by Bailey White
Staff Writer
One downtown business is closing, another is moving, and a third is for sale.
The Cactus Cafe, which has been in business for 10 years downtown, plans to close when its lease expires later this year.
The popular restaurant is located on West Adams Street in a cluster of eateries which includes The Zodiac Cafe and Johnny’s Deli.
There had been speculation among surrounding businesses that lease problems were to blame for the closing.
Not so, said owner Greg Wright, who said the restaurant was closing because of an illness in the family.
“Our landlords have been great,” he said.
Across West Adams Street, owners James and Denise Mandeville have placed Bill’s Shoes and Luggage Repair Salon, which was established in 1958, on the market.
The Mandevilles, who bought the store in September 2000, began experiencing problems when, in November 2001, they were forced to move from their location in the W.A. Knight building because developer Mike Langton began converting the building into loft apartments.
The move cost the Mandevilles $64,000, not including $80,000 they borrowed, and a growing customer base that dropped when they had to close for a month to reestablish themselves in their new location.
The Mandevilles reopened in December 2001, and in March, the Downtown Development Authority awarded them almost $8,000 to help them recover from their losses, but they have now decided to sell the business.
James Mandeville declined to comment on the reasons for the sale, referring questions to his wife Denise, who is out of town until next week.
Expansion is the reason for the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau’s move to 550 Water Street, near the CSX building, which will provide the CVB with better visibility and easier access for its clients. It’s also closer to the Osborn Center, where the CVB hosts many of its events.
“It is an opportunity to showcase the city to our customers,” said Kitty Ratcliffe, CVB president, adding that the conference room will have a nice view of downtown.
Ratcliffe said the move will give the CVB room to spread out, and will most likely happen in mid-December.
“We’re moving into a larger space because we need the space now . . . it is to accommodate our current needs,” said Ratcliffe, adding she doesn’t plan to hire more staff at this time.