Azucena Deli takes Downtown corner of Forsyth and Ocean

[thelakelander]

By Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor

Cheikh Mboup wants to give it a go at a Downtown Jacksonville location where a lot of restaurants have come and gone.
In a 100-year-old building at Forsyth and Ocean streets, the supermarket executive by trade and investor by hobby wants to open the Azucena Corner Deli.

Azucena is a lily that blossoms beautifully during its brief life span. It also is the name of the mother of Mboup's mentor.

"The location is outstanding," he said. "We're going to give it a shot."

The location at 100 E. Forsyth St. is on the western corner of the block that features the Florida Theatre on the eastern corner. The restaurant is next to Casa Dora Italian Café on the east and a music hall and cigar lounge to the south.

"It will complement the corner," Mboup said.

He is talking with chefs about offering a daytime deli, with a "touch of the healthy side," and an evening dinner service that offers adults food, beer and wine. There could be both counter and table service. Breakfast is a possibility.

Mboup is considering operating six or seven days a week and perhaps remaining open later at night, especially considering the crowds patronizing the theater. He expects to offer live entertainment.

Mboup said seating could accommodate 50 indoors and another 12 outside.

Full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543500

[tufsu1]

Mboup used to manage the downtown Winn Dixie and lives downtown.  He has had several corporate promotions over the past 5 years.  He is a great asset to our urban core!

[Tacachale]

Awesome, good luck to him.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Okay since the story is out I can talk about it. I went in with him not too long after he started working and he said he wanted to incorporate the grill that is in there and he mentioned it belonged to Krystals when they were there and noted that it was the only successful long term tenant the building has had. Best wishes to a good friend!