Is Avondale Ready For A 7-Eleven?

[ben says]

That's what I was told. They are also taking over another space - so yes, it will be large, larger than Kickbacks.....oh no, who is gonna fight this one?

Take over another space, where, in Avondale? If they take over the Shell station, what does 'town think of MM taking over the space at 'town, cause that's about all they could do, unless they plan to build on the right of way that is Ingleside. I don't see them coming to Avondale, and also, the prices in Avondale are very expensive for the space they will need. Monty's is 1.8 million, includes the Liquor license, and the shell is now down under 4 million. Not sure John and his family want to spend that much, there are other better options out there.

I welcome John and his father, but really, think about it, does Avondale make sense? There is no parking, and they had more parking at the "This Old House" location on King, could have used overflow at the bank as well.

We've wanted him to take over the space at the old Harry's near the Belk's of Roosevelt Mall. Plenty of parking, a kitchen and it would take over empty space. Seems perfect, and its closer to their residences. Better location, better parking, and close to Avondale/Ortega crowd who don't want to drive to King Street for Carmine's.

I agree: the Shell doesn't make sense. But I'm not sure King/Park makes sense either. Pizza is the new sushi in the area. Harry's makes sense, but hell if I'm going to trek over to 17 with Carmine's 2 blocks from my apartment (as a pure business decision, you're right, with a preexisting kitchen and parking, it's a goldmine). To be honest, 1.8 mm for Monty's is nothing compared to what a MM can pull in a given year. Food costs and franchising fees aside, they should be able to recoup those costs in 1 year.

[mtraininjax]

To be honest, 1.8 mm for Monty's is nothing compared to what a MM can pull in a given year. Food costs and franchising fees aside, they should be able to recoup those costs in 1 year.

Ben, I hear what you are saying, but if you look and see where each MM is now, look at the SPACE and the parking for each. Monty's does not have either. You would have to knock out the walls of the dentist office to really get the density, then you would piss off the merchants and RAP. Steve at Kickbacks would love to deflect the new attention to John, (sarcastically).

The existing locations do not work in Avondale. A smaller version would, but then fewer people means a longer return on the investment.

[ben says]

To be honest, 1.8 mm for Monty's is nothing compared to what a MM can pull in a given year. Food costs and franchising fees aside, they should be able to recoup those costs in 1 year.

Ben, I hear what you are saying, but if you look and see where each MM is now, look at the SPACE and the parking for each. Monty's does not have either. You would have to knock out the walls of the dentist office to really get the density, then you would piss off the merchants and RAP. Steve at Kickbacks would love to deflect the new attention to John, (sarcastically).

The existing locations do not work in Avondale. A smaller version would, but then fewer people means a longer return on the investment.

I see what you're saying. And to a certain extent I agree. This will be an interesting one to watch.

[logical]

The article in the FTU tells the story.  If the MM connects to the 'n town, which can happen, and the Shell building is gutted to the walls, with no expansion build-out, the Shell building becomes 90% tables and chairs and the seating capacity jumps up significantly, plus maybe some outside, covered seating.

With the Shell property, John inherits the existing Shell parking spaces...maybe 14-16...and the on-site number could increase if RAP gives the ok.  For sure, the MM won't be another Mojo's with a bunch of employees smoking in the front and back and customers parking all over the neighborhood on the river side.

John "will" run a first-class operation...count on it.

Looks like a winner for MM and the Shoppes.

[thelakelander]

Shell doesn't have 14-16 spaces.  The spot where the pumps were is going to used as an outdoor seating area and plaza.

[thelakelander]

Valentino said he plans to convert his new Avondale site into a 200-seat neighborhood restaurant. He said he knows parking is a concern to the neighbors on the surrounding residential streets. But he says he has a plan.

“I wouldn’t commit myself financially if I thought parking an issue,” he said. “I’ve got a plan I’ve been working with [City Councilman] Jim Love on. I’m not ready to discuss it, but it makes sense.”

full article: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400799/charlie-patton/2012-04-10/one-us-mellow-mushroom-give-valentino-piece-pie

[mtraininjax]

One thing I do know, Avondale is going to change, and for many of us, it will be a slower community.

[ben says]

One thing I do know, Avondale is going to change, and for many of us, it will be a slower community.

In what sense do you mean 'slower'? If anything, I assumed it would become a little faster paced, considering Mojo's and MM are right across the street.

[Tacachale]

Slower to drive through, perhaps. And that's not really a bad thing.

[mtraininjax]

In what sense do you mean 'slower'? If anything, I assumed it would become a little faster paced, considering Mojo's and MM are right across the street.

Slower traffic wise. I believe John and MM, this will happen, but with it, the residents and owners should really clamp down on traffic speeds as well as making the area more pedestrian friendly. Again, I would love a 20 MPH speed limit. Or at the least, make it the same speed as Atlantic Blvd at Ragtime. Perhaps we should rip out the Asphalt and replace the road with the Bricks the City used in the roundabout downtown? That would really slow people down.

[ben says]

In what sense do you mean 'slower'? If anything, I assumed it would become a little faster paced, considering Mojo's and MM are right across the street.

Slower traffic wise. I believe John and MM, this will happen, but with it, the residents and owners should really clamp down on traffic speeds as well as making the area more pedestrian friendly. Again, I would love a 20 MPH speed limit. Or at the least, make it the same speed as Atlantic Blvd at Ragtime. Perhaps we should rip out the Asphalt and replace the road with the Bricks the City used in the roundabout downtown? That would really slow people down.

Makes sense. +1 to ripping out the asphalt and replacing with bricks. Albeit most people aren't usually a fan of that option.

[mtraininjax]

Makes sense. +1 to ripping out the asphalt and replacing with bricks. Albeit most people aren't usually a fan of that option.

Give it time and soon we'll see JEA digging up the street and we'll then have an excuse.

[iluvolives]

I think most residents on St. Johns would prefer traffic to be slower. There are always a ton of accidents- my parents always warn new neighbors not to park on the street.

Are there any different regulations to what the speed can be on a state highway compared to a non state road?

[JeffreyS]

Use a couple of big planters to pinch the road at each end of the shoppes and in the middle that will naturally slow the traffic.

[mtraininjax]

Are there any different regulations to what the speed can be on a state highway compared to a non state road?

Atlantic Blvd is a state road, but there when most of the flow bends to A1A, It may still be a state road, but the maintenance, I believe, falls on Atlantic Beach. Depending on how the Avondale Merchants want to band together, would determine how much influence they have on the neighborhood and the traffic flow. Yes, Jim Love will be important, but so will the residents who will want to have a say in how the neighborhood grows and evolves. MM is going to bring a TON of vehicles to the 'hood. You think Carmine's looks like an auto yard double-stacked, we're going to see people park as far away as Richmond Street and Herschel to get to MM on busy nights.

Why not look to close off Ingleside right there at Riverside? Why not look to put in a median, like they have on 1st street along Jax Beach into Neptune or from Neptune to Atlantic? You shut down the access to the area by car and make that area safer and simple access for Pedestrians and Bikers. Make the area in there Valet only would be even better.

I am no city planner, but we have options available to us now and I think everything should be on the table to look at creative ways to alter the flow of traffic. Move the playground equipment further down in Boone Park and open up a parking lot there, or pave/gravel space all the way from St. Johns to Herschel, add lighting,and create more parking there.

I am not a fan of needing a permit to park there, yet, but when Monty's (West End) is sold and someone uses it for what it could be, that area down there is going to need more parking as well.