Mellow Mushroom to Open Up in 'town Space??

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Just in....

Tania Ganguli ‏ @taniaganguli
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Worst. News. Ever. RT @garytmills: Avondale's 'town restaurant will close at end of month to make way for Mellow Mushroom.

[thehill]

I think its good new. I like local business as much as the next guy, but they do a really good job trying to fit into the fabric of a neighborhood. Their efforts to bring in and market local beer are to applauded as well. 

[undergroundgourmet]

signed sealed and delivered. They are taking up 'town and the old gas station. They won't own the building(s) though. Leasing....may even take over the shoe store.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Send as though ' town is looking to relocate, not close.  That could be good news for another smaller vacant storefront in the area.

[Captain Zissou]

Just in....

Tania Ganguli ‏ @taniaganguli
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Worst. News. Ever. RT @garytmills: Avondale's 'town restaurant will close at end of month to make way for Mellow Mushroom.

Sounds like Tania Ganguli and I might disagree on a lot of things.  I'm pumped about this news.  If the gas station gets turned into MM, I'll be so stoked.  I am sure it will be one of the most unique spaces in Jacksonville.

I agree with what was previously said about MM.  While they are a chain, they really differentiate between locations, try and engage their neighborhood, and bring a good product.  Their partnership with Intuition and Green Room for beer week is an example of that. 

The last time I went to (pause)towne the waitress called the salad I was about to order "pedestrian".  My response was "then why is it on the menu?".  Needless to say, I've never been back. 

[Jimmy]

'town and I never quite got on. The service was so-so, but the menu was just too out there for me. Maybe my tastes are too "pedestrian."

So, this is welcome news.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

'town and I never quite got on. The service was so-so, but the menu was just too out there for me. Maybe my tastes are too "pedestrian."

So, this is welcome news.

Pedestrian.  Since when did walking become out of vogue?

As I've heard, the decision was made to move MM in, not without input from both Emily and Meghan, and Meghan found it as a better idea to move her restaurant elsewhere.

Interpreted:  We're raising the rent to an unsustainable level because of our new client's offer, we're not selling the building, but you're welcome to stay.   Here are the terms.

Maybe we can hope for an even greater tenant for King St.  She doesn't want to get larger, due to the style of restaurant.  So she, 'town, would look to be an awesome new tenant in a smaller kitchen space in the area.  I don't think she'll move to San Marco and try to re-establish a solid customer base.

All in all, it seems to be a win-win-win-lose.  (Lose - I don't know what Emily's plans are)

[grimss]

Conflicted.

I love 'town, and we patronized it often. (I will really miss the awesome eggplant/artichoke filo rolls.) If Emly and the chef have a better offer elsewhere, I can't really complain. But MM will add a huge new parking load--a la the new Kickbacks--that may well spark the Overlay revolt some have been prediciting.

[mtraininjax]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-04-03/avondale-restaurant-plans-close-months-end

Still can't believe it, but without seeing plans on how they will change the gas station, it took Kickbacks months to get an agreement with RAP, could we be without a vendor in the 'town space for all of 2012 while MM builds their new facility?

'town does not offer a lot of storage space, so there is going to have to be reconfiguration, for sure. Just not sure about the gas station, nor where will people park, but hey, I could care less, I'll be walking or biking to MM. So bring it on, and may the PARKING WARS begin!

Emily could open a shop at Town Center and be fine with the traffic there. She can sell her $800 per pair window shoes anywhere, really.

Meghan could probably move down to Riverside, but the clientele will be different. They could move to the other side of the Prudential parking lot, to where the furnishings auction center is located, near Anita's, but they would need to add all the kitchen items again. Their clientele are in Avondale so San Marco is also an option, I don't see it working the same in 5-points. just my 2 cents.

[ubben]

How bout 'town for the old Fuel space?

[thelakelander]

Conflicted.

I love 'town, and we patronized it often. (I will really miss the awesome eggplant/artichoke filo rolls.) If Emly and the chef have a better offer elsewhere, I can't really complain. But MM will add a huge new parking load--a la the new Kickbacks--that may well spark the Overlay revolt some have been prediciting.

Since these are existing buildings, I assume MM is exempt from off-street parking requirements?

[Jimmy]

That's my limited understanding of the zoning overlay. Since they're not building new buildings, MM would be exempt.  Just like Pele's was.

[peestandingup]

I agree, good news. Mellow does a really great job & has a lot of stuff going on inside its doors, live music, etc. And they stay open really late (like 2am I believe).

Anything that stays open late, has decent food/prices & is kid friendly too (not a full on bar) is OK in my book. Jax needs more stuff like this IMO.

[outofhere]

Not thrilled. MM is a chain. It will consume 3 store fronts. Restaurants eat up a lot of parking space and MM will be exempt from providing any parking.   All those cars from Brick that use the old Shell station will need to park elsewhere. Would have preferred the 7-11, which carries stuff I might need on short notice. How many times a week do I need pizza?

[thelakelander]

All the more reason to support alternative forms of mobility, imo.