Neighborhoods: Baymeadows

[Captain Zissou]

May I point out that the article was extremely well written?  I don't remember past articles having so much detail on the buildings and developments.  Very informative.  Nice Job Ennis and Sarah.

[danem]

The Coffee Grinder in the Deerwood "mall" between the Publix and Winn-dixie has the most international clientele I've ever seen in a single place. They also have a DJ and music most nights. Also nearby is a restauarant that also offers very tall hookahs and a salsa dance club.

[duvaldude08]

Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.

That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.

Yeah, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Hopefully as the core revitalizes we'll see that diversity reflected there in the businesses that come in.

That would be nice. I really hope so.

[duvaldude08]

I'd be interested to know any info that anyone might have on the Grande Boulevard Mall as my research has turned up very little (my first trip to Jacksonville was in '92).  I know Jacobson's was the only anchor and held on long after the rest of the mall died (until the chain went bankrupt), that it was explicitly upscale-oriented, and that it used an off-putting "not for everybody" ad campaign when it opened, but that's about it.

That mall was one of the many things that was before Jacksonville's time. One of my older friends also told me that the stores in the Landing were somewhat "upscale" when it first opened. But honestly Jacksonville was very country back then and nobody had that kind of money. The demographics of this city has changed dramtically over the past 20 years I must say.

[duvaldude08]

I'd be interested to know any info that anyone might have on the Grande Boulevard Mall as my research has turned up very little (my first trip to Jacksonville was in '92).  I know Jacobson's was the only anchor and held on long after the rest of the mall died (until the chain went bankrupt), that it was explicitly upscale-oriented, and that it used an off-putting "not for everybody" ad campaign when it opened, but that's about it.

That mall was one of the many things that was before Jacksonville's time. One of my older friends also told me that the stores in the Landing were somewhat "upscale" when it first opened. But honestly Jacksonville was very country back then and nobody had that kind of money. The demographics of this city has changed dramtically over the past 20 years I must say.

Actually, there were plenty of people who had the money, and the stores were great.

However, the management and public relations of the mall were apalling.

The actual billboards read:  "The Grande Boulevard Mall:  Its not for everyone."

I was a consumate shopper at the time, and people who know me now would be surprised to know that I was once a clothing horse, but its true nonetheless---anyways there was even a small Chanel Boutique there (much to Sarah Barton's chagrin) and you could buy Claude Montana at the mall.

However, they depended on snob appeal, and they were so snotty that they offended the shit out of people who lived and shopped here.

Security would literally follow people who werent dressed appropriately around until they felt so uncomfortable that they left.

Oh Wow! Thats awful. I was only 10 when that mall was around. I remember going there probably once with my parents and we never returned

[cline]

The Grand Boulevard Mall is far more successful as an FSCJ campus than it ever was as a mall.

[Wacca Pilatka]

Thanks for the info, Stephen.  That's interesting about the Chanel store because I remember reading sometime in the late 90s (in a Jacksonville Magazine article on the most exclusive items for sale in Jacksonville) that Barton-Sligh downtown was the only place in the city that sold Chanel.  So I would imagine how that would be distressing to Sarah Barton.

That ad campaign still amazes me.  I can't imagine a worse way to promote upscale cachet.

[Bativac]

The Grand Boulevard Mall is far more successful as an FSCJ campus than it ever was as a mall.

My wife had a class there a couple years ago, and I wandered around with her little sister, pretending it was a deserted mall that had been taken over by zombies. It seems like there was still a food court area but with no food. It was cool in a very weird way. The way that Market Square was never cool when it was empty. Actually I think Market Square mall WAS claimed by the walking dead for awhile there.

[ProjectMaximus]

May I point out that the article was extremely well written?  I don't remember past articles having so much detail on the buildings and developments.  Very informative.  Nice Job Ennis and Sarah.

Ditto. 

[ProjectMaximus]

The Coffee Grinder in the Deerwood "mall" between the Publix and Winn-dixie has the most international clientele I've ever seen in a single place. They also have a DJ and music most nights. Also nearby is a restauarant that also offers very tall hookahs and a salsa dance club.

Nearby restaurant is Mandaloun. The owner's family runs similar establishments throughout the UK.

[ProjectMaximus]

Sorry for being nitpicky but the word has been thrown about throughout this article/thread. The Deerwood Center is technically an FSCJ "Center," not a "Campus." It's operated under the auspices of South Campus. The Deerwood Center has its own president (or at least used to), who reports to the South Campus administration.

For a listing of the school's locations:
http://www.fscj.edu/mydegree/campuses/

[SarahTay]

There are some great indian restaurants in this area. My office only allows us 45 minutes for lunch and with traffic, that means Wendy's, Taco Bell or Firehouse Subs.

The old golf course is in a poor state. Any other plans? Does DR Horton still own it? What else could be done with it?

Agree, great restaurants ... at least 4 and 2 up on San Jose. I think 5th element delivers! They all should seeing how much business they get dine-in...

[Bativac]

There are some great indian restaurants in this area. My office only allows us 45 minutes for lunch and with traffic, that means Wendy's, Taco Bell or Firehouse Subs.

The old golf course is in a poor state. Any other plans? Does DR Horton still own it? What else could be done with it?

Agree, great restaurants ... at least 4 and 2 up on San Jose. I think 5th element delivers! They all should seeing how much business they get dine-in...

Is 5th Element the one in the old Village Inn?

[cline]

Yes.  It is almost in front of the strip mall that had the old Calico Jack's in it.

[Overstreet]

Grand Blvd mall had night clubs. "Anne Tiques" was there failing to pay rent before they snuck out in the dead of night to reopen at the Landing in 87.  "T-Birds", 50' and 60's venue,  was there and stayed there for years until they moved to the out parcel in the Southside Target shopping center.  The "hand jive" was the theme song for all the serviers to jump up on tables, counters, etc and do the "hand jive".

The article and pictures seemed to focus on  Indian food. There are still other places along that strip not serving that style food. Cattleman's Barbeque, Gubios, Medeteriana, Vitos, Red Lobster, Woody's, Al's Pizza, The Loop, Gators Dockside, Ohmah Steak house, Chilis,Cracker Barrel, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc. ...... And the usual fast food suspects.  Go out past Southside, past Deerwood, the other upper middle neighborhoods and near 9A you find Sticky Fingers, Outback, Subway, Sneakers, and Carrabas. 


The stuff is here cause the people are here.