A&P Supermarket on San Juan Ave.

[deathstar]

I found some photos from a fire that destroyed a supermarket known as A&P Supermarket which was located on San Juan Avenue. The set of photos are located at the following link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jaxfiremuseum/sets/72157645728875906, which is under the account of jaxfiremuseum. It peaked my interest as I wasn't born until 12 years later, and moved to the area some 20 years later. Where exactly was this Supermarket located on San Juan? What's it's history? I'm hoping someone can share some insight, thank you!

[riverside_mail]

I read somewhere a while back that it was at the corner of San Juan and Herschel. Can anyone else verify this?

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Pretty sure that this is the place.  Corner of Blanding & San Juan.

[Charles Hunter]

I am certain it was not at San Juan and Blanding, and am almost certain it was at San Juan and Herschel.

[deathstar]

The guess of San Juan & Herschel was correct. I just did a google search and found out a Fireman lost his life that day, when the roof collapsed on him.

http://www.jacksonvillefiremuseum.com/Last_Alarm.html Newton Eugene Johnson, August 6th, 1970.

I just recently attended the Fallen Firefighter Memorial March this past Friday in Downtown, which marched from the Jacksonville Landing to Fire House #1 on Liberty Street.

Thanks for your input, riverside_mail & Charles Hunter. Has MJ ever done a history of A&P Supermarket on here? I've seen a few mentions in the search field.

[ronchamblin]

Although I believe there was a "relocated" A & P on San Juan, near Herschel, the one I remember in the fifties -- before going in the military to kill humans, learn electronics, and grow up -- was located on the north side of San Juan, west of Blanding about 200 feet.

I might be wrong on this, as its only fuzzily in my mind.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I guess my memory is going....  I remember reading about a supermarket at the location I posted from and article here on MJ:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-may-walkable-commercial-districts-lake-shore#.VDxqcfldXT8

According to the article, that was a Lovette's Supermarket, not an A&P. 

Damn.  I guess I wasn't perfect today.

[deathstar]

I believe you have the location wrong, Westsider. The former Lovette's Supermarket you're referring to was on Blanding Blvd., on the corner of Palmer Avenue. The A&P I'm referring to was indeed on further north down San Juan, on Herschel. What was foot traffic like during this era, Ron? With all the widening of roads mentioned in the article Westsider linked, and how it could actually be improved with curb extensions, it seems as if construction in the area only made it worse.