Intuition Ale Works Moving Downtown

[MusicMan]

Outstanding. No mention of a "Food" component. Will that be included?

[Dog Walker]

LEED?  The greenest building is one that is already built.  Thanks, Ben!

[jcjohnpaint]

Who needs food when you got beer? 

[river4340]

So will they own the building outright, or rent?

They will lease.

Davis said he would not buy the building, but would lease part of it from Farley and Paul Grainger, who have it under contract through their Iconic Real Estate Group. Farley Grainger said he is scheduled to close on the property early next year.

"We've got a long-term lease that we're really happy with and I'd rather put the money into buying equipment than buying the building," Davis said.
http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-09-09/story/intuition-ale-works-eyes-expansion-building-jacksonvilles-sports-complex

[Bill Hoff]

Intuition was 4.8 miles from my house.

Now it's 1.7 miles.

This is good.

[tufsu1]

^ for me it will be 0.7

This is better

[Charles Hunter]

On my path from work to home ...

[ronchamblin]

This is very good news.  This kind of strong operation moving into the core is quite a step forward ... adding greatly to the energy in the core.  Another four or five operations having this kind of impact will set us on a track approaching the sought after threshold, after which, we will see an increased rate of incoming businesses and residents.

Unfortunately, I've seen three businesses on my block, all being small, close within the past several weeks ... but two others have opened.

Within days of each other, the popcorn shop and the barber shop, both on Monroe, closed.  Both had insufficient business to pay the rent.  Also, the women's clothing boutique on Monroe closed on Laura. 

I suspect that each of these businesses will be able to survive in a "post threshold" core environment simply because there will be sufficient foot traffic.  As the work/resident/visitor population increases in the core, so will the "types" of businesses that can survive and prosper in it.

Since I came to Laura in 2006, I've seen perhaps fifteen small operations open and close on the Adams / Laura / Monroe block.  They had dreams and plans, but too little foot traffic.  Of course, some had a non-survival business plan to begin with.  Each lasted from six months to two years.

In any case, Intuition has a solid momentum of business success.  And the place will be within walking distance from my apartment.  It will be much visited and appreciated.   

[peestandingup]

The only thing would worry me is the lack of foot traffic (on non-game/event days), that overpass right in front of the building (noise, especially if they have any outdoor seating) & the vast nothingness in-between that building & the Landing. Things are coming to the Shipyards & Met Park, no doubt, but I've been by that area many times on my bike on non-event days & its as dead as a doornail. Almost spooky.

Hopefully Intuition can bring in foot traffic on its own until things start popping around there down the road.

[acme54321]

How much foot traffic do they have now?  Doubtful it's much.

[thelakelander]

The only thing would worry me is the lack of foot traffic (on non-game/event days), that overpass right in front of the building (noise, especially if they have any outdoor seating) & the vast nothingness in-between that building & the Landing. Things are coming to the Shipyards & Met Park, no doubt, but I've been by that area many times on my bike on non-event days & its as dead as a doornail. Almost spooky.

Hopefully Intuition can bring in foot traffic on its own until things start popping around there down the road.

The current location doesn't get much foot traffic either but it's a manufacturing plant moreso than anything else. It will rely on foot traffic just as much as Maxwell House does. It's the perfect use for that specific location.  A good fit for industry but also a perfect spot for special events, which will feed business to the tap room and biergarten.

[peestandingup]

Its true that the current location doesn't get "passers by" type foot traffic, but they're still in the middle of Riverside (close by for lots of people in the general area), right up from all the stuff on King (which stays busy), etc. The new location isn't really around anything but the sports complexes (hit or miss depending on the day).

I guess we'll see. I would just feel better about it if the Shipyards were already something & Met Park wasn't deserted.

[tufsu1]

^ I'm sure Intuition will do just fine in paying rent on the manufacturing facility alone.  The tap room will be plenty busy on event days, and much of that revenue will be profit.

Its similar to Burrito Gallery.  At one time they made enough $ on Art Walk night to pay rent for the whole month.

[Captain Zissou]

Its true that the current location doesn't get "passers by" type foot traffic, but they're still in the middle of Riverside (close by for lots of people in the general area), right up from all the stuff on King (which stays busy), etc. The new location isn't really around anything but the sports complexes (hit or miss depending on the day).

I guess we'll see. I would just feel better about it if the Shipyards were already something & Met Park wasn't deserted.

The new brewery will be a destination that will have a significant draw.  The new location reminds me of Sweetwater in Atlanta (or dozens of other larger craft breweries) which is located in the middle of nowhere but has a line down the block for their taproom hours. Granted, they have far more limited hours than Intuition, but I think intuition's parking lot will stay full.  The Jacksonville trend of breweries in or near existing nightlife areas is not typical, but that's also because all of our breweries to date have been pretty small scale. Big nationally known craft breweries are at their heart manufacturing operations and need spaces built manufacturing specs. You won't typically find that near a pedestrian district.   

Red brick brewery is another that comes to mind. They started in a historic brick warehouse in the heart of dt atlanta. Their growth necessitated a move to a suburban industrial area away from any complementing uses. They had food trucks and games and made their own little destination that drew in plenty of customers. Intuition's new space will be much more centrally located than Red Brick or Sweetwater and will have plenty of traffic drivers to supplement the people who will be coming to the area solely for the brewery.

[CityLife]

Like Lake said, Intuition has never really relied on foot traffic in their current location. Sure they aren't as close to their Riverside base, but this location is closer to Downtown workers, San Marco, St. Nicholas, Springfield, Arlington, and Southside residents. Intuition has been a destination spot, and will be an even bigger destination with this new facility (which looks amazing). This location will crush it for corporate events and private parties, not to mention concerts and sporting events.

I don't have time to fully express my thoughts on this, but given Riverside/Avondale's growth/density constraints, having places like Intuition DT makes more sense anyways. Far more potential to create a cool, dense walkable area. I really hope that other complimentary uses (restaurants, bars, breweries) follow suit.