today, gone tomorrow"! Perfect store at the Landing, no matter what it sells!
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 19, 2009, 08:50:28 PM
Wow... we must not go to the same landing. I have never gotten a parking ticket... remember parking at meters is free after 6:00pm weekdays and all weekend... parking at the Landing itself is only 10 bucks for special events. The ONLY time one might walk a whole six blocks to park is during the fireworks or something like that. There is AMPLE cheap and free parking all over downtown at night and on weekends. The very last thing needed anywhere downtown is more parking.
Holy smokes... six whole blocks?? Walking?? :'(
I go to the landing for lunch not really dinner, usually only when I have to do something downtown, so I never get to take advantage of the free meters. Parking is always a complete nightmare, and the meter maids are out in force during the daytime...
I mean, come on, I live in Riverside! If I wanted some good food I'll go to Biscotti's, the Brick, Orsay, Sterling's, Pastiche, 13 Gypsies, Al's, the Row, Espeto, FYC, Prima Piatti, Sumo Sushi, Crazy Sushi, Sushi Cafe, (too much sushi around here), Assault & Battery-River Pizza, Harpoon Louie's, Tom & Betty's, Mossfire Grill, Cool Moose, Kickbacks, and on and on and on.
Probably 3/4ths of the good eats in this city are within a mile of my house, so I'm never in a real rush to drive all the way to the landing and fight for parking, just to get some chicken wings and beer. Only time I've ever been to the landing at night was when we've been out in the boat and stopped in for drinks or dinner as the day gets late.
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on March 20, 2009, 01:26:45 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 19, 2009, 08:50:28 PM
Holy smokes... six whole blocks?? Walking?? :'(
lol. good point. That's the culture in Jax though. As much as it is the people (not liking or being used to walking places) it's also true that the city just isnt very walkable. Weather, scenery, sidewalks, etc. I know if I have the time I'll walk 40 blocks in NYC to avoid paying for the subway ride, but I'll circle for 10 minutes waiting to park to avoid walking 6 blocks in Jax.
+1.
This city is just not much fun to walk. When I'm in Boston visiting family I don't usually need a car, I have no problem walking everywhere. So much to see, it's fun. You've gone 2 miles before you even know it. There are some southern cities where the same is true, like Charleston and (to a lesser extent) Savannah. But Jacksonville is a different story, there's no 'incentive' to walk here.
Everything is so spread out that walking is impossible 9 times out of 10, and in the few instances where it is possible, there's nothing really to look at, and you get hit up by 17 people begging for money. And this is a unique thing around here, the beggars have an EGO on them...they get pissed if you say no, and make wisecracks and yell at you. Never really seen that attitude outside of JAX..."I'm better than you, but I still want you to give me money". Crazy.
Walking isn't fun around here.
Like I said... we must be going to two different downtowns and Landings... I see easy parking especially at night. Never have I gotten at ticket... and I park all over. Beggars beg... in Boston, San Fran, name a big city downtown and I will find a panhandler in 5 minutes.
Chris... you live and work in Riverside... fair enough. You have no desire or need to go downtown... fair enough. No need to put down the other parts of the city that are trying to make it. Instead of making up reasons NOT to go downtown on a weekend how about making up a reason to give it a try... :)
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 31, 2009, 07:29:55 PM
Like I said... we must be going to two different downtowns and Landings... I see easy parking especially at night. Never have I gotten at ticket... and I park all over. Beggars beg... in Boston, San Fran, name a big city downtown and I will find a panhandler in 5 minutes.
Chris... you live and work in Riverside... fair enough. You have no desire or need to go downtown... fair enough. No need to put down the other parts of the city that are trying to make it. Instead of making up reasons NOT to go downtown on a weekend how about making up a reason to give it a try... :)
Noooo...the beggars aren't just a downtown thing, they're all around Riverside too. The Publix at Margaret and Park is especially terrible about that. I'm not trying to knock downtown, and I wasn't trying to say any one area of the city is better than another. And I know there are beggars everywhere, but it's their combative and arrogant attitude that's unique to Jacksonville.
I've never seen such rude and obnoxious panhandlers in BOS or anywhere else for that matter, compared to here. I've been asked for money in most major cities I've been to. Atlanta is notorious for that. But they're NICE and POLITE about it. If you don't have any money on you, then fine, they 'get it', and wish you a good day. They don't take it personally, and act like you just insulted their mother.
The Jacksonville bums will yell at you, make wisecracks, and call you an a$$hole if you "dare" to say "no". I've honestly never seen anything like it. They have an ego and a half on them, at the same time they're begging for your money. I'm going to go nuts if I get one more redneck screaming at me across a parking lot "Hey man...I ain't askin' for no handout...but...", before they go right on to ask for a handout, and then call me a d!ck or an a$$hole if I don't have any money on me.
in many caes, its not an ego problem....it's because they are mentally ill!
Chris - How nice of you living in Riverside attending Orsay in Avondale. YEAH! ;D
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 31, 2009, 11:14:55 PM
in many caes, its not an ego problem....it's because they are mentally ill!
I do agree with you there are a few obviously screwed up ones that wander around talking to themselves about vietnam and yelling incoherently at people. I'm not sure why our local government does nothing to help those folks, and everything to hassle them. I actually have given the one I usually see in my neighborhood with the big green duffle bag and the red jacket money before, because he obviously has "issues" and needs the help.
But those aren't the ones that really bother me. The rude ones are different. They're usually between 20-40yrs old, white guys, tattoo'd, and are perfectly coherent but are just plain old-fashioned a$$holes. They sit in a spot and when you walk by go "HEY MAN" to try and get your attention. If you just keep walking, they'll call you names and yell at you. If you make the mistake of stopping to see what they want, they'll invariably start with this B.S. "Now, I ain't askin' for no handout" line, and then go right on to ask for a handout.
If you dare to say "no", they'll call you names and act snarky as you're walking away. If you say you don't have any money, they'll call you a liar and say "well then how'd you get those groceries?". Then you have to explain "well I used a credit card...I don't carry cash", and then they'll still call you a liar. It's effin' ridiculous. That's the attitude/ego I was referring to.
the fact that no one goes downtown (except for the landing) and bums are EVERYWHERE the problem is magnified. To have such a small downtown and so many bums is such a turnoff for so many people. But I will say this, that the bums in Minneapolis are some of the most aggressive i've ever seen. Maybe it's because the minority are the minority there and they think they can intimidate white folks into getting a handout but I've never felt the bums in Jacksonvlle were so tame until i went there.
agreed....walk around downtown during an ArtWalk (like tonight)....and the bums don't stand out so much
I'm gonna have to agree with what some of the others are saying. I'm out in on the westside and since I work 95% from home, I almost never have to go into my building on the Southbank.
At this present time I see no reason to drive from the westside to downtown. I've lived for 12 years in Jacksonville and have never eaten a single thing at the Landing. I've gone to both Mavericks and Twisted Martini and all of the clubs down on Bay St. They are nice but not something worth going every weekend. Growing up in a stone's throw of Baltimore, I know what the Landing could be and I know what's it's not.
I know the major drawing point that some have made are the views of the river. Yes it has views of the river but I can get that with a stroll to Memorial Park from the Sake House.
Overall I'm pro downtown and would like to have a reason to make a trek downtown to the core every week but I don't have a reason.
Also with the beggers. While waiting on the corner to go towards my husband's building I was asked for money 3 times. To be a female and alone having men come towards you knowing that some may be mentally unstable scared the living f out of me.
The sheer number of them downtown is definitely scary...
A year or two ago, my dad was in downtown Jacksonville for a settlement negotiation at lawyer's office that lasted until 7 or 8 at night. He's not up here that much, so I hopped in the car and picked up some Larry's Giant Subs and drove downtown to sit in the car for 20 minutes and eat with him, you know just to say hi.
While we were sitting in his car talking and munching on the sandwiches, 5 or 6 different bums banged on the window asking for money, all within 20 minutes. There were cops around, but they don't seem to care. I wouldn't want to walk very far downtown at night, not necessarily because I'm afraid, but more because who really wants to deal with all these random people trying to guilt-trip you and yelling/cursing at you?
It seems like a lot of the ones who aren't disabled are really just putting their own needs over everyone else's. They don't care about the business owners whose sales are being affected when people won't go there because they don't want to get panhandled, and they don't care about the bills I have to pay, or the fact that I have to use my money to put food on my own table. Most of them have drug or alcohol problems, and hitting people up for money is just the fastest and easiest way to get what they want.
The Riverside Publix finally hired a full-time armed security guard just to run them off, and ditto with the building that Al's and 5 Guys occupies. There always used to be several lurking around waiting to hit you up for money or yell at you if you didn't give any. Going to the SunTrust ATM, I got panhandled the guy called me a liar when I told him I had no cash. He pointed out that he just saw me go to the ATM. I was like "Yeah, no offense man, but that thing only spits out $20's and I'm not giving you a $20." His response? "No problem I've got change, can u give me $5?". Seriously. WTF.
Since the guards were hired, it's been a lot better, but now each one of those landlords is paying $40k/yr or whatever a full time armed guard costs.
They are like the zombies in Dawn of the Dead.
Quote from: stephendare on April 02, 2009, 11:32:09 AM
more like the zombies in 28 days later.
I know you were just kidding, but your comment is more true than you realize.
They really are VERY aggressive around here, much more so than I've experienced in other places. I am amazed at some of them, who argue and curse at you, and won't take "no" for an answer. The bad attitude and sense of entitlement leave me speechless.
Quote from: copperfiend on April 02, 2009, 11:30:26 AM
They are like the zombies in Dawn of the Dead.
Actually, you are right.
The ones in Riverside are getting especially aggressive lately. It's not like there's a lack of social services to help people. The simple fact is that most panhandlers make more money off of panhandling than they would make at a minimum wage job. And guess what? It's tax free! While no survey has been done in Jacksonville to prove this point, you can simply look to this post (http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2255/how-much-money-do-beggars-make) to see how bad the problem is. The average panhandler makes 125 to 200 dollars per day with an upper range of 300 dollars a day!
It's a law of averages thing. You hit up as many people as possible to maximize your gains. When you hang out in a specific area though, you tend to see the same people over and over.
Spend the money on booze, get wasted. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Excellent link!
Which is more demeaning? Panhandling or being a human condo billboard?
Panhandling. At least the billboard holders are performing a service for their money.
With money being tight, it's only going to get worse. Last weekend we were coming off of 9A onto Beach and there were guys on both off-ramps. The one on our side was just sitting there but on the other side was this young guy and he was knocking on windows and trying to keep cars from moving forward. About a month ago I was coming through downtown pretty late and I think I was at the redlight that's at Jefferson and Bay and I'm sitting there and out of the blue pops up Mary or whatever her name is that used to troll the riverside area. She must've walked up from behind but I look up and she's no more than six inches away from the car knocking on my window.
Some of these dumbasses are going to wind up hurt or killed and it's their own damned fault.
Well it just happened again...
I'm coming back across the I-95 bridge from eating dinner in San Marco, and at the Park street exit there's a young guy in a blue jacket standing on the side of the off-ramp. He was on the left, and unfortunately it worked out that I was the only car at the light, so I purposely took the right lane to put some distance between us, and just tried to ignore him while I waited at the light. So he starts yelling at me "hey...man...HEY MAN" and I kept ignoring him.
Next thing I know, he's scurrying my way and yelling "HEY, DON'T YOU HEAR ME TALKING TO YOU", and getting ready to start banging on my window. I'd had enough of this $h!t for one day, and glanced for oncoming traffic and then just hit the gas and ran the light so I didn't have to deal with his B.S. He was still yelling and gesturing with his hands as I drove away, and though I couldn't quite catch it, I can't imagine it was anything polite. This was no more than 20 minutes ago, he's probably still out there.
ENOUGH of this crap already. Where are the cops?
seems to me that you should be thankful the cops weren't around!
Quote from: ChriswUfGator on April 02, 2009, 09:18:13 PM
Well it just happened again...
I'm coming back across the I-95 bridge from eating dinner in San Marco, and at the Park street exit there's a young guy in a blue jacket standing on the side of the off-ramp. He was on the left, and unfortunately it worked out that I was the only car at the light, so I purposely took the right lane to put some distance between us, and just tried to ignore him while I waited at the light. So he starts yelling at me "hey...man...HEY MAN" and I kept ignoring him.
Next thing I know, he's scurrying my way and yelling "HEY, DON'T YOU HEAR ME TALKING TO YOU", and getting ready to start banging on my window. I'd had enough of this $h!t for one day, and glanced for oncoming traffic and then just hit the gas and ran the light so I didn't have to deal with his B.S. He was still yelling and gesturing with his hands as I drove away, and though I couldn't quite catch it, I can't imagine it was anything polite. This was no more than 20 minutes ago, he's probably still out there.
ENOUGH of this crap already. Where are the cops?
Have a convertible and always make it a point to NEVER have the top down when driving through downtown just for that reason.
well to get the thread back on topic, Karlene's opened yesterday...I plan on going there for breakfast tomorrow before heading down to the RAP
I stopped at the Landing Friday for lunch at Cinco de Mayos. The place was very busy yet the waiter greeted me quickly and took my order. Food came out hot and was quite good. Stopped by Karlenes and there seemed to be quite a few folks eating lunch... will have to give it a try.
A couple of friends and I had breakfast at Karlene's before walking down to the artist market this morning. It was ok, not great, but ok. I will definitely go back. They are obviously working out the kinks so I am sure it will improve.
Heck, it is about the only real breakfast option in downtown other than the hotels.
And we were not bothered by any homeless at all during the entire day. I walk around downtown 1-2 times a week. Long walks. I always see the homeless, but they usually do not ask for anything. When they do I say "I have no money" (which is usually true) and that is the end of it. I think that happens to me about 1 out of every 7 walks.
I had breakfast at Karlene's this morning as well. I probably will not go back for breakfast, but it was ok. I agree that they do have some kinks to work out. I think if they can get those taken care of, they'll be successful because it meets a niche that has, up until now, been ignored in the downtown core.
agreed...as is usual with new restaurants, the service still needs some work...the food was decent, but nothing special.
The best features are that they are open for breakfast on weekends and they kept the full bar.
QuoteAnd we were not bothered by any homeless at all during the entire day.
I agree SB... I am down there often and while I may get asked for money or a cigarette a firm yet polite no or simply ignoring the request works just fine.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on April 04, 2009, 07:17:03 PM
QuoteAnd we were not bothered by any homeless at all during the entire day.
I agree SB... I am down there often and while I may get asked for money or a cigarette a firm yet polite no or simply ignoring the request works just fine.
Well I guess me and civil were keeping all the rude/nasty ones occupied so you guys could deal with the polite ones.
You're welcome!
LOL
Well, I would not say ALL of the ones I have encountered have been polite.
Earlier this week I was driving through downtown and almost missed my green light because a homeless dude was slowly crossing the street in front of my car. He noticed my FSU booster tag and when I gave him the "go ahead and cross" wave he pointed to his gator cap and slowly crept past my car.
Took every ounce of self control I had to keep from punching the gas pedal and mowing him down!
Of course he may not have been homeless. With gator fans it can be hard to tell the difference sometimes.
Just kidding...sort of. ;D
Please....not all people who panhandle are homeless and not all homeless people panhandle. Just put your hand up and say NO, instead of using this forum for such hateful bigotry. Homeless people have enough trouble, they don't need this continuous flow of bitching from people who ought to be grateful.
Oh...and happy holy week for crying out loud.
Quote from: sheclown on April 05, 2009, 03:59:50 PM
Please....not all people who panhandle are homeless
That's a nice catchy phrase! WOW!
Problem is...nobody ever said that. So who exactly are you admonishing?
Quote from: sheclown on April 05, 2009, 03:59:50 PMnot all homeless people panhandle.
Oooooh! Another one. And another problem: Nobody said that either.
Quote from: sheclown on April 05, 2009, 03:59:50 PMJust put your hand up and say NO
OMFG, you're a genius! You honestly deserve a Nobel Prize for this.
Nobody has EVER thought of saying "No" to a panhandler before! You just invented it right here! Hey, I'll be taking the patent bar soon, so if you need any help with your application hit me up, your new invention is clearly worth MILLIONS...
Quote from: sheclown on April 05, 2009, 03:59:50 PM, instead of using this forum for such hateful bigotry.
Oh yeah, I'm such a 'hateful' 'bigot', just because I'd like to be able to walk to my car or use the ATM without being accosted by 5 different panhandlers demanding (note my deliberate use of the word "demanding" instead of "asking") for a handout. I'm so bigoted that (imagine this!) I don't like it when they follow me around when it's dark, argue with me when I say "No", bang on my car windows, and call me a liar if I try to be polite by saying "I have no cash".
Seriously, just shoot me now and put me out of my 'bigoted' misery...
Quote from: sheclown on April 05, 2009, 03:59:50 PMHomeless people have enough trouble, they don't need this continuous flow of bitching from people who ought to be grateful.
Well, if they have THAT much trouble, they probably don't have a lot of time to be sitting around reading all of this on their computer that they don't have. So, just a guess here, I think we're going to be o.k....
Quote from: sheclown on April 05, 2009, 03:59:50 PMOh...and happy holy week for crying out loud.
If you're so holy, you go out there and give them all your money, rather than castigating people on message boards. Irony.
yeah, I seriously owe nothing to these people, so why the guilt trip?
QuoteJust put your hand up and say NO, instead of using this forum for such hateful bigotry.
How about, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all - for both sides? Simple, basic, childish, but yes, it does work.
Of course, you could always carry a concealed weapon and permit, if you feel you need it.