Christmas stalls Peterbrooke talks

“I was surprised that this popped back up,” he said. “It’s interesting timing for us.”

Peterbrooke offered $1.5 million for the building, which it planned to turn into a headquarters of sorts for its growing franchise business. The project would have included a retail store, museum and manufacturing facilities.

Peterbrooke is still interested in the project, said Behringer, but it could be a trimmed-down version. After losing out to Atkins, the chocolate maker changed its business model, dispersing some of its manufacturing to franchises. The factory component of the project is no longer necessary, he said.

The $1.5 million offer could also change. Behringer said Peterbrooke’s leadership would review the project’s financing before entering negotiations with the City.

Behringer is already talking with top Jacksonville Economic Development Commission officials. Behringer talked by phone Friday with JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton. But substantive negotiations will likely have to wait until the new year, said Behringer.

Not that Behringer’s calender is wide open in January. Valentine’s Day in February might be busier than Christmas, he said. The two holidays account for almost half of the chocolate maker’s annual sales.