Why I'm Supporting Mellow Mushroom in Avondale

[mikea]

I too am a resident and want the "Nazi's" to stop their narrow minded bible belt baptist mentality! If it were a christian bookstore these idiots would be helping to build it.
Looking forward to another Mellow Mushroom in Jax!!!!

[Spence]

The voice given to historic districts should be limited to protection of existing historic stock. 

Jacksonville should not be in the business of being an HOA for every enclave of disgruntled neighbors .  And frankly, the rest of the city should rise up and demand that they not have to foot the bill for this parade of idiocy.

  AND

Ennis,

My inbox has been buzzing with messages from people on both sides of this issue.  None of what I have found out so far changes what I have stated in previous posts.  As far as the meeting goes, I want to talk to Jim Love himself about it.  Honestly, I am not interested in the content of the discussion during that meeting as much as I am interested in the open and fair treatment of all the members of our community. I have been told by several who have contacted me who are connected to the WLA that they did not cause the situation with the food truck and MM during Christmas in Avondale but at the same time there is on record the statements of Ms. Grant about MM with the gossipy tone of "the merchant's told them" sort of thing.  All of this commentary meant to excite passion on one side of the issue.  At this point it does not matter so much who did the deed as does the outcome of that confrontation which has only made this public discussion more pointed.

I have also been told that Ms. Grant is a "nice lady" and perhaps she is, but even nice folks can create unneeded problems.  I have verified that Ms. Grant was indeed the party telling people to leave the meeting and she was out of line in doing so.  The councilman is the person responsible for calling the meeting and chairing it.  Not Ms. Grant.  I would like to hear from Mr. Love himself what the criterion for attendance was.  It is currently my understanding that this was a "mediation" meeting between the principals of MM and parties who had filed appeals of some type.  I would guess the intent was to try and resolve some of the conflicts in a gracious and fair manner.  I do not know yet however if that was the case, but do know that all sides issues will be weighed at some point as appeals must be processed.  While WLA has organized they are still just a citizen group with no greater voice in this than the next property or business owner.  I can tell you I am sure hearing a lot of bellyaching and upset.  The last thing to hit print was a piece in the local "Resident Community News" which pretty much rehashes what has been said already with the exception that the article they have in print discusses the actions and conversation of a Mr. Donahoo as strongly objecting to the project and then references the WLA website and RAP website for further information, which in my view is quite one sided.  What I do know is that the process continues, this deal is moving forward and it is in the planning department.   As I stated in one private correspondence yesterday that was citing parking and the serving of alcohol as a the problem.   The problem with using that argument is that the parking situation is not new and is old news.  Nothing has changed in that regard.  Secondly was commentary about drunks and car accidents which speaks to a much broader issue that goes beyond this situation and is really a city, state and nationwide problem. While some in the community may have been confronted with these issues, there is no valid way to prove that car accidents or drunks are the result of any particular restaurant or business.  People can drink at home or at parties and be foolish enough to get behind the wheel.  Saying one business will make that matter worse is speculation at best.   It is unfair in my view to place that problem or fear on the shoulders of a person who has yet to start up a business.  The other reality is that the Mexican restaurant in the town that was there for some time also had a bar and is now closed, so the MM project in reality would only bring back the level of alcohol availability to what it was for the past several years.  The other point brought to my attention by opponents of the MM was that alcohol service Mr. Valentino wants is a variance request and does not have to be granted.  The problem is this.  That variance has already been granted to other business in the shops and the president has already been set.  There is no valid way for the city to refuse Valentino's  request without some sort of prejudice being sighted and an ensuing legal battle which I have to say would likely be decided in MM's favor. 

As you stated earlier Ennis, this is a good old fashioned battle of wills and it has gone too far in my opinion and considering the correspondence I have received in the last two days, many residents are tired of the whole situation.  What this will come down to will be a decision about granting the variance.  Whether or not some like it, the reality is that Mr. Valentino is well within his rights as a property owner and denying his request cannot be viewed as anything other than prejudicial.   I must tell you that so far I can find no indication that any underhanded dealing is going on here but rather the age old nonsense of one group wishing that their will trumps another. 

Good article. I could picture the Gas Station on San Juan and Hershel.

[funguy]

I know why not turn The shops of Avondale into a New Orleans type Bourbon street.. MM will make the sixth bar and we will have a good start.

Dennis

[ChriswUfGator]

It's a pizza restaurant, not a "bar."

Aren't I still allowed to have a drink with dinner in this country?

[JeffreyS]

MM is a restaurant. So is the Brick, Mojo and Blue Fish. I think of Monty's as a Bar even though they serve food. Am I missing a tenant who is primarily a Bar.

[cline]

^Monty's doesn't serve food anymore-at least not actual entrees.  I think they may have apps though.  Monty's is a true bar in every sense of the word yet we here nothing from the WLA/anti-MM shills about that place and it's been there for decades.  Pretty interesting actually.  I assume it is because that same crowd probably enjoys the convenience of being able to get their booze via drive thru.  Maybe it makes them nostalgic or something.  Somehow they think a pizza joint is much more rowdy/scary/undesirable than a drive thru package store with a lounge attached.

[JeffreyS]

Calling MM a bar is the same as saying you are going on a pub crawl to Outback, Olive Garden and Ruth's Chris.

[Captain Zissou]

I know why not turn The shops of Avondale into a New Orleans type Bourbon street.. MM will make the sixth bar and we will have a good start.

Dennis

Bourbon Street is better at managing their parking situation, so that may not be such a bad idea.  It also would create jobs in the area, which no good American is against. Thanks for the constructive input*, Dennis.

*I know that you weren't trying to be helpful in any way, but I'm just trying to make something out of your dreadfully sour lemons.

[fsujax]

well, it is much easier to get around NO because their transit system is far superior to ours.

[funguy]

I know why not turn The shops of Avondale into a New Orleans type Bourbon street.. MM will make the sixth bar and we will have a good start.

Dennis

[Tacachale]

^Que? Mellow Mushroom is a pizza place. I know the pizza crowd can get pretty rowdy, but come on.

[Captain Zissou]

I know why not turn The shops of Avondale into a New Orleans type Bourbon street.. MM will make the sixth bar and we will have a good start.

Dennis

Dude. We got it.  Saying it twice doesn't make your comment any less wrong.  MM is a restaurant that is more family friendly than 3 who are on the strip.  It is no more a bar than the Jags are a superbowl contender. 

[TPC]

I wish it was already open. I'm hungry for a Holy Shiitake pizza right now.

[MEGATRON]

I know why not turn The shops of Avondale into a New Orleans type Bourbon street.. MM will make the sixth bar and we will have a good start.

Dennis

AAAHHHHHH.  Glitch in the Matrix.

[tufsu1]

not saying I agree....but....

from what I've been told, the definition of a nightclub in the city apparently has changed....any new establishment that has live music after midnight will now be considered a "nightclub".