Corner of King and Park

[fieldafm]

Someone also told me that First Guarantee Bank has some say so and will deny any new liquor in the area...

That is not true at ll.  Actually, First Guaranty has been working with potential tenants in the area about shared parking arrangements after bank business hours.

[undergroundgourmet]

Someone also told me that First Guarantee Bank has some say so and will deny any new liquor in the area...


that was when Art Bar leased their building that now houses Jacksonville Magazine...I heard it wasn't a good relationship

[lowlyplanner]

It's very easy to get a license to sell beer and wine.

It's very hard to get a license to sell liquor.  There are two ways, and both require a zoning variance called a "Waiver of Liquor Distance" if the property is within 1500 feet of a church and doesn't serve food, or within 500 feet if does serve food.  The Waiver is decided by the Planning Commission in a supposedly impartial process, so it (theoretically) shouldn't matter if the churches give permission or not.

A "bona-fide" restaurant can get a license to sell liquor if it has more than 150 seats (or 100 in downtown and 5 Points) and at least 51% of its income comes from food sales (this is how Bennigan's, etc. sell liquor). 

There is a very limited number of licenses issued for serving full liquor without being a bona-fide restaurant.  You can sign up for a lottery, or buy an existing license (prices are astronomical - well over $100,000).

[mtraininjax]

There is a very limited number of licenses issued for serving full liquor without being a bona-fide restaurant.  You can sign up for a lottery, or buy an existing license (prices are astronomical - well over $100,000).

Or you could hire a lobbyist and do what John Insetta is proposing at his new building there at Margaret and Oak, where they are lobbying RAP and the CITY to change the zoning to allow him to have the liquor license.

[RockStar]

Well to be clear, he's lobbying to allow restaurants in a certain area with under 150ppl(if it's 100 in Rside, I didn't know that) seating to be allowed to sell liquor under the same rules as those over 150seats. Personally, I think all restaurants in Jacksonville should be allowed the option to serve spirits as well. And considering what he's done over at Orsay, I think Riverside will be better off with it. It's not like he's doing $1 well night or $2 margarita night like some restaurants who pretend to be nightclubs who pretend to be restaurants.

For the record, an unrestricted liquor license in Jax (4COP) averages $250,000, if you can get one.

Why should small restaurant owners not be allowed the same tools to compete with the larger shit restaurants we see in this town. Personally, I'd like to be able to have a martini before my dinner at 13 Gypsies, but I can't. I actually can't get a reservation either, so I guess it's moot...lol.

[Allan D]

lowlyplanner and rockstar are right on and mtrain, just a little off.

First, if passed, this will apply to the area bound by Margaret Street to the West, Dellwood to the Northwest, I95 to the North and the St. Johns River to the East and South.  So, not just us, but the whole neighborhood.

Also, there was never a lobbyist hired because it was never needed.  It had only a single detractor through the entire 1 year process (one Council person voted against it and they don't live in the neighborhood).  And that's probably the best part about the whole process.  You don't need money or lobbyists, but you do need some time.

RAP was on board a year ago - unanimous vote from the Board.  The local aides for Sen Wise and Rep McBurney that we met with, sans lobbyist, were on board from the start.  The dozens of neighborhood business owners and property owners we contacted were on board from the start.  The very helpful Coordinator for the Duval Delegation that we met or talked with many times was on board from the start.  City Council had one "no" vote and no comment during the alotted periods.  It was sponsored in the House by Rep McBurney and has flown through both Committee meetings with alarming speed and unanimous votes. 

So I agree, it should apply to all bona fide restaurants, but I believe seating capacity should not be a criteria of that definition - 13 gypsies is a fantastic example.  But, one neighborhood at a time. 

Complete community support of a "local bill" that helps economic development by reducing arbitrary regulations on small businesses should be an easy thing to get passed through government.

Amusingly, we spent more man hours and professional fees on the single determination of proper "window trim" with the good people at the Planning Department. 

[acme54321]

There is a very limited number of licenses issued for serving full liquor without being a bona-fide restaurant.  You can sign up for a lottery, or buy an existing license (prices are astronomical - well over $100,000).

Or you could hire a lobbyist and do what John Insetta is proposing at his new building there at Margaret and Oak, where they are lobbying RAP and the CITY to change the zoning to allow him to have the liquor license.

Speaking of that...  does anyone know what's going on with this new building?

[PeeJayEss]

Major interior demo going on at Carter's today. Looks like they won't be going with my Pharmacy-themed so-and-so.

[MusicMan]

And on the 8th Day, God created Pele's Fire........and put them at Park and King!

[33taps]

Took a walk down park street today and Wow!, the pharmacy is wide open now.    Future PELE'S is officially gutted.

[MusicMan]

They are removing the last vestiges of Carters Pharmacy and two beautiful MADE IN AMERICA wood buring ovens were delivered this week.  I hope I am not the only person in MJ-Land who is excited about this eatery coming into the neighborhood.

Where There's Smoke, There's Fire. Pele's Fire. Neapolitan Wood Fired Pizza.
       Bringing the amazing flavors of Italy to a neighborhood near you.

[PeeJayEss]

I hope I am not the only person in MJ-Land who is excited about this eatery coming into the neighborhood.

You aren't!

[Tacachale]

^Words can't describe how happy I am.

[ben says]

When do they open?

[MusicMan]

Not sure. The build out has barely started.