by Glenn Tschimpke
Staff Writer
The post Sept. 11 hangover continues for downtown merchants and the Landing is no exception. The new year brings changes to the waterfront mall, though not all is bad. Let’s start with the good news:
• Landing patrons yearning for a deli sandwich since the departure of Bain’s Deli in the food court won’t have to wait much longer. Elmir Slavic, owner of An Apple a Day fruit stand and his brother Jasmin plan to open a new deli in the spot once occupied by Bain’s.
“We’re doing a lot of salads here and when the deli went out of business upstairs, we decided to expand this operation with sandwiches and stuff,” said Elmir Slavic.
Landing manager John Kiddy said the new deli is a done deal and the lease has been signed. Renovations to the space are currently underway. Look for a grand opening in early February.
• Florida Health Foods is considering closing its Landing location. Poor sales after Sept. 11 plus other factors have prompted owner Wes Plympton to reassess the future of his downtown store.
“We’re still trying to decide,” he said. “We have not completely closed the door on that.”
Plympton noted factors such as parking and lease negotiations as secondary considerations, although he said Landing management has been very accommodating in trying to meet his needs.
“If my employees have no place to park, where can my customers park,” he said. “It’s not a matter of price; it’s a matter of quantity.”
Plympton has four health food stores around Jacksonville. While sales slowed last year at his Landing store, he attributed the decline to industry trends.
“It’s not specifically a Landing factor,” he said. “We’ll see how things work out the first part of this year.”
Florida Health Foods’ lease expires in June.
• Candy and Go Nuts candy store closed early this month after continuing slow sales. Kiddy said plans are to bring in another similar business to the space.
• Indra Jewelry closed this week and consolidated efforts with Manhattan Fashions across the passageway. Allen Wadni, owner of Manhattan Fashions said slow sales and a disappointing holiday season helped prompt the move.
• Kiddy has no firm news about possible restaurants to fill the spaces left by departed Jocks ‘n’ Jills and St. Johns Grill and Tavern, although he is optimistic about getting tenants in by spring.
• Doña Maria Mexican restaurant opened early this month in the old Johnny Rockets space. This came after months of stalled efforts to open on Laura Street near Hemming Plaza. Initial reviews are positive, with good food, rich atmosphere and live music during lunch.