The Jacksonville DIA's Retail Enhancement and Property Disposition committee voted to approve three food and beverage retail enhancement program grants Thursday.
Two of these forgivable loans (with performance) — Pour House and Pizza Dynamo —are toward developing food and drink establishments at the ground level of the VyStar Forsyth Parking Garage at 28 W. Forsyth. The third, Co-Op Frose & Eatery, is slated for 218 W. Church St.
The committee members all expressed their excitement and anticipation toward the development of these downtown businesses and the potential for them to continue the revitalization of Jacksonville’s urban core.
Co-Op Frose & Eatery
At the property on the northern edge of the Central Core between Hogan and Julia Street, Co-Ops of Jacksonville will lease 218 W. Church St. to house the first expansion of the Charleston, South Carolina-based Co-Op Frose & Eatery in Florida. (These multiple stores now spread from its Charleston home through Charlotte, Chattanooga, Nashville and Las Vegas.)
“Frose” is a wine-based frozen drink that rotates through 50 annual flavors with at least four on tap each day. Paired with froses is a menu that includes breakfast items and toasts, sandwiches and salads and children's options.
The proposed restaurant is 2,232 square feet inside the historic Florida Baptist Convention Building, designed by Henry Klutho and recently restored by JWB Capital with the assistance of the COJ DIA Downtown Preservation and Revitalization Program.
There will also be access to 1,330 square feet of outdoor space in the newly created courtyard on Hogan Street between the Sweet Pete (former Seminole Club) building and the recently restored former Federal Reserve.
Of the total estimated $666,935 in build-out and equipment costs, Frose will receive the maximum $156,240 in eligible funding under the DIA’s Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program Grant.
According to the loan agreement, construction must commence within three months of the loan’s effective date (within a six-month window from April 11) and “substantial completion” to be achieved within 12 months.
Pour House
Co-applicants Gathertap LLC (of Pour Taproom) and VyStar Credit Union were approved for $215,000 in funding under the Food and Beverage Retail Enhancement Program Grant to build out a restaurant and entertainment venue at 61 N. Laura Street.
For the $2.6 million project, Pour House will receive $200,000 under the FAP-REP as well as a $15,000 sidewalk enhancement grant.
This establishment will be within the newly built VyStar garage, situated along Forsyth Street between Main and Laura streets. The space will serve as the first expansion project for Pour Taproom, as franchisor, in Florida.
Pour Taproom is a technology-driven food and beverage operation that deploys “self-pour” technology for patrons to access an assortment of “Beer Wall” taps.
Guests can order food through table QR codes. Food will be delivered via geolocation by house employees. Alcohol consumption will also be monitored via the same technology.
Founded in Asheville by Nathan Tomforde in 2014, Pour Taproom is a franchise model showcasing local and national beer and ciders. The concept has since expanded to eight locations.
Local hospitality veteran Anthony Draper is the Jacksonville franchisee and will oversee sales and marketing efforts. Ramon Ballester and Jonathan Chong Kim will serve as franchise consultants.
Pizza Dynamo
Also as a co-applicant with VyStar, Urban Dough LLC of Pizza Dynamo will receive the maximum eligible $192,325 in FAB-REP funding, 19% of $1.6 million in total build-out and equipment costs. They will also receive $19,657 in sidewalk enhancement costs.
Pizza Jeans, originally a pop-up inside the James Beard-nominated Chris Wilkens’ Root Baking Co., has become an independently run pizzeria in Atlanta's Ponce City Market.
The owner of the Pizza Jeans in Atlanta's Ponce City Market, Jeremy Gatto and Partners, plan to bring the New York-style pizzeria to downtown Jacksonville.
In expanding to the First Coast, Gatto’s team will bring a throwback pizzeria style in combination with a full co*cktail program and spritz bar to the downtown core.
VyStar Garage commercial buildout
The companion restaurants will occupy approximately 7,600 square feet plus an additional 2,500 square-foot mezzanine level “integral with the first-floor operations.”
Per typical DIA loan agreement terms, construction must commence within three months of the loan’s effective date (within a six-month window from April 11) and “substantial completion” to be achieved within 12 months.
The restaurants will also create an indoor/outdoor bar with additional sidewalk seating in the Hogan & Laura district.
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