Coffee shop thats NOT Starbucks?? (Jacksonville, Five Points: house, live, restaurant)

[KerryB]

I've been in town for a couple months now. Im having a really hard time finding a real coffee house in town. Seems every place I expect to find a cool & unique local one (Five Points, San Marco), there isn't one, but oh do they have the Starbucks in full effect.

Not that I have anything against Starbucks. I just prefer local shops or smaller chains & dont really like the taste of Starbucks' coffee blends that much.

Anyways, the ones I do find are either too far away (like there are some pretty cool ones in Saint Augustine) or they have crappy hours (I dont just drink coffee in the morning or afternoon).

Im dying! Im just looking for something that has good coffee where I can go chill out on an old sofa & read a book. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[bugnbyke]

There are a few that I have fresquented, one on San Marco, I believe just outside of "downtown" San Marco, and another on the NW corner of Baymeadows and Old Kings Rd South. Aroma Corner. Both have a nice selection and specialty blends

[Ryde41]

There's one on Gate Parkway but I haven't tried it yet. I'll have to try it and report back.

[Mylu]

Try "Uncommon Grounds" in San Marco..... it is next door to Marble Slab Creamery across from the fire station Hendrix/Atlantic).

[mawipafl]

Chamblin Bookmine is currently constructing Chamblin Uptown (215 North Laura St) which will be a used book store with coffee shop complete with tables and sofas for kicking back and relaxing. I haven't been to their current location (4551 Roosevelt Blvd) to know if that one offers the coffee shop.

[Since 1972]

Originally Posted by mawipafl

Chamblin Bookmine is currently constructing Chamblin Uptown (215 North Laura St) which will be a used book store with coffee shop complete with tables and sofas for kicking back and relaxing. I haven't been to their current location (4551 Roosevelt Blvd) to know if that one offers the coffee shop.

The current location doesn't have a coffee shop, but I'm glad to hear they're opening a new one.

[Jax]

KerryB, I agree!!! I wish there were more authentic coffee shops around, too! It gets tiring seeing all of the chains out here in Jacksonville, be it Starbucks, pizza places in every single strip mall, or whatever. If anyone wants to open a new coffee shop or a unique restaurant, I'm all for it!!

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by Mylu

Try "Uncommon Grounds" in San Marco..... it is next door to Marble Slab Creamery across from the fire station Hendrix/Atlantic).

This might be the one. I saw some (broken link) pics online & it looks pretty chill. I also called them & they have open mic nights, small local artists on display, musical acoustic guests, etc. Extended hours too, like 9pm through the week & after midnight on weekends. Not too shabby.

Originally Posted by Jax

KerryB, I agree!!! I wish there were more authentic coffee shops around, too! It gets tiring seeing all of the chains out here in Jacksonville, be it Starbucks, pizza places in every single strip mall, or whatever. If anyone wants to open a new coffee shop or a unique restaurant, I'm all for it!!

True. I wish there wasnt quite so many chains. I like chains, but it can be overdone & before you know it, your town can start to look like one big strip mall & lose its character.

[riveree]

There is a franchise called BadAss Coffee that has 2 locations that I know of:

Southside near Touchton Rd

and a brand new one in a new shopping center on Beach Blvd @ Huffman Road (next door to FCCJ).

It's good coffee and the owner lives right here in Jax (you can see him driving down Beach Blvd in his BadAss Coffee mobile ).

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by riveree

There is a franchise called BadAss Coffee that has 2 locations that I know of:

Southside near Touchton Rd

and a brand new one in a new shopping center on Beach Blvd @ Huffman Road (next door to FCCJ).

It's good coffee and the owner lives right here in Jax (you can see him driving down Beach Blvd in his BadAss Coffee mobile ).

With a name like Bad Ass Coffee, it HAS to be good! Looks nice online, I will check it out.

So, along with the ones already mentioned, I've found some more places that are unique & look to have good atmosphere.

9th and Main-More like a restaurant/lounge type place, but looks nice & relaxed.

Cool Moose Coffee-Terrible hours, but looks cool.

Fuel Coffee House in five points isn't a coffee house anymore (even though they kept the name??). Apparently, its a venue now for live acts & they moved the "coffee" portion to Ragland's, which is right next door. I checked it out personally & its more like a bar & restaurant than a coffee shop. Which is a shame, because I hear Fuel used to be an awesome coffee house.