by Monica Chamness
Staff Writer
Now that residents are calling Berkman Plaza home, several retail establishments plan to open their doors at the downtown housing complex in the coming weeks.
Daryl Strickland and his wife Sheila Powers Strickland are scheduled to open Daryl Powers Day Spa Monday to Berkman residents and the general public.
“We figured we could get in on the ground floor of the changes downtown,” said Strickland. “The economics are right, the facility is beautiful and there are 4,000 workers in this area. If the condos and The Shipyards fill up, it will take off. From what I see, there is a lot of activity and interest.”
Initially, he expects only 30 percent of his customers to be Berkman residents, with 70 percent coming from outside the residential tower.
“As people move in, that may change,” he said. “Right now the building is not full. They [the residents he has met] are anxiously awaiting everything to get done.”
Daryl Powers will offer services identical to those at its other location in Ponte Vedra Beach, including full-service hair, nails, skin care and massage, but with the addition of a kerastase speciality. (Kerastase is a line of European hair care products meant to rebuild and rebalance damaged hair.)
“These treatments are especially for those who process their hair through coloring and perming,” he said. “We’re the only one [boutique] in Jacksonville that carries it.”
Custom designed and built to accommodate a salon, the spa can pamper a dozen individuals at a time. A smattering of high-end decor such as imported stone, Italian marble and natural wood flooring will be part of the ambiance.
Matthew Medure, owner of Matthew’s Restaurant and Restaurant Medure, plans to break ground on his venture bordering Berkman Plaza’s marina in January. The restaurant should be open by the end of 2003.
“I was in the process of interviewing designers before I finally found one I was happy with,” said Medure of the delay in building. “We’re going to take our time and do it well.”
At 6,500 square feet, the free-standing structure will accommodate 150 diners. It will be a two-level building with balconies upstairs and downstairs for cigar smokers.
“It is going to have a very elegant feel to it, with warm fabrics and a terrific atmosphere,” said Medure. “It will be more like something you would see in a fine hotel’s dining room. We will be working it into a more provincial menu.”
Medure has been a business partner of David Berkman since 1986, which helped influence his decision to locate there. And there was one other benefit.
“The river is a great location,” said Medure. “This is going to be a terrific atmosphere for the style I want to produce there. I think we’ll see the same clientele but probably pick up guests from the Adam’s Mark Hotel and Berkman residents, too. There’s no fine dining downtown. There’s nothing out there like what this is going to be. With this I am fulfilling a personal goal.”
If the new site proves successful, Medure may consider downscaling Matthew’s Restaurant to make it more casual and neighborhood-oriented. Initially, only dinner will be served at the new restaurant, but he may expand to a lunch menu at some point. He has not yet decided on a name for the new venture.
Also opening in the coming weeks will be a dry cleaners and an upscale food market.