new residential downtown

[thelakelander]

^Wasn't there a short lived candy store in the Carling a few years back?

[ronchamblin]

Another option is to utilize it as a pop up/business incubator type of space:

http://blog.thestorefront.com/what-exactly-is-a-pop-up-shop/

What a concept.  I checked out the article.  Totally new to me.  Something to look further at.

^Wasn't there a short lived candy store in the Carling a few years back?

I'm not sure if there was a candy store there.  I do remember when I opened in 2006, there was the chocolate shop, run by Suzanne Marino (Sp).  She made her own candy.  Was great stuff.  She moved to Colorado, or a state close to it.

[southsider1015]

Just some ideas:
Candy store
Ice cream shoppe
Breakfast cafe
Sushi
Smoothies

[Juker777]

How about a British Pub similar to Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill in Caesar's Palace?  You'll have to find the right operator to get the ambiance, service, quality, and price right. 

[southsider1015]

This website is forever being hip and cutting edge.

What we don't have dt is a snooty, exclusive feeling yuppy lawyer bar. Leather, dark wood, make them feel important, sell classic drinks. Cater to the judges and lawyers. They need love to. Plus, you own the joint, then you could curry some favor from your patrons for more important issues. You know, the good ol way.

You're absolutely right.  Just what this city needs. 

[IrvAdams]

Another option is to utilize it as a pop up/business incubator type of space:

http://blog.thestorefront.com/what-exactly-is-a-pop-up-shop/

I think this is a cool idea also.

[ronchamblin]

Of course, another option is to simply build out the 2300 sq. ft. on the bottom, and lease to anyone having an business plan.  This would be similar to what the Elk's Building does, but with a little more size.  Would have to "prepare" if for a possible restaurant by drain's.. a hood etc... so that a restaurant venture could lease it.  Who knows, there are probably some experienced "food" people who could run a fantastic, unique restaurant ..... perhaps even an individual experienced in running a food truck (former panzer driver).   

The problem with this is that so many of the "experiments" in the Elk's Building leave after a few months or a couple of years. 

So the question remains.  What would do well in the spot, and would add "spice" to the area.  Some interesting ideas so far, but nothing "smashing" in my mind.

We will see. If anything further comes to anyone's mind... please offer ... as my wish is to find something that would be the best use of the space.

Just some ideas:
Candy store
Ice cream shoppe
Breakfast cafe
Sushi
Smoothies

Oh ... more on the list.  Actually, the breakfast cafe was at first my favorite, as there is "much need for it in the core"... especially on the weekends.  People always stop me on Laura on Saturday or Sunday morning... wondering where they can find a good breakfast.  I think it would be busy during the weekdays also.  So ... the breakfast / lunch kind of place is on the table that's for sure.  I would like to serve the breakfast throughout the day too.  I like to have a breakfast at times, even during the afternoon.  I am just looking for other options. 

I'm not too sure that an ice cream shop would bring in enough to pay for the space. 

This website is forever being hip and cutting edge.

What we don't have dt is a snooty, exclusive feeling yuppy lawyer bar. Leather, dark wood, make them feel important, sell classic drinks. Cater to the judges and lawyers. They need love to. Plus, you own the joint, then you could curry some favor from your patrons for more important issues. You know, the good ol way.

Would be sorta like The Volstead, but with a richer interior, with a more cozy ambiance.  It could be like the old jazz bar to some extent.  Actually, I can imagine that.  Hmmmm.  You might have a winner my friend Apache ... whoever you are.  I could not bartend of course as, not being on the level of the "rich and sophisticated", I could only visit for the occasional drink.  Yes ..... something to think about.  And we could have a small selection of books to peruse, or perhaps buy ... a newspaper or two.  Could even sell, when and if it becomes legal... the marijuana.  And if the hooker becomes legal, as in some cities and states, could have connections with high class of same.  But this is getting too complicated.  I like, for now, the idea of the bar with rich aspects as above.

[ronchamblin]

How about a British Pub similar to Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill in Caesar's Palace?  You'll have to find the right operator to get the ambiance, service, quality, and price right. 

This website is forever being hip and cutting edge.

What we don't have dt is a snooty, exclusive feeling yuppy lawyer bar. Leather, dark wood, make them feel important, sell classic drinks. Cater to the judges and lawyers. They need love to. Plus, you own the joint, then you could curry some favor from your patrons for more important issues. You know, the good ol way.

You're absolutely right.  Just what this city needs. 

Some additional votes for the rich bar I see.  However, the thought just occurred to me that I am one block closer to the First Baptist Church as compared to the Volstead.  I suspect that this would not be an issue.  Surely, many of the attorneys' who might enjoy the ambiance of the new bar might also be members of the FBC.  In any case, I'm sure all would be okay in that regard.

But .. what about a name for the new bar.  Perhaps "New Bar".  Or.... "The Core".  Or .... "Reggies".  Or... ...   

Got to run for a spell.

[edjax]

With 2300 square feet could you do both the higher end bar on one side and your breakfast cafe on other?  Perhaps they could share the kitchen if you wanted to also include high end tapas type items at the bar amd shared restrooms also where an opening from each establishment could be closed when that particular venue is closed since these two establishments would not have the same hours.

[tufsu1]

I have always thought that the Landing could use a bike shop in the space where Starbucks used to be....but they haven't shown much interest in that idea, so I give it to you instead.

[ronchamblin]

The idea of splitting the space is interesting edjax ..... something to chew upon.

Usually, one first imagines a business and "then" looks for a space.  The process has been reversed in this situation.  I suppose I could always simply build it out, and leave it empty until somebody comes up with the "best" use for it.

We will see. I have a few weeks of cleaning out, and then some internal demo work. Then, once the architect completes the drawings for the apartments, we can get the general contractor going -- after I borrow more money.

In any case, thanks to all my MJ friends for the input so far.  If anyone thinks of something else ... something you think might be a good use of the spot, shoot it to the forum.  It will be much appreciated.  If anyone wants to visit the site, let me know and I will gladly get the key and show it to you.   

[strider]

Whatever it is, it needs to compliment what is downtown already.  So, soft serve ice cream, bikes, clothing: the type of thing that may make people stop and shop during lunch hour or right after work.  Do it right and they will come back on the weekend.  Are there any phone stores downtown?  If not, phone/ computer accessories might work. A place to get a new charger, cord or mouse.

[For_F-L-O-R-I-D-A]

Of course, another option is to simply build out the 2300 sq. ft. on the bottom, and lease to anyone having an business plan.  This would be similar to what the Elk's Building does, but with a little more size.  Would have to "prepare" if for a possible restaurant by drain's.. a hood etc... so that a restaurant venture could lease it.  Who knows, there are probably some experienced "food" people who could run a fantastic, unique restaurant ..... perhaps even an individual experienced in running a food truck (former panzer driver).   

The problem with this is that so many of the "experiments" in the Elk's Building leave after a few months or a couple of years. 

So the question remains.  What would do well in the spot, and would add "spice" to the area.  Some interesting ideas so far, but nothing "smashing" in my mind.

We will see. If anything further comes to anyone's mind... please offer ... as my wish is to find something that would be the best use of the space.

Just some ideas:
Candy store
Ice cream shoppe
Breakfast cafe
Sushi
Smoothies

Oh ... more on the list.  Actually, the breakfast cafe was at first my favorite, as there is "much need for it in the core"... especially on the weekends.  People always stop me on Laura on Saturday or Sunday morning... wondering where they can find a good breakfast.  I think it would be busy during the weekdays also.  So ... the breakfast / lunch kind of place is on the table that's for sure.  I would like to serve the breakfast throughout the day too.  I like to have a breakfast at times, even during the afternoon.  I am just looking for other options. 

I'm not too sure that an ice cream shop would bring in enough to pay for the space. 

This website is forever being hip and cutting edge.

What we don't have dt is a snooty, exclusive feeling yuppy lawyer bar. Leather, dark wood, make them feel important, sell classic drinks. Cater to the judges and lawyers. They need love to. Plus, you own the joint, then you could curry some favor from your patrons for more important issues. You know, the good ol way.

Would be sorta like The Volstead, but with a richer interior, with a more cozy ambiance.  It could be like the old jazz bar to some extent.  Actually, I can imagine that.  Hmmmm.  You might have a winner my friend Apache ... whoever you are.  I could not bartend of course as, not being on the level of the "rich and sophisticated", I could only visit for the occasional drink.  Yes ..... something to think about.  And we could have a small selection of books to peruse, or perhaps buy ... a newspaper or two.  Could even sell, when and if it becomes legal... the marijuana.  And if the hooker becomes legal, as in some cities and states, could have connections with high class of same.  But this is getting too complicated.  I like, for now, the idea of the bar with rich aspects as above.

On Sunday mornings, First Watch on the Westside has an hour wait. Same thing for the breakfast place in Avondale. Go the breakfast place route. FBC could be a huge customer as well on Sunday mornings/afternoons!

[jaxjaguar]

First of all, I'd love to see a "bike sharing" station out front (this wouldn't require any sq footage, just some sidewalk space). I recently came back from Columbus, OH and they had them everywhere. I usually ride my bike to the Jags games and use the free bike valet... It would be awesome to see more people biking downtown and be able to have my friends rent a bike when they come over.

I like the speakeasy idea. I go to Volstead occasionally and it'd be nice to have another bar close by to "hop" to.

My favorite idea is the previously mentioned "pop up" shop. There really needs to be something that will draw people downtown and this could be lucrative for start ups and investors... If you got the right kind of backing you could probably get FSCJ, UNF and UF to team up as well to help incubate business ideas for new graduates. Considering all of the vacant space available downtown, you could start some sort of revolution getting more business' to fill office space and ground retail.

[ronchamblin]

The "pop up" shop and the breakfast/lunch operation seem to be on the table in my mind.  The "rich" bar, although interesting ... well, it would be utilized only in the evenings -- or would it?  Perhaps it would open at noon to provide a "meeting place" for those desiring a place to meet ... listen to soft music, and have a drink. 

In any case, the very fact that we've offered four or five viable operations is interesting, as each one represents a possibility for others who might be ready to open in the core.  Some of the other ideas, although possible, seem not likely to draw the gross sales needed to survive.

But I agree, the area "does" need a good breakfast place ... not only on the weekends, but on the weekday too -- starting at about 5:30 or 6:00 a.m.  Breakfast could be offered all day. Lunch could begin at 11:00 a.m., and run until 3:00 p.m. I suppose that at some point, it could open in the evenings, once a "type" of evening food is agreed upon.

These possibilities makes me wish that we had more places to lease in the core area, offering 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft.  For example, the old Barnett building, on the corner of Adams and Laura, has a ground floor which could be modified to offer several spaces for leasing.  Having available the small-to-medium spaces is a major key to beginning a renaissance in the core. 

The huge granite and concrete fronts of the mega-buildings seem cold and dead to the street traffic, and of course, cannot contribute to offering small-to-medium lease space for businesses unless the owners were to "open" the street-level floors of some of these larger buildings -- when the time comes.  Making available all these street level spaces, and providing reasonable rent, will be a great way to entice new businesses into the core.

Not able to make a decision amongst the possibilities makes me wish I had the energy and resources to open "two" places. 

But..... yes.... the breakfast/lunch idea, although boring in some respects, would fill a very practical need on every day of the week, and could be extended to evening hours at a later date.  I like the idea of a bakery in the rear, and maybe even a coffee roasting operation.

We will see.  Thanks for the input everyone.