Landing Starbucks to Close

[RWNeal]

I must say the place was jam packed last Friday night. People were everywhere. Maybe Starbucks couldnt come to an agreement with the owner on their lease? just a possibility, other than business being so abysmal.

According to one of the Starbucks employees, this is the root of the reason. Sleiman wanted to go up on the rent and Starbucks corporate didn't think it was worth it, citing the slow death of downtown.

[thelakelander]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?  Considering their size, there are a millions of places around the globe that would present them with better financial gain opportunities.

[Jimmy]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?  Considering their size, there are a millions of places around the globe that would present them with better financial gain opportunities.

As nice as it would be to see those destinations downtown, I have to agree with Lake.  We can't generate the political will needed to get rid of parking meters and create/update signage.  Shooting for wholly new destinations downtown would be a waste of time and effort until we can master the cheap and free basics.

[hanjin1]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?  Considering their size, there are a millions of places around the globe that would present them with better financial gain opportunities.

this is the reason why we won't see one in our lifetime. just be happy for the new homeless park and rotting buildings. that's about the best we can do.

[fieldafm]

Honestly. We need an unique store in Jacksonville like IKEA to actually DRAW people to Downtown.

It's simple economics.. Jacksonville does not have the demographics to support an IKEA downtown, Town Center or any other commercial area.  

Jacksonville's metrics do support a Bass Pro Shops, which continue to explore this market... but that will be at the Town Center if it does come here, not DT.

Small business can grow downtown if the city creates an environment in which small business can succeed downtown.  One doesn't have to travel far away(but if you do, Downtown Orlando is a great example)... you can simply go to the Park/King commercial district, Avondale, the beaches town centers, Five Points or San Marco.  Each district offers a pedestrian friendly business environment that does not have parking, signage or permitting restrictions.

[copperfiend]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?

They wouldn't.

[danem]

Maybe he is making room for an IKEA or Bass Pro Shop.

I thought they were holding out for Walgreens and Office Depot.

Walgreens and Office Depot actually make more sense, as those are immediately useful to whoever actually works and lives there. From what I read and observe, seems like many basic amenities are lacking.

[duvaldude08]

Honestly. We need an unique store in Jacksonville like IKEA to actually DRAW people to Downtown.

It's simple economics.. Jacksonville does not have the demographics to support an IKEA downtown, Town Center or any other commercial area.  

Jacksonville's metrics do support a Bass Pro Shops, which continue to explore this market... but that will be at the Town Center if it does come here, not DT.

Small business can grow downtown if the city creates an environment in which small business can succeed downtown.  One doesn't have to travel far away(but if you do, Downtown Orlando is a great example)... you can simply go to the Park/King commercial district, Avondale, the beaches town centers, Five Points or San Marco.  Each district offers a pedestrian friendly business environment that does not have parking, signage or permitting restrictions.

I have always had this theroy. If you bulid it, they will come. If there was an Ikea in downtown Jacksonville it would be booming. It would be the only one in town. With that being said, the people will come. And Jacksonville residents have been dying for an Ikea for sometime now. Feel the same way about Macy's as well. However, from a business and demographics standpoint, it would not be a good move.

[duvaldude08]

Maybe he is making room for an IKEA or Bass Pro Shop.

I thought they were holding out for Walgreens and Office Depot.

Walgreens and Office Depot actually make more sense, as those are immediately useful to whoever actually works and lives there. From what I read and observe, seems like many basic amenities are lacking.

You are so right. Stores of this nature would be a great start.

[cline]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?

They wouldn't.

What!?  Aren't retailers beating down the door to locate at The Landing once it gets its dedicated parking?

[wsansewjs]

If Audrey Moran or an insightful mayor wins, she would help and push the downtown development, then the option for IKEA or Macy to build their store in the downtown would become more attractive.

Baby steps, baby steps guys!

-Josh

[thelakelander]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?

They wouldn't.

What!?  Aren't retailers beating down the door to locate at The Landing once it gets its dedicated parking?

Not trying to be funny but we can't even land a McDonalds downtown.  I'm still amazed by how empty the sidewalks are at lunch time during the work week.  You won't get you an IKEA or Macy's.  However, having dedicated parking could potentially land something like a Walgreens, Office Depot, BW3 or microbrewery. 

[JeffreyS]

I wonder what the Jacksonville city Government could have done lately to convince Starbucks they were not serious about downtown and the Landing?  hmmm

[copperfiend]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?

They wouldn't.

What!?  Aren't retailers beating down the door to locate at The Landing once it gets its dedicated parking?

No, just Fuddrucker's.

[cline]

Just wondering....why would a place like IKEA or Cheesecake Factory be interested in investing in downtown Jax?

They wouldn't.

What!?  Aren't retailers beating down the door to locate at The Landing once it gets its dedicated parking?

Not trying to be funny but we can't even land a McDonalds downtown.  I'm still amazed by how empty the sidewalks are at lunch time during the work week.  You won't get you an IKEA or Macy's.  However, having dedicated parking could potentially land something like a Walgreens, Office Depot, BW3 or microbrewery.  

To be fair, The Landing used to have a microbrewery at one point.  It closed years ago.