Scott McAlister and the King Street District organization, which owns several King Street bars and The Phoenix Bar and Bowling, announced Dec. 10 the purchase of property adjacent to The Phoenix on Blanding Boulevard for the development of a waterfront restaurant and bar.
Wes Reed, marketing manager for the group, said the sale closed last week on two properties: 2652 Blanding Blvd., the former site of Tidewater Boat Works, and 2408 Lake Shore Blvd., home to M&S Marine Repair, which maintains a long-term lease there.
Tidewater Boat Works, a boat sales and repair shop, relocated to Fernandina Beach last year.
Reed said the group’s preliminary plan for 2652 Blanding Blvd. is to open a Key West-style riverfront bar and restaurant. The property is along the Cedar River. He said he hopes the space will include a taproom on the river.
In addition to renovating the building, the company will rebuild the docks, allowing boats to return to the property.
Jacksonville Brewing Co., which is co-located with The Phoenix, will use some of the space in the building. Reed said there have been discussions about using the space as a billiards hall or another form of entertainment.
According to the Duval County Property Appraiser, the building at 2652 Blanding Blvd. is 6,509 square feet. The two parcels were owned by Fairburn, Georgia-based Janice Investment Co. Inc. Both properties cost about $575,000, he said.
Since the group also owns the Phoenix Bar and Bowling next door, it made sense to own the properties adjacent to it, Reed said.
“With those properties together, you can kind of create an entertainment destination,” Reed said. “That’s kind of what we already tried to do with the Phoenix since we have several different aspects within The Phoenix already, so then ultimately it will be more of a mini-entertainment district over there.”
McAlister’s group also owns The Garage, The Loft, Rogue and Whiteway Deli & Tavern in Riverside.
