by Bailey White
Staff Writer
It’s been a long time coming, but for Mark Jackson, the co-owner and developer of the Amsterdam Sky Cafe, the end is finally in sight.
A grand opening for the sports bar and restaurant has been set for June 5, a sign was recently added to the building’s brick exterior and, against the backdrop of the rising sports and entertainment arena, Jackson and company have been operating a concession trailer since earlier this year.
“We want people to know that we have an outdoor cafe open and that this is a reality,” said Jackson. “People can come here to sit and eat and look at the arena and the ball park and see how the Better Jacksonville Plan is working.”
The concession trailer sits adjacent to the permanent home of the Amsterdam Sky Cafe on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and is open Monday through Saturday between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. It’s been bringing a steady stream of customers, many who are new employees at the baseball park.
“Now that the baseball park is finished, we’re picking up people who work there and at Alltel [Stadium] on a year round basis,” said Jackson. “And we’ve got workers on the arena, too.”
The completion of the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville and the start of home games can only help Jackson’s business grow.
“The benefit for us is all the people walking by seeing our ‘open soon’ sign and realizing our concession trailer is open,” said Jackson.
The Amsterdam Sky Cafe has several components. A sports bar will occupy the ground floor and will open in June. The bar will serve liquor, beer and wine, and, like its sister company in Amsterdam, will offer the highest technology available for bringing in sporting events from around the world.
“We’ll get all the European games,” Jackson said.
In October, the Fat Boys Fairfield Blues Club will open on the second floor.
“We’ll also have catering facilities on the second floor,” said Jackson.
The restaurant will continue to serve breakfast and will extend its hours to accommodate late night crowds.
Jackson plans to offer free valet service and make downtown runs to pick up people wanting to dine at the cafe.
“During the week someone could call us from the Modis building and we’ll pick them up and shuttle them down here,” he said.
Jackson is also working on getting a trolley stop established at his front door.
In the meantime, operations will continue out of the concession trailer, which Jackson said they’ll open for special events.
For Jackson, two and a half years of work is about to pay off.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to opening.”