By Michele Leivas
Local officials say new ones are taking their place
Local residents are expressing concern following a spate of recent business closures in the Five Points and San Marco neighborhoods.
In recent weeks, Five Points has seen the closure of the iconic Sun-Ray Cinema, Mixed Fillings Pie Shop, Alewife Bottle Shop and other businesses. Those departures follow the closing last year of the popular Black Sheep restaurant.
“What is going on here?!” resident Deborah Altman commented on Mixed Fillings’ July 24 social media announcement that it was closing. “Southern Roots, Sun-Ray, then Vegan Cafe JAX/Thehungrycaterpillar last Saturday, and now you? I’m holding out hope that all these independents and creatives land safely, in a place and capacity that we can still support you.”
While various factors led to the closures of each of the businesses, the rapid succession of shuttered doors has led some residents to express concerns about the climate for small businesses in Jacksonville. District 7 City Councilmember Jimmy Peluso said he has heard from residents about the recent closures and upheavals in the community – particularly when they involve storied landmarks like the Sun-Ray Cinema. Peluso added, however, that for all the closures the community has seen, it continues to see growth as new businesses fill in these empty store fronts, he pointed out.
“For everything that we’re seeing step out, we’re seeing new folks come in and take a look at those spaces and we’ll probably continue to see that over the next several decades,” Peluso said.
Mixed Fillings and The Hungry Caterpillar have regrouped and are executing plans for their next chapter. Mixed Fillings is currently searching for a new retail location while hosting pop-ups in the community. In addition, Bartaco is moving into Black Sheep’s spot and live entertainment venue FIVE will be moving into the Sun-Ray Cinema space.
Seth Darmata opened the Waffle Cone ice cream parlor on Post Street last year. Darmata said the recent closures represent specific scenarios that led to difficult individual business decisions, rather than a downward trend for all businesses in the Five Points area. To the contrary, Darmata said, he thinks things are beginning to pick up for the community thanks in part to the merchants association.
“We’re doing more than I think has been done in a long time, at least the past several years,” Darmata said. “You can see some of that already starting to happen. People are talking to each other.”
Five Points Merchants Association President Stephen Ezell believes the Five Points community has mastered the art of rolling with the punches.
“One of the things that I feel like is the true spirit of Five Points is the pivot,” Ezell said. “As we’re watching all these changes happen and new people move in and old people move out, the neighborhood’s got to pivot and then people have to say what they want.”
Signs of growth
Across the river in San Marco, the news that longtime fixture Bistro X would be closing in September was tempered by the announcement that a new restaurant concept would take its place. Joel Mesa is one of the restaurant’s new owners who led Bistro X through its Sept. 28 closure. He believes these changes and shifts in the small business community represent Jacksonville’s own evolution.
“I think it’s Jacksonville sort of refreshing and catching up, even,” Mesa said. “Jacksonville is expanding rapidly, so I think as we get these new people, we’re going to have updated restaurants and people who are looking for a little bit more modernization from Jacksonville.”
District 5 City Councilmember Joe Carlucci said San Marco continues to see “good signs of growth” – from the recently opened Voodoo Brewery to the ongoing conversion of the former San Marco Theatre into a new restaurant concept. While the closure of Bistro X was disappointing for some people, Carlucci said, it didn’t necessarily trigger any cause for concern, particularly since the area continues to see new businesses come into the community.
“I think everyone understands some businesses have to make tough decisions,” Carlucci said, “and sometimes it’s just part of running a business.”
