Need a Barnes and Nobles or similar store in Five Points.

[Galois]

Also didn't know about John Gorrie renovation project... that area too near 13 Gypsies would be a good place and the parking is there!

[Deuce]

I will be emailing the CEO/Gatekeepers to whoever is in charge of expanding of Books A Million and Barnes and Noble and tell them about Jacksonville's urban core and the need of a book store / café,

That's a great idea. The central core is definitely under-served.

I don't like the way Chamblin's is laid out either.

[thelakelander]

While up north last week, I noticed the new Borders in the heart of downtown Detroit had gone out of business.  Aren't these chains struggling nationwide?  Are they still expanding?

[undergroundgourmet]

Chamblins did have a cafe in their store on Roosevelt. Ron use to live in the back, maybe he still does. He built an airplane in another part of that building. As he needed more space he went into his spaces. That is why its so much like a maze. I could not imagine having to pull everything out to get it organized. The last article I read about his business (within the past 10 months) he exclaimed that it was the first time he was in the black. Can you imagine after 30 years to be able to say that? It is so hard running a business. How many of you go to Barnes and Nobles, grab some magazines, hang out and not buy any of them? I'm guilty.
Chambins is unique. Why turn it into a box like store. Relax and learn the layout. It does make sense if you go often enough. Maps are on every end of aisles. Its fun.

[tufsu1]

The reason why stores like B and N work is because of foot traffic!
Right now Beef O'Bradys seems to create some night life in Riverside, at least when I drive by on Friday or Saturday nights that place looks like a hoot.

I assume you mean O'Brothers Irish Pub?

[Deuce]

I was about to post how nice it would be to have an independent book store like Olsson's Books & Records in the D.C. region, but then I found out from their website that they were in chap 7. This would have perfectly served the needs of the core. A nice independent store, not a big box retailer that carried new books (I personally don't like used books).

I'm beginning to rethink my usage of Amazon to buy books. I love the features that they have: no sales tax, free delivery (I always wait until I can make an order over 25), and since I have an Amazon credit card, 3% back. It makes it hard for book store to compete when the online retailer is already 8-10% cheaper before discounts are factored in. I don't want to see book stores go the way of record stores (I really miss Tower records). Perhaps changes to sales tax laws for online retailers will level the playing field. I think I might stop making book purchases on Amazon.

[Galois]

Yes O'Brothers Irish Pub is what I meant sorry.

Wow, I didn't know Chamblin's once had a cafe. I've been going to Chamblin's for a while (maybe 5 years or so) so I know how to use the store, however lets say I want to get a few travel guides for San Francisco because I am going to take a vacation there. Would it not be easier to goto chamblinsbookmine.com and search to see what books they have concerning my trip? Or should I hop in my car, waste gas, just to be dissapointed? The database could easily be created all you have to do is scan ISBN numbers x however many books chamblins has, stick it in the database and then run through the database and create a script that gets the rest of the information about the book from the internet using the ISBN number (try typing an isbn number into google...).  Chamblins is great, I love the atmosphere and it beats many other book stores trying the same thing (there is another book store like Chamblins near the University of Chicago it is in an old church, really nice but only news books), but Chamblins could be better and more digitally inclined.

And of course it is hard running a business but you can always make it better.

[mtraininjax]

If the 5-points news shop is selling porn, what does that say about the state of the residents in the Riverside area? Has it fallen to such a seedy level?

[fsu813]

galois,

chamberlins Downtown has a cafe, not the one off Roosevelt.


mtrainjax,

very funny....

[Shwaz]

If the 5-points news shop is selling porn, what does that say about the state of the residents in the Riverside area? Has it fallen to such a seedy level?

They're kept in business by the bottled up married guys of Avondale.

[downtownjag]

There is a space available in the strip center that has the San Marco theatre and Square One.  It's an end unit and there is a lot of pretty glass.  That would be a good fit.  In reference to offering something "Jacksonville" as opposed to the big chains, that's exactly what an independent bookstore would be.  I don't think a big store like b & n would get the volume they need or find a suitable space.  The space in that strip center is going for about 30 psf though so you definitely need some start up to keep you afloat for a while.  Just my opinion.

[Dog Walker]

There is already a bookstore in San Marco directly across the square from where you are describing.

[urbanlibertarian]

Books and magazines are so 20th century.

[doglover]

I agree, just not books a million. They are a horrible company that treats their employees poorly. Borders would be my top choice out of the chains but I don't think they are doing so well especially since the opening of the St Johns towns center. Barnes and Noble would be great and there is definitely enough foot traffic on College street by John Gorrie

[Sigma]

While up north last week, I noticed the new Borders in the heart of downtown Detroit had gone out of business.  Aren't these chains struggling nationwide?  Are they still expanding?

They must have been offering free wi-fi.  just kidding.

Yes, nationally all of them are suffering and closing some outlets.  They have had little if any representation at the deal-making conferences this year.