Downtown Fresh Market Opens

[JHAT76]

Stopped by this evening.  Crowded but not shoulder to shoulder.  Employees new and a little slower than your average Fresh Market, but friendly and getting the job done.  I love having it on the way home from work.  Easier to get into than Riverside Publix it seemed.  I parked behind Fresh Market.  Really liked seeing those apartments and other new buildings so close.  Seemed like a real city.  Great addition.  Also the pumpkin covered pretzels they have right now are great and chicken breasts are $2.99/lb.  Those and other great deals for opening.

[jaxjaguar]

I assume it's in the works, but I noticed there aren't any bike racks... I really hope they don't forget about us cyclists. Other than that it's great. The variety of unique foods and snacks is excellent!

[ProjectMaximus]

Really disappointed by the enormous wall at the back of the store, completely turning its back to the Brooklyn-Riverside apartments. That and the general suburban design aside, it was AWESOME to see the first part of the project complete. Obviously better than nothing and can't wait to see Brooklyn come to life. Really hope the lease numbers start to pick up.

[CityLife]

I know some people are disappointed with the site design, as I have also been since the beginning. However, its worth pointing out that the same developer (Regency) has been prepared to build a Publix in San Marco for years and years now. That proposed project (East San Marco) is mixed use and tied to residential on top. Due to issues with financing and market demand for the residential component, the project has been stalled for years.

Now of course this project could have been much more urban oriented even without a multi story residential or office component tied to it. I think due to those issues with East San Marco, Regency was scared to go the mixed use route or try anything innovative (by their own standards).

So sure, it isn't the sexiest design, but ultimately, what downtown is getting is much, much better than nothing (or a project tied up for 10 years). If there is strong market demand for a more intense use of the site in 10 years or so, it can likely be redesigned to something much more traditionally urban.

Regency was a late addition to this project. By the time Regency came in Fuqua Development had already gotten the site plan approved.

Regency was involved prior to the project going through the entitlement process and had input on site design. I'm pretty sure they were the ones who had the tenants already lined up, which is what was guiding the site design.

[ben says]

Love this place.

I think the fact you can buy duck fat, burrata, and truffles in Riverside says it all

Life is good

[Gamblor]

Love this place.

I think the fact you can buy duck fat, burrata, and truffles in Riverside says it all

Life is good

mmmmmmmmmmm...... duck fat.....  truffles.......

http://www.youtube.com/v/msQPHxTUgzI

[JHAT76]

Really disappointed by the enormous wall at the back of the store, completely turning its back to the Brooklyn-Riverside apartments. That and the general suburban design aside, it was AWESOME to see the first part of the project complete. Obviously better than nothing and can't wait to see Brooklyn come to life. Really hope the lease numbers start to pick up.

That wall was ominous and I wonder what kind of view those apartments will have.  On the flip side I have lived here  5.5+ years in Avondale and other than King St getting some life this is the first sign of urban activity I have seen.  Very excited about that area.  Everyone should go look at the little house on Jackson (I think?) right past Fresh Market and across street from new apartments.  I hope that owner gets paid paid.  Riverside Ave between downtown and Margaret is about to get very busy.  Time for a skyway extension or a REAL trolley?  Bring it to Boone Park and give it early times (aka be downtown by 5 AM) and I will ride it.

[ProjectMaximus]

Really disappointed by the enormous wall at the back of the store, completely turning its back to the Brooklyn-Riverside apartments. That and the general suburban design aside, it was AWESOME to see the first part of the project complete. Obviously better than nothing and can't wait to see Brooklyn come to life. Really hope the lease numbers start to pick up.

That wall was ominous and I wonder what kind of view those apartments will have.  On the flip side I have lived here  5.5+ years in Avondale and other than King St getting some life this is the first sign of urban activity I have seen.  Very excited about that area.  Everyone should go look at the little house on Jackson (I think?) right past Fresh Market and across street from new apartments.  I hope that owner gets paid paid.  Riverside Ave between downtown and Margaret is about to get very busy.  Time for a skyway extension or a REAL trolley?  Bring it to Boone Park and give it early times (aka be downtown by 5 AM) and I will ride it.

I think you're talking about Magnolia St between Jackson and Dora. There are three old houses I believe right there. Next to them is an empty lot...maybe just a tad bit larger than an avg SFR parcel and when I called the number on the For Sale Sign the owner said they were asking for $1 million and already had a few offers on the table. Ridiculous, IMO, but indicative of the expectations and inflated values.

[fsquid]

Really disappointed by the enormous wall at the back of the store, completely turning its back to the Brooklyn-Riverside apartments. That and the general suburban design aside, it was AWESOME to see the first part of the project complete. Obviously better than nothing and can't wait to see Brooklyn come to life. Really hope the lease numbers start to pick up.

Really? A fecking wall?  How about thanking the company for rolling the die?

[I-10east]

^^^I'm so used to the excessive nit-picking around here that I'm numb and don't even complain anymore. Even when something positive happens, the quibbling is astoundingly endless. 

[ProjectMaximus]

Really disappointed by the enormous wall at the back of the store, completely turning its back to the Brooklyn-Riverside apartments. That and the general suburban design aside, it was AWESOME to see the first part of the project complete. Obviously better than nothing and can't wait to see Brooklyn come to life. Really hope the lease numbers start to pick up.

Really? A fecking wall?  How about thanking the company for rolling the die?

Yea, the wall sucks. It's just more of the same issues we have in downtown.

[Tacachale]

You can do two things at once: be thrilled someone took the chance to make such a positive investment, and wish it could have been even better with a context appropriate design.

[Josh]

^^^I'm so used to the excessive nit-picking around here that I'm numb and don't even complain anymore. Even when something positive happens, the quibbling is astoundingly endless.

Are you talking about the forum in general, or just the Jaguars thread?

[IrvAdams]

^^^I'm so used to the excessive nit-picking around here that I'm numb and don't even complain anymore. Even when something positive happens, the quibbling is astoundingly endless. 

Too many experts in one place? 

[Keith-N-Jax]

I'll be glad when I get a chance to visit this place.