Appeal Filed Against Mellow Mushroom's Avondale Plans

[duvalbill]

I don't think the restaurants belong to WL, but am fairly certain Brick, Biscottis and Blue Fish are all against MM.

^ I would imagine they are since MM would bring a superior product, customer base,  atmosphere, and at the same time, take their business.

I like Mellow, but in no world is their food better than Biscotti's.

I disagree, biscottis has declined noticeably over the years, or everything else got better while it stayed the same, with the exception of the desserts that are still good. But I don't think they make those themselves anyway. The brick has always had mediocre food, the only reason I go is the outside dining and music. Frankly, none of the food on st johns is really that good, it's all 1990s style dining at year 2040 prices.

I'm in my 30s now, and the menu at biscottis is almost exactly the same as it was when I had my 21st birthday there, if that tells you anything. They're definitely not trying anymore. I still go there and the brick just because they're there, but when I want something that's actually good, I go to orsay, 13 gypsies, or taverna's not bad once you get whichever snotty waiter/waitress they give you under control.

Personally I don't like Mellow Mushroom's food that much, nor do I like dining with a bunch of screaming kids, so I've never been a huge fan of theirs. But I support their right to open, and to do so under the same conditions enjoyed by all the other restaurants in the same area. More a question of fundamental fairness for me than anything else.

I've been out of Jax for a few years, but I still can't imagine that Mellow has better food than Biscotti's.  I've never been a fan of the brick, and would agree that they rest on their perceived laurels.  I'm now in Sarasota, and the food here doesn't hold a candle to the options in Jax.  Even if Biscotti's has regressed, it's likely better than 80% of the restaurants around here.  Jax is very underrated as a food stop.

[FL Treehugger]

"We Love Avondale, LLC feels that their property rights will be detrimentally affected by Mellow Mushroom, due to the loss of the right of peaceable enjoyment of their properties, reduced property values due to traffic, parking, light, noise, and nuisance issues, public safety hazards, and stifling of existing businesses."

I can understand all but the "stifling of existing businesses".  It's not Walmart coming in to take out the Mom & Pop stores, it's another restaurant! We stopped in Avondale one day and had to wait in line at all the restaurants so came back to Five Points where restaurants were crowded but no lines on the sidewalks.  Competition is a good thing - keeps the others on their toes.  I do understand parking issues however. 

[duvalbill]

I don't see how another restaurant will reduce property values, and I imagine WLA would have quite a difficult time providing any substantive proof to support such a contention.  Conversely, I'm sure they could find plenty of proof where the addition of restaurants and amenities near a residential area augments property values.  It's a nonsensical position, and they'd at least have an iota of conviction if they expressed their real issue with Mellow.

[thelakelander]

How will Mellow Mushroom opening on the site of a long, blighted and closed gas station result in the reduction of property values?

[MEGATRON]

"We Love Avondale, LLC feels that their property rights will be detrimentally affected by Mellow Mushroom, due to the loss of the right of peaceable enjoyment of their properties, reduced property values due to traffic, parking, light, noise, and nuisance issues, public safety hazards, and stifling of existing businesses."

What a load of dog poo.

[Bativac]

I don't think the restaurants belong to WL, but am fairly certain Brick, Biscottis and Blue Fish are all against MM.

^ I would imagine they are since MM would bring a superior product, customer base,  atmosphere, and at the same time, take their business.

I like Mellow, but in no world is their food better than Biscotti's.

I disagree, biscottis has declined noticeably over the years, or everything else got better while it stayed the same, with the exception of the desserts that are still good. But I don't think they make those themselves anyway. The brick has always had mediocre food, the only reason I go is the outside dining and music. Frankly, none of the food on st johns is really that good, it's all 1990s style dining at year 2040 prices.

I'm in my 30s now, and the menu at biscottis is almost exactly the same as it was when I had my 21st birthday there, if that tells you anything. They're definitely not trying anymore. I still go there and the brick just because they're there, but when I want something that's actually good, I go to orsay, 13 gypsies, or taverna's not bad once you get whichever snotty waiter/waitress they give you under control.

Personally I don't like Mellow Mushroom's food that much, nor do I like dining with a bunch of screaming kids, so I've never been a huge fan of theirs. But I support their right to open, and to do so under the same conditions enjoyed by all the other restaurants in the same area. More a question of fundamental fairness for me than anything else.

I've been out of Jax for a few years, but I still can't imagine that Mellow has better food than Biscotti's.  I've never been a fan of the brick, and would agree that they rest on their perceived laurels.  I'm now in Sarasota, and the food here doesn't hold a candle to the options in Jax.  Even if Biscotti's has regressed, it's likely better than 80% of the restaurants around here.  Jax is very underrated as a food stop.

You need to stop back in and try both places. Biscotti's has been living on their reputation and proximity to other decent restaurants for awhile now. They've got pretty good dessert but the food is absolutely nothing special. Mellow Mushroom on the other hand has a pretty decent pizza - my wife especially likes their crust - and it does tend to draw a crowd.

Regarding the issue at hand - personally the whole thing seems absurd. I live right across from the new Racetrac gas station on Atlantic near Art Museum. Back before it was rebuilt, a couple neighborhood residents were trying to keep it from happening. The lady (my neighbor) came to the door and I asked "so they're going to tear down that 1980s glorified beer cage that my wife is afraid to go to anytime after dusk and replace it with a big, new, well lit brick building?" "Well yes, but it will draw SO MANY PEOPLE!!!" Lady, we live off of Atlantic Blvd. There are already a hundred thousand cars screaming past at 50 MPH every day. We knew that when we moved in. Let the property owners improve the place - at worst, I now have a safe, clean, well lit building to buy Icees and Mexican Coca Cola at midnight.

I feel the same way about Mellow Mushroom. You live right near a commercial area. To not want that commercial area to improve by the addition of new businesses is absurd, and you are wrong. In my mind, it is an objective issue, and your opinion is incorrect.

[Timkin]

Well... many may not like MM's food, but plenty DO , otherwise they would not be opening yet another location.   Their food is very good.   As to screaming kids , can't recall an eatery that did not have that from time to time, so nice try , but a moot point.

Heres the bottom line.   WLA  is afraid of the competition and how it will affect the existing businesses.   They are delusional in thinking that Mellow Mushroom operates as a nightclub.  That is outrageous and simply NOT true.  If they should not be allowed to serve alcohol , neither should any of the other establishments.

Broken record me still HATES that the service station has to be demolished, and even in doing so , WLA  is being a bunch of jerks and trying their level best any how and any way they possibly can  to keep this establishment out of Avondale.    IF  MM wanted to open a restaurant in my area , Id embrace it in a heartbeat.     Bunch of old codgers that want to ruin it for the majority.  Much of how Jacksonville operates and has for decades.  This is not going to ruin their property values or trash their yards, or do anything except NOT let them get their way.

[If_I_Loved_you]

Well... many may not like MM's food, but plenty DO , otherwise they would not be opening yet another location.   Their food is very good.   As to screaming kids , can't recall an eatery that did not have that from time to time, so nice try , but a moot point.

Heres the bottom line.   WLA  is afraid of the competition and how it will affect the existing businesses.   They are delusional in thinking that Mellow Mushroom operates as a nightclub.  That is outrageous and simply NOT true.  If they should not be allowed to serve alcohol , neither should any of the other establishments.

Broken record me still HATES that the service station has to be demolished, and even in doing so , WLA  is being a bunch of jerks and trying their level best any how and any way they possibly can  to keep this establishment out of Avondale.    IF  MM wanted to open a restaurant in my area , Id embrace it in a heartbeat.     Bunch of old codgers that want to ruin it for the majority.  Much of how Jacksonville operates and has for decades.  This is not going to ruin their property values or trash their yards, or do anything except NOT let them get their way.

The We love Avondale crowd don't want outsides to come to their overrated restaurants. Money is money and a good business owner mostly doesn't care who has it just as long as they spend it at their place of business. But the restaurants that seem to have a problem with Mellow Mushroom. The Brick, BlueFish and Biscotti's most likely will never be more then what they have in "Avondale?" Mellow Mushroom is a "Chain" just like Chili's, Applebee's, Olivegarden, and Outback. So I hope Mellow Mushroom doesn't give up the fight too bring it's Successful Chain Restaurant to The Shoppes of Avondale. Godspeed Mr.Valentino I look forward to Mellow Mushroom coming to Avondale in the near future. 

[Ernest Street]

In the past several years I have worked for folks just behind where MM will be established.
They believe they own the block behind there and HATE anyone trying to park there.
I think they should just keep calling JSO when someone parks on their "Public" curb outside their house..keep making an Ass out of yourself until you decide to move to Ortega or somewhere quieter.

This WLA behavior is called "Urban Redneck" behavior....don't you dare open up a competing business near me Boy...I just got my spread sheets into making a profit.
If you are guilty and reading this...how long will your family money last?
Let go and let us grow!......Just please move out to BFE and build your dream spread..and leave Riverside!

[Intuition Ale Works]

If Jim Love wanted to end this whole embarrassing episode he could.

[TheFluffernutterFive]

I live in Avondale & I'm all for Mellow Mushroom (along with wishing that they would be allowed to use the existing building). I have always had great service in their different locations & I love the decor.

That being said, I'm more familiar with the owners of businesses in Riverside as that's where I spend most of my time. Brick is just too expensive for what you get, Biscotti's is just not my speed, etc. I see another poster mentioned the businesses that they are never going to spend another dime in & also mentioned outing the other businesses that supported this appeal. I was able to determine the owner of Biscotti's is a supporter but am not sure how to determine which other business owner's are listed. Is anyone able to tell me which ones are represented on this appeal?

[thelakelander]

Planned Avondale restaurant heads for City Hall showdown because of parking

The neighborhood-based opposition to a Mellow Mushroom restaurant planned in the Shoppes of Avondale embodies half the restaurant’s name.

The objections are mushrooming â€" five neighborhood groups and homeowners appealed the Jacksonville Planning Commission’s approval of the restaurant, meaning the clash goes next to the City Council.

The fight is anything but mellow â€" those fighting the restaurant say it’s too big for the Shoppes of Avondale and will worsen a parking shortage that already forces patrons of other restaurants to cram onto nearby residential streets.

Beyond the battle over Mellow Mushroom, the showdown is highlighting the downside of the city’s push to attract commercial development into existing neighborhoods and curb suburban sprawl.

Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-10-30/story/planned-avondale-restaurant-heads-city-hall-showdown-because-parking

[cayohueso]

I don't think the owners of The Fox, which closes around 3pm and doesn't serve pizza, are against Mellow Mushroom.

[fieldafm]

I don't think the owners of The Fox, which closes around 3pm and doesn't serve pizza, are against Mellow Mushroom.

Your assertion is not correct.  Ian has been very vocal against Mellow. 

[ben says]

What ever happened to mtrain? This MM bs get too much to defend?