Lynn Johnson has been a commercial real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Commercial Nicholson-Williams Realty since February 2002.
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN A COMMERCIAL REALTOR?
She has been in commercial real estate for 11 years. She started out with an owner/developer, Ashman Properties. She started as a sales agent and then became director of leasing. “I did everything, including leasing and property management. I learned a lot there.” She then left and went to Goldstein Commercial Properties for a few years before joining Coldwell Banker.
CHANCE ENCOUNTER LEAD TO A JOB?
She had been shopping in one of Edward Ashman’s shopping centers and coincidentally met him. They started having a conversation and he wanted her to come work for him, so she did.
SPECIALITY
Retail sales and leasing. Johnson does tenant representation and has a niche market in restaurants.
WHO ARE SOME OF HER CLIENTS?
Sonic, Big Daddy’s Pizza, T & M Deli, Gravity Fitness Center, Goldfinders Furniture, Big League Barber Shops and Oceanside Bank.
WHAT ELSE HAS SHE LEASED?
Dance studios, other gyms and nail salons.
PLANNING ON PUTTING IN ANY RESTAURANTS DOWNTOWN?
“Yes, we are looking at downtown for two of my tenants. We do want to go downtown.” She said they are waiting to see when the Shipyards project gets off the ground, so she may have two tenants opening in the downtown area.
DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE SHOPPING CENTERS DOWNTOWN?
“I would hope there would be. I think it is an important part of having a vital downtown is having shopping. That’s what has been missing downtown. The people don’t live downtown, so at 5 p.m. they all leave. In most major downtowns they have places for people to live and places for people to shop. We don’t have that yet.”
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She worked in the clothing industry for 10 years before traveling with her husband while he was in the U.S. Army.
AREA SHE WORKS?
All over Florida.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“I like the whole experience including meeting the new tenants, finding a space for them, going to the opening, being involved and then going there shopping after they open.”
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
No shows.
ADVICE SHE WOULD GIVE TO NEW AGENTS?
“Get out in person and meet as many people as you can. Personal service is important. Build your database and relationships. That’s what real estate is all about, good relationships.”
BIRTHPLACE
Long Island, but she was raised in Athens, Ga.
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE?
Twelve years ago.
FAMILY
She is married to John, who is retired from the U.S. Army and is now an engineer for Verizon Wireless. They have four children: Daniel, 22; Nick, 21; Adam, 18 and Nick, 15. “We never have a dull moment in our house,” said Johnson.
RESIDES
Intracoastal West.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
She is a member of the International Convention of Shopping Centers, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
HOBBIES
Reading, embroidering, traveling and visiting historical sites.
FAVORITES
Her favorite movie is “Titanic” and her favorite book is “Gone with the Wind.” When watching television, she likes to escape by watching “Witchblade.” When dining out, she recommends Daruma Japanese Steak House and when traveling, she prefers the Caribbean Islands.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis