by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
“I haven’t stopped moving since Super Bowl,” commented Doug Ganson this week as he surveyed the major renovations going on at his latest venture at the Landing.
The first day he opened Sundrez, his gift, card and sundries store, was in 1993. During his first 15 years in business, Ganson enlarged the retail square footage three times but the latest expansion phase hasn’t taken nearly that long.
Since Super Bowl XXXIX, the store has doubled in size, a U. S. Post Office Contract Postal Unit was added and Ganson took over Dipper Dan’s Ice Cream stand near the escalators.
Now he’s about to launch Karlene’s Deli and Bakery, a joint venture with his brother, Rick, who is a 25-year veteran of the corporate side of the fast food industry.
“Rick always wanted to apply the things he learned in the industry to his own venture one day, so in January 2008 he purchased an operating restaurant in Mandarin,” said Ganson.
The restaurant was Karlene’s Deli at the corner of San Jose Boulevard and Loretto Road. The business plan included establishing a brand, creating a new menu and eventually franchising the operation.
The first two Karlene’s franchise units were already being developed at Bartram Park and South Jacksonville Beach last month when Ganson found out one of his neighbors at the Landing, Coach’s Corner, was going out of business.
“As soon as I found out that space was going to be available, I went right upstairs (to the Landing management office) and told them I wanted it,” said Ganson.
Karlene’s will open at 6:30 a.m. to serve breakfast and remain open until after the bars at the Landing close to feed clubgoers who would like to get something to eat before they head home.
“When we open Friday morning, we might stay open until we close the doors Sunday night,” said Ganson.
In addition to hours that accommodate a wide variety of interests, the new venue will also marry sandwiches and cyberspace, an aspect that has proved to be popular at the Mandarin location with the entire menu posted on its Web site, www.karlenesdeli.com.
Ganson said the online ordering service will make it more convenient for Downtown workers to save time during their lunch hour.
“You’ll be able to log on and place your order and if you wish, we’ll deliver it free of charge,” said Ganson. “We’ll also be offering a sit-down experience for three meals a day and we’ll have a full bar from beer to cocktails.”
Landing officials are excited about the new venture and its potential, especially as its headed by a Landing business veteran.
“We’re excited about Doug and his brother bringing their concept here,” said Landing Public Relations Director Rachel Nudge. “People have been asking us to find someone to serve breakfast here, especially since Gold’s Gym moved in. The success Doug has had with Sundrez and Dipper Dan’s is phenomenal because he understands how the Landing works. We expect the same thing will happen with Karlene’s.”
Nudge also said the restaurant will fit into the Sleiman Enterprises concept of providing a venue with things people want to have while they’re having fun.
“Our philosophy is to listen to the market and give the market what it wants. When people are going out to be entertained, it’s natural that they’ll want to eat and drink. Karlene’s fits in perfectly with that concept.”
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