Whisky River is closed (2014, apartment complex, landlord)

[Giants6]

At St. John's Town Center.

I'm sure this is just another "landlord dispute" like Dick's at Nocatee.

Whisky River closes abruptly at Markets at Town Center | members.jacksonville.com

Moderators please do not delete this thread. The public has the right to know.

[fsu813]

Why someone I would choose to go out at night to a generic mall is beyond me.

[Robyn55]

Where will Matt Shirk find new employees ?

And fsu813 - I'm not sure what you mean by "generic". One meaning is "not having a brand name" .

As for Whiskey River - although it wasn't my cup of tea - and it wasn't *in* the Town Center - it it's not part of a big chain. It was one of a small group of restaurants owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Not that there's anything wrong with being part of a big chain. I judge a restaurant by its food - its service - its ambiance and its consistency. When I apply those 3 criteria - Seasons 52 is better than about 75% of the "indie" restaurants at similar price points I've dined at in the JAX area (many since gone or long gone). Of course - I have my quirks. I don't like food where salt is the main flavor - and I don't require massive portions to make me happy. Apparently many people in JAX do need those mega doses of salt and those massive portions to make them happy (judging from reviews I read about various places on various websites).

Of course - there are some some good "indie" restaurants here too. Ones I've been to recently that I like are Black Sheep - Azurea - and the new Moxie Kitchen & Cocktails. In 3 totally different parts of town. IMO - the part of town where a restaurant is located doesn't have much to do with whether it is or isn't a good restaurant (at most - location is a factor in terms of how easy it is to get a parking space - and how far away it is for any particular diner). Robyn

[projectmaximus]

Was never a fan of the place (the food or the crowds), but I still went there about a dozen times for various events. Have to say the staff was always great though. Very friendly and easy to work with (when I planned events there)

Originally Posted by fsu813

Why someone I would choose to go out at night to a generic mall is beyond me.

you're really obsessed and it ruins your judgment. And a better question would be why someone would put a club/entertainment venue/performance venue in a generic mall. People will go where a place is popular...and Jax has more than it's share of big dance clubs that are isolated in the middle of a strip mall. Whisky River's location is much better "synergized" than that.

Originally Posted by Robyn55

Where will Matt Shirk find new employees ?

LOL! Didn't know about the connection. Had to google it.

[Robyn55]

Well you - like Angela Corey - must not read the papers (that's what Angela Corey said to the papers this week - that she didn't read them ). Whiskey River got a lot of mentions when the FTU was reporting the Matt Shirk story. Guess it disproves the rule that any publicity is better than no publicity.

As for restaurant and similar locations - I think they depend in part on the nature of establishment. A lot of dance clubs are probably in "out of the way" places because they tend to be noisy - especially late at night - and don't want to spend a lot of time dealing with disgruntled neighbors.

And some restaurants that want to attract lunch crowds and people stopping for drinks after work will locate in areas where lots of people work. And offer conveniences like decent parking lots. Seven Bridges is a restaurant like that - it's almost always very busy during the week at lunch.

Then again - certain areas can be the victim of their own success. Last time we were in Avondale for lunch on a weekday - it was almost impossible to find a parking space (we have a handicap sticker but our guest didn't - and he was about 15 minutes late because he couldn't find a parking space). Robyn

[fsu813]

Originally Posted by projectmaximus

you're really obsessed and it ruins your judgment. And a better question would be why someone would put a club/entertainment venue/performance venue in a generic mall. People will go where a place is popular...and Jax has more than it's share of big dance clubs that are isolated in the middle of a strip mall. Whisky River's location is much better "synergized" than that.

My judgment is fine....I don't understand the draw to malls, other than necessity or proximity.

I think most people don't really care or get caught up things like civic engagement, current events, design, supporting local, authenticity, etc. A smaller portion of the population does. Bigger in some cities, relatively small in Jax due to the culture. So yes, there are plenty of strip mall clubs, bars, etc in Jax....and I don't understand why people are drawn to them.

That's Jax culture for ya.

As far as synergy goes, over a year ago, WR was across from a Baby's R Us or something, a mall parking lot, a marine/boating big box store, and another restaurant. Blah.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by fsu813

...As far as synergy goes, over a year ago, WR was across from a Baby's R Us or something, a mall parking lot, a marine/boating big box store, and another restaurant. Blah.

That area is close to tons of large office buildings where lots of people work. So dining/drinking places have a built-in audience of people going to lunch - having drinks/light food after work - early dinners - etc. Also - a lot of people live in that area - which ---> a built-in audience of people going out to dinner. Robyn

[fsu813]

I was referring to what was immediatly around it.

Not the general area.

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by fsu813

My judgment is fine....I don't understand the draw to malls, other than necessity or proximity.

I think most people don't really care or get caught up things like civic engagement, current events, design, supporting local, authenticity, etc. A smaller portion of the population does. Bigger in some cities, relatively small in Jax due to the culture. So yes, there are plenty of strip mall clubs, bars, etc in Jax....and I don't understand why people are drawn to them.

That's Jax culture for ya.

I questioned your judgment because of your odd reasoning that still misses the point. Why do you wonder why someone goes to a place that they enjoy? You go to places you enjoy...I assume...as most people would do. The much better question is why do these destinations choose to be where they are. Unless you're telling me that the most important draw for you is the location, and that an establishment in downtown...whether it's food or drinks or music...is inherently better than one on the southside.

I'm with you in preferring to see the urban core succeed, but I wouldn't blindly favor a crappy restaurant with poor service and ambiance just because it's downtown or ignore an excellent one that isn't.

Originally Posted by fsu813

As far as synergy goes, over a year ago, WR was across from a Baby's R Us or something, a mall parking lot, a marine/boating big box store, and another restaurant. Blah.

And now? A couple dozen of the highest-grossing restaurants per square feet in the southeastern US. The first Nordstroms in the region. An upscale apartment complex. And a parking garage yay! That area you just described sold for $135 million 6 months ago. There must be a reason for that.

[fsu813]

Why do you wonder why someone goes to a place that they enjoy?

Because I don't understand why someone would enjoy X at a venue that doesn't support best practices, civic engagement, good design, authenticity, the local economy, etc unless it's in close proximity to where they live or it's the only place in town to enjoy X.

But, as I said, obviously many (most) people don't especially care about those things.


And now?

The synergy I was referring to is not what various stores there are in the mall, but about what's in easy walking distance. Ie, across the street/parking lot.