Local dignitaries celebrate new Daily’s on Atlantic Boulevard

Posted on February 5, 2016 By Editor Articles, San Jose, San Marco, St. Nicholas

Aerial photo of the Daily’s ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 14 on Atlantic Boulevard in San Marco. (Photo courtesy of Joe Carlucci)

No sooner than First Coast Energy opened its newest Daily’s Dash location on Atlantic Avenue in San Marco, the company turned its sights toward establishing a second San Marco location on Hendricks Avenue.

In December, First Coast Energy acquired property at 3973-3975 Hendricks Avenue, between Dunkin’ Donuts and Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, for the purpose of building a Daily’s gas station and convenience store in Miramar. The new station will be built in close proximity to the Gate gas station and convenience store at 3938 Hendricks Avenue.

San Marco Preservation members Diane Martin and Anita Morrill join Jaguar wide receiver Allen Hurns during the grand opening of Daily’s convenience store in San Marco.

“We’ve just opened a station in East San Marco to serve the east-west traffic pattern. The new station will serve the north-south traffic pattern and the rest of San Marco,” said Andrew Keith Daw, attorney for First Coast Energy. “We are looking to expand our service to the rest of the San Marco area.”

The new station will sit on a three-parcel lot comprising a little more than an acre of land, which is currently home to ORH – Oriental Rug House and Big City Detailing Unlimited.

In early December 2015, First Coast Energy purchased the land from Chase Properties through a tax-free exchange with NSHE Hendricks LLC of Tempe, Arizona, serving as an intermediary for the purpose of tax treatment, Daw said. The purchase price was $1.325 million.

Daw said the company plans to build a traditional Daily’s service station with eight fuel pumps. Its convenience store will offer a Dash fast-casual food concession. No car wash will be included in the plans because the site was not large enough or “conducive” for a car wash, Daw said.

Because the location has been zoned appropriately, the new store is currently seeking construction permits and expects to break ground sometime between April and June. “On that timeline, hopefully we will be able to open at the end of this year or early next year,” Daw said.

The new location will be the 14th station in Florida to offer Daily’s Dash fast-casual food.

As Daily’s looks ahead to building on a block that is also adjacent to the baseball fields owned by Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church, Chaman Samuel and his son, Asef, owners of ORH – Oriental Rug House, are sadly looking for a new place to house their business.

“We had no choice because the landlord sold out both parcels and even the house in back,” said Chaman, noting his business has been situated at the same location for the past 25 years. “We are actively looking for a new space. It’s not easy. We like this area. People know us. They trust us. We would like to remain in the area.”

Grand opening celebration

Participating in the ribbon cutting at the new San Marco Daily’s were Julia Landon College Preparatory School Principal Tim Feagins, Duval County School Board member Ashley Smith-Juarez, JAXUSA President Jerry Mallot, District 5 Councilwoman Lori Boyer, Daily’s CEO and President Aubrey Edge, Jaguar wide receiver Allen Hurns, JSO Sheriff Mike Williams, St. Vincent’s HealthCare CEO Michael Schatzlein and former Jaguar Tony Boselli.

Daily’s celebrated the opening of its Atlantic Boulevard store, the 13th Daily’s Dash location in Florida, with a local celebrity-studded grand opening Jan. 14.

Included among the dignitaries who spoke during the ceremony and joined in the ribbon-cutting event were Daily’s CEO and President Aubrey Edge, District 5 Councilwoman Lori Boyer, JAXUSA President Jerry Mallot, Duval County School Board member Ashley Smith-Juarez, St. Vincent’s HealthCare CEO Michael Schatzlein, Jacksonville Sheriff Mike Williams, Julia Landon College Preparatory Principal Tim Feagins, Jaguar wide receiver Allen Hurns and former Jaguar offensive tackle Tony Boselli.

During the event, Daily’s presented a $2,500 check to Feagins as part of the company’s ongoing community partnerships with neighborhood schools and organizations. In addition, during the week of January 25-29, all proceeds from the new Dash restaurant in the San Marco store were donated to Julia Landon College Preparatory School.

“At Daily’s we have always felt it is important to give back to the community and are pleased to monetarily assist with the wonderful activities at Julia Landon College Preparatory School,” said Edge. “We are excited to be part of the San Marco community and look forward to offering to the local area our nicer amenities that our customers expect and appreciate.”