Jerry Moran Might Be Exiting the City Core

[ronchamblin]

Tonight I had dinner at La Cena.  Marlene the waitress mentioned that Jerry had been looking at places to relocate.  Jerry had mentioned the idea of moving out of the core over the past year or two, but I thought he was just bitching. 

During my six years of being in the core, I have also heard Jerry say that he liked the core because it was more interesting than the typical suburban environment.  And I think Jerry really wants to engage the process of bringing vibrancy to the core.  It seems easier to survive in a big mall, a strip mall, or a stand-alone in the suburbs.  But its borng!

Although I've not talked with him directly about his plans, I assume now that he is actually looking for another place to move his restaurant.  This would be a great loss to the downtown core simply because I doubt if anyone else will jump into his space any time soon.     

My occasional meals at La Cena have allowed me to conclude that he does a good business.  He has a clientele which likes the quiet, no-kid atmosphere, and the fresh made pasta and bread, and the Italian cuisine.  He does seem to strive for quality in wines, coffees etc.  And he does get some high-end customers in general, and individuals such as corporate heads, and people like Governor Scott, who visited a few weeks ago.

In any case, it would be a shame to lose one of the most enduring businesses in the city core, one of the few not on the Bay Street scene which stays open in the evenings, and one of the few which has been strong enough to weather the sometimes difficult encounters with the homeless element.

Although the homeless and transient problem is not catastrophic in the core, it is enough of a problem to cause headaches, and the use of valuable time and resources, such as cameras, efforts to encounter them, and even personal escorts to customer autos in the evenings to insure safety. 

To digress, early Saturday morning, a homeless fellow, who happens to be nuts, and whom I banned from my place because he smelled and was a nuisance to my customers, trashed my patio very early Saturday morning by throwing onto the floor near the door, about a three pound pile of feces, presumably human.  Flies were all over the place.  He also threw piles of trash, food, cigarette butts, and general garbage all over the patio floor, and placed bags upon the iron bars in the front.  Last Sunday morning, I found that he had unloaded all of the trash in my two trash cans, and the eight bags of garbage on the ground, into someones pickup truck in front of my place.  Jerry's camera has his activity on video, and I've set up a recording camera recently so that we can get good evidence to stop this nut.  It took me about thirty minutes to unload the garbage from the truck.  But it took us over an hour to clean up the shit and garbage from the patio floor.  We cleaned and mopped.  It was fun.  But I would have preferred reading the NYT while enjoying an espresso.   

The issue with the homeless, the vagrants, and just about anybody who seems to have no place to go, is a problem in the city core.  And if the library was to ever permanently close on any day, therefore not having bathrooms for the vagrants and homeless, we would simply have to lock our bathrooms and issue a key only to those who purchase something from us.  We actually do that on occasions, when the influx of homeless is overwhelming. 

I can assure you that these homeless people, some of them, will trash the hell out of a bathroom, to the degree that if we did not control their use, we would probably have to exit the city too, simply because of the work force required to clean them.  Some of these individuals behave like beasts, which I suppose is one reason they are jobless, and therefore homeless. 

So, even though many of us have been somewhat isolated from the disruptive activities of these people because we might not be downtown all of the time, especially during the late evening, and in the middle of the night, we might engage the idea that Moran's aggressiveness against the homeless is more warranted than we might have thought.   I know that I have occasionally thought of Moran's behavior against the homeless as being too aggressive, and perhaps unreasonable.  Admittedly, perhaps in some cases he has taken actions many of us would have avoided, but I've come to realize that he has been on the frontline, often engaging the "elements" alone, sometimes desperate, and has been forced to take creative defensive actions on occasion in order to improve the environment for his customers.  The homeless and vagrancy problem is ongoing, and it is not going away anytime soon unless there are radical efforts made by the city to force real solutions, whatever they might be. 

So, I for one, and perhaps selfishly, as I need neighbors in the core, hope that Moran decides to wait out the hoped for epoch when the downtown core will have achieved the long sought vibrancy, wherein all of us will have thriving business neighbors instead of empty buildings.  If Jerry exits the core, my business will be the only one on Laura Street opened on the weekends, and on Wednesday night.  Thank goodness we have the library as a neighbor.   

Because of the seemingly increased vagrancy problem, I'm having to become more aggressive in confronting these individuals who must be kept at a distance from my customers, customers who expect me to insure that they are not panhandled on my premises, nor even on the sidewalk in front of my business.  Its almost as if our businesses are refuges, to which people can escape from the unfortunate elements in the city core.  Although some of the vagrants are obviously nuts, which is unfortunate, they are also on occasion comical, and therefore are on occasion tolerated, as if we are in a zoo.  Some of these interesting individuals can be observed much like we observe the monkeys in the zoo.  We have the Jacksonville Zoo, and the Inner City Zoo, both requiring upkeep and attention to the animals within. 
   
I hope that Moran decides to stay, and endure the occasional problems in the core. 
     

[simms3]

Good read, enjoyed it very much.  What is the city's policy regarding homeless?

http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2012-10-02/story/atlanta-council-passes-second-aggressive-panhandling-ordinance

[peestandingup]

Some of you would know better than I do (esp those w businesses in the core), but I've been to your business Ron about 30 times over the years & have hardly heard a peep from the homeless. In my experience, 5 Points takes the cake for that (around the park & Starbucks).

[ben says]

While I think Moran is a inhumane jerk, it would be a shame to see him his business leave the core.

[Bill Hoff]

I work with the Downtown homeless on a daily basis.

There are all "types", of course, but the individuals who are disruptive and repel visitors by their actions/appearance are chronically homeless with significant mental issues, almost as a rule. Other issues may be involved too (ie, substance abuse), but mental health issues are extremely difficult to manage.

Until (a) Downtown becomes filled with businesses & residents and this has the $ and human resources to organically resolve these issues, or (b) COJ leadership gets serious about addressing these issues, I'm afraid nothing will change.

In general, the chronically homeless with mental health issues will linger around where they can get food, shelter, and other assistance. Downtown Jacksonville is the hub for these homeless services in all of Northeast Florida & Southeast Georgia. Other counties send their homeless to Downtown Jax regularly - their communities aren't often eager to have the issues that come with providing these services.

It's a complicated issue. : )

[thelakelander]

Whatever happened to the day center Brown said would be opened before the end of year?

[Noone]

While I think Moran is a inhumane jerk, it would be a shame to see him his business leave the core.

That wasn't called for. The man donated a new refrigerator as I recall to a person. I'm a small business and as much as I want to do something Downtown until I feel that the legislative policies are in place I won't and I won't blame anyone for a second not choosing to do so either.

Has anyone else been by to look at the Demolition of 601 East Church St? That 1915 Historic Building stock that can be added to the list of what is or is not considered important. its at the Corner of Catherine and Church next to Hogans Creek that everyone cares about. That Burcholder wrecking rig looks familiar.

Pick and choose the winners and losers.

[marksjax]

Ben, name calling not needed here. You're bigger than that.
Until any of you have personally had to deal with this type of behavior (such as described by Ron) you/we don't know how you would react. If it happened multiple times no doubt you get angrier.
Totally agree this is mental health care issue. No easy solution.
But you get less tolerant when it is you that is cleaning up feces outside your business.

[ronchamblin]

Thanks all, for considering my post.  I hope the following addresses most comments.

In the early days of my being downtown, it was my character or my inclination to be overly accommodating and kind to all of the homeless, a position which would drive Jerry mad.  But I am now by necessity being more realistic, and perhaps more selective as to whom my kindness is offered.

I feel sorry for anyone who is without a place to sleep, or a place to go during the day, such as to a job, or a home.  And therefore, I’ve been slow to confront individuals with the solid abruptness as is Jerry’s habit.  Perhaps his habit has been forged because he’s been around the core longer than me, but perhaps also because of a difference in his outlook upon the unfortunate.  He seems to avoid expending mental energy contemplating the fundamental causes of their plight, and therefore has much less patience than me.

The individual whom I banned, the fellow who left the gift of fly covered human feces on the patio, is a borderline problem, because he attempts to control his sometimes offensive behavior.  I’ll have to admit that if I had used more caution, instead of losing my temper with him, the situation might not have evolved to one of full confrontation.  I could have more calmly explained to him the problem with his unacceptable behavioral drift over the weeks, and he might have had the sense to change it for the better.

I’ve discovered that although my first wish is to be kind to these individuals, I must tender my kindness cautiously, as they will run all over me, my business, and my customers.  It’s like attempting to talk logically to a two year old.  One must have the time to engage them.  I barely have time to run my business.  And besides, I’ve already raised three kids.   

Overall, I sense that the homeless and vagrancy problem downtown has stabilized, but perhaps our business has been having more problems because word has for too long circulated that we are more tolerant on allowing individuals to hang out in our patio for several hours, for a day, even though they might buy nothing, or only a token coffee.  We have a sign stating that the limit for hanging out in our café is three hours.  My intention is to begin enforcing the limit in most cases, as our former liberal policy to “all” has allowed certain elements to camp out on the patio every day, with the result that the tables and chairs are not available to the casual outsider, such as an “innocent”, visiting the core for the first time.   

But yes, the city has legislation prohibiting panhandling at or near a business.  It is up to us to enforce it by direct confrontation, or by seeking police assistance.

I suspect that the city core is not much worse than some other parts of the city, and that most other cities have the same problems.  Its ongoing, and perhaps can only get better after some of the plans at solution, such as a center outside of the city core, is actually carried to completion.  I suspect too that a greatly improved economy might provide jobs for some of these unfortunates, and therefore homes, and take them off the streets.   
 

[RockStar]

IMO, Jerry gets in the way of his own success downtown.

He fights ArtWalk, instead of embracing it. In doing this alienates the 20, 30, 40 somethings that have never heard of his restaurant but are right outside his door. Meanwhile, every other vendor is packed. Can't put together an ArtWalk special? Come on, man.

His food is highly regarded, but the portions and the price are enormous and the rules that surround his menu are bizarre ($18 split plate charge? Enjoy that app as an entree? $11 up charge.).

I want to eat there more often, but I don't need a chicken parm the size of my plate and I can't share it with my wife without it costing $40.

Reasonable sized portions, reasonable pricing and maybe put an iPod playlist together (that one CD got old on my last visit...over and over and over...). I'd be there every week.

As for the homeless, I didn't realize we had a problem... 

[ben says]

IMO, Jerry gets in the way of his own success downtown.

He fights ArtWalk, instead of embracing it. In doing this alienates the 20, 30, 40 somethings that have never heard of his restaurant but are right outside his door. Meanwhile, every other vendor is packed. Can't put together an ArtWalk special? Come on, man.

His food is highly regarded, but the portions and the price are enormous and the rules that surround his menu are bizarre ($18 split plate charge? Enjoy that app as an entree? $11 up charge.).

I want to eat there more often, but I don't need a chicken parm the size of my plate and I can't share it with my wife without it costing $40.

Reasonable sized portions, reasonable pricing and maybe put an iPod playlist together (that one CD got old on my last visit...over and over and over...). I'd be there every week.

As for the homeless, I didn't realize we had a problem... 

+1

While I think Moran is a inhumane jerk, it would be a shame to see him his business leave the core.

That wasn't called for.

Let's not be dramatic here...it's not like I'm maligning the dead. Let's just say I: (a) have had more than one bad experience at the place, (b) have heard other horror stories along those lines and, (c) don't like his mentality towards the less fortunate.

And therefore, I’ve been slow to confront individuals with the solid abruptness as is Jerry’s habit.  Perhaps his habit has been forged because he’s been around the core longer than me, but perhaps also because of a difference in his outlook upon the unfortunate.  He seems to avoid expending mental energy contemplating the fundamental causes of their plight, and therefore has much less patience than me.

^This was more what I meant, stated more eloquently.

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

while i can understand his frustration, his responses to to it are way out ov line, and his posts here have made it quite clear that he's a terrible human beïng.  i'll be glad to see him go.

[simms3]

I've heard the food is amazing, but that's all I've heard.  My parents have eaten there a couple times, but it's not a place they even bring up as an option.  At some point you need to grow or change your business to keep up with times.  I heard a horror story that happened to another family at his restaurant, the function of the restaurant/staff.  No need to call it out, but at some point for those who have even heard of the restaurant in the first place the stories add up and overshadow the quality of the food.

IMO, Jerry gets in the way of his own success downtown.

He fights ArtWalk, instead of embracing it. In doing this alienates the 20, 30, 40 somethings that have never heard of his restaurant but are right outside his door. Meanwhile, every other vendor is packed. Can't put together an ArtWalk special? Come on, man.

His food is highly regarded, but the portions and the price are enormous and the rules that surround his menu are bizarre ($18 split plate charge? Enjoy that app as an entree? $11 up charge.).

I want to eat there more often, but I don't need a chicken parm the size of my plate and I can't share it with my wife without it costing $40.

Reasonable sized portions, reasonable pricing and maybe put an iPod playlist together (that one CD got old on my last visit...over and over and over...). I'd be there every week.

As for the homeless, I didn't realize we had a problem... 

Ok, wow.  If this were a review of the restaurant on UrbanSpoon or Yelp or Gayot, I would avoid it like the plague.

[If_I_Loved_you]

I've heard the food is amazing, but that's all I've heard.  My parents have eaten there a couple times, but it's not a place they even bring up as an option.  At some point you need to grow or change your business to keep up with times.  I heard a horror story that happened to another family at his restaurant, the function of the restaurant/staff.  No need to call it out, but at some point for those who have even heard of the restaurant in the first place the stories add up and overshadow the quality of the food.

IMO, Jerry gets in the way of his own success downtown.

He fights ArtWalk, instead of embracing it. In doing this alienates the 20, 30, 40 somethings that have never heard of his restaurant but are right outside his door. Meanwhile, every other vendor is packed. Can't put together an ArtWalk special? Come on, man.

His food is highly regarded, but the portions and the price are enormous and the rules that surround his menu are bizarre ($18 split plate charge? Enjoy that app as an entree? $11 up charge.).

I want to eat there more often, but I don't need a chicken parm the size of my plate and I can't share it with my wife without it costing $40.

Reasonable sized portions, reasonable pricing and maybe put an iPod playlist together (that one CD got old on my last visit...over and over and over...). I'd be there every week.

As for the homeless, I didn't realize we had a problem... 

Ok, wow.  If this were a review of the restaurant on UrbanSpoon or Yelp or Gayot, I would avoid it like the plague.

If this was a review on Yelp they would say their "filter" would find this review to be a questionable review and it would be removed most of the time.

[ben says]

Since you two brought up Yelp, one of my "horror stories" of Jerry was after a really awful and expensive night at his restaurant, my girlfriend wrote a Yelp review that said, simply, and I'm paraphrasing here: "too expensive considering my pasta was overcooked". The day after, he started making snide commends that we "didn't know what we were talking about," both on MetroJax and on Yelp. Nasty stuff.